Sire V7 5 String Bass, Replacement Bridge & Tuners

[JonnNixx5ST]

anyone get the sire tuner specs ? I want to swap them out as 2 (yes 2( have fell apart on me now from what i believe rubbing on the gig bag during transport.
The bass is deadly the hardware sucks lets be honest .. any help would be appreciated
I emailed Sire for the specs and nothing back yet

 

[antownio]

I have been struggling with the hipshot rep who seems new and can't get it right but together we have got the proper specs. Hipshot has told me that in a couple of months there will be a direct retrofit available for the sire v7 5 string(at least this is what the rep told me over the phone).

I have ordered the hipshot a-bridge and plan on drilling new holes if needed. (0.708 spacing :: i.e 18mm bridge string spacing)

As for the tuners, he sent me ultralites however the wrong sized nuts(1/2 inch instead of 11/16ths ; new nutes are on the way via his shagup of the first order). The holes are 11/16ths for the tuners FYI JonnNixx5ST. If you go to bestbessgear and click hipshot vintage tuners you will see a bunch there. I'm waiting on the new nuts for the ultralite tuners, however am skeptical about them fitting properly still.

 

[JonnNixx5ST]

Well that sounds promising. You mentioned you received the specs would you share them? 11/16 hole but I'm curious to know the screw spacing for the factory drilled holes. I tried to measure them myself but I haven't had much luck ( is it Center to Center etc) last night at my gig my B tuner fell apart. Little frustrating

Any help I super appreciate

 

[antownio]

11/16th is the hole size for the tuners.

Invalid Link Removed

I would try one of those, as for filling the old holes it's not that hard.

I don't plan on filling the holes because this is a work bass and I plan on using it for gigging.

The ultralite tuners only have 1 screw which is offset from the other holes, so no need to fill old screw holes just pilot drill one new one and install.

 

[JonnNixx5ST]

Here is what I measured

Sire Tuning Key Specs measurements in mm

• JonnNixx5ST
• Oct 2, 2016

Looking for any help to see if this seems correct to anyone and trying to match to a replacement...

 

[BlaBelle]

Here is what I measured

Sire Tuning Key Specs measurements in mm

• JonnNixx5ST
• Oct 2, 2016

Looking for any help to see if this seems correct to anyone and trying to match to a replacement...

Missing one of the measurements - left side plate width. Thanks.

 

[JonnNixx5ST]

 

[BlaBelle]

View attachment 986358

According to Jason at Hipshot the HB1 is a direct drop in replacement but! I checked the screw hole dimensions in the diagram that's on their website and it just does' fit, when you convert from millimeters to inches it does not jive, close but no cigar. Jason seem to think it was but check it for yourselves.

 

[MarkoYYZ]

Those dimensions can't be correct. If you leave the decimal points where they are, then the unit is cm and not mm. Otherwise remove the decimal points and leave it as mm (which is probably the better choice, over cm).

Otherwise, great work taking the dimensions and sharing them with the community - this sort of info is always helpful for someone down the road!
.

 

[Glazenn]

@antownio

My new Sire Marcus Miller V7 Alder-5 FL AWH is on its way. Delivery from Thomann is scheduled on Tuesday.

Hipshot say their HB1 keys fit G&L and MM.
And Schaller also say their BM keys fit G&L and MM
(Bass-Machine Heads BM | Schaller-Electronic)

I have a spare set of 4 Schaller BM keys from my G&L SB-2.
So I will tell you by middle of next week if the Schaller BM keys can be used for replacement on a Sire V7.
If so, I will just have to order a fifth one from Schaller.

 

[Ironbar]

LOL don't let the Sire truthers see this thread, they will call you bad names because Sire hardware is "just as good as MIA Fender"

I'm not a Sire "truther" by any stretch. If something breaks, it needs to be fixed. That said, I haven't had a single problem with my Sire at all.

 

[HeyyyyyJoe]

So I take it the Hipshot HB1 or Schaller BM tuners are direct replacements? Should work with 4 string version too, right?

 

[Glazenn]

So I take it the Hipshot HB1 or Schaller BM tuners are direct replacements? Should work with 4 string version too, right?

Neh, the Shaller/G&L don't fit unless you drill new screw holes.
The hole spacings measured on my V7-5 are 20, 24 and 34.5 mm.

As to the bridge, the best deal I have found so far is the Göldo HW55C (5 strings). According to Göldo, it's string spacing is 19 mm adjustable by ±1.0 mm, some other sources (Thomann and many others) say it's 16.8 mm adjustable by ±1.0 mm too, so it's OK in both cases (the Sire V7-5 spacing is 18.0 mm as measured = 72 mm between the B and G string, center to center), but the actual Göldo bridge spacing needs to be clarified. Longitudinally, it leaves enough room to drill holes for string-through (or use the screw holes for strings after enlarging the diameter a little, and drill new screw holes under the saddles).
Göldo HW55C is 27.00€ at Thomann's - Invalid Link Removed

The Sandberg bridge 5 (€55.00) is OK too, lateral spacing is adjustable, 17.5 mm ± 1 mm, but it is not designed for string-through, albeit additional holes can be drilled, but not easily because of the reduced space at the G-string and because the Sire V7-5 string holes geometry is the driver (unless one puts the screws under the saddles and uses the existing screw holes for the strings).
It seems the Göldo and Sandberg bridges come from the same company.

