Not trying to be difficult, but you know this how. I ask because I want a jazz type bass and just talked myself out of spending $3000. Everything I've read about the V7 is positive so I would love to hear more reviews pos or neg before I drop $600. I have a MusicMan Bingo hh5er and a Ibanez SR1206E. Like I said I was going to drop a little coin, but I don't mind saving it if this bass is the truth.
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Sire V7 or Skyline DJ5?
- Thread starter Dr. Cheese
- Start date
Best Jazz bass I have owned is the Bacchus. Second best is Lakland and 3rd is American Fender. But the reason for my list is because I prefer modern Jazz basses that have zing and low mid range presence. More aggressive tones basically.
If you want to drop $3k, then you should really do serious research into exactly what style J bass you want because you can get some amazing stuff. For example, if you want a classic 60s bass on steroids, the Sadowksy is excellent. If you want a classic 60s J passive, the Laklands are great.
I find that in order to do it right the first time you need to get real particular on the tone you want. you will be surprised at the options once you narrow it down.
Well A: you saved almost $2500 which is awesome. and B: these basses appear to be a very nice value so you will most likely be pleased.
I was going to get a Valenti, and still may get one later on, but the Sire looks like it may give a U.S made FEnder deluxe a run. If it plays well after a good setup, but I don't like other stuff about it, I can always make some changes, and still save money.
I almost got a deluxe a few years ago. They are very very nice basses but overpriced IMO. The main thing to me was that the passive sound was not on the level of the traditional fenders. I still think the Fender Deluxe is a great bass and is more than enough for pro work, as long as you are going active.
It takes a while, and tons of playing to figure out the exact details of what you want, which IMO is of outmost importance - especially before spending thousands on a instrument. The Sire, is a great bass because you can either get it and be done or get it and learn more about the further intricacies and details of what you are looking for tonewise. The ears and hands just need to keep developing and the basses need to be played as much as possible.
It takes a while, and tons of playing to figure out the exact details of what you want, which IMO is of outmost importance - especially before spending thousands on a instrument. The Sire, is a great bass because you can either get it and be done or get it and learn more about the further intricacies and details of what you are looking for tonewise. The ears and hands just need to keep developing and the basses need to be played as much as possible.
I've heard almost unreal reports about the Sire, and I must admit I'm a bit skeptical. I remember the glowing reports on the KSD's when they hit the market. And the reality is they were poorly finished, mediocre basses with pathetic QC. I remember one store I knew got three in that were simply unplayable in the condition they were shipped in. My other beef with the Sire is I'm not thrilled about the direct only business model. This industry needs some alternatives to companies that seem to be only interested in going down with Guitar Center. Having said all that, I've heard some glowing reports from people I respect, a few of which didn't have any chips in the game, so they are probably worth considering. The only real negative I've heard is they are heavy. And the reality is for what they're asing for them, it's not like you are going to lose your shirt if you don't like it and have to put it in the TB classifieds.
On the Lakland, the early Korean Skylines were as good or better than the American Fenders at the time. I heard they had a few hiccups when they moved production to Indonesia, but I've heard some good things lately. The DJ4 is one of the best passive J basses I've ever played, although I must admit I played a USA Joe Osborn at one Summer NAMM, that I STILL wish I could have bought. My only hesitation with the DJ5 was the neck profile which I thought was a bit clubby. I've heard they've improved. For the record the JO5's had a great neck profile.
Personally I'd look for a DJ5 used, if you buy right you can sell it for what you paid for it.
On the Lakland, the early Korean Skylines were as good or better than the American Fenders at the time. I heard they had a few hiccups when they moved production to Indonesia, but I've heard some good things lately. The DJ4 is one of the best passive J basses I've ever played, although I must admit I played a USA Joe Osborn at one Summer NAMM, that I STILL wish I could have bought. My only hesitation with the DJ5 was the neck profile which I thought was a bit clubby. I've heard they've improved. For the record the JO5's had a great neck profile.
Personally I'd look for a DJ5 used, if you buy right you can sell it for what you paid for it.
Burke, I should have known a vet like you could break it down. Every time it looks like I will get a Sadowsky, something comes up, but I have played enough of them know they are genuinely great instruments. I have a hard time imagining a $500-$600 bass approaching them in any but the most general way. The DJ5 neck is chubby compared to the wide, but thin, Sadowsky neck. That said, I found the DJ5 neck comfortable along with its small body.
If you hold off a month or so I have a passive Bacchus 4 coming. Ive owned Laklands ,Am Fenders, Modulus and played Sadowksys to name a few. I think I know what you dig and I think Bacchus may make it best. I can tell you the necks are thinner and faster than Sadowsky and Lakland and the tone is better at least for my active 6 I have. Im playing it next to a Cirrus 5 Ive had here for a month now and it is even faster than that neck. So far my impression is that it easily trumps all the makers I listed above . When I get the passive I can compare that for you as well. I don't get any hookups from these guys, I'm just incredibly impressed. It seems like they have mastered the modern Jazz bass IMO. - More importantly they are extremely well priced for what you get.
