Reconsider getting a Jazz Fender Bass - and get this Sire Marcus Miller V7 instead!

[@fatsarmstrong]

I have the Sire Marcus Miller V7 Vintage 5-string Swamp Ash in White-Blonde on back-order right now, my son is super excited for it to eventually come in. Loving this video you created, thanks.

[@KersyMusic]

Awesome! Post here when it arrives and tell me what you think of it. The white blonde is killer… you can still see the wood grain of the ash beneath 👊🏻

[@wilsonmillerjr9817]

The Sire v7 is The Bomb 💣!! It gives the Fenders a Run for Their Money... And they're just as good 👍🏿 The Preamp on the V7 blows the Fenders out of the water.

[@KersyMusic]

Agreed! I am very happy with it too - never letting this one go!

[@wilsonmillerjr9817]

@@KersyMusic Indeed !

[@chanticleer6161]

Great video, thanks! I've just pressed the button on one of these myself, can't wait to play it!

[@highlanderdetroit5370]

Nice Video!!! I like the slow and close up shots . Great Best I have seen. Tank You

[@KersyMusic]

Glad you liked it!

[@Fretless33Bass]

Stringing through the body is alleged to improve sustain, however I can never tell the difference vs through the bridge. Congrats on the lovely bass! 🤩

[@KersyMusic]

Thanks. Yeah, theoretically that makes sense, but not easy to measure! My brother says he snaps more strings going through the body though, because of the 90 degree bend.

[@Fretless33Bass]

@@KersyMusic fortunately I haven’t snapped any strings…..yet 🥴

[@mjolnircarlssen4211]

I agree with this. I just can’t hear a difference. I feel a little more tension on the string, but to no noticeable tonal affect. Great review, by the way. Beautiful bass.

[@jean-pierrethouin2404]

Loved your video... Extremely professional and informative, I am exited for you, I hope you enjoy playing it has much has you admire it. Great work Tx. J.p.

[@KersyMusic]

Thanks… yes, it’s so nice to play, love the punch, snap and tonal options!

[@BassMusician7]

Beautiful Bass! I'm getting the V5 5string!

[@rinaldiankingz]

Congrats for the new bass, i also a Sire owner from Indonesia. Im just glad that i didnt have to spend that much money here😆

[@KersyMusic]

Awesome! How much was it in USD in Indonesia?

[@Nowo78]

What a beauty! Congratulations!

[@KersyMusic]

It really is! Thanks!

[@abetgregorio]

I'm planning to buy the V7.. Nice review man. I'm subscribing to your channel ...

[@KersyMusic]

Thanks for the sub!

[@derPaul76]

just picked up a used one today; mint condition; the white body is a bit translucent and that looks amazing; the built quality is excellent; I also own a V3 but this one is one step ahead!

[@KersyMusic]

Very nice. I like that white translucent look also, seeing the wood grain come through a little! Enjoy!

[@rogercardenas111]

The head stock reminds me of a Valley Arts guitar.

[@KersyMusic]

I see the resemblance!

[@makidiaz3894]

Nice review Milo

[@KersyMusic]

Thanks!

[@MrDabrowski]

Got one week ago (V7 2nd). I don't know if it is better than original Fender, but it is definitely better than my previous Squier CV 70's. Sorry guys from Fender, but Squier can't stand comparison with Sire, I should replace Squier earlier - it is still good bass for those who are beginners and don't know what to look for.

[@barondavis5692]

Nice review. I’m considering one. Debating between the v7 and fender jazz player. The v7 has a better feel; string height and the rolled edges are nice.

[@KersyMusic]

Comment back when you make the decision … it will be interesting to hear your perspectives after playing either one for a while.

[@barondavis5692]

Kersy Music I will. Do you think the fender could be set up to have a similar to the v7

[@barondavis5692]

…similar string height as the v7? Thanks

[@KersyMusic]

@@barondavis5692 the fender and sire feel different to play, and sound a little different also. It’s worth playing both to know which you prefer. Personal preference is likely the determining factor. I think the sire was perfect for me!

[@KersyMusic]

@@barondavis5692 yeah, that’s fully adjustable… should be a concern in the decision making process. But I agree on the rolled edges on the neck… so smooth and fast on the Sire!

