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Post by LTB on Mar 10, 2023 15:57:12 GMT -5
Sire P7 bass (new) I sold off all but my Fender American Professional Jazz, G&L Fullerton LB-100, G&L Tribute LB-100, ESP LTD B5-E (heavily modified). After reading the reviews watching demo videos and all the comments on bass forums I bought this bass. It is amazing the craftsmanship, quality, all the appointments, playability (neck with rounded edges and frets is out of this world) sound, and price ($634 plus tax) of this bass is astounding. Has bone nut perfectly cut, the L-Shaped bridge (thicker than normal) surprised me with the tone and sustain. Absolutely no dead spots anywhere, each note on each fret or spot on using a Peterson Strobostomp Virtual Strobe tuner. Setup very nice and fretwork phenomenol. It has Active/Passive settings. Master Volume/Passive tone control (that work in both passive and active modes, Pickup blend (w/center detent) Active Treble cut/boost(w/center detent), Mid frequency/gain,(w/center detent), Active/Passive switch, Bass cut/boost(w/center detent). Wiring and shielding are top notch. It has an 18volt preamp with 2- 9volt battery access in the back. Tuners are buttery smooth to turn with no slop. This bass rivals even my Fender American Professional. While this neck is smooth and easy to play I have a slight preference of the Fender American Jazz with it’s flat D neck profile while the Sire is narrow width also is a rounded C. Not big difference just a slight preference on my part but the sound blows the others out of the water (at least for me). I know there will be people that don’t know (like I didn’t) would think NO ONE makes a bass like I described for this price but see for yourself. I was wrong! Below are photos. Sire Marcus Miller P7 bass
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woody
Wholenote
Posts: 245
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NBD
Mar 10, 2023 19:12:43 GMT -5
LTB likes this
Post by woody on Mar 10, 2023 19:12:43 GMT -5
Very nice! I have read nothing but good things about the Sires. Enjoy it!
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Mar 10, 2023 19:50:13 GMT -5
Post by LTB on Mar 10, 2023 19:50:13 GMT -5
Very nice! I have read nothing but good things about the Sires. Enjoy it! Thank you woody! I first saw one in Guitar Center in 2018 when I played then bought my Fender Player Series P. Glad I didn’t pick that Sire up because it was a Gen 1 before they made corrections and updates. I sold that Fender that previously took second place behind my Fender American Pro Jazz but this Sire knocked it totally out of the park so I sold it the day after I got the Sire P7. This bass is not second place but closer to the same or a little better in some aspects and I can’t put it down.
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Mar 10, 2023 19:52:42 GMT -5
Post by LTB on Mar 10, 2023 19:52:42 GMT -5
Very nice! I have read nothing but good things about the Sires. Enjoy it! Thank you woody! I first saw one in Guitar Center in 2018 when I played then bought my Fender Player Series P. Glad I didn’t pick that Sire up because it was a Gen 1 before they made corrections and updates. I sold that Fender that previously took second place behind my Fender American Pro Jazz but this Sire knocked it totally out of the park so I sold it the day after I got the Sire P7. This bass is not second place but closer to the same or a little better in some aspects and I can’t put it down. If all the controls aren’t in one’s fancy then check out the V5, P5 that are passive. The roasted maple necks look really good and I was originally going to get one then changed to the P8 for a beautiful dark roasted maple neck with MOP inlays and dark brown or black binding (don’t remember which). Stunning but only having a white one available and not the roasted maple neck I jumped for the P7 for almost $300 less. Check out the video of Marcus Miller how he came about teaming up with Sire It explains a lot about these instruments. They sought him out and took his comments and suggestions over the years and now have a beautiful instrument to show for it. Sire is USA Their instruments are made by a Korean company in Indonesia and if I didn’t know this I would think they were made here and for much more money. Larry Carolton teamed up with them for their guitars to put his name on them. Marcus Miller interview
Fender P vs Sire P7
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Mar 10, 2023 23:05:09 GMT -5
Post by LTB on Mar 10, 2023 23:05:09 GMT -5
Sorry, as it turns out the Fender P vs Sire P7 video isn't a fair comparison. Can't believe he used La'Bella Tape Wounds on the Fender P and nickel rounds on the Sire P7
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Mar 11, 2023 1:47:20 GMT -5
Post by LTB on Mar 11, 2023 1:47:20 GMT -5
Here is a better demo video Sire P7 Demo
Sire P5 Demo
Several variations (there are many more than these)
V’s are Jazz P’s P or P/J One of the upgrades I really like is they were using a battery cover plate that screws down with 4 screws. The newer change like the one mine has is the cover that opens and the batteries angled toward you to remove easily. My serial number starts with 2N2225XXXX. I noticed some with serial numbers 2N2215xxxx have the screw on. Guess there is a transition period during the year 2022 (assuming 2N22 means 2022) also I noticed they didn’t start putting the round Gen 2 on the sticker on the pickguard until 2N2255xxxx so I had Sweetwater verify mine was indeed a Gen 2 as stated in the write up but they hadn’t yet started putting them on when mine was made and Sire verified that as correct. I am not saying the Gen 1’s that were issued before December 6, 2018 were bad just they didn’t have a lot of the more modern features of the Gen 2 such as pickup change, knob change, bridge change, rolled fretboard edges and frets. Almost forgot they had two separate 9volt battery boxes instead of 1 dual 9 volt battery box. Frankly all these differences, various models and model changes makes my mind spin. The one thing that bothers me slightly is the proprietary 4 screws (one in each corner) bridge until you get up to the P8 then you get a 5 screw more standard heavy bridge. I could change mine to say a Gotoh B408 with string through the body and top load but have to drill new holes in the body. I was going to change mine out at some point but I was pleasantly surprise by the tone and sustain of the thicker vintage L-shape bridge. It sustains up to 16-20 seconds (don’t need that long but nice). No dead notes I can find on any string or any frets.
