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Sire Z3 bass review

#21
DuluthDank said:
Did you get a chance to compare it to a Sterling or MM Stingray type in terms of sound? I'm curious if it actually mimics the Stingray sound.
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Yes which sounds more like a real USA Stingray you think; the Sterling SUB or the Sire?

The slightly bigger lower horn is indeed a big improvement over the prototype!
 
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#22
Kuskah said:
Nice review and a nice bass! Since in the EU market (Thomann), the Z3 and Ray4 are competing at pretty much the same price point (~450 EUR), from what I'm reading the Z3 sounds like a better deal unless someone just absolutely requires the exact Stingray body.

What are the pickup dimensions? Is it standard MM size or "custom"? On my Sire M2 I had to do some dremel work on the pickup cavity to be able to fit some EMG soapbars in it.
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The pickup is the same size as the one in my Sterling sub Ray4 (see pics). While I was at it, I confirmed that the pickup is approximately 2 5/8" way from the G String saddle, which is also the same as the Ray4. So it appears the pickup is in the same position.
Les Fret said:
Yes which sounds more like a real USA Stingray you think; the Sterling SUB or the Sire?

The slightly bigger lower horn is indeed a big improvement over the prototype!
Click to expand...
After getting a chance to play it live this morning for the first time, I can say that it's the Sire. It's probably because the pickup is wired in parallel though. I had the bass and treble set flat all morning and used the mids slightly boosted most of the time. I haven't had time to look under the hood yet, but I'm betting you could easily wire in a switch to have both series and parallel.
 

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#23
Sounds good, but shame the preamp seems a little off. At least it has a passive option(or is that just the z7s?) which will be good for running it through dirt. I just wish the Z3s had better colours - while I would like a Z7 the extra 200 is out of my reach
 
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#24
SRbass2023 said:
That's no problem. Let us know how you like it when it gets there. Looking forward to hearing other reviews.
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Well here it is. Wholeheartedly agree with your review, the only things I would add are:
1. I am pleasantly surprised that there is zero neck dive, meaning I won't be changing the tuners (or anything else);
2. My only slight niggle is the battery box is a little hard to open and seems flimsy - I'm afraid of breaking it. But- at this price point it's no biggie.
I haven't even set it up yet but I am blown away. This thing sounds amazing, and at this price it's an absolute steal.
IMG_0330.jpeg
 
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#25
I've seen it this morning at a local shop but no lefty there.
One of the french salesman of Sire was at the shop.
Talked to him a little and there's quite a chance that one of the 2 left black sparkle Z3 located in France come to me =)

I'm just wondering how the sound will be tuned in C standard or B standard.
 
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#27
Kuskah said:
Nice review and a nice bass! Since in the EU market (Thomann), the Z3 and Ray4 are competing at pretty much the same price point (~450 EUR), from what I'm reading the Z3 sounds like a better deal unless someone just absolutely requires the exact Stingray body.

What are the pickup dimensions? Is it standard MM size or "custom"? On my Sire M2 I had to do some dremel work on the pickup cavity to be able to fit some EMG soapbars in it.
Click to expand...

Sterling are going to be priced out of the european Market unless they do something. It's a shame, because I'd really love an authentic headstock. I might just get a HB and a SUB neck, but I'll probably pick up a sire first.
 
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#28
Roseweave said:
Looks awesome. The white is growing on me. I was told the Tone knobs did nothing in passive mode? Maybe it's just subtle. That's better than nothing IMO. Wonder if there's a simple mod?
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Right. I thought the bass knob seemed to have a slight variation on the tone in passive mode but I just picked it up again for some more experimenting and you're right - no tone control in passive mode but it still sounds good. Just went back and edited my original post. The excitement has messed with my ears 😂 Thanks, I really dig the white with the black pg and maple neck. I was thinking to hold out for the black sparkle but I'm stoked with the white.
 
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#30
I just ordered a sparkle Z3, hope to get it towards the end of October.

From the pictures on the Sire website, it certainly looks like the humbucker on the Z3 is a bit closer to the neck than it is on the Z7? Anyone tried them both out in the flesh yet and can comment on the sound differences?
 
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#31
El Trueno said:
Well here it is. Wholeheartedly agree with your review, the only things I would add are:
1. I am pleasantly surprised that there is zero neck dive, meaning I won't be changing the tuners (or anything else);
2. My only slight niggle is the battery box is a little hard to open and seems flimsy - I'm afraid of breaking it. But- at this price point it's no biggie.
I haven't even set it up yet but I am blown away. This thing sounds amazing, and at this price it's an absolute steal.
View attachment 7032430
Click to expand...
Nice! Congrats. That color is more my style, but the black sparkle is growing on me. I can also confirm that there appears to be no tone control in passive mode, only volume. I think the Z7 does though. I still love my Sterlings, but they are going to have some serious competition with these.
 