Sure. This stuff is so subjective, but if you want something special this may be it. Anyway you can youtube some folks playing them to get an idea. Another interesting Japanese bass company to check out is the Atelier Z. They are the only company that really nails the exact Marcus Miller sound if you are into that.
Dr Chees I don't know if your friend broke anything down, he just gave a biased opinion meaning he has not tried the Sires basses. I have IMHO two great basses a MusicMan Bongo and a Ibanez 1206E, I also have to money to have a bass built, but the Sires does sound good from what people are saying so it's a sail chance I'm taking to find out. If I don't like it I can sell it. And order a Valenti. I am not saying it is or will be as good, but it does sound like it can compet with a American deluxe.
He just stated the reasons why I am skeptical about Sire. I want to believe that a $600 bass can hang with a $2,500 bass, who wouldn't want that except boutique makers? I have admit this even for me, $499 or $599 is a modest investment for most people.
Dr, I will tell you something else, while I've only played them at NAMM shows (a terrible place to check out tone). The Carvin SB series are damn impressive, and the 5 string neck is far closer to the Sadowsky profile. I've heard lots of good about the new JB series that replaced them too. I will also say the workmanship was real good, not quite Sadowsky, but not many are, but as good as any production bass I've checked out in a while.
As far as the Sire's, the negatives I listed were not a knock on the bass, just a word of caution. I will say I've seen a surprising amount of them already showing up used on TB. I do know some great players who like them, but were they playing the off the rack model or the heavily massaged and set up for the NAMM show model? They sound good in recordings, but too me the test of a bass isn't just tone, thats were you start. It's also the consistency from note to note, the ability to take a low action set up without buzzing, the tone not going thin above the twelfth fret, no wolf notes and dead spots kept to minimum, good intonation, and feel (obviously not objective).
As far as the Sire's, the negatives I listed were not a knock on the bass, just a word of caution. I will say I've seen a surprising amount of them already showing up used on TB. I do know some great players who like them, but were they playing the off the rack model or the heavily massaged and set up for the NAMM show model? They sound good in recordings, but too me the test of a bass isn't just tone, thats were you start. It's also the consistency from note to note, the ability to take a low action set up without buzzing, the tone not going thin above the twelfth fret, no wolf notes and dead spots kept to minimum, good intonation, and feel (obviously not objective).
I have clips of me playing a shortscale SX, and the tone is very good, but trust, the moment you pick it up, you know it is miles away from any sort of Fender Precision.
I just got a Sire and I also have a Skyline Lakland and a USA lakland. The necks are miles apart on the USA vs Skyline Lakland. The neck on the Sire V7 is like the USA lakland - 60's C neck very comfortable.
The Sire 34" scale 5 string has a better sounding lower B than any USA Fender Deluxe Jazz V I have played but is not as good as the 35" scale of either Lakland. The 3 piece Alder on the sire looks alright on the front of the guitar (not exceptional but just alright) but on the back the 3 x pieces do show up a little different looking on my Tobacco Sunburst model. I guess it would not matter if it was a solid colour. I certainly think the Sire sounds very good in passive model and even better with options in Active mode. I think because it plays so well and it has the very good eq it was a no brainer to get the Sire over the USA jazz V deluxe. I know the workmanship is high on the V7 at the moment but for how long who knows. Grab one while you can.
The Sire 34" scale 5 string has a better sounding lower B than any USA Fender Deluxe Jazz V I have played but is not as good as the 35" scale of either Lakland. The 3 piece Alder on the sire looks alright on the front of the guitar (not exceptional but just alright) but on the back the 3 x pieces do show up a little different looking on my Tobacco Sunburst model. I guess it would not matter if it was a solid colour. I certainly think the Sire sounds very good in passive model and even better with options in Active mode. I think because it plays so well and it has the very good eq it was a no brainer to get the Sire over the USA jazz V deluxe. I know the workmanship is high on the V7 at the moment but for how long who knows. Grab one while you can.
I have never played a Sire, but IMHE the DJ5 is the best ratio of price/quality in a 5 string J bass, period.
In your personal case, however, Doc, my advice is simply to keep your eye on the prize and get a Sadowsky......so that after about 6 months you'll look at it,
feel that you don't need to have so much money tied up in an instrument, sell it and buy a DJ5.....plus ca change, plus chest la meme chose
. In all seriousness, I'd opt for the DJ if you're OK with 35" scale.
In your personal case, however, Doc, my advice is simply to keep your eye on the prize and get a Sadowsky......so that after about 6 months you'll look at it,
feel that you don't need to have so much money tied up in an instrument, sell it and buy a DJ5.....plus ca change, plus chest la meme chose
. In all seriousness, I'd opt for the DJ if you're OK with 35" scale.
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I have never played a Sire, but IMHE the DJ5 is the best ratio of price/quality in a 5 string J bass, period.
In your personal case, however, Doc, my advice is simply to keep your eye on the prize and get a Sadowsky......so that after about 6 months you'll look at it,
feel that you don't need to have so much money tied up in an instrument, sell it and buy a DJ5.....plus ca change, plus chest la meme chose
Lomo, I really wish I had kept Roscoe Beck V I bought from you. I sold that bass just a little before the big downturn in 2008, saving has been harder ever since.
