Sire GB5-4

[Frank Blank]

Hmmm, needs a set up (nothing drastic, action is a bit high, fret ends need smoothing down) but otherwise I can't find a fault. Perfect service/delivery from Andertons/DHL, I shall let you know how it is after a visit to Guitar Technical Services...

 

 

 

Edited Friday at 13:58 by Frank Blank

[ezbass]

From the many reports on BC, Sire fret ends are normally as smooth as silk. Plainly, this is not always the case  .

[Frank Blank]

3 minutes ago, ezbass said:

From the many reports on BC, Sire fret ends are normally as smooth as silk. Plainly, this is not always the case  .

 

Yes. It seems to be an issue with these particularly, I was expecting it.

[ezbass]

26 minutes ago, Frank Blank said:

 

Yes. It seems to be an issue with these particularly, I was expecting it.

Perhaps these Godin-alikes come from a different factory. However, at at least £1k less than an actual Godin, it's a small price to pay. 

[Frank Blank]

6 minutes ago, ezbass said:

Perhaps these Godin-alikes come from a different factory. However, at at least £1k less than an actual Godin, it's a small price to pay. 

Having had a Godin A4 I shall be doing a direct comparison once it’s set up. It’s certainly several tonnes lighter.

[SpondonBassed]

Has it got preamp and tuner built in?

[Frank Blank]

1 hour ago, SpondonBassed said:

Has it got preamp and tuner built in?

 

Preamp yes, tuner no.

[SpondonBassed]

I'm wondering if you'd like your big rack* back?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*[Stifled chortle]

[velvetkevorkian]

Looks very nice, but it has triggered one of my pettier pet hates - any product manager who specs a 4 string with the number 5 in the model name needs their ass kicked. 

 

 

[Frank Blank]

12 minutes ago, velvetkevorkian said:

Looks very nice, but it has triggered one of my pettier pet hates - any product manager who specs a 4 string with the number 5 in the model name needs their ass kicked. 

Agreed *joins ass kicking queue*

[Frank Blank]

On 17/10/2025 at 15:50, ezbass said:

However, at at least £1k less than an actual Godin, it's a small price to pay. 

 

The Sire was £2,180 less than the current price for a new Godin A4 Ultra. The Godin was a lovely sounding bass but it was way too big and heavy for me.

[Frank Blank]

17 hours ago, SpondonBassed said:

I'm wondering if you'd like your big rack* back?

 

No, there's going to be a sale or two I think to get me down to three basses.

[SpondonBassed]

2 hours ago, Frank Blank said:

No, there's going to be a sale or two I think to get me down to three basses.

 

GLWTS.  I think I know which one you're definitely keeping from our chat early in the year...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited Monday at 11:18 by SpondonBassed

[Cato]

Be interested to hear how you get on with it after the set up.

 

I watched an Anderton's vid on these at the weekend and the fretless version was absolutely singing in Lee's ( not 100% sure that's his name, damn fine bass player though) hands.

 

Edit: thought I may as well post the clip.

 

 

Edited Monday at 13:18 by Cato

[Frank Blank]

20 minutes ago, Cato said:

Be interested to hear how you get on with it after the set up.

 

Of course.

 

20 minutes ago, Cato said:

I watched an Anderton's vid on these at the weekend and the fretless version was absolutely singing in Lee's ( not 100% sure that's his name, damn fine bass player though) hands.

 

The fretless does sound lovely, but, as someone who is lucky enough to own a bespoke @Jabba_the_gut fretless (which I prefered to my fretless Rob Allen), I am contractually bound to say it doesn't sound Jabba good.

[Bridgehouse]

I once owned a Godin A8 mandolin, and despite it sounding reasonable, nearby objects were attracted to move to it such was the gravitational pull brought about by the sheer mass of the thing. 
 

It would have made a decent weapon in a pub fight, but was far too heavy for something calling itself a Mandolin. 

[tauzero]

On 17/10/2025 at 15:58, Frank Blank said:

Having had a Godin A4 I shall be doing a direct comparison once it’s set up. It’s certainly several tonnes lighter.

 

I was wondering about a Godin A5, then at an open mic night I encountered somebody with one and had a feel of it. Far too chunky a neck for my liking. How does the GB-notreally5-4 neck compare to the A4, @Frank Blank?

[Frank Blank]

6 hours ago, tauzero said:

I was wondering about a Godin A5, then at an open mic night I encountered somebody with one and had a feel of it. Far too chunky a neck for my liking. How does the GB-notreally5-4 neck compare to the A4, @Frank Blank?

 

I have played about three notes on it, but it's certainly slimmer neck compared to the Godin. I'll report back further once it's back from fettling.

[Frank Blank]

7 hours ago, Bridgehouse said:

I once owned a Godin A8 mandolin, and despite it sounding reasonable, nearby objects were attracted to move to it such was the gravitational pull brought about by the sheer mass of the thing. 
 

It would have made a decent weapon in a pub fight, but was far too heavy for something calling itself a Mandolin. 

 

Agreed. My A4 had a small ring system and several small moons.