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Mar 11, 2023 3:07:58 GMT -5
Post by LTB on Mar 11, 2023 3:07:58 GMT -5
Sorry if anyone missed it but I added quite a bit to the above post.
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Mar 14, 2023 4:01:04 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by LTB on Mar 14, 2023 4:01:04 GMT -5
imgur.com/gallery/o4yqqfMSire P7 Potentiometers, Capacitor and Switch values according to Sire-USA. NOTE: This should be the same for any Gen2 model with pre-amp
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Mar 14, 2023 15:27:15 GMT -5
via mobile
Post by LTB on Mar 14, 2023 15:27:15 GMT -5
imgur.com/gallery/o4yqqfMSire P7 Potentiometers, Capacitor and Switch values according to Sire-USA. NOTE: This should be the same for any Gen2 model with pre-amp Correction: cap .050uf not 50uf lol
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Mar 19, 2023 15:29:01 GMT -5
LTB likes this
Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Mar 19, 2023 15:29:01 GMT -5
Not surprising to me at all. Some brands coming out of China and Indonesia are remarkably wonderful instruments. And the quality for price gap continues to shrink. I've played a few Sire guitars and they are superb. They also have Larry Carlton on board as an endorser.
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Mar 21, 2023 21:38:32 GMT -5
Post by LTB on Mar 21, 2023 21:38:32 GMT -5
Not surprising to me at all. Some brands coming out of China and Indonesia are remarkably wonderful instruments. And the quality for price gap continues to shrink. I've played a few Sire guitars and they are superb. They also have Larry Carlton on board as an endorser. This feels, looks, plays and sounds more like it was made in Japan rather than Indonesia. I have no need for another guitar as my primary is playing bass but I really like the “ES-335” style semi hollowbody guitar.
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Mar 25, 2023 16:58:23 GMT -5
Post by LTB on Mar 25, 2023 16:58:23 GMT -5
I like this bass so much I have a Sire V7 Antique White (Jazz Bass) on order from Sweetwater in Vintage White like my 2011 Fender American Special Jazz I loved so much but was forced to sale to pay a bill. Regretted that ever since! It had beautiful rounded edge Rosewood Fretboard. This will give me 2 passives 4 strings (G&L Fullterton USA LB-100 P style bass and Fender American Professional Jazz) and two Active 4 strings Sire P7 and V7 plus an Active 5 string ESP LTD B5-E (heavily modified). I love the ESP as it is the best feeling 5 string I have played. That is why I chose to keep it but change the tuners, pickups and pre-amp.
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Mar 31, 2023 22:43:48 GMT -5
Post by LTB on Mar 31, 2023 22:43:48 GMT -5
I have been liking the Roasted Maple neck on Sire Basses and decided my Fender American Pro Jazz was lonely so I decided to buy a Sire V5 from Sweetwater for slightly over 5 bills. Below are the photos of my exact bass imgur.com/a/kboTS7j
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Apr 1, 2023 12:03:32 GMT -5
Post by LTB on Apr 1, 2023 12:03:32 GMT -5
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woody
Wholenote
Posts: 245
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Apr 1, 2023 17:39:49 GMT -5
Post by woody on Apr 1, 2023 17:39:49 GMT -5
That's a stunner! Glad they added a passive line. Looking forward to your review.
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Apr 1, 2023 18:23:48 GMT -5
Post by LTB on Apr 1, 2023 18:23:48 GMT -5
That's a stunner! Glad they added a passive line. Looking forward to your review. Thank you Woody! It is out for delivery today (so they say). Looking forward to it getting it in my hands.
