Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Sire Z3/Z7 (2nd generation)
- Thread starter Cory rich40
- Start date
I have a couple Z7's. Both 5 strings, one fretted and one fretless. Electronics were replaced in both. Fretless is Aguilar/Audere. Fretted is Delano/Lusithand. I acquired the fretted bass as-is with pickups and preamp already installed.
Had the Audere in the closet. Was not a fan of the stock electronics. Added the Aguilar's, with the Audere, she sings. Currently strung with Labella Super Polished. Both are right around 10lbs each.
Had the Audere in the closet. Was not a fan of the stock electronics. Added the Aguilar's, with the Audere, she sings. Currently strung with Labella Super Polished. Both are right around 10lbs each.
Attachments
I had to return my Z7. I had a couple of issues:
The bass itself felt great in my hands and overall I liked it, but it definitely had some QC issues. I'd be interested to see if things improve with the later releases this year.
If you do get one and keep it, upgrade the knobs. My lord they put about the cheapest knobs known to man on these basses.
- Pickups were extremely noisy in active mode. I had a tech look into this to see if there was a grounding issue and he said it looked grounded. Maybe it could have used more shielding.
- My bridge pickup only had one working coil per the same local tech who was diagnosing the issue.
The bass itself felt great in my hands and overall I liked it, but it definitely had some QC issues. I'd be interested to see if things improve with the later releases this year.
If you do get one and keep it, upgrade the knobs. My lord they put about the cheapest knobs known to man on these basses.
jacoby75
Supporting Member
- Mar 11, 2010
- 5,661
- 10,716
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Mike Lull Custom Guitars, DR Strings
If you get one, know how to solder (which I don't), and aren't afraid to upgrade the electronics, Sires are a ridiculous value. I had a shop upgrade the pickups and preamp on my V7 and it's a real beast now. Apart from the fret sprout, it's an absolute joy to play.
I have a few Sires and they're all well built. However when I bought a new silver sparkle Z3 a couple of weeks ago it had a truss rod opening that was way off centre and at a strange angle. It doesn't sound like a huge issue but with that particular finish it was very noticeable even with the pickguard on. I exchanged it for another which is perfect. It sounds great and feels good to play and I'm very happy with it.
