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Sire vs Fender?

#81
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dbsfgyd1 said:
I hear you, but I find, as do most of the sound engineers I’ve worked with over the years, is they would much rather have a flat full tonal palette to work from. Boosting 30hz 15 dB would give them migraines. In fact, a lot of bassists now have HPFs (Mesa has them on their amps) , specifically to roll off super lows which are mostly frequencies you can’t hear anyway.

I’m not trying to be argumentative, but my point is Eden amps are pretty quiet. Mainly because you don’t have to jack up the EQ. It’s set to flat with a slight bump at 125-150 hz. The Cabs are very efficient and well tuned. My Fender PB might create some noise, but I’ve never had any complaints.
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OK. I got my PRS Kingfisher back with the Bartolini preamp installed. As I said before, no need to turn the knobs all the way up or all the way down. But the sound pallet now is EXACTLY as I wished it could be. There is virtually no difference between the volume with the pre-amp active or passive thanks to the adjustable dial. Just a minor tweak of treble and bass gets me just where I want the sound. And it is totally quiet, no noise at all.

I am one happy camper!
 
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#82
If you want simplicity and no batteries in your bass, get a Fender. If you think you might like the active pre, get the Sire. Unless they changed things the G&L Tributes are heavier, and upgrading the PUs is a PITA.
 
#83
I own a 1st gen Sire V7 Vintage 4 string and I am really content with this bass. I got it used and I had to make some adjustments (fret leveling job and a neck shim located at the two upper neck bolts). To me, it has a strong 70s Fender jb vibe in terms of sound and feel.
A few days ago I tried some 2nd gen sire basses (V7vintage 5 string, V7 4 & 5 string) in a music store. Great sounding basses but what really put me off was the quality of how the necks are finished. Like they were made in a hurry or something. Sloppy finish, sharp fret ends etc. Very big difference compared to my 1st gen bass. So instead of buying the V7 Vintage 5 string I bought a 1st gen V3 5 string instead second hand. It will arrive tomorrow. Very curious.
 
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#85
soulbrother said:
I own a 1st gen Sire V7 Vintage 4 string and I am really content with this bass. I got it used and I had to make some adjustments (fret leveling job and a neck shim located at the two upper neck bolts). To me, it has a strong 70s Fender jb vibe in terms of sound and feel.
A few days ago I tried some 2nd gen sire basses (V7vintage 5 string, V7 4 & 5 string) in a music store. Great sounding basses but what really put me off was the quality of how the necks are finished. Like they were made in a hurry or something. Sloppy finish, sharp fret ends etc. Very big difference compared to my 1st gen bass. So instead of buying the V7 Vintage 5 string I bought a 1st gen V3 5 string instead second hand. It will arrive tomorrow. Very curious.
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I recently purchased an M5 5-string that came in with terrible fret work. I had to send it back. My P7 neck is flawless, so I knew something was wanky. It sounds like we both got one that missed quality control.
 
#86
soulbrother said:
I own a 1st gen Sire V7 Vintage 4 string and I am really content with this bass. I got it used and I had to make some adjustments (fret leveling job and a neck shim located at the two upper neck bolts). To me, it has a strong 70s Fender jb vibe in terms of sound and feel.
A few days ago I tried some 2nd gen sire basses (V7vintage 5 string, V7 4 & 5 string) in a music store. Great sounding basses but what really put me off was the quality of how the necks are finished. Like they were made in a hurry or something. Sloppy finish, sharp fret ends etc. Very big difference compared to my 1st gen bass. So instead of buying the V7 Vintage 5 string I bought a 1st gen V3 5 string instead second hand. It will arrive tomorrow. Very curious.
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Sad, sounds like a QC miss on a batch. This is the worst time of year for travel-induced fret sprout though...
 
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#89
craigmack1979 said:
No it’s not and I see used sires flooding market place . If they such great bass why are so many people selling em dirt cheap . I don’t see USA fenders selling for $500 bucks
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New Sires are difficult to find.
Sire doesn't build in the USA; that's how they manufacture a bass for $1000 less that's as good or better than USA Fenders.

I watch LowEndLobster review basses. He recently reviewed a Fender Gold Foil Jazz.



Listen and you be the judge.
 
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#91
craigmack1979 said:
Used ones ain’t !!!
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One explanation is that Sire constantly has upgraded their product offering. The 2nd Gen necks are a major improvement and they were great before the change.

Fender puts a different pIckguard and hardware on, labels it 75th anniversary, and bumps the price $500. That's their idea of innovation. More lipstick on the pig.

I started on a 1981 Fender Jazz bass in high school. It was awesome. The best there was at that time. Not any more.
 
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#94
craigmack1979 said:
No it’s not !!! Resale value matters
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Why?
I buy a bass, not to sell it, but to keep and gig with it to make my money back...
Reselling takes time, and time is money, so what do you really net selling...
Spend the money once...

Fender also has become a bully within the industry, coercing retailers to not carry the competition, because the competition is more bang for the buck... and I've seen some real Fender crap hanging on the walls of music shops, with a pretty hefty price tag...

