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

[Nunovsky]

Honestly, it's funny that suddenly so many people are mad at Sire for making copies of other established brands...
Like, they became famous for their affordable but with good quality Jazz Bass copies.
And it seems that no one has ever made a Sterling inspired bass before (just check Flea's models and brands throughout the years).
These seem legit basses and have suficient diferences to not be considered copies. Besides evident shape diferences, they have their own pickup and use the Sure Preamp, although more simplified on the Z3. Also, I bet the neck specs will be diferent.
What I want to know is simply how it sounds and feels.
The rest is stuff no one will remember in a few months.

 

[KB5]

No string spacing listed. I'll be interested in trying out a 5 if they kept the MM string spacing.

 

[mstraus]

No string spacing listed. I'll be interested in trying out a 5 if they kept the MM string spacing.

Funny, I'm in the opposite boat, I had a stingray and hated the string spacing, if these are 18mm or 19mm I just might pull the trigger. Looking at pics the spacing does seem flared a bit more than the MM offerings, so I'm hopeful...

 

[Maxi Funkl]

LEH Guitars are also using 3+1 NAMM 2024 Bass Gear: Day 2

 

[FRoss6788]

LEH Guitars are also using 3+1 NAMM 2024 Bass Gear: Day 2

Oooh, sue them!

 

[Intrepid]

Funny, I'm in the opposite boat, I had a stingray and hated the string spacing, if these are 18mm or 19mm I just might pull the trigger. Looking at pics the spacing does seem flared a bit more than the MM offerings, so I'm hopeful...View attachment 5332703

I would guess it’s 19mm like their other offerings, which is something a decent number of people have wanted and EBMM refuses to provide. Personally I’m on the same page as a few others where I wish there was a Lakland Skyline tier offering.

Some of the takes in here are pretty wild. Stingray not iconic. Hate copies of a bass but will eat up j-style and p-style basses. Overall shape not being similar to a Lakland especially with that stubby horn.

 

[primussucks9126]

Sounds pretty dang good to me

 

[factory presets]

Sounds pretty dang good to me

Sounds good but no one is getting sued for stealing the Stingray sizzle.

 

[Les Fret]

Sounds pretty dang good to me

Doesn’t sound bad. Sounds like a Stingray but there is something missing. Not sure what it is. But hard to judge from that video alone.

 

[Maestro29]

Alright I’ve had a few days to brood on it so I’m just going to say it. I think Sire has mastered the art of mind control. When I originally saw this post I think I was the only person in here that was NOT impressed with this offering. I’ve been a big fan of Sire, but this (and the Godin-like hollow bass) felt like copycat moves. Are the V series basses copies of Fender j-basses? Yes, but I feel as though they expanded upon them and IMO offered a different and better product than Fender. I find nothing to improve upon with a Musicman. Fast forward to last night. After researching it a little more and getting a sound example on YouTube I honestly think I need one of these. The two pickup design, the versatile Sire preamp, the rolled edges, roasted necks, cool colors all for like $700 is unbeatable and better than anything Sterling is offering up. That combined with the fact they may very well get a cease and desist from MM makes me want to grab one even more. Also think the Sire headstock looks alright with the 3-1 tuners.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

Comparing the Z3 and Z7 5-string models to the EBMM SR5 string spacing, it does look (to me) that the Sire spacing is the same as V and P models (18mm).
The Z3 5-string looks like it has the typical
Generic 16.5mm pole-piece spaced ceramic pickup as the SBMM Ray5 basses have, and the pole pieces are narrow enough to bother even the most mild cases of OCD.

The Z7 5-string looks like it has a custom made AlNiCo humbucker with the pole pieces spaced (more or less) much better under the strings.

 

[factory presets]

I’ve been a big fan of Sire, but this (and the Godin-like hollow bass) felt like copycat moves. Are the V series basses copies of Fender j-basses? Yes, but I feel as though they expanded upon them and IMO offered a different and better product than Fender. I find nothing to improve upon with a Musicman. Fast forward to last night. After researching it a little more and getting a sound example on YouTube I honestly think I need one of these. The two pickup design, the versatile Sire preamp, the rolled edges, roasted necks, cool colors all for like $700 is unbeatable and better than anything Sterling is offering up. That combined with the fact they may very well get a cease and desist from MM makes me want to grab one even more. Also think the Sire headstock looks alright with the 3-1 tuners.

