Sire V5 Review - Step aside Squier! There's a new Sheriff in 70's Jazz Town - LowEndLobster Review
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ส.ค. 2021
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CORRECTION: Body is Alder!
Hey everyone! Today we're reviewing the V5 4 string fretted Jazz bass from Sire. This is THE 70's jazz bass to get if you're on a budget. Featuring an alder body, roasted maple neck w/ binding and block inlays, and a completely passive electronics setup featuring two beautiful sounding single coil pickups! This bass may be the nail in the coffin for Fender... Let's check it out!
This bass and all my other basses with rounds are strung with MJC Ironworks Nickel Plated Stainless Steel 45-105(125) unless otherwise noted. Check them out at www.mjcironworks.com
Info on my signal chain, setup and more: • FAQ: My Signal Chain, ...
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My addiction to this channel is getting worrying. I switched the kettle on the other day and heard myself say "Let's see how she slaps".
LMAO This made my morning. So glad you're enjoying the videos :)
Haha Very nice, very nice ! ❤️
My Sire V5R is here and I love her. Thanks again for your honest, no-bullshit reviews.
Your review inspired me to buy one of these nice basses. I should recieve it sometime next week. Cant wait. Thank you for reviewing this bass 👍🏻
Well, after much thought as well as watching and reading a bunch of reviews (the top being yours) I pulled the trigger on a Tobacco Sunburst V5R from Sweetwater. Thanks for all the work you do with all your reviews and content. It is helpful and appreciated.
Just pressed buy in the Reverb cart for one of these (using the affiliate link of course). Started looking for my first bass back when you had 4,500 +/- subscribers. Lots of videos and absorbing of low end lobster knowledge, I finally made the call that this was the right bass. Thanks! Now I need to find an amp...
Thank you for great review! I was thinking about buying a Squier CV, but I was pleasantly suprised by the quality of Sire V5, so your review about it helped me a lot!
Glad you found it helpful! :)
Very useful video. Really cleared things up for me. Many thanks, sir.
I decided to get the V5 next after watching this. Thank you!
I just bought one of these - the 5 string version. Beautiful bass in all senses of the word. I love all the sounds it gives me. Thanks for the detailed review
@@Josh_728 the 5 string model does have some dive, but it’s manageable. It’s a little heavy, so it’s a good idea to have a nice, thick leather strap.
I think roasted maple is one of the greatest things that has happened to basses lately. My Sterling Ray 34 has a roasted maple neck and fretboard and it just looks and feels so great.
Thanks Thomas, I agree!
I’m planning to get a v5 five string but just saw this ray 34, the black one and am considering getting it instead?? Not sure..
Both are nice. I’m in a similar but different boat. I have a Ray34 and like it a lot. Now I’m waiting on the v5R to come back in stock. You can’t go wrong with either.
Thank you Lobster! Excellent review, as always. I have been jones-ing for a V5, 5-string for a while now. Everything I have heard or read about the V5 basses are in line with your take on the excellent work Sire is doing. Time to sell some gear and pull the trigger on one. Cheers!
Thanks Chris! They're hard to get ahold of now, but if you have the opportunity I'd definitely recommend it. The new white finish looks pretty sweet too with the tort guard.
Love your videos, these are so helpful. Thank you!
Thanks!
Thanks for the review. I have a Carvin LB20 passive bass built for me in 1995. I'm in the market for a 5 string now and am intrigued by the 5 string V5. I prefer passive basses too.
Rocking the hobo depot Tee !! Awesome lobster 🦞 I absolutely love Johnny ! You and him are my two favorite channels! Great review, I love how the 70s bridge pickup is further back! Very nice! I’d take this any day! I may pick one up soon
Thanks Jeremy!
I have been waiting for this. When things get to where things are available, I plan on upgrading my bass. I want to be able to play several in person. This is one of the basses I intend to play. Thanks.
Glad I could help :)
I ordered one to day, in this natural wood finish. First i ordered a Harley Benton PJ bass, but after thinking some more, i added two hundred $ and changed my order. I think it will be two hundred $ well spent. I'm a new learner of the bass, and this is one that i will be happy with a long time. Thank you for the nice video. I think the bass sounded good👍
Great review of a great bass... Thumbs up for the t-shirt too; Johnny Long is one of the happiest bass players on Earth 👍
Thanks Alan!