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#32
SRbass2023 said:
Nice! Congrats. That color is more my style, but the black sparkle is growing on me. I can also confirm that there appears to be no tone control in passive mode, only volume. I think the Z7 does though. I still love my Sterlings, but they are going to have some serious competition with these.
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Thanks. I'm sure I saw on one of the YouTube videos that the Z7 has tone control in passive mode. This sure is a lot of bass for the money.
 
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#33
SRbass2023 said:
Hey guys. I've officially been a member for about a year, but this will be my first post. I have learned so many things from many of you over the years, so I figured this would be my chance to pass along some information. I just received a Sire Z3 four string in black sparkle, after being on a preorder list for the last several months. There were almost no hands on reviews of these basses, because they were not in circulation yet. So after having had a few days with the bass, and exchanging emails with Sire, this is what I've found.

First off is the finish. Upon unboxing the bass, I was a little surprised that the black sparkle finish was much more "glittery" than it appeared to be in the photos. I'm usually pretty conservative and stick with white, black and sunburst basses, so this will be an adjustment for me (see attached pics). This is not a knock, as the finish is nicely done. The finish on the neck consists of a dark vintage amber tint similar to the finish on the Squire classic vibe line. The fretboard and top of the headstock have a gloss finish, while the back of the neck is a very smooth satin. The lower horn has been slightly extended on the 4 string models since their earlier prototypes, which IMO was an improvement. The Sire headstock is not ugly IMO, but it never looked right to me on their P and J models. On this model though, I think it looks okay.

Now on to the specs. Upon arrival, my bass weighed in at 8 lbs, 6 oz, and it was it was strung with D'addario NPS strings gauged 45-105. The neck was straight and the relief was dead on. The neck is a C shape with a 12" radius and 22 medium jumbo frets. As this is my first Sire, I am very impressed with their rolled fingerboard considering the price point. After installing my usual DR Lo Riders (40-100), the only adjustment needed, other than lowering the action to my preferences and lowering the pickup, was the nut. The bone nut was cut a little high, which made the bass a little hard to fret at the first two frets. It took me about 30 minutes to file those down, and now she plays great. For reference, I own two Sterling basses (sub Ray4 and 24CA). The Sire neck feels a bit chunkier than the Sterlings. Sire lists the nut as 42 mm (1.65") which I actually prefer over the 1.5" nut on the Sterling. The MM style pickup is wired in parallel, not in series like the Sterlings, which I did confirm by email with Sire CS. The hardware is the standard fare at this price point and similar to that of the Sterling Ray4. The tuners and bridge are very basic, but they are serviceable. I have no intention of changing them.

Sound: The 18v 3 band preamp and ceramic pickup on this model have a LOT of output. I had to lower the pickup about as low as the one on my Ray4 to get that output where I like it. The treble knob does not seem to make drastic changes either way, but sounds about right set flat (detent). However, the bass knob is VERY responsive, almost too much so at 75%. The bass knob also serves as a push/pull active/passive switch. I prefer the active setting, which gives it that punchy stingray sound I hear in my head. The mids knob is also very responsive but not over the top. At 75%, it sounds mid heavy and punchy like my Ray4. It goes to a very scooped tone at 25% giving it a cleaner rounder sound. My favorite setting seems to be bass and treble set flat (detent) with mids slightly boosted.

Overall, I am very happy with this purchase. I have been and still am a huge fan of the Sterling SUB and CA line of basses, which I feel are some of the best value for dollar instruments on the market these days, as well a great modding platforms. The fit and finish on the Sire Z3, as well as the neck, preamp and passive mode, definitely exceeds that of the Sterling SUB line, although it costs $100 more. Otherwise the Z3 is, IMO, very similar and probably slightly better than the Sterling 24CA basses due to it having more options on tap while still being a sub $500.00 instrument. I hope this review will be helpful to someone who is thinking about purchasing one of these basses. If anyone has any questions, feel free to ask.View attachment 7028885View attachment 7028886View attachment 7028887View attachment 7028888
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Very good stuff. How is the balance on this bass? Any neck dive?
 
#38
kevinpmajka said:
Here are the Z3 and Z7 Preamps as described by Sire from their website.

Z3 (4 knob):
View attachment 7033851

Z7 (5 knob):
View attachment 7033852
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Thanks for posting that information. Keep it coming guys. As of now, there are very few hands on reviews that people thinking about ordering one can look at. If you have a Z3/Z7, post your thoughts and opinions. I just learned from watching a video that there is a trim pot on the preamp to adjust the gain. Guess I'm going to have to check that out this weekend.
 

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