Sire V7 or Fender 70's Jazz?

[HankHillWaluigi]

Hey everyone, just want an opinion on this. Digging these new basses at a lower price point than the Fender. Will be played through a GK 2x12 cab with an Acoustic 300 watt head (don't understand the hate for these, but may be swapped out later). I'll be using it for college jazz band and other bands as well (funk, soul, R&B type deals). I do a lot of fingerstyle and slapping, very rarely do I use a pick.

The answer is probably staring me in the face but I'm too stubborn to see . Thanks for your input!

 

[dabbler]

The pre on the Sire will give you more flexibility than the Fender. I vote V7, wood choice I'll leave up to you.

 

[MDBass]

It's a pretty obvious answer unless your main concern is the name on/shape of the headstock

 

[Sammuell92]

I assumed the 70's jazz bass is the MIM.

 

[Osztertag2112]

Ive got the 70s jazz and without a doubt it is my favorite bass ever! Sounds great, feels great and is pretty good looking!

 

[dave_bass5]

Well the V7 has smaller frets. Not sure if that matters to you but for me it makes quite a difference to playability.

Saying that, i doubt anyone really needs an active jazz bass, although i spouse for the price its worth having just in case.

 

[MDBass]

....and from the current looks of the poll it would appear that most people's main concern actually IS the headstock

 

[dave_bass5]

Well the head stock is rather long on the V7, and it has a rather distracting name on it

 

[rockinb]

Both basses look good and have gotten good reviews. The Sire V7 pre will give you more tone options. One other thing to consider is bass weight. From what I can tell from reading reviews and classifieds here on TB is that the Sire V7's are heavy for 4 strings - like 10 lbs+. I was going to buy a Sire (don't need one but they seem like such good deals) but the weight made me think twice. Too heavy for me to gig with regularly. But I am picky about necks and weight. YMMV.

 

[dave_bass5]

Yes, my V7 is the heaviest bass ive owned. Ive done a 2 hour set with it and to be honest it did become a bit uncomfortable, but not to the point id give up on it.
Im sure there are heavier out there.

 

[pacojas]

one of each

 

[lfmn16]

....and from the current looks of the poll it would appear that most people's main concern actually IS the headstock

Or maybe since Fender basses have been around since the '50's and Sire is a relatively new company, more people have experience with Fender than Sire.

 

[MDBass]

Or maybe since Fender basses have been around since the '50's and Sire is a relatively new company, more people have experience with Fender than Sire.

Of course, but that's just the other side of the same coin: making a choice based solely on brand name and heritage instead of looking at both options objectively.

Fender makes some great basses, but they don't offer anything for anywhere near a $400 price point that has USA made pickups and a three band EQ with sweepable mids; not even close.