Sire Z3 Review: Does It Live Up To The Long-Awaited Hype?

[MasterG]

That pic of the action looks like its an inch off the fretboard.

 

[sonojono]

That pic of the action looks like its an inch off the fretboard.

Angle shots can do that

 

[mcnach]

People make much of Musicman basses being made in the USA, and I did as well at one point....until i saw a job pointing to work in their manufacturing plant. You'd probably make about the same working at Chipotle. Then consider it's with California cost of living. The days of middle class manufacturing jobs in the USA may not be totally gone, but they aren't present for most workers at Musicman, as far as I can tell.

I was talking about SBMM, so even a worse situation there.

 

[Bassamatic]

The Sire Z3 is a highly anticipated release, finally bringing a Music Man-style bass to the Sire lineup. With a sleek design, affordable price point, and impressive features, this bass doesn’t disappoint. Let’s break it down!


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Build and Playability:


The Z3 boasts a Mahogany body in a RoseGold finish, paired with an eggshell tort pick guard. It’s well-balanced at 9 lbs, and the satin-finished, C-shaped hard maple neck with Sire's signature rolled fingerboard makes for smooth, comfortable playability. Right out of the box, the setup is almost flawless, needing only minimal adjustments. The attention to detail, including no sharp fret edges, adds to its impressive build quality.

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Specs & Hardware:


With a nut width of 42mm and 18mm string spacing, the bass offers a familiar feel. The top-load or string thru bridge is simple but effective, and though the tuners are a bit heavy, they can be easily upgraded to eliminate neck dive (or a padded strap). Overall, it’s a solid setup.

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Electronics & Tone:


The Z3 shines with its combination of a passive Marcus Miller Ceramic bridge pickup and the Marcus Heritage 3 active preamp. The inclusion of a trim pot to adjust the preamp gain and a well-designed battery box for easy access add convenience.


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The passive tone is rich and full, but switching to active mode delivers a noticeable boost in volume and tonal flexibility. The EQ controls, particularly the bass boost, can create a powerful low-end, perfect for those seeking deep, resonant tones (or speaker blown tones).


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Overall Verdict:


For $449, the Sire Z3 offers incredible value, with its excellent build, versatile electronics, and tone that can compete with much pricier instruments.. The minor drawback are the heavy tuners (that’s easily fixable) and lack of EQ shaping. I just wish the trim pot was a dedicated pot to adjust the bass frequency only and not the entire preamp… Overall, the Z3 is a bass well worth the wait, earning a solid 5/5 rating.

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Feel free to watch the FULL review and hear what everyone is raving about the Z3!






Q: How does it compare to a Sterling Ray 24/34?

A: I’d like a fair comparison (9v Sterling preamp vs 18v Sire preamp) but they are both a league of their own. Achieving the same concept but with a bit more tonal flexibility from Sire


Q: Is this the bass we’ve been waiting for?

A: Absolutely! Sometimes, the best things take their time to arrive. The Sire Z3 proves that a little patience can lead to greatness

I am sure that this is a wonderful bass - all the Sire products are terrific, but why couldn't they come up with their own design in stead of making it look like a slightly off MM? That takes away from the overall image IMHO. Same for people that make Jazz bass lookalikes. C'Mon - be original!

 

[mcnach]

Dude I watched your YouTube review yesterday before I saw this post. Great review. I have a white Z3. After watching your video I’m pissed that I didn’t go for the rose gold, it looks pretty. Really cool review and I hope you do more. I’m so impressed by the Z3 that I’m now considering a Z7 in a fiver.

Do it!

I got a Z7-5 and I just can't believe what an amazing bass it is for so little money.

I paid more than 2x for a Ray35, but the Z7-5 is without question the better bass. And 9.0 lbs for a 5-string, not bad at all!

The string spacing on the Z7-5 is 17.5mm at the bridge, like on a Stingray5. The Z3-5 looks like it'll be narrower, likely 16mm. Can anybody confirm?

 

[sonojono]

Yesterday my Z7 came in. Lots of mixed feelings but that’ll be on its own review soon!

