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Sire upgrades - 2nd generation


Wilco

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15 minutes ago, uk_lefty said:

All sounds good to me, I'd prefer a satin neck.

I agree, the satin neck will be a welcome change. I have a Sire V7, love it! Never had a problem with tuners, the pre-amp is versatile so not suprised that they've left it alone. I might invest in a 2nd Gen P7 5 string.

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9 minutes ago, Wilco said:

You probably won’t want to see this then!?!?

http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Sire_4_V7.html

Yes - very tempting - and Thomann sometimes have them for a few quid less...

Trouble is, I only need the neck! I've had a rather gorgeous J body sitting around for years, waiting for the right project.

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1 hour ago, ForestPoetry said:

Oh man. If they do the v7 fretless in an ebony board I am ALL OVER that. As if I wasn't GASSing for one hard enough already. When are we going to see these new and improved versions?

 

 

Andertons are advertising them... Whether that's pre order or in stock I'm not sure 

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The main niggles with the 1st generation were the tuners and battery compartments. The plastic battery compartments are very tightly fitted and the lids are prone to snap it seems. I must admit, whenever I've opened the ones on my V7 I've always been extra careful. Also the wire inside is very short and it's a real PITA replacing batteries. Although then new battery cover maybe not liked by all, it's probably an improvement. As for the tuners, I've never had a problem with mine, but know others have. Whether that's been rectified, who knows.

The neck on the 1st generation was the killer thing for me about the V7 so the changes don't really do a lot. I like the 7.25in radius and gloss finish, so the new ones aren't that appealing.

That said, I still maintain Sire are miles ahead of Mexican made Fenders.

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9 minutes ago, Marvin said:

The neck on the 1st generation was the killer thing for me about the V7 so the changes don't really do a lot. I like the 7.25in radius and gloss finish, so the new ones aren't that appealing.

I believe they’re keeping the 7.25 radius and gloss finish on the Vintage V7 necks, so there’s still something for everyone in the new range.

Edited by CameronJ
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Sorry, but what genius has added a pickup ashtray to the spec? The site example has a nice figured maple top, and they’ve drilled in the thing that 90% of people remove! 🙄

Si

Edited by Sibob
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So, I bit the bullet and got a Version 2 P7 from Andertons. 

Good points: Nice burst finish, the neck feels played in and is really comfy, I`m liking the blocks and binding, the back of the neck is super smooth, the range of tones from the pre amp is a s good as ever, weigh is 9.2 lbs. I can`t really comment on the new pickups as I haven`t had the chance to play it loud through my amp as I live in a flat.

The following aren`t "bad" just things that don`t suit me.

The bridge saddles had to go, I don`t like the look of them so I put on a set of Wilkinson brass saddles, the tuners work ok but again I don`t like the look of them or the feel to be honest so I have a set of Schallers coming in the post, when you adjust the volume control the tone piece of the pot moves along with it: this didn`t happen on the V models as it has a different type of knob.

I could have bought a Mexican P bass for £130 odd extra and I still wouldn`t like the tuners and bridge and the Sire has the pre amp with passive option which is my main reason for buying it.

Overall, I like it. It is fitted with D`addario strings, I had the saddles and the Schallers are £60 so £545 all in.

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Nice, get some pics up! 

 

How does the fingerboard feel with the rolled edges compared to the MkI version or a standard F copy? That's something which is criminally overlooked IMO, particularly on Warwicks with Wenge boards which take an age of playing to become more comfortable.

Edited by lemmywinks
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The one thing that isn't impressive about the Sire range has been the price increases. I have one of the very first, signed by Marcus Miller, V7's and that cost me £280. That won't get you a 2nd gen V3 now, and the V7's are £160ish more than what I paid for mine.

Improvements cost, but this now seems to be moving away from the original ethos of the bass.

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Guest Marcoelwray
1 hour ago, Marvin said:

The one thing that isn't impressive about the Sire range has been the price increases. I have one of the very first, signed by Marcus Miller, V7's and that cost me £280. That won't get you a 2nd gen V3 now, and the V7's are £160ish more than what I paid for mine.

Improvements cost, but this now seems to be moving away from the original ethos of the bass.

Can't be more true!

I just bought a used but mint v7 for 250£ , and I already knew it was to upgrade. Now it's passive, with Bart's, Schaller hardware. But new prices don't let place (at good budget) for good parts...

Maybe it's really good now? 

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7 hours ago, Marcoelwray said:

Can't be more true!

I just bought a used but mint v7 for 250£ , and I already knew it was to upgrade. Now it's passive, with Bart's, Schaller hardware. But new prices don't let place (at good budget) for good parts...

Maybe it's really good now? 

I understand I missed the boat on the first wave of Sires at less than £300 but I think the pound has taken a dive since then. Also, when you compare to what else is available at that price range  not complaining with the £500ish I paid for my Vintage V7 lefty five string a few months back. There's no way I was getting ash body, maple board, decent active EQ, five string, left handed, at that price new anywhere else. It has become my main gigging bass which I didn't expect either, I bought it to see if I'd get on with certain aspects of the bass with a view to ordering something higher end later. I recognise some parts could be better, particularly the bridge and tuners, but they are hardly the rubbish that comes on a Westfield for example, they are functional. 

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On 03/11/2018 at 14:11, lemmywinks said:

Nice, get some pics up! 

 

How does the fingerboard feel with the rolled edges compared to the MkI version or a standard F copy? That's something which is criminally overlooked IMO, particularly on Warwicks with Wenge boards which take an age of playing to become more comfortable.

I will get some pics up when I change the tuners. The rolled edges make quite a difference, the neck is very comfy, something all basses should have but I imagine it would be costly. The fret ends are well finished as well, no jagged edges anywhere.

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