This is interesting... Sire MM Bass???

[Basselink]

Seems like a good alternative to the Sandberg TM5 as well in the HS?

 

[Dr. Cheese]

If the quality of these basses is like that of the V7 or V5 basses, SBMM is about to have some serious competition.

 

[Vitrius Humor]

Ordered the Antique White Z3!

 

[Phaidrus]

Not really fond of this copycat business.

 

[Snarf]

Not really fond of this copycat business.

I'm fine with it. It's like stringed instruments. Do we really need to reinvent the shape of the violin? Nerp. These designs are classic, and the real difference between the brands will be the fine details.

That said, I WANT to like these basses. But I could never play an instrument with another bass player's name blasted onto the headstock. It's a hard pass for that reason alone.

 

[Lo end PUNCH]

Don't forget, Marcus Miller's name is on the instruments and he is a great businessman, I'm sure he wouldn't just "go with it" without consulting Ernie Ball, I thinks hessmarter than that Marcus also uses a fretless MM sometimes on stage, who knows of Sire hasn't worked out a deal with EBMM?

 

[FRoss6788]

I'm fine with it. It's like stringed instruments. Do we really need to reinvent the shape of the violin? Nerp. These designs are classic, and the real difference between the brands will be the fine details.

That said, I WANT to like these basses. But I could never play an instrument with another bass player's name blasted onto the headstock. It's a hard pass for that reason alone.

Yep.

If his name was on the back of the headstock, maybe, but front and center and larger than the brand name? Pass.

 

[mrjim123]

Looks like it will have p-bass nut width like the Sterling ray34. (4-string version) I wish it had Jazz bass nut width like the Sterling Ray24. I love the feel and sound of the Sterling Ray24 but I have had really bad luck with multiple copies of that model. Terrible quality control. I have been looking for a better Stingray alternative that won't put me in the poor house.

I haven't GAS'd for a new bass for quite a while. This one had me going (in the blue) until I read the nut width spec. Yeah, 38mm would be nice!

 

[Lammchop93]

Is it just me, or is it a huge turnoff when a company like this blatantly copies? I have zero dire to purchase this

 

[ThudThudThud]

This. If you want one get one now. Suspect there will be lawyers involved and the basses won't survive the process. I sure hope I'm wrong though.

Honestly, I've never really been interested in a Stingray. There was a short time in the 80s where I thought the original Sabre was cool, but I never acted. This one, though, I find myself really liking.
If I wasn't in the market for a Sire L7, I'd be seriously considering this one.
It's not an accident, or incidental that there are so many FSOs on the market, and so few MMSOs.

 

[Iofflight]

Seems like a good alternative to the Sandberg TM5 as well in the HS?

I had the same thought. And for that price, if the electronics weren't to taste a swap would be worth it.

 

[FRoss6788]

So wait, it's totally cool when Sire builds Fender clones, but when they cart out the Stingray clones there's a problem?

Hmmm...

 

[Phaidrus]

I'm fine with it. It's like stringed instruments. Do we really need to reinvent the shape of the violin? Nerp. These designs are classic, and the real difference between the brands will be the fine details.

That said, I WANT to like these basses. But I could never play an instrument with another bass player's name blasted onto the headstock. It's a hard pass for that reason alone.

I agree but only partly. The "original" violin is, as far as I know, nobody's creation. The well known design resulted after centuries of slow and diffuse evolution and today, every manufacturer who makes violins, follows pretty much the same design.

But with instruments like the Pbass, Jbass, Stingray etc., they are, as a product, the direct and causal result of the efforts of a specific individual/manufacturer. So if a different manufacturer produces them too (practically unaltered), well then it's copycat business.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

View attachment 5330444

If the quality of these basses is like that of the V7 or V5 basses, SBMM is about to have some serious competition.

Looking at this picture, EBMM could sue Sire for copying their G string placement since it appears to be very close to the edge of the fingerboard.

 

[Johnny Alien]

So wait, it's totally cool when Sire builds Fender clones, but when they cart out the Stingray clones there's a problem?

I don't think anyone is commenting on the clone status just the fact that they went with a 3+1 tuner combo that EBMM has a legal right too. The oddest part is that they already have a standard headstock that would look fine on this AND has at least some level of brand recognition. Basically there was zero reason to go down that design path other than "we want to appear to be more like the real thing"

 

[ThudThudThud]

I don't think anyone is commenting on the clone status just the fact that they went with a 3+1 tuner combo that EBMM has a legal right too. The oddest part is that they already have a standard headstock that would look fine on this AND has at least some level of brand recognition. Basically there was zero reason to go down that design path other than "we want to appear to be more like the real thing"

I seem to remember when RondoMusic was selling a direct MM copy in Europe, but couldn't sell them in the USA since EBMM were hot and heavy with the threats, and cease and desist notices.

 

[Snarf]

I agree but only partly. The "original" violin is, as far as I know, nobody's creation. The well known design resulted after centuries of slow and diffuse evolution and today, every manufacturer who makes violins, follows pretty much the same design.

But with instruments like the Pbass, Jbass, Stingray etc., they are, as a product, the direct and causal result of the efforts of a specific individual/manufacturer. So if a different manufacturer produces them too (practically unaltered), well then it's copycat business.

I just see it as the same thing, just in a much shorter period of time, and we know the names of the people involved. The electric bass was originally termed the "Fender bass," and as far as I'm concerned if someone wants to make a "better Fender bass," that's cool with me. If Fender is leaving a gap in the market that someone else can fill, go for it. Sadowsky wanted to create a super high-end Fender, Sire wants to create under-$1000 instruments. Fender the company doesn't do either of those things. Well, some of the MIM Fenders today retail at $900 or something like that, but close enough.

 

[FRoss6788]

I don't think anyone is commenting on the clone status just the fact that they went with a 3+1 tuner combo that EBMM has a legal right too. The oddest part is that they already have a standard headstock that would look fine on this AND has at least some level of brand recognition. Basically there was zero reason to go down that design path other than "we want to appear to be more like the real thing"

Just a guess here, but wouldn't the shape of the headstock have to be part of that, not just the 3+1?

 

[SirMjac28]

Is the pick guard also the pickup cover? that would be cool if it was.

 

[Johnny Alien]

Just a guess here, but wouldn't the shape of the headstock have to be part of that, not just the 3+1?

I actually am not totally positive how it all breaks down. I always thought they had legal rights to the 3+1 and 4+2 layout. I have not seen anyone else ever do it and loads of companies say that they have gotten cease and desists when they try to use either.