• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Sire V3 1st gen vs 2nd gen

C

crammit442

Dec 1, 2018
187
365
#1
I recently placed my order for a new Sire 2nd gen V3 and it came in today. It's quite nice, set up well and the fit and finish are very good. The thing is, it appears to actually be a first generation. It has the 1st gen plastic dual battery compartments, the pickups look to be 1st gen (no Marcus Miller logo), and it doesn't have the big 2nd gen sticker on the pick guard. It was supposed to be set up w/a new set of D'Addario EXL-170 strings (through body) and include a spare set of strings. Somehow the strings didn't get installed or included in the shipment. I'm a good sport and understand that stuff happens. I was super stoked about this as it's my first bass and I was planning to play it all next week. The improvements in the 2nd gen are quite nice. I'm struggling with whether to return this one (and NOT play it all next week) or keep it. It's a nice instrument and feels great, but I'm definitely disappointed that I didn't receive exactly what I ordered. Thoughts?
Charles
 
#4
safikex said:
Yeah, it seems that this is the only reasonable thing that can be done in this situation..
Where did you order it from? Ebay, Amazon? Or from official dealer?
Click to expand...

I bought it through Chicago Music Exchange. After talking to them this morning it looks like we're going to be able to to get everything straightened out without issue. VERY good customer service so far.
Charles
 
  • Like
Reactions: safikex
#5
crammit442 said:
It's a nice instrument and feels great, but I'm definitely disappointed that I didn't receive exactly what I ordered.
Click to expand...
If it feels great and is in good-or-better condition, I'd be inclined keep it. Chances may be good that a replacement will feel just as great, but there are no guarantees. (e.g.: I've tried several Fenders and Squiers over the years, but not every one of them has felt "right" in my hands…including some American-made models. ;))

I'm curious about what considerations you worked out with Chicago Music Exchange. Share, plz? :)
 
#6
Malak the Mad said:
If it feels great and is in good-or-better condition, I'd be inclined keep it. Chances may be good that a replacement will feel just as great, but there are no guarantees. (e.g.: I've tried several Fenders and Squiers over the years, but not every one of them has felt "right" in my hands…including some American-made models. ;))

I'm curious about what considerations you worked out with Chicago Music Exchange. Share, plz? :)
Click to expand...

What CME (generosly) offered to do was to; first verify that they did indeed have a a 2nd gen V3 in stock. Once he (Marc in the bass dept) had one in his hands, he put it aside for me. They're emailing me a return label for the 1st gen I received. As soon as that tracking number goes active, my replacement ( after getting a basic set up) will ship. I should have the new one in my hands Wednesday. They could have easily made me wait until they receive the 1st one to ship the new one or made me pay for the second one until they got the other one back. The strings I ordered came in yesterday. It could have shipped overnight yesterday, but understandably, he was swamped with customers in the store and we weren't able to to get everything squared away until nearly 7:00 last night. I'd have liked to have had it on Christmas day, but they've been really good about wanting to make it right. I'll definitely give them high praise for the way they package an instrument. It took me quite a while to put the bass back in it's box correctly and then a good while more to fully pack that in the bigger box it was shipped in. It was well protected. The other thing is that they're selling the 2nd gen for the same price as the 1st. The first one was nice and had obviously had a good basic set up done. The action was set at a consistent average level with no buzzes or dead notes and the strings were intonated almost perfectly. As long as they do at least what they did with the first one, I'll be fully satisfied. I was hoping to have it to play with during my days off, but Wednesday isn't bad. Once I realized I was returning it, I called a buddy and borrowed his bass (Kramer headless/bodyless) so I'll have something to use until mine comes in. Definitely a hiccup, but I've been treated well so far. As long as everything works out, I'll definitely buy from them again.
Charles
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Malak the Mad
#7
crammit442 said:
What CME (generosly) offered to do was to; first verify that they did indeed have a a 2nd gen V3 in stock. Once he (Marc in the bass dept) had one in his hands, he put it aside for me. They're emailing me a return label for the 1st gen I received. As soon as that tracking number goes active, my replacement ( after getting a basic set up) will ship. I should have the new one in my hands Wednesday. They could have easily made me wait until they receive the 1st one to ship the new one or made me pay for the second one until they got the other one back. The strings I ordered came in yesterday. It could have shipped overnight yesterday, but understandably, he was swamped with customers in the store and we weren't able to to get everything squared away until nearly 7:00 last night. I'd have liked to have had it on Christmas day, but they've been really good about wanting to make it right. I'll definitely give them high praise for the way they package an instrument. It took me quite a while to put the bass back in it's box correctly and then a good while more to fully pack that in the bigger box it was shipped in. It was well protected. The other thing is that they're selling the 2nd gen for the same price as the 1st. The first one was nice and had obviously had a good basic set up done. The action was set at a consistent average level with no buzzes or dead notes and the strings were intonated almost perfectly. As long as they do at least what they did with the first one, I'll be fully satisfied. I was hoping to have it to play with during my days off, but Wednesday isn't bad. Once I realized I was returning it, I called a buddy ad borrowed his bass (Kramer headless/bodyless) so I'll have something to use until mine comes in. Definitely a hiccup, but I've been treated well so far. As long as everything works out, I'll definitely buy from them again.
Charles
Click to expand...
Yeah, it sounds like they really know how to cultivate a loyal customer, so everyone comes out happy. :) And kudos to them for knowing how to pack an instrument. I've been a shipper/receiver in the past and that goes a long way with me.

