They want as much of your money as they can get. That's what the whole point is.
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WOW! Really Sire
- Thread starter Starrchild
- Start date
Don't get me wrong-- I actually went back to Sire website to look at the lefty's again. WOW! all the basses have gone up at least $150! Amazing. And this is just a couple-few years ago when I could get one around $500ish... sheesh...
Here's a link:
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Here's a link:
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Yeah I guess they are for the die hard Sireor MM fanboys. Normally the business model is to have your “hero basses” and then start selling budget models once people have put the brand on a pedestal. I’d compare this to Squier releasing say a $1000 bass. (Considering sire prices are more along the lines of fender Mexico)
Apparently Costco's getting into the "Roasting" business, 'cept they're doing it to chickens!
I have played the first gen model and I own a P7 but at 1499.00 I would go for another 400 and get a Sadowsky Metro Express , but that is what I would do.
you are looking at their most expensive model... their normal basses are still $600 and a great value.
I think using Marcus Miller's name was brilliant marketing for Sire and perhaps necessary.....in the beginning. Although having his name on the bass, the gig bag (how many bought it with the gig bag or how many decided to use their own gig bag without the MM name?) was/is maybe a little too much. What else, Marcus Miller cord, strap with his name on it? How about picks too? Making us seemingly look like fanboys whether we like to or not.
I know a little bit of cultural differences comes into the picture having grown up in Asia, celebrity (western) endorsements are a premium and they are used widely and proudly displayed on the products - so for Sire, a Korean manufacturer, having a name such as Marcus Miller associated with their basses made it easier for business in the market elsewhere around the world, especially for a bass that is primarily sold online.
I don't know, when I think of his endorsement, I think of Jacqueline Smith for her budget line of clothing through KMart...it's like trying to prove it's worth through a celebrity's name and face.
I get it, Sire basses really are damn good- the bass speaks for itself, they've proven their point and regardless of what's on the headstock, it's worth a try at the very least, but I've seen quite a few people put stickers or something over the MM name on the headstock of the bass, maybe it's time for Sire to tone it down a little with the MM name.
How many posts on TB do you see now with these basses referred to as Sire Marcus Miller V3, V7 etc. now...we're using Sire V3, V7 and omitting the "Marcus Miller" part?
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Build quality entry to mid level basses and gain a big following and customer base, raise the price for new products.
It's not a new tactic.
I have never bought a bass with someone else's name on it and never will. Just doesn't seem right. Nice looking bass though.
Nice looking bass. I’d like to try one.
Higher price-point products can raise a brand's overall perceived value. Good move on Sire’s part, IMO.
Higher price-point products can raise a brand's overall perceived value. Good move on Sire’s part, IMO.
I agree...I wish this bass and Sire much success, this is one company I'd like to see succeed, even their "budget" basses are terrific quality - if they're stretching their wings, all the power to them. (but my personal plea and wish - please put MM's name on the back of the headstock especially on these higher grade models)
Definitely much better success than First Act and their beginner to $5K designer basses.
There's a company that probably should have used different branding.
To each their own, but for that money you could buy an established bigboy bass that probably will play better and will hold more resale value.
True...but it's not that constant reminder on my headstock that I'll never be as good a bassist as …..Mr. Dingwall, or Leo Fender, nor do I play Dingwall's kind of music or style. I'm not the least concerned with feeling that I have to play like Leo Fender on my bass. Phew, less pressure.
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IMO the issue here is that within the boundaries of the initial use case (in his video specifically) the marketing angle was for a parent buying a bass for their kid and wanting useable quality at value. There might even be a little role model trust implied. (He also states that the company approached him with an “almost perfect” bass and the design was a fait accompli) As they grow the lines into 4 figure price tags they are reaching a different buyer market with different desires in a bass. Could be time to adapt in order to meet that buyer. (And time to shave some weight... an 11 pound 4 string is a little rotund)
When you get to that price tag a lot of options open up. FWIW, I just got a used American Pro J for well under a grand.
That said, having done some co-branded marketing before I imagine there is a contract in place that stipulates he gets the marquis “ad space” - down to percentage of size of the relative logos.
When you get to that price tag a lot of options open up. FWIW, I just got a used American Pro J for well under a grand.
That said, having done some co-branded marketing before I imagine there is a contract in place that stipulates he gets the marquis “ad space” - down to percentage of size of the relative logos.