Wowzer that really sounds good, I would definitely get the V5 if I were looking for another Jazz bass. Thanks Lobster 🦞
Trying to decide between V5 and P5. I'm really impressed with what Sire is offering, especially since they make left handed models of everything! I mostly enjoy punk and other rock, which would lean towards P5, but the V5 sounds so good and I mostly play with guys playing folkish acoustic music these days.
You shure can get the SOUND
out of that instrument.Wow!
Congrats!
J.p.
Nice to see Sweetwater now carrying Sire basses. I got my V9 from Thomann last year. It's a great albeit heavier than my USA Fender Jazz bass.
Been waiting for this review since you reviewed the fretless V5, saw this one available online, and after watching this I'm now convinced that Sire is way better than Squier nit just by its looks but also its sound and build quality. Always been dreaming of owning a Squier one day but this review changed my views and aspirations of getting a better brand. Thank you so much Lobster for this awesome review.
Thanks Ernest! So glad you found the video helpful!
Great review again. Sounds and looks good. As you say can always upgrade bits
Thanks Stuart!
We may have a couple of our bridges , made in our shop here in Wisconsin, on the market relatively soon. When we do I'll let you know.
Excellent! Def shoot me an email! channel name at gmail!
Got a site or any additional info? Fellow Sconnie and would much prefer to buy kit from someone local whenever possible.
The first thing I notice right off the bat is how fantastic that piece (or the pieces) of body wood look, SO much better than every Squier CV I see in the stores. I think they almost always look hideous, and the one I used to own did too. The grains on this one are nice and tight and the tint is just right; compliments the roasted maple neck so nicely!
Thank you Jamie! I agree, the wood selection in all my Sires has been excellent, especially compared to the CV stuff.
Lobster I Have been Looking at that bass For A While I Got 3 Sires And Your Review of the V5 was Excellent and I'm going to get me 1 For Sure.👍😁
Thanks Darrell! :)
Based on your review, I'd love to have one of these, but good luck finding one!
Aaahhh. Nice! I can see a 5 string V5 (fretted & fretless) in my collection. They just added a white finish to the arsenal. Love it! A nice break from the active preamps!😌🎶👍🏾
Thanks Slick! The fretless is especially awesome
Thanks for the review! Just pre-ordered a D5 based on reviews of their other models (like this one). Great shirt by the way! Need to get myself one (Shadakaka!😂).
Thanks Robert! I'm hoping to check those models out very soon!
Great video Lobster. I almost bought a Squier CV but just before I pressed the button, I happened to spot this. In the Uk the Sire is only £20 more than the CV but the Sire has a much higher spec. I don`t need the fancy pre amp and the neck looks great. Should be here in a few days! Thanks again Lobby!
Glad you found the vid helpful :)
Man, that bass is nice! If I did not already have a couple of basses with Seventies position pickups, I would seriously consider this bass.
Thanks Doc!
Hey Lobster I've got that v5 too , one of my favorite basses. I love the rolled edges. I've got the v5 tobacco sunburst 5 string . on the way. Great review!
I do have the V3 5string I'm thinking of Flatwounds for it.
Thanks Michael! Great to hear. Flats are never a bad idea! Enjoy
I love the support you are showing to Johnny & Hootie from the Hobo Depot....Shadakaka!😎😎😎
Thanks Ka-Bar!
Sire V5 and M5 are masterpieces! Now I am waiting for P5 and D5
Thanks Late Night! Waiting for my P5 and D5 :)
Now notice your shirt sweet, yourself and Johnny long are my favourite reviewers...Bass sounds killer
Thank you :) Johnny is the man! Shadda Ka Ka!
Great bass. May have to get myself one. 👍
Great review
Thanks Julian!
Finally someone who knows how to play and demo basses
Great sounding bass!
Thank you Glenn!
Sweet playing, stay cool!
Thanks Jon
Next the Sire v5 P Bass review cheers Lobster this is on my list
they are called p5...the old p bass called the d5...also waiting for them;)
We'll definitely be checking one out!
I bought a Sire V5 from Sweetwater and may get it next week or so. I am so excited! ❤️
Congrats!
@@LowEndLobster I spoke too soon. Someone at Sweetwater said the V7 wasn't expected till February now. I found a P7 4=string new at GC I can pick up today, so I canceled the V7 order. I had also found a used Schecter Research Model T-5 that I thought might be comparable for a little less money. Any thoughts on those? EMG pick ups and a 