Sire, though not perfect, seems to have more integrity as a company... And to me, that means a lots...
I have a Fender hanging on my wall that I bought at a pawn shop, 25 yrs ago-- had to put a Warmth neck on it because the Fender neck was a rubber band... Don't use it much... Have been playing the heck out of my Sire... and loving it!
When I bought my Dean Brian Bromberg B2, or my Sire M5, I didn't waist time looking at Fenders, not a second... Fender is not Leo's company of yesterday...

Rod was right, they are so arrogant, that they slap on a cosmetic alteration, and charge through the nose, saying new and improved...
Sire, improves their product, because they are conscientious about giving the customer their money's worth, not just picking their pocket of hard earned cash...
Nuff said...
 
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#95
craigmack1979 said:
Used ones ain’t !!!
Click to expand...
Now s
bholder said:
If you buy a bass with resale value as your primary concern, you shouldn't be buying the bass at all. imho and all that, ymmv.[
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Jv-d said:
Why?
I buy a bass, not to sell it, but to keep and gig with it to make my money back...
Reselling takes time, and time is money, so what do you really net selling...
Spend the money once...
Fender also has become a bully within the industry, and I've seen some real crap hanging on the walls of music shops, with a pretty hefty price tag...
Sire, though not perfect, seems to have more integrity as a company... And to me, that means a lots...
I have a Fender hanging on my wall that I bought at a pawn shop... Don't use it much... Have been playing the heck out of my Sire...
When I bought my Dean Brian Bromberg B2, or my Sire M5, I didn't waist time looking at Fenders, not a second... Fender is not Leo's company of yesterday...
Rod was right, they are so arrogant, that they slap on a cosmetic alteration, and charge through the nose, saying new and improved...
Sire, improves their product, because they are conscientious about giving the customer their money's worth, not just picking their pocket of hard earned cash...
Nuff said...
Click to expand...
You Just wasted lotta key strokes lol I will agree I’ve never purchased a bass thinking bout re selling it . But bassists will buy a bass love it for several years and see something they like better . Then they might need sell some gear to offset expense of new bass . Just cause you disagree don’t mean I’m wrong or you right . Truth be told I’ve sold at least 40 basses in my lifetime . And when hard times hit and you need pay bills and see you got 11 basses but behind on rent resale value matters . I’m done with you cause all I’m speaking is common sense 101 . Resale value will always matter !! We done
 
#97
Rod Barchetta said:
Sire doesn't build in the USA; that's how they manufacture a bass for $1000 less that's as good or better than USA Fenders.
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In YOUR humble opinion...

Not mine at all.

My USA J & P are among the best basses I've ever had and I've had Stingrays, Spectors (Euro), Rics, Sadowsky Metro, Laklands, ect ect....

Still have the Fenders and a 55-01, the rest are gone.
 
#98
craigmack1979 said:
Now s


You Just wasted lotta key strokes lol I will agree I’ve never purchased a bass thinking bout re selling it . But bassists will buy a bass love it for several years and see something they like better . Then they might need sell some gear to offset expense of new bass . Just cause you disagree don’t mean I’m wrong or you right . Truth be told I’ve sold at least 40 basses in my lifetime . And when hard times hit and you need pay bills and see you got 11 basses but behind on rent resale value matters . I’m done with you cause all I’m speaking is common sense 101 . Resale value will always matter !! We done
Click to expand...

Actually, it is, we're done or we are done...
And, no, not a waste of time, nor key strokes...so, sorry to put down your put down...

Ya, many in here have hit hard times, especially over the last couple of years... My wife was let go from her supervisors job of 26 years... and I have a slip n fall, end up with a back injury... Ya, so life sucks, sometimes...

Bholders point, as well as mine is, buy for quality, playability, gigability... If you do that, appreciation of bass will be inherent... if there is need/cause to sell at a later point, you make your money back, then some... More power to you... We STILL have that Right in our country....
But, buying something just because it is expensive,, could leave you with a clunker, that might actually depreciate in value and play like crap...
Though, as the saying goes, an item is worth what someone is willing to pay...

By the way, Jimi was always pawning his guitar, and I think Jaco in his downfall did the same...

So, I bid you a good day/evening, my fine man...
 
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#99
FRoss6788 said:
Not mine at all.

My USA J & P are among the best basses I've ever had and I've had Stingrays, Spectors (Euro), Rics, Sadowsky Metro, Laklands, ect ect....

Still have the Fenders and a 55-01, the rest are gone.
Click to expand...

What dud you pay for your Fenders?
I've seen some crap MIA Fenders, thought they should be embarrassed to put that poor quality product out, for such a high price point...
But then, "caveat emptor"
Or as PT Barnum said...
 
#100
FRoss6788 said:
In YOUR humble opinion...

Not mine at all.

My USA J & P are among the best basses I've ever had and I've had Stingrays, Spectors (Euro), Rics, Sadowsky Metro, Laklands, ect ect....

Still have the Fenders and a 55-01, the rest are gone.
Click to expand...

A passive USA Fender Jazz lists for $1499 are Sweetwater.

A passive Sire V5 lists for $469.

Just looked it up. Is the Fender 3 times better? If you heard them side by side would you recognize the difference? If you played them blindfolded, would you like the feel of the Fender that much better?

I'm glad you gotta good one. They do exist. It's nice to own a really good Fender. But they ain't cheap.
 
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