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Apr 2, 2023 10:20:19 GMT -5
Post by LTB on Apr 2, 2023 10:20:19 GMT -5
That's a stunner! Glad they added a passive line. Looking forward to your review. Thank you Woody! It is out for delivery today (so they say). Looking forward to it getting it in my hands. Woody, I know there are passive V3P, V5, P5, U5, and D5 basses. Plus I like the ability of there Active Basses like my P7 to switch to passive modes as well, but I really love my P7’s Active mode
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Apr 2, 2023 18:05:24 GMT -5
Post by LTB on Apr 2, 2023 18:05:24 GMT -5
I like the V5. Quality build like the P7 but with single coil Jazz style pickups and Passive. I will be honest, I like the P7 a little better (only because it has noiseless pickups and active eq and passive). The V5 is a great bass. It is better than the Fender Player Series P I had, mostly due to the rolled edges and frets. The pickups have good tone and very clear and articulate sounding. I verified the capactitor they are putting on them now is standard 473 (.047uf) instead of .022uf used early on. The pickups are slightly brighter than the Fender American Jazz I have but some of that probably because of the strings on it D’Addario EXL 170’s that come stock with. Since my first Fender American Jazz I bought new in 2004 that had an S-1 switch I have put them on every passive Jazz I owned so I can have (Thicker tone and noise free pickups in Series) in event noisy playing environment. Having said this I can tell you the noise (buzz) is not all that loud. You wouldn’t notice it unless everything is quiet in the room you are playing. I found the control plate complete with Fender S-1 switch that was on my Fender American Pro Jazz before putting an Audere 4 band EQ on it. It was still in pristine condition so I put it on this V5 (that is just my preference for passive Single coils) For anyone that wants a solid passive bass this will more than fit the bill! The cavities are nicely shielded components are decent. They are full size pots made in Korea and have push on knobs (I prefer solid shafts with locking screw on the knobs but these are fine. The wiring is very good and professional looking same as the P7. I LOVE the look of the Roasted Maple neck in combination with the Vintage White (yellowed white) Alder Body. The bridge plate is identical to the P7’s in thickness. They just put vintage style saddles on it. The tuners are identical to the P7’s. Work smoothly. They, like the P7’s are 22:1 ratio and looks like you can use a Hex key (Allen Wrench) and adjust the amount of tension on the tuning key.
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Apr 2, 2023 22:59:37 GMT -5
Post by LTB on Apr 2, 2023 22:59:37 GMT -5
Not surprising to me at all. Some brands coming out of China and Indonesia are remarkably wonderful instruments. And the quality for price gap continues to shrink. I've played a few Sire guitars and they are superb. They also have Larry Carlton on board as an endorser. Maybe my head was in the sand for the last 40 years as raised a family (yep I led a sheltered life. Until I got into Sire I didn't know about Larry Carleton. I like his style of playing a lot. As far as Marcus Miller goes, Didn't know much About Marcus Miller except that Fender made a bass with his name on it. Seems like a nice guy though.
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gilbates
Quarternote
Posts: 27
Formerly Known As: S1WGeorge
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Apr 3, 2023 12:30:45 GMT -5
LTB likes this
Post by gilbates on Apr 3, 2023 12:30:45 GMT -5
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Apr 3, 2023 15:21:49 GMT -5
Post by LTB on Apr 3, 2023 15:21:49 GMT -5
Nice looking collection. Had I not already had a G&L Fullerton LB-100 (P style) and Sire P7 I would have bought a Sire P5. Since I made my Fender American Pro Jazz an Active with Audere 4 band EQ and Aguilar Noiseless pickups I bought the V5 to have a Passive version Jazz to go with my P style Passive G&L.
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Apr 8, 2023 13:15:52 GMT -5
Post by LTB on Apr 8, 2023 13:15:52 GMT -5
I know DC Resistance is not the only thing needed to determine a pickup’s sound and output as new and more powerful magnets can be used these days but in saying that the pickups on the Sire V5 measure right at 4K ohms. In the past up through the 80’s this would have been a weaker vintage pickup resistance. These sound decent but I decided to put the control plate with Fender S-1 series/parallel switch on this bass. With these pickups I am finding not only does it get more output as did with my Fender Bass but a little less dark than it did with my Fender Bass I had it on which I like! I put a set of DR Pure Blues Nickels .045-.100’s on it as well as my G&L LB-100 Tribute bass (that I put a Seymour Duncan 2 band preamp on) and like the the tone and lower amount of Finger noise. I normally do not care for rounds because of the finger noise but these are more controlable at least for me. I am working on lifting my fingers as well.
