Sire

I can't believe my eyes, or hands, or ears! The major instrument manufacturers had better reconsider their approach - and prices. I received this Marcus Miller/Sire bass (maple neck) a few days ago, thinking I'd have to get it adjusted, customized... Well, there'll be no need for either: this bass is perfect and was even shipped perfectly adjusted and almost tuned. The wood is awesome, the neck is perfect with relatively low strings that don't sizzle, very good tuners and a beautiful, sturdy bridge with two possibilities as to how to install the strings (on the bridge or through the body). the white paint is slightly transparent, leaving the veins of the wood apparent - it's quite original but I like that. It's really nice to play (finger and slap), very reactive, you don't have to do too much to immediately get a good sound, and it allows all kinds of styles thanks to its surprising and versatile electronics. Pickups are really good, I won't switch for DiMarzios or Seymour Duncans, I don't want to change anything. Its 9.5 lbs weight is quite bearable for long playing hours standing (swamp ash model with maple neck). Yet, I already have a 1966 Fender Jazz Bass (I had the frets removed Pasto-style long years ago ans I keep it more for emotional reasons than anything else), I sold a (too heavy) '77 JB last year, I own an Ibanez Premium SR 1200... But... Now, I know this Marcus Miller is the one bass that'll come with me everywhere, it really looks great and perfectly meets my musical expectations. As for its price... I still can't believe it. I'm very satisfied and happy, thank you Marcus Miller, you really are a good man ;-)

Hi, being a beginning bass player, please consider this review as mostly suited to beginners like me. After I bought a used Mexican Fender Jazz Bass, I spent quite a lot of time setting it up and finding the right settings for the way I like to play – which includes all my mistakes. It provided me with an acceptable sound, but I still wasn’t satisfied by it (even after installing a Gotoh string-thru bridge) . For the price I managed to sell it, I bought this alder V7 in two-tone sunburst finish which features a rosewood fretboard. The finish is fine and flawless – and believe me, I’m a rather picky one! Contact with the instrument differs from the MIM Fender JB. This bass is lighter and seems less cumbersome, easier to manipulate, you feel more at ease – at least that’s what I feel. The same goes for the neck once it was set to my taste. The inlays are cleanly and well done, I love how the neck looks. Then, the electronics. I use an Ampeg Micro-CL amp. In passive mode, it sounds a bit like the JB, the sound may seem “softer” but the settings are efficient (good balance between the pickups, efficient tone). However, in active mode, it soon shows how powerful it is, and the settings are even more efficient too especially with the three-band EQ with adjustable mid frequencies – a real asset. Of course, there’s a slight volume difference between the active and passive modes but nothing too disturbing and you easily find the sound you’re after. The bass came with no softcase (in spite of what Sire’s website announced) but with a set of Allen wrenches and a chrome cover for the neck pickup. The guitar wasn’t set properly (buzzy even when playing open strings), but anyway… Also, one of the two included 9V batteries had a broken snap connector – not a real problem though. Pros: finish, electronics, affordability. Cons: the active/passive switch could have been easier to access, the bad factory setting and the lack of a softcase when buying from Thomann… When I bought it, I had hesitated between this model and an SR300, but I’m definitely attracted to the sound and look of a Jazz Bass. I’ll say the V7 is the ideal bass for me as a beginner, and when I’m grown up I’ll get an American Deluxe Jazzbass Ash in natural maple finish...