[@FunkadelicFlea]

Nice video, but to say you can compensate the tonal difference of the wood of the body with your EQ is really brave. I have played a lot of basses and I can really say the wood of the body is maybe the most essential to the sound of the bass. You can put the same electronics in 3 different basses with 3 different bodies and they definitely will sound different. Even wood types of such a 'small' thing as a neck is pretty noticeable in the sound of a bass. Will everyone hear the difference? No, definitely not and at a gig I think maybe 1 or 2 people will hear it, but if I buy a bass I really want it to have certain specifications or I won't buy it. BTW: I owned a Sire V7 vintage and I sold it. It didn't even come close to my Fender Am. deluxe J-bass of 2008, especially when used in my band. Yes, there is a price difference, but there is also a huge quality difference. The Sire is probably the best bass for that price, but it doesn't compare to a Fender in my honest opinion.

[@KersyMusic]

Thanks for the feedback. Yes, I understand that my comment on the wood affecting the tone and compensating for it with EQ, was rather bold. I’m an electronic engineer, and my physics background tells me that the density of the wood will affect the sustain (rigid endpoints of a standing wave along the string), and it’s possible that certain string frequencies can transfer across the end points of the string and be either reflected or absorbed depending upon the density of the wood. Theoretically, any frequency absorption or resonance within the body can be replicated with a corresponding EQ boost or attenuation. But what can’t be replicated is the introduction of new harmonics that the body might introduce in that process. I have not seen a test performed to know how significant these factors are… and I have been trying to think of a way to test it. At the end of the day, I just think ‘screw it’, and just decide if I ‘like’ the sound or not! If you can tell the difference, and you like the Fender, that’s the best outcome 😊

[@andyejembi7531]

In the UK, Sire basses can get to you in 24hours if you use Andertons music

[@KersyMusic]

That’s fast!

[@MarcG7424]

The metal plate is a pickup cover not a hand rest it's optional to use or not as for myself I don't like them and I keep reading conflicting reports as to which is heavier when it comes to swap ash vs alder

[@KersyMusic]

Does the pickup cover change the sound in any way? Typically a ferromagnetic material over the strings will change the magnetic field of the pickups, but it’s probably a very small amount

[@MarcG7424]

Not really it's mostly for looks when the jazz bass was first introduced in the 60's Fender marketed it as the Deluxe Jazz bass which included the pickup cover and the bridge cover to give it a more premium look since then both have been removed with the exception of vintage and signature models ( Marcus Miller ) without any drastic change in tone

[@KersyMusic]

@@MarcG7424 good to know, thanks!

[@fortza11]

I like the "head", and I also like that Sire doesn´t copy those from fender - very nice bass, I´m waiting for my S MM to arrive in a couple of days (here in Denmark). I think that MM has done a great job, they are light-years away from fender reg. tech. and thinking - so, in my world, the fender is more a myth than anything else, seems they are running in the same groove, old thinking.

[@KersyMusic]

Yeah, I agree! What type of MM are you getting? Are they about the same price in Denmark?

[@fortza11]

@@KersyMusic This one : Marcus Miller V7 Swamp Ash-4 NT 2nd Gen it´s arround 506 USD buing from Germany (Thormann) including freight.

[@tobinmorse5150]

Had a sire jazz bass. Got rid of it and got a fender american professional II jazz bass. blows the sire out of the water. No comparison.

[@KersyMusic]

In what way was the Fender better? Build? Tone? Playability? It’s good to have other peoples insights… thanks for sharing!

[@tobinmorse5150]

@@KersyMusic tone is just standard passive jazz bass, but the build quality is way better. Fit and finish are incredible compared to the sire. The neck is way more comfortable, and it just feels right to me. I'm sure some would say the exact opposite though.

[@KersyMusic]

@@tobinmorse5150 good to know, thanks! Yeah, it’s got to feel right, regardless of the price… otherwise it’s false economy. Enjoy the Fender!!

[@horatiusilasi3796]

@@tobinmorse5150 I also have the same opinion. Got 3 fenders and a 1st gen Sire V7. They are not even on the same planet. The Sire is ok for what it cost back when it was new, but without that preamp, it's just useless. Fit and finish are ok, hardware is meh and the weight....ohh boy it's a boat anchor(4.9kg). Not to add that the pickup spacing is 60's style so with all the EQ, it will never sound like a 70's jazz. At ~900$ I'd be looking for used American fenders all day.

[@wilsonmillerjr9817]

Bullshit

[@antonellogini8782]

hi man, why do you have this particular bridge and not the fender bidge style like other sire v7 bass?

[@KersyMusic]

It’s a 2nd generation v7, and this is the way it came out of the box. I just looked at a 1st gen on Reverb.com, and the bridge looks the same as my 2nd gen.