 

[El Trueno]

Yesterday my Z7 came in. Lots of mixed feelings but that’ll be on its own review soon!

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Eagerly awaiting your review. Mixed feelings…hmm…wonder how it measures up to the Z3 - which I am totally loving!!!

 

[Dr. Cheese]

The Sire Z3 is a highly anticipated release, finally bringing a Music Man-style bass to the Sire lineup. With a sleek design, affordable price point, and impressive features, this bass doesn’t disappoint. Let’s break it down!


View attachment 7034131
View attachment 7034151

Build and Playability:


The Z3 boasts a Mahogany body in a RoseGold finish, paired with an eggshell tort pick guard. It’s well-balanced at 9 lbs, and the satin-finished, C-shaped hard maple neck with Sire's signature rolled fingerboard makes for smooth, comfortable playability. Right out of the box, the setup is almost flawless, needing only minimal adjustments. The attention to detail, including no sharp fret edges, adds to its impressive build quality.

View attachment 7034135
View attachment 7034133
View attachment 7034134







Specs & Hardware:


With a nut width of 42mm and 18mm string spacing, the bass offers a familiar feel. The top-load or string thru bridge is simple but effective, and though the tuners are a bit heavy, they can be easily upgraded to eliminate neck dive (or a padded strap). Overall, it’s a solid setup.

View attachment 7034136
View attachment 7034137
View attachment 7034139
View attachment 7034140
View attachment 7034141





Electronics & Tone:


The Z3 shines with its combination of a passive Marcus Miller Ceramic bridge pickup and the Marcus Heritage 3 active preamp. The inclusion of a trim pot to adjust the preamp gain and a well-designed battery box for easy access add convenience.


View attachment 7034142
View attachment 7034143
View attachment 7034144
View attachment 7034145


The passive tone is rich and full, but switching to active mode delivers a noticeable boost in volume and tonal flexibility. The EQ controls, particularly the bass boost, can create a powerful low-end, perfect for those seeking deep, resonant tones (or speaker blown tones).


View attachment 7034157
View attachment 7034158




Overall Verdict:


For $449, the Sire Z3 offers incredible value, with its excellent build, versatile electronics, and tone that can compete with much pricier instruments.. The minor drawback are the heavy tuners (that’s easily fixable) and lack of EQ shaping. I just wish the trim pot was a dedicated pot to adjust the bass frequency only and not the entire preamp… Overall, the Z3 is a bass well worth the wait, earning a solid 5/5 rating.

View attachment 7034150



Feel free to watch the FULL review and hear what everyone is raving about the Z3!






Q: How does it compare to a Sterling Ray 24/34?

A: I’d like a fair comparison (9v Sterling preamp vs 18v Sire preamp) but they are both a league of their own. Achieving the same concept but with a bit more tonal flexibility from Sire


Q: Is this the bass we’ve been waiting for?

A: Absolutely! Sometimes, the best things take their time to arrive. The Sire Z3 proves that a little patience can lead to greatness

Good work! I am seriously considering a five string Z3. To my ears, it does the Music Man thing pretty well for a very low price. I would not be surprised if these did not go up $300 in a few years.

 

[jd56hawk]

I am sure that this is a wonderful bass - all the Sire products are terrific, but why couldn't they come up with their own design in stead of making it look like a slightly off MM? That takes away from the overall image IMHO. Same for people that make Jazz bass lookalikes. C'Mon - be original!

Lack of imagination coupled with the need to make money the safe way?
Other than that, they trimmed the treble-side horn, why couldn't they at least do the same for the pickguard like Chowny did?

Regardless, I'm waiting for some really nice finishes like some of the Ray 34s.

 

[brushfirewolf]

Honestly, this will be a big blow for SBMM basses. Either they will step up in their game or I don't see a bright future for that brand...

Couldn’t agree more. I flipped through several Ray34/35s and could not find a decent one with no issues. Just picked up a Z7 last week and it is absolutely killer.

 

[NYgiant]

Great review @sonojono !! Watched it on YouTube earlier had no idea you were a member here. I was like…… dude looks familiar. Ha ha.

