Sire V7 - are they really THAT good?

[Plutonium244]

No-brainer compared to MIM Fender. Close, but a tick under the quality of MIA, mostly because of hardware. Finish is great, preamp is outstanding, and honestly I don't know how they manage that at the price point. For me personally, it would be more of a backup or bar/outside bass. But that's personal preference, as I'm not a jazz bass guy.

I may get another one just because. They are great, and even better at the price point. Marcus Miller would not put his name on something he couldn't get out of the box and play onstage. That was my experience too.

^^^This (mostly).

Definitely (IMO) far better than a MIM jazz. I think it DOES compare favorably to MIA Fenders but I would not take issue with someone that might rate them slightly under that; opinions, we all have them and they're all valid. I had one of my Sires mistaken for a Sadowsky by an international touring pro (for African music acts) who heard me playing mine the first time I took it out (he didn't know about Sires so I had the pleasure of introducing him to it).

Although it's all arbitrary estimation, I put the "Sire multiplication factor" at somewhere between 1.8x and 2.2x in terms of value of instruments they compare to; wouldn't go quite so far as 3x myself, but that's hardly a knock-- only worth twice what you pay. I play my new-ish used Sadowsky almost exclusively when using a 4-string J... Sire V7 is not a Sadowsky, but it's damn good, certainly worth the money. There's always the occasional QC issue, but I think every brand gets that, particularly if they do not have birk-mortar retailers to give them the last once-over before a consumer lays hands on it. Certainly for their price, I don't know of a superior bass. But-- since tastes vary, it's possible a buyer won't love it, even if it's good, just based on preferences.

It'd be nice if you could try before you buy... but, adding a middle man would add to the price, too.

 

[socialleper]

I can buy a good, comfortable long lasting pair of jeans for $20.

I can also buy a good, comfortable long lasting pair of jeans for $200.

Different price points for different budgets. Does not remove the fact that both pairs of jeans are good.

This is a poor comparison because cost of a more expensive pair of jeans is based only on perceived value, not cost of materials or labor. The $200 jeans come out of the same Asian child labor factories as the $20 ones. A closer approximation would be a man's business suit. If you buy an off the rack pair of separates from Kohl's for $150, it will never be the same as a tailored Brooks Brothers suit for $1200. However, among the $150 suits some will be better for the money than others.
Also, one may think a MiM jazz bass is pretty good for the money because before that they had a throw away X-Mas starter kit bass, and have never played anything else. They are inexperienced and have never played a Sadowsky or Mayones, so they don't know that the best MiM is firewood in comparison. But that is an unfair comparison, because the MiM is still good for the money.
The same applies to Sire. You will never find a $500-$600 bass with that preamp and those features from anyone else that I know of. Is every single one 100% solid every time? It doesn't sound like it. On the other hand, it seems like their quality level is high enough and the failure rate low enough, that at this price point they are deemed solid.

 

[socialleper]

I went to buy a 5 string bass a couple weeks ago. My 2 best choices in the store were the Marcus Miller and Yamaha.
I tried the Marcus Miller 5 string first, and found it very brittle sounding, with tons of high end, in fact I could not find setting to throttle the high end back enough for my taste, in the time I spent in both the passive and active positions.
I ended up buying a Yamaha 5 string, which seemed to provide much more elasticity of tone.
I could get plenty of high end (if that's what I wanted), easily slip between active and passive, but could also get a much warmer, round tone without jumping thru hoops.

Beyond the neck, the brightness is something else that has steered me away from the V7. Miller is known for that bright, snappy tone. If you like that, it sounds like the v7 has that for days. If I was a decent slap player, I'd want that too. Sadly, I'm not, and prefer bigger, meatier tones. I would have hoped that the tone control on the passive mode (why don't all active basses have that?) or the sweep on the mids would help with that. Maybe not. I've seen a lot of demos of the v7 and have never seen someone dropping some brutality on them the way I like.

 

[swafran]

I didn't like my Sire V7 and sold it after a week or so. It lacked the soul and tone of a good instrument. Some materials were poor (fake rosewood, awful cheap looking fake mother of pearl inlays, etc). Mine also had QC issues (inlays not level with fretboard and badly glued).

Overall I would have gladly traded fewer features on paper (bindings, inlay, preamp, etc) for a simpler design really well done (good wood good pickups and off ya go).

That said, for a beginner bass, why not? It's the intended market anyways. But for the same money, you could get a used precision. That would be a great way to start out.

 

[Plutonium244]

I always enjoy these threads that compare cheap import basses to MIA Fenders. It is always just a matter of time until people start talking about how much better their import basses are. Usually it is Squire, now it's Sire, tomorrow it will be some other rhyming brand.

The rationalization has become hilarious. Just be happy with your bass and quit trying to validate your purchase to the rest of us.

"Cheap import basses"....

Let me guess.. you've never even held a Sire bass in your hands, but you know nonetheless that they suck and all owners are just rationalizing.