 

[HeyyyyyJoe]

Neh, the Shaller/G&L don't fit unless you drill new screw holes.
The hole spacings measured on my V7-5 are 20, 24 and 34.5 mm.

As to the bridge, the best deal I have found so far is the Göldo HW55C (5 strings). According to Göldo, it's string spacing is 19 mm adjustable by ±1.0 mm, some other sources (Thomann and many others) say it's 16.8 mm adjustable by ±1.0 mm too, so it's OK in both cases (the Sire V7-5 spacing is 18.0 mm as measured = 72 mm between the B and G string, center to center), but the actual Göldo bridge spacing needs to be clarified. Longitudinally, it leaves enough room to drill holes for string-through (or use the screw holes for strings after enlarging the diameter a little, and drill new screw holes under the saddles).
Göldo HW55C is 27.00€ at Thomann's - Invalid Link Removed

The Sandberg bridge 5 (€55.00) is OK too, lateral spacing is adjustable, 17.5 mm ± 1 mm, but it is not designed for string-through, albeit additional holes can be drilled, but not easily because of the reduced space at the G-string and because the Sire V7-5 string holes geometry is the driver (unless one puts the screws under the saddles and uses the existing screw holes for the strings).
It seems the Göldo and Sandberg bridges come from the same company.

Thank you. So there really isn't a direct replacement for the tuners?

 

[Glazenn]

Thank you. So there really isn't a direct replacement for the tuners?

On their website, SIRE say they have developped their own head machines (see below), so chances to find a replacement with the exact same dimensions - i.e. with better quality - are very limited.

Strangely, if you look at the bridge picture (4 strings) on the same page, it's very clear that their design is kind of no-hope: no one can string this string-thru bridge... as some string holes are under the saddles (but it's OK with 5 string bridges).

 

[Glazenn]

Finally, I have done a graphic comparison of the SANDBERG 5B5C bridge to the SIRE V7-5 bridge.
The images of the two bridges are superimposed in the picture below.
Scale to scale ± 1 mm. The Sandberg bridge is 103 x 52 and the V7-5 bridge is 98 x 54 (in mm).

The dimensions and hole positions fit amazingly well.
The string spacing is 18 mm (.708") for both bridges (saddles, strings, holes, screws, etc.).
The red line is for the G-string saddle alignment on both pictures.

The SANDBERG bridge must be drilled for the thru-body strings at 8.5 mm from the screw holes towards the tail.
The SIRE body must receive the bridge screws 8.5 mm ahead of the string holes towards the saddles.
The 6 screw holes for the SIRE bridge are hidden under the SANDBERG bridge.

The GÖLDO bridge doesn't work so well, its spacing is 16.8 mm and it requires the 4 misaligned string holes but the center one to be re-adjusted.

 

[wvbass]

On their website, SIRE say they have developped their own head machines (see below), so chances to find a replacement with the exact same dimensions - i.e. with better quality - are very limited.

Huh. They look a whole lot like the machine heads on my Sterling Sub. They are crap machine heads, but they work. I have to agree - I don't think there is a direct replacement for them.

 

[lidgttftatim]

Hello,

I have had my sire bass for a few months now an love it, however I am not happy with the quality of the tuners and the bridge.

While tuning today I noticed that one of the tuners is not catching properly and actually started to strip the threads.

Another issue with the bridge while adjusting intonation, the screw actually snapped on me.

I'm wondering if anybody out there has experience replacing the tuners and bridge and could point me in the right direction. I am looking for a solid retrofit for both if they exist.

Thanks,
Antonio

Hello,

I have had my sire bass for a few months now an love it, however I am not happy with the quality of the tuners and the bridge.

While tuning today I noticed that one of the tuners is not catching properly and actually started to strip the threads.

Another issue with the bridge while adjusting intonation, the screw actually snapped on me.

I'm wondering if anybody out there has experience replacing the tuners and bridge and could point me in the right direction. I am looking for a solid retrofit for both if they exist.

Thanks,
Antonio

 

[lidgttftatim]

I have emailed hipshot through their website, in the meantime while I wait for a reply. Does anybody have jason's direct email?

Also still would be interested in hearing what others who have changed the bridge or tuners on their Sire V7 have to say. Any input is appreciated! Thanks

Hi Antownio,

3 ideas I'm using on my white ash Sire V7 5-string.
1) I swapped out screws in my saddles to allow more travel length making adjustments while intonating.
2) Another idea I had is to simple use machine screw washers rear of the bent plate to add length to the intonation screws.
3) I contacted Hipshot: they responsed today with this suggestion:
"Because of the string thru on your stock bridge is where it is, none our bridges will be a direct replacement model. The best and closest match would be our 5-string FM A-style bridges. You will need to align the string thru holes and then drill new mounting holes in line. Please find the PDF and link to the bridge.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
5 string A Style w/Fender Mount > Store > Hipshot Products.

 

[MMStingRay]

on the tuner replacement issue. Has anyone tried either of these? you can find the specs in the details. They look like (or closet to) direct replacement parts.

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