Greetings all!.
So yeah, just as a bit of background, like alot of people, I go through basses like underwear, some I keep, most get moved on. I ended up with only one bass recently cos I loved it so much which is an Ibanez BTB805MS, I even sold my USA standard Jazz because of it which I came to regret recently and this is us getting back on topic...
So I was looking for 4 string basses, Fender esque, was poised on buying a Fender player series P bass for a current punk rock project and due to them (in the UK) now being at a £800 price point on average, I started looking at alternatives, I must admit I wasn't hopeful because I can be a bit of a gear snob quality wise. I like my axes to play well and sound good and I've had some lemons in my time but I digress...
I came across the newish Sire P5 basses, all the reviews were good, roasted maple necks, rolled fret board edges, really good quality basses for the money and I took the plunge and purchased one for under £400 GBP, I will say I also got a set of EMG GZRs right off the bat and they went into the P5 as soon as it arrived so I never tested out the stock pups but Daaaamn!...
Honestly these Sire P5 basses are immense for what they cost, I've had it a few days and I actually prefer it to my old USA standard jazz, well made, neck plays like butter, holds tuning and setup perfectly.
How can it be allowed that a bass this cheap new can be this good! Watch out Fender lol.
If anyone is on the fence about these or wants a cheap good bass, this is your boy, for the same price as a high end squier, and infinitely better than the Fender player series, also at this price it's literally the perfect modding platform if need be.
BLOWN AWAY SIRE, BLOWN AWAY.
EDIT (made this post from phone due to photos)
just to set some things straight as extra info...
* pot shafts on stock pups are 6mm split, had to order new knobs for the EMGs.
* setup was easy, neck was straight as an arrow, i fired a little bit of bow in it and lowered saddles and it was perfect first pass, i play with a pick and managed to get 2.5mm at 12th fret with ease and no buzz in the mix.
* string through body is a godsend and a surprise on a bass this cheap, the stock bridge is a vintage style bent plate but its negated by string through and the saddles are threaded so getting string placement right was easy.
* pickguard looks really good but as you would imagine on a bass at this price it isnt anything fancy or has any depth, but thats ok, its 3 ply white/black/white with a printed effect then top laminate.
* rolled fret board edges are done really well, there isnt any sharp frets or sprout atall, feels as good as my USA jazz did.
* tuners/pegs are fairly good for the price point, i have noticed they can be slightly stiff when at proper tension but they dont go out of tune, i plan on replacing them anyway soon.
* when the guard was off during pickup replacement i noticed the body was very well routed out, neat, plenty of room, bridge was properly earthed and had a holding screw into the cavity with an extra wire from the screw to the pot, it made re earthing it with the new pups very easy, also the under side of the guard is foil taped.
*the nut is well made, a little high for my liking but thats not a bad thing on a new bass, it'll drop as the bass is used and restrung over time.
*Intonation was bang on the money out of the box except the D string, was close but not perfect, easy fix.
* Neck and neck pocket is nice and snug, overall fit and finish is amazing, especially for this price point.
* Balance of the axe is quite frankly amazing for the price, i always test balance at the neck/body join and it'll sit level in my hand, no neck dive to speack of. ive been jamming her tonight with my guitarist mate to settle her in and was going at her fairly hard and she just stays where you put her, very comfortable bass to play.
So yeah, just as a bit of background, like alot of people, I go through basses like underwear, some I keep, most get moved on. I ended up with only one bass recently cos I loved it so much which is an Ibanez BTB805MS, I even sold my USA standard Jazz because of it which I came to regret recently and this is us getting back on topic...
So I was looking for 4 string basses, Fender esque, was poised on buying a Fender player series P bass for a current punk rock project and due to them (in the UK) now being at a £800 price point on average, I started looking at alternatives, I must admit I wasn't hopeful because I can be a bit of a gear snob quality wise. I like my axes to play well and sound good and I've had some lemons in my time but I digress...
I came across the newish Sire P5 basses, all the reviews were good, roasted maple necks, rolled fret board edges, really good quality basses for the money and I took the plunge and purchased one for under £400 GBP, I will say I also got a set of EMG GZRs right off the bat and they went into the P5 as soon as it arrived so I never tested out the stock pups but Daaaamn!...
Honestly these Sire P5 basses are immense for what they cost, I've had it a few days and I actually prefer it to my old USA standard jazz, well made, neck plays like butter, holds tuning and setup perfectly.
How can it be allowed that a bass this cheap new can be this good! Watch out Fender lol.
If anyone is on the fence about these or wants a cheap good bass, this is your boy, for the same price as a high end squier, and infinitely better than the Fender player series, also at this price it's literally the perfect modding platform if need be.
BLOWN AWAY SIRE, BLOWN AWAY.
EDIT (made this post from phone due to photos)
just to set some things straight as extra info...
* pot shafts on stock pups are 6mm split, had to order new knobs for the EMGs.
* setup was easy, neck was straight as an arrow, i fired a little bit of bow in it and lowered saddles and it was perfect first pass, i play with a pick and managed to get 2.5mm at 12th fret with ease and no buzz in the mix.
* string through body is a godsend and a surprise on a bass this cheap, the stock bridge is a vintage style bent plate but its negated by string through and the saddles are threaded so getting string placement right was easy.
* pickguard looks really good but as you would imagine on a bass at this price it isnt anything fancy or has any depth, but thats ok, its 3 ply white/black/white with a printed effect then top laminate.
* rolled fret board edges are done really well, there isnt any sharp frets or sprout atall, feels as good as my USA jazz did.
* tuners/pegs are fairly good for the price point, i have noticed they can be slightly stiff when at proper tension but they dont go out of tune, i plan on replacing them anyway soon.
* when the guard was off during pickup replacement i noticed the body was very well routed out, neat, plenty of room, bridge was properly earthed and had a holding screw into the cavity with an extra wire from the screw to the pot, it made re earthing it with the new pups very easy, also the under side of the guard is foil taped.
*the nut is well made, a little high for my liking but thats not a bad thing on a new bass, it'll drop as the bass is used and restrung over time.
*Intonation was bang on the money out of the box except the D string, was close but not perfect, easy fix.
* Neck and neck pocket is nice and snug, overall fit and finish is amazing, especially for this price point.
* Balance of the axe is quite frankly amazing for the price, i always test balance at the neck/body join and it'll sit level in my hand, no neck dive to speack of. ive been jamming her tonight with my guitarist mate to settle her in and was going at her fairly hard and she just stays where you put her, very comfortable bass to play.
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