Why would you choose a Fender over a Sire?

[J-Bass RMR]

I've always been a "Fender guy" - steeped in the history from the day I bought my 1st bass from my old mentor.

But I've also always been a fan of all basses. (well, most anyway)

If I'm buying a bass, I'm buying it on its on its own merit - not because it's "over" (or under) anything.
As long as it plays well, you like it and you can make it sound good, that's all that really matters.
It's really not any more complicated than that.

 

[retslock]

The name on the bass is not why I would buy it. It so happens that I like the way Fender Precisions look but when it comes to parting with cash, I'll buy the bass that plays, feels and looks best to my taste and suits my budget. Nothing wrong with Sire that I can see but I've never played one. That's the test that clinches the deal.

 

[pie_man_25]

"Why would you choose a Fender over a Sire?"
Because when I bought my Fenders, Sire either wasn't a thing or wasn't available.

I've seen a couple at a place up in Fredericton and they're nice, but I already had more basses than I had room for them.

 

[Snert]

I don't like any of the traditional options of either brand, but I think I'd like an M5 or M7.

 

[themickster]

I've always been a Fender guy. No matter what I try, I always seem to end up back playing a Fender. Recently I briefly played a friend's Sire and was really impressed. It played great.
Now in searching for a new P, I'm considering a Sire because of the lower cost. However, I'm wondering what I won't be getting that would Come with a Fender P.

You wouldn't be getting a Fender sticker on the headstock

 

[Tad]

I'm just a Fender kinda feller.

All of my basses are Fenders or Squiers.

I'm not really looking to get any others, but if I were, it would be a Fender.

Like I said…

 

[squeally dan]

I wouldn't and I didn't...Sire M7..SO much more for the money.

So what did you get that you didn't get from a Fender? Or are you just saying you got an equal bass for cheaper?

 

[squeally dan]

I roll my eyes and laugh every time someone attaches the term "re-sale value" to an electric bass.

That being said, I've never played a Sire and don't mean to. I can't imagine a Sire sounding, feeling or playing as good as my main Fender (made in 1962).

I have gone through some instruments over the years so re-sale value is something I consider. Not sure why that is funny.

It also seems strange to say you can't imagine a Sire being as good as your Fender. The only way you would know that is to play one.

 

[squeally dan]

It sounds like you run in the wrong crowds, no offense.
- Resale is irrelevant if you're buying it to play it, and own it.
- I'd not trust a producer with such a narrow mind (JUST based on your comment. The other 99.9% is subjective.)
- It has a passive toggle.
- Just wait. There will be plenty of seminal records made with a Sire. Anyway, nobody but bass players even care.
- I don't have a horse in the race. I just love to play Devil's Advocate. It makes us all better by raising the bar.

For me, resale is not irrelevant. Sometimes it takes some time and experimenting to find the one.

 

[Killing Floor]

I have said many times in absolute sincerity, I love the Fender brand and as a whole it is meaningful to me as a consumer to play and own Fender products. I have several Fender guitars and a bloat/pack/murder of Fender basses. I love the brand and they are the legacy shape and sound of virtually every 'modern' type of western popular music.
I buy Fenders because of the above.
I am not at all ashamed to admit that.

But they are in no way the best made or easily playable instruments. It is perfectly simple to find a $5-600 instrument as well made as anything from Corona. But it wouldn't be a Fender.

True story. I recently bought a new offset guitar. I narrowed my choice to 2 instruments, one was a Shelton Galaxyflite (look it up). I bought a Fender even though I could easily afford the Shelton. I can Plek the Fender and it will play as good to me. I can't make a $5K stunning handmade Shelton be a Fender.

 

[GregT]

Why would you choose a Fender over a Sire?

I like Fenders so for me it's simple; I don't want a Sire nor do I want a lot of other basses. I sure wouldn't mind having a German Hofner or maybe even a Rickenbacker, but I doubt I'll ever have either. I really only need my Precision and Musicmaster to be content.

 

[mrcbass]

I have both. The Sire is relatively new, but I'm liking it a lot. My passive Fender P cost nearly twice the active Sire PJ. Dollar for dollar, I'd prefer the sire. But I'm not unhappy with the Fender - just different applications.

 

[edencab]

I have serious GAS for the Sire D5, the tele style Pbass..I wouldn't choose the Fe .....it just went up another $70 bucks from last Thus..now $870 CDN = $980+/- with tax...yikes..too rich for my blood....so aggravating as I see it on Sweetwater for $500

the Fender is $3100 CDN, yah right, so not picking the Fender over a Sire

 

[Mastermold]

I own both. The Fender is my go-to but it wasn't cheap new. The Sire is my #2 and it's required a bit more tweaking; the bridge could probably stand to be replaced because I've had to jury rig some stuff to keep a saddle from rattling, but overall the build quality is quite excellent.

Unless you want to buy a very expensive Fender (mine is an Elite) I don't think you'll find a huge quality difference between the two. The Sires offer a tremendous value for the price.

That's my take on them -- don't own a Sire but they seem like they're nicer than Squiers and potentially as nice as a decent Fender.

 

[Topkat13]

Going out on a limb here…perhaps liking one vs. the other…personal choice maybe?

 

[jw112]

Every Sire I've played has been heavy. For me a more valid questions is would it be Squier or Sire.

Fender is a whole different thing. You may feel like your Sire is higher quality but its still an import copy of a classic. I want the real deal

 

[leegreenman]

I purchased a Sire V3 on a bit of a whim 2 weeks ago. It's an AMAZING instrument. Sounds and plays great. These tend to be heavy, but this one is in the 8 pound range which is manageable.

 

[leegreenman]

I would choose the Fender because of the headstock shape. I would like to play both if I could, but mostly the Sire headstock turns me off. I could be swayed by an exceptional example though.

The headstock is the only thing I don't love about it.

 

[Rick_Bass]

Brand Loyalty !!!!!! Fender USA all the Way -- resale Value --- and the sheer notion you have an epic peice of Americana in your hands --- that is a Fender Legacy ----

 

[Rib 13]

I own a 2014 Fender American Deluxe Jazz V
I also own a Sire V7 5-String Gen 1

I prefer the Sire for most things live, and it has a faster neck than the Fender
The Fender records and sits on tracks in the studio better than the Sire

Just imo....YMMV