Anyone who's tried a Sire and doesn't like it, kudos to you for checking it out. That's called having an open mind. Your opinion is valid-- you've tried it. And, some don't like them after trying them. If another bass works better for you, that's what you should own; that's the "best" bass, for you. No one thing works for everyone; there are some very good basses that just are not right for me.

However, I don't go around telling people that, since I don't like them personally, they must suck. And I CERTAINLY don't go around telling the many people who like a bass I've never tried that they are just wrong.

But, if you're defensive about your MIA Fender, or whatever you have, I understand-- but, to quote a wise feller (or just wise ass), "Just be happy with your bass and quit trying to validate your purchase to the rest of us"

No need to add, I suppose, that the OP ASKED for the opinions of people... presumably people who actually have some kind of first hand experience with them, but people who have no knowledge of them are welcome to chime in too... so it aint "just validating" anything and was addressed to the guy who asked the question, not to "the rest of us" to whom the thread is not addressed, but answering a direct question. You don't wanna hear opinions about Sires from people who know about them, skip the thread that is about exactly that.

The OP should no doubt defer to the opinions of people who have never played 'em as opposed to those that have. He mighta forgotten include the part where he only wanted to hear from people who have no experience with them whatsoever. Good that you were here to provide the "I-have-no-info-on-this-bass" POV and to insist that those who do should just shut up and enjoy their bass, and ignore this guy's question.

Have a good day. I have to leave for a gig now. Prolly take Sire with me, been playing that Sadowsky too much lately.

 

[Plutonium244]

Beyond the neck, the brightness is something else that has steered me away from the V7. Miller is known for that bright, snappy tone. If you like that, it sounds like the v7 has that for days. If I was a decent slap player, I'd want that too. Sadly, I'm not, and prefer bigger, meatier tones. I would have hoped that the tone control on the passive mode (why don't all active basses have that?) or the sweep on the mids would help with that. Maybe not. I've seen a lot of demos of the v7 and have never seen someone dropping some brutality on them the way I like.

I do not find the rosewood neck V7's to be bright, at all. YMMV, obviously. In fact, I like my V7 with the rosewood neck (also have 2 other Sires) for the very reason that it is not bright or crispy, but is well-rounded and traditional- sounding, perfect for the many jazz/blues/old soul gigs I play often. But I personally prefer maple boards overall.

Bottom line, everyone's tastes varies. Otherwise, we'd all own the one existing brand and model of bass. More than 1 kind can be good.

 

[Quadzilla]

Played one and I had high expectations considering all of the hype about them here on TB...

Well, I was a bit underwhelmed. The one I played was rather heavy, had a very chunky neck, played OK (not great) and the tone was OK (but also not great). Maybe it was a lemon, but it certainly curbed my appetite to buy one...

 

[Gab124]

Here is another great video showing the Sire in a band context. This one is from a fellow TBer and I believe he said that when this recording session started at Sun Studio that his batteries died. So, he plowed forward in passive and to me this is a great example of the flexibility of this bass. Sounds great to my ear.

Sire at Sun Studio Music starts at 1:28

This is where the rubber meets the road; no denying this doesn't work. One doesn't have to like the bass personally, but you can't deny that this does the job and rather well I might add.

 

[jd56hawk]

Man, I can't wait for the Sire P basses to start shipping!

 

[Gab124]

This thread has really made me wonder, with all the $ talk, about the actual price where diminishing returns happen. I mean, let's say I can buy a $5000.00 bass - how much of that bass has nothing to do with actually playing good music? I mean technically I can get rich with a $300.00 bass if the music is written well enough. So where is that mysterious line?
In the end I guess I don't care, I like to play and will do it with whatever I can get into my hands - some days its my Sadowsky, some my MIM P bass and others the Sire. They all goooooooood.

 

[BigBigGuy44]

This is a poor comparison because cost of a more expensive pair of jeans is based only on perceived value, not cost of materials or labor. The $200 jeans come out of the same Asian child labor factories as the $20 ones. A closer approximation would be a man's business suit. If you buy an off the rack pair of separates from Kohl's for $150, it will never be the same as a tailored Brooks Brothers suit for $1200. However, among the $150 suits some will be better for the money than others.

Perceived value is saying "it is good for the money". Value is justified by the price paid. Your comparison of the Brooks Brothers suit proves my argument. Is the $1,200 suit better than the $150 suit from Kohls? Hardly. They are both made from the same materials and both could be equally as good.

Regent Fit Stripe 1818 Suit - Brooks Brothers

"Two-button suit made from wool and mohair blend. Our 1818 Suits feature hand sewn armholes for added comfort and movement. Pick stitching. Fully lined. Crafted in our Regent fit. Side vents and flat-front trousers. Dry clean. Made at our own factory in the USA from imported materials."

And how do we know the same child laborer making the suit for Kohls isn't making a Sire bass on the other side of the factory?