Well if you're going to use Marcus Miller for the face of your bass, you're probably going to appeal to more than your fair share of thumb happy people . Which makes me think the only reason it took them this long to do an SSO would be because they had to negotiate with EBMM over how close they could copy without triggering a lawsuit. I guess. Figuring rational actors on all sides. Probably. Sounds from the clip above like the famous sizzle was the bridge too far for Mr. Ball

 

[primussucks9126]

To be fair, we don't know how the pre is setup in that clip. I'd guess you can dial in plenty of sizzle between the treble control and sweepable mids.

Also, for me, the "sizzle" on 3 band rays comes from high frequency peak that you can't dial out. I'd be ok with getting rid of that.

 

[Kevlanco]

I hate waiting an unknown amount of time for these, but I’m ready to place a preorder at this point lol. Just can’t decide between the Z3 or the Z7. My initial GAS has been centered around the sparkle black 4 string Z3, but now I’m looking at the 5 string Z7. Stainless steel frets, an ebony board, stronger preamp, and the J pickup in the neck is a whole lot of upgrade for an extra $150-250. I think I’ll only be scooping one of these up because the rob allen type acoustics look very interesting as well

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Sounds pretty dang good to me

It sounds like the real deal to me!

 

[80jazz]

I hate waiting an unknown amount of time for these, but I’m ready to place a preorder at this point lol. Just can’t decide between the Z3 or the Z7. My initial GAS has been centered around the sparkle black 4 string Z3, but now I’m looking at the 5 string Z7. Stainless steel frets, an ebony board, stronger preamp, and the J pickup in the neck is a whole lot of upgrade for an extra $150-250. I think I’ll only be scooping one of these up because the rob allen type acoustics look very interesting as well

For me it's easy: the Z7.

I may have a 5 string version of this at some point this year.

 

[Maxi Funkl]

For me the Z7 5 would give me a quality Stingray-ish bass with potential Jazz tones for 1/3 of the cost of a New EBMMSRS which I own 2 and want 1 maybe 2 more Special's 5HH 4HH SLO.
I own a V7 2nd Gen with Marcus's autograph on the back of the headstock. I get paranoid taking it out for that reason. LOL A V5 24 5 in red was on my list so now Z7 5 Natural is on the list. Both cover I'd take anywhere needs.

 

[Texican]

These are obvious MM knockoffs but for a different perspective on the shape, compare it to a Lakland ...

View attachment 5330361

Based on this photo you posted, I actually think the Sire looks best. Sire is the weakest link (IMHO) when you look at the headstocks though. I don’t necessarily respect such a blatant rip off, however, I do believe that people would be saying that the Sire’s lower horn was more attractive if it had been out first. We sometimes equate “different” to “not right”… which is ironic given the fact that the same people are complaining that it looks too similar.

 

[factory presets]

To be fair, we don't know how the pre is setup in that clip. I'd guess you can dial in plenty of sizzle between the treble control and sweepable mids.

I thought that for a second. Except I didn't realise the mids were moveable Then I thought it's probably a Sure video. So they'd probably be keen to emphasise any Stingray qualities. But you're right. I don't know.

Also, for me, the "sizzle" on 3 band rays comes from high frequency peak that you can't dial out. I'd be ok with getting rid of that.

Got to admit I find that makes it a bit of a one trick pony. Although I'm led to understand flats can get rid of it. Make it into a different trick pony.

 

[Genebro]

View attachment 5329620

I like this. And I like the price.

I'm already developing GAS symptoms.

Sire Marcus Miller Z3 4-string Bass Guitar - Sparkle Black

Yeah I've been oogling this and the Z7 all morning. I really like that roasted maple neck on the natural finish model. I just wish you could pick and choose neck and body color combo, but yeah.....trying to decide if i should go for a pre-order or be patient and wait for them to start popping up on reverb.

Does anyone know when they actually drop?