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.
This is interesting... Sire MM Bass???
- Thread starter LAST_C
- Start date
I'm so tempted to preorder a z7-5. they're only like 500 euros here as a temporary preorder offer and it seems like a ridiculous amount of bass for the money. would knock out a 5 string and a stingray-like from my list and i think with that i could happily stay a 3 bass andy. i love the burgundy color one too.... argh. i literally just bought my p5 and I'm already considering another new bass. but it really seems like great value if the same sire quality is there.
Or wait till the first reviews from users (not sponsored YouTubers) come. Why hurry?
Last edited:
I would rather have seen a double humbucker instead of a humbucker and J. That balances the sound better. I never like the combination of a humbucker with a J. There is too much tonal difference and many times also volume differences. I tested a 5 string humbucker/J MM Stingray for a bass magazine once and didn’t like it. I only liked the humbucker solo position.
I agree that an HH with switching lever would have been better, but these Z7's were modeled after the Sterling HS:
It would have been good for them to give the 5-way switch for the different Sterling settings, but that would require either a quad-coil MM or one with a dummy coil like the real sterling.
I could see eventually replacing the pups with Delano's and installing a small black coil selector switch in the lower part of the pickguard.
Last edited:
Sire has offered basses with double humbuckers right from the start with the M series, and the M5/M7 have switches for each PU for serial/parallel/single coil mode. I guess a HH Stingray clone would be too similar to those, at least during the introduction of the Z series.
My Sandberg California had that pickup configuration, it sounded very nice if you favoured the MM pickup slightly (but not soloed) but I didn’t like a 50/50 mix or the J pickup sound. It was a great bass but didn’t sound at all like a Stingray so I’m waiting for actual reviews on the Sire Z7.
Last edited:
I agree that an HH with switching lever would have been better, but these Z7's were modeled after the Sterling HS:
View attachment 5447790
It would have been good for them to give the 5-way switch for the different Sterling settings, but that would require either a quad-coil MM or one with a dummy coil like the real sterling.
I could see eventually replacing the pups with Delano's and installing a small black coil selector switch in the lower part of the pickguard.
Ok didn’t know that. Lets hope they make a two humbucker version one day. But I would prefer the single humbucker version anyway. That’s the Stingray sound most people want. Problem with the two humbucker version Stingray is that the neck pickup is too close to the fretboard, making it hard for certain slap techniques.
The issue at the moment is that it’s too early for any reviews, I’m hanging fire until then. I don’t have any problems with their build quality as I own a P5, it’s just how they will sound? I’m hoping they’ll be very Stingray’esque but it’s not guaranteed just because it has an MM style pickup, the SR sound I understand has a lot to do with preamp.
Last edited:
They're running a pre-order 15% off discount that expires... in just over 24 hours. It's a 90 euros difference. I figure I can pre-order now, not pay until it ships, and send it back if I don't like it (store offers a 30-day window no questions asked). Decisions, decisions...
Also this finish is friggin' gorgeous. Slap black tuners on that and oh baby you got a stew going
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
And let us know your review....
I've pre-ordered the Z7 in natural. The natural ash with the roasted maple neck did horrible things to me and my wallet and the next thing I knew it was on order.
I've been looking for an MM style bass for a while now, tried an EBMM a few years ago and just couldn't get on with it. I've heard the Sterlings have had some questionable QC issues recently and I personally LOVE my other Sire, a P5/5 so I'm hoping this will give me that MM bite with playability that I enjoy.
If it gets me 90% of the sound I'll be happy, and if not it's not exactly the end of the world to swap out a preamp or a pickup here or there if not. My other consideration was the new Sterling Joe Dart, but Sterling in their infinite wisdom has made shipping to the UK almost as expensive as the bass itself so that went out the window.
I can't help but think if these Sires get you most of the sound and uphold their reputation as great playing basses they'll be in a pretty comfortable position in the market if you can ignore the fact it has a different name on the headstock. Tuners "in the wrong place" be damned, I'm excited!!
I've been looking for an MM style bass for a while now, tried an EBMM a few years ago and just couldn't get on with it. I've heard the Sterlings have had some questionable QC issues recently and I personally LOVE my other Sire, a P5/5 so I'm hoping this will give me that MM bite with playability that I enjoy.
If it gets me 90% of the sound I'll be happy, and if not it's not exactly the end of the world to swap out a preamp or a pickup here or there if not. My other consideration was the new Sterling Joe Dart, but Sterling in their infinite wisdom has made shipping to the UK almost as expensive as the bass itself so that went out the window.
I can't help but think if these Sires get you most of the sound and uphold their reputation as great playing basses they'll be in a pretty comfortable position in the market if you can ignore the fact it has a different name on the headstock. Tuners "in the wrong place" be damned, I'm excited!!
Yup, I think either a 4 or 5 of the natural/roasted will end up being my third and last bass. I'm really looking forward to Sweetwater getting some of them so I can see what the weight ranges are going to be.
I'm in the same boat. I've got my Rickenbacker, a Sire P5 5 string (for whatever reason a 5 string passive P bass was a particular itch that required scratching) and the last one I've wanted is a 4 string MM style. The P5 is the reason I had very little issue parting with money for a pre-order, it's impressively playable and I've no doubt the Z7 will be similar.
I reckon the Z7 will weigh a bit. Mahogany/alder/swamp ash (for the natural finish) don't exactly reek of lightweight but a good strap on a fairly ergonomic, well balancing bass is half the battle.
My preorder went in back in February for 4 string in natural (got enough 5's), so likely high on the list for the first batch available. Not concerned about the weight, but I wish they had gone with a 38mm width instead of 42mm and the 24 fret neck from the 24V that would be perfect. Still happy to get it, I was considering adding a Stingray since I have nothing like it but I think this will be better with the pickup configuration.
It looks like they reworked the Body shape though for the newer headstock ones since a lot of people complained. Looks a lot better now, but really sad to miss out on the 3+1. Full scale basses are just huge and unwieldly a lot of the thing and I've always liked the slightly more compact headstock of a MM bass. it does draw attention to how godawful the lower chode horn was previously
The Z7 Burgundy Mist is a seriously beautiful bass, I'll have to try one. I'm generally good with single pickup classic Stingray style, but adding the Jazz pickup would make it a bit of a "do it all" Bass for me.
Also is it just me or did they move the neck pickup VERY SLIGHTLY BACK to give more room for slapping?
The Z7 Burgundy Mist is a seriously beautiful bass, I'll have to try one. I'm generally good with single pickup classic Stingray style, but adding the Jazz pickup would make it a bit of a "do it all" Bass for me.
Also is it just me or did they move the neck pickup VERY SLIGHTLY BACK to give more room for slapping?
Gotta say... my FAVORITE EBMM, of ALL TIME... dare I say it... IS... the Sterling HS.It looks like they reworked the Body shape though for the newer headstock ones since a lot of people complained. Looks a lot better now, but really sad to miss out on the 3+1. Full scale basses are just huge and unwieldly a lot of the thing and I've always liked the slightly more compact headstock of a MM bass. it does draw attention to how godawful the lower chode horn was previously
View attachment 5451362
The Z7 Burgundy Mist is a seriously beautiful bass, I'll have to try one. I'm generally good with single pickup classic Stingray style, but adding the Jazz pickup would make it a bit of a "do it all" Bass for me.
Also is it just me or did they move the neck pickup VERY SLIGHTLY BACK to give more room for slapping?