Don't get me wrong, I'm all about finding a good value and I do believe in the old saying "you get what you pay for". I always try to buy the best quality product I can afford. But my brain is programmed to automatically transcribe "good for the money" to justifiable junk. Truly good products do not have to have the budget qualifier.

 

[Panych]

Perceived value is saying "it is good for the money". Value is justified by the price paid. Your comparison of the Brooks Brothers suit proves my argument. Is the $1,200 suit better than the $150 suit from Kohls? Hardly. They are both made from the same materials and both could be equally as good.

Regent Fit Stripe 1818 Suit - Brooks Brothers

"Two-button suit made from wool and mohair blend. Our 1818 Suits feature hand sewn armholes for added comfort and movement. Pick stitching. Fully lined. Crafted in our Regent fit. Side vents and flat-front trousers. Dry clean. Made at our own factory in the USA from imported materials."

And how do we know the same child laborer making the suit for Kohls isn't making a Sire bass on the other side of the factory?

Don't get me wrong, I'm all about finding a good value and I do believe in the old saying "you get what you pay for". I always try to buy the best quality product I can afford. But my brain is programmed to automatically transcribe "good for the money" to justifiable junk. Truly good products do not have to have the budget qualifier.

Fully agree. It is either good or not. The rest it is just marketing and perception.
It is silly to say that a Mercedes Benz is better than a Toyota because the first one is more expensive than the latter. The same it is very questionable when a someone says that a Toyota is good for its price because it immediately perceives that it will never be as good as a Mercedes Benz.
For me if a bass is good, it means that it fully meets to my minimum requirements of a good instrument which I may use with confidence in any situation. The rest as I said above it is marketing and perception. The usual auditorium we play for will never notice any differences in tone between a good $500 and good $5000 basses...

 

[5544]

I can buy a good, comfortable long lasting pair of jeans for $20.

I can also buy a good, comfortable long lasting pair of jeans for $200.

Different price points for different budgets. Does not remove the fact that both pairs of jeans are good.

The 200- jeans may have a better fit than the 20- jeans.
The 20- jeans may have a better fit than the 200- jeans.
It depends on the person's personal preference on what feels better to them regardless of price tag or name.

If there was a shop full of basses with all the headstocks covered with a cardboard box, the electronics removed, a black film covered the original color and no prices listed, what would people be buying?

 

[tubestuff]

Can anyone give a Lakland/Sire comparison. I have the Daryl Jones Lakland and love it but I also love active and I'm getting GAS for a V7. Low action is a concern due to arthritis. How do they compare?

Thanks much.

 

[Asat77]

The 200- jeans may have a better fit than the 20- jeans.
The 20- jeans may have a better fit than the 200- jeans.
It depends on the person's personal preference on what feels better to them regardless of price tag or name.

If there was a shop full of basses with all the headstocks covered with a cardboard box, the electronics removed, a black film covered the original color and no prices listed, what would people be buying?

Buying a bass (or another instrument) is very personal. You need to try it out by yourself. I've never bought the best looking basses because that basses didn't sound and play as good as the bass which do it for me. But I love my basses. They fit to me. The only bass I bought without trying before is the Sire Vintage V7 bass. It was a risk but I will keep it. It plays great and sounds great, different than my other basses.

 

[fenjazz]

Can anyone give a Lakland/Sire comparison. I have the Daryl Jones Lakland and love it but I also love active and I'm getting GAS for a V7. Low action is a concern due to arthritis. How do they compare?

I've owned 2 DJs and 3 Sires. The Sires are way more flexible in tone department, and have the Marcus tone obviously when you want to slap. The Sire neck is as easy to play as the DJ and has a similar profile. You shouldn't have a problem.

 

[selowitch]

I'm so impressed with the Sires. They are very high quality.

 

[tubestuff]

I've owned 2 DJs and 3 Sires. The Sires are way more flexible in tone department, and have the Marcus tone obviously when you want to slap. The Sire neck is as easy to play as the DJ and has a similar profile. You shouldn't have a problem.

Good info... Thanks!

 

[puff father]

I have two Sires. An alder/rosewood 5 string and an alder fretless 4 string. I also have a MiM fretless Jazz that hasn't seen daylight since I received the Sire. At least between these two basses there's no comparison. The Sire kills this MiM in every way, and that's not counting the Sire preamp.

I've ordered a third Sire, P7.

 

[bholder]

I have two Sires. An alder/rosewood 5 string and an alder fretless 4 string. I also have a MiM fretless Jazz that hasn't seen daylight since I received the Sire. At least between these two basses there's no comparison. The Sire kills this MiM in every way, and that's not counting the Sire preamp.

I've ordered a third Sire, P7.

I'm on 4 Sires, perhaps going on 5, and I have to agree, any of them kills my MiM Fender J (not that there's anything at all wrong with the J - it's just outclassed in every way even by the entry-level M3).