[@antonellogini8782]

@@KersyMusic in fact i tried the same bass 2 gen in a store and it had a fender style bridge, another 4 string bass, 2 gen had the bridge you have...I don't think it changes much in terms of sound...but I was wondering why some Second generation basses have this bridge instead of the classic Fender style🙂

[@jfn467]

I mounted my E string through the body (v3 2nd gen) and experience that string to be more ”alive” now, which was the goal (common trick on the B string on fivers…).

[@KersyMusic]

Great idea! I need to try that!

[@jfn467]

@@KersyMusic Give it a shot and let us know what you vibe on it…

[@bitroix_]

Great video thank you

[@KersyMusic]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@3rdsmite766]

looks like a great buy, are you still happy with it?

[@KersyMusic]

Yes, I am! I’m not just saying that either. What I like best is the neck, the tonal options and the semi-transparent white paint - a subtle view of the wood grain. It’s really well built. Better quality than my $5000 Les Paul custom 🤯

[@3rdsmite766]

@@KersyMusic awesome, im going to buy myself one aswel next week! I've heard allot of people complain about the weight tho so I guess I have check it out in the store how that is, do you think its too heavy for gigs?

[@IrlylikeInFlames]

Can you take the batteries out and play it only in passive mode?

[@davidvitale9338]

You don't need to take the batteries out on these. The toggle switch on the control plate allows you to turn off the pre-amp and play in passive mode.

[@IrlylikeInFlames]

@@davidvitale9338 Awesome! So the battery won't drain at all while in passive mode?

[@KersyMusic]

The battery won't drain in passive mode, but if you have the 1/4" cable plugged into the bass, there will be a small amount of current draw, so the only sure way to guard against draining the battery in active or passive mode is to disconnect the bass cable from your amp.

[@MarcG7424]

Disconnecting the cable from the bass itself is easier to remember because I don't want to drag the cable

[@AnthonyElsetinow]

Marcus Miller chooses a fender jazz over the Sire, so what are you talking about?

[@KersyMusic]

He does, yes. But that’s politics, I’m sure that you know the history… but I think the Sire is solid!

[@michaelwalker432]

Niiiiiice!

[@warburgaby]

what does the phrase "sold out" that you see in the description of the Sire basses on their website mean ??? If I buy a bass Sire today, in a shop that has it available, does that mean that it is an "old" bass?

[@KersyMusic]

It just means that Sire don’t have any inventory, but shops might still have inventory. It’s too hard to know how old the inventory is at any location, including Sire, without looking at the serial number and figuring out when it was manufactured.

[@warburgaby]

@@KersyMusic All right, thank you very much! It is very rare to find an online shop that shows the serial numbers of the instruments ... Maybe just Sweetwater?

[@KersyMusic]

@@warburgaby yeah. I have emailed online shops and asked for the serial number if it is not listed, and they have always given it, but I guess it could depend on the place.

[@KersyMusic]

@@warburgaby I wouldn’t buy a guitar without checking the serial number, just to make sure I know everything about it

[@warburgaby]

@@KersyMusic ok thank you!

[@mrbungle7586]

Good basses for the quality at the price point. Would I choose these over my 70s Fender jazz basses, nope. Great value for the money though. Cheers

[@terrybobo1590]

All seem to copy the fender

[@KersyMusic]

Yup, it’s the standard by which most are compared. But from a price perspective, I think Sire have done a great job.

[@sicilianmammalian]

kinda messed up you didn't play it

[@KersyMusic]

Yeah, good point… I will release another video on that. I just thought it was getting too long 😉

[@SupRec]

Five stars review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@TheBassfresh]

I had an early one and it was magnificent, but it was extremely heavy. There are only 2 good Fender bass series IMO; Vintera and CS, the rest are junk.

[@KersyMusic]

Was it an Alder or Swamp Ash? The Alder are heavier, but I haven't compared them myself... I just went with the Ash.

[@Potarnul]

I had one and it sounded magnificent, but the neck was meh. Maybe I got a bad batch. Also really heavy, yes

[@KersyMusic]

@@Potarnul did you buy the alder or the ash?

[@Potarnul]

@@KersyMusic It was ash

[@tonytramonti5828]

Didn’t know George bush played bass

[@KersyMusic]

I get that sometimes! 🤣

[@lundsweden]

Who has'nt has a bit of swamp assh?!

[@KersyMusic]

At least they wipe it down before they paint it. 🤣

[@rex8958]

Thanks Australian George bush

[@KersyMusic]

I get that a lot. 🤣

[@Al_Mac125]

The string action is a disaster though. Unplayable

[@KersyMusic]

I haven’t had that problem. The custom model came fully set up with no fret buzz and fast action. Did you check the neck and saddles?