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Apr 8, 2023 13:35:26 GMT -5
Post by LTB on Apr 8, 2023 13:35:26 GMT -5
For those that do not know and have only heard complaints about the S-1 switch on 2004 Fender Basses. A. They should never have never put them on a P bass as parallel pickup pieces sound rather blah! B. On many 2004 Fender American Jazz basses they were wired wrong and sounded horrible but when corrected the Series position (for me at least) was a nice addition. I found and fixed two that were wired wrong. I contacted Fender and brought it to their attention that whoever were wiring them had moved the bridge pickup wire over one place on the back of the switch as clearly shown on the 2004 Fender American Standard wiring diagram. Not sure how they repeated this error over and over again as it was very clearly drawn on their diagram. I am glad I picked up a couple spares because Fender it appears stopped making them and they are really easier to wire than the Pots with Push/Pull switch. Because of the many complaints with P bass owners and J bass owners (due to the wiring error) Fender chose to not put them on any bass after 2004. Since owning a 2004 American Jazz I have put S-1 switches on every Jazz Bass I owned. I like the extra capability for more output and beafier tone and no noise.
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Apr 15, 2023 9:09:56 GMT -5
via mobile
DrKev likes this
Post by LTB on Apr 15, 2023 9:09:56 GMT -5
I decided to put a Seymour Duncan STC-2C-BO 2 Band EQ Concentric Treble/Bass Preamp, Fender S-1 series/ parallel switch and using the 250KA pot associated with it as Master Volume, small bodied Concentric 250KA Vol/Vol for pickups ( Rarely need to adjust it) which the battery sits below It. This in conjunction with DR Pure Blues Nickel Rounds .045-.100 sounds incredible! I am very happy with it now. The control cavity is surprisingly deeper and wider than in Fenders. The battery will also fit under the Bridge pot and the 2 band preamp takes the place of the to the control.
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Apr 17, 2023 22:56:06 GMT -5
Post by LTB on Apr 17, 2023 22:56:06 GMT -5
250KA/250KA concentric pot with small body Pot I used. The circuit shows 250KB but had to use this one to allow battery to lie under the pot. Their is more room in the Sire than in Fender's or Squiers. Wider and a little deeper. Note: you do not have to use the concentric volume controls for the pickups. You can use the 250KA with S-1 switch as Neck volume and the utilize the Bridge Volume is you wish. I normally play with TI Jazz Flats but I put a new set of DR Pure Blues Nickels .045-.100 on it and wow it sounds really good. Note: I had to shorten the center top post as it was a bit long. Also I was surprised that the "Genuine Fender Jazz Bass Concentric knobs had to be drilled out to fit the shafts. If you use a standard Pot with DPDT switch you can use standard knobs and not have the knob issues I had.
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Apr 17, 2023 23:12:34 GMT -5
Post by LTB on Apr 17, 2023 23:12:34 GMT -5
If someone needs a drawing with a standard DPDT Push/Pull switch/pot let me know and I will be happy to supply one. Or if you prefer to just use a mini DPDT toggle switch I can handle that also. This preamp sounds very good in standard parallel mode and you may or may not even want series/parallel capability.
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Apr 19, 2023 13:08:33 GMT -5
Post by LTB on Apr 19, 2023 13:08:33 GMT -5
Simple replacement of passive tone control to stock control plate using original Neck and bridge volume controls. Just remove the tone pot along with the output Jack, Install the 2 band preamp in it's place, install output jack and associated wiring from the preamp. Connect the white signal in wire of the Preamp to the outer lug on the Bridge pot where the tone pot had connected. Insure ground from 2 band preamp connects to the bridge wire and the back of the bridge pickup volume pot.
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Apr 29, 2023 6:39:22 GMT -5
Post by LTB on Apr 29, 2023 6:39:22 GMT -5
A friend who has both the Seymour Duncan 2 band preamp and the EMG BTC 2 band preamp said the EMG sounded better to him so I gave it a try and he was definately right. It does sound better. Below are the drawings I made of the EMG BTC preamp circuit. I also changed the Master Volume to a standard 250KA pot to allow for a little more space for the battery. Ensure the battery lay’s flat on the bottom of the control Cavity and wiring above it. I also installed a mini D.P.D.T. switch for series/parallel switching and an Audere battery montitor in the Jazz control plate. PAGE 1 i.imgur.com/zy4BpRD.jpgPAGE 2 imgur.com/DndKd0DCONTROL PLATE imgur.com/a/6Wlk0NNPlease note I have a better knob coming that matches the style of the two concentric knobs. The Master Volume knob is the only one I had to use until a better choice arrives.
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