I’m wondering, besides the obvious extra pick up what the differences between the two is? They look the exact same (Z3 v. Z7)

Have had a Z7 saved in my wish list on Sweetwater for about 2 1/2 months now as a preorder.

 

[Kevlanco]

Great review @sonojono !! Watched it on YouTube earlier had no idea you were a member here. I was like…… dude looks familiar. Ha ha.

I’m wondering, besides the obvious extra pick up what the differences between the two is? They look the exact same (Z3 v. Z7)

Have had a Z7 saved in my wish list on Sweetwater for about 2 1/2 months now as a preorder.

I'm sure sonojono will have more specific comparisons having both instruments on hand now, and I'm rather curious myself. The main differences on paper are the roasted maple neck, stainless steel frets, and the choice of an ebony fingerboard on some models, as well as the preamp on the z3 not including a parametric mid selector or a passive tone control.

 

[mcnach]

I'm sure sonojono will have more specific comparisons having both instruments on hand now, and I'm rather curious myself. The main differences on paper are the roasted maple neck, stainless steel frets, and the choice of an ebony fingerboard on some models, as well as the preamp on the z3 not including a parametric mid selector or a passive tone control.

String spacing at the bridge looks different in the Z3-5 and Z7-5, Z3 being narrower.

 

[Mytola]

The placement of the humbucker seems a bit different too between the Z3 and Z7. I would love to have that confirmed if you could have a measure. From looking at the pictures on the Sire site, it seems like the Z3 pickup is placed a tad further towards the neck than on the Z7.

 

[lug]

I am sure that this is a wonderful bass - all the Sire products are terrific, but why couldn't they come up with their own design in stead of making it look like a slightly off MM? That takes away from the overall image IMHO. Same for people that make Jazz bass lookalikes. C'Mon - be original!

Not sure if the Sire M series is a copy of anything or not but it certainly isn't a knock-off of any major brand. The answer to your question is "It sells!".

 

[brushfirewolf]

Not sure if the Sire M series is a copy of anything or not but it certainly isn't a knock-off of any major brand. The answer to your question is "It sells!".

It hasn’t been an issue for the hundreds of p and jazz bass direct copies over the past 30+ years…

 

[sonojono]

The placement of the humbucker seems a bit different too between the Z3 and Z7. I would love to have that confirmed if you could have a measure. From looking at the pictures on the Sire site, it seems like the Z3 pickup is placed a tad further towards the neck than on the Z7.

You’re almost on the nose on that one! Here’s a comparison

 

[mcnach]

You’re almost on the nose on that one! Here’s a comparison

can you measure from the 12th fret to to top of the pickup?

 

[El Trueno]

You’re almost on the nose on that one! Here’s a comparison

just watched your video on the Z7. Sorry for your pain, not great news about the issues. Have to question the validity of SW’s 55 point inspection too….how did that get out of the gate with the issues? I’m very happy with my Z3 and the only plus I can see with the Z7 right now is the SS frets, but nickel are just fine too. The complicated preamp with or without issues with the electronics, the weaker neck PU, the cheaper knobs are steering me away from from the Z7. I want a 5er and as I’m so stoked with the Z3 I may end up with another Z3 in a 5er. SW looks due to receive stock end of October. There may be a rose gold Z3-5 with my name on it if one comes in at a decent weight. Hope you get the issues fixed man.

 

[sonojono]

just watched your video on the Z7. Sorry for your pain, not great news about the issues. Have to question the validity of SW’s 55 point inspection too….how did that get out of the gate with the issues? I’m very happy with my Z3 and the only plus I can see with the Z7 right now is the SS frets, but nickel are just fine too. The complicated preamp with or without issues with the electronics, the weaker neck PU, the cheaper knobs are steering me away from from the Z7. I want a 5er and as I’m so stoked with the Z3 I may end up with another Z3 in a 5er. SW looks due to receive stock end of October. There may be a rose gold Z3-5 with my name on it if one comes in at a decent weight. Hope you get the issues fixed man.

Currently on my way to take it in to another tech locally and will most definitely start a new thread of my Z7 experience here!