As for the 2nd-gen Sire, I'm curious how it'll feel in your hands, given the slightly flatter fretboard radius. Personally, I prefer a curvier, 7.25" radius, which all the 1st-gen V7's and V9's had. Now, only the V7 Vintages have that feature, but to many, it's no big deal one way or the other.
 
  • Like
Reactions: generalduncan
#8
I've bought a few things from CME and their service is really top notch - in fact I prefer to buy from them on Reverb - just knowing if anything went wrong, I'd be dealing with them. Even if were in the market for a Sire, I'd prefer to buy it from CME than Sire itself.

With the Sire Version 2 bass, it's got the upgraded pickups too, not that the 1st gen needed it as it already sounded pretty awesome.
 
#9
I got an update on my order. I sent the 1st gen back. They were able to actually physically put their hands on a Black 2nd gen V3. Turns out it was the last 2nd gen V3 they have in stock. Because of all the Christmas confusion they weren't able to get it out to me until yesterday. When they were getting it ready to ship, they noticed it had a little bit of floor wear. They called to let me know and see if I still wanted it. It has a few minor swirls on the pg from being handled by customers. I was assured that it was still very clean, but had obviously been handled. Instead of asking for a discount, I asked if they could manage to get it to me today. They agreed and the tracking shows it out for delivery. Assuming their description is accurate, I'm very satisfied w/CME's customer service. Hopefully I'll get a chance to play with it some and finally make a NBD thread.
Charles
 
#10
crammit442 said:
I got an update on my order. I sent the 1st gen back. They were able to actually physically put their hands on a Black 2nd gen V3. Turns out it was the last 2nd gen V3 they have in stock. Because of all the Christmas confusion they weren't able to get it out to me until yesterday. When they were getting it ready to ship, they noticed it had a little bit of floor wear. They called to let me know and see if I still wanted it. It has a few minor swirls on the pg from being handled by customers. I was assured that it was still very clean, but had obviously been handled. Instead of asking for a discount, I asked if they could manage to get it to me today. They agreed and the tracking shows it out for delivery. Assuming their description is accurate, I'm very satisfied w/CME's customer service. Hopefully I'll get a chance to play with it some and finally make a NBD thread.
Charles
Click to expand...
The fact that they contacted you about the floor wear and signs of use AND offering some kind of compensation is a sign of a good company you want to deal with . Guitar Center often sends out floor models (if that is all they have left in stock), they certainly don't explain it to you nor do they give you any discount- their definition of "new" is very different.
 
  • Like
Reactions: generalduncan
#11
Maxdusty said:
The fact that they contacted you about the floor wear and signs of use AND offering some kind of compensation is a sign of a good company you want to deal with . Guitar Center often sends out floor models (if that is all they have left in stock), they certainly don't explain it to you nor do they give you any discount- their definition of "new" is very different.
Click to expand...

Very true. I was really surprised to get a call saying that he was packing it and noticed the slight wear. He said he couldn't ship it as a "new" instrument like that and wanted to make sure I was aware and do whatever he needed so I'd be happy.
Charles
 
  • Like
Reactions: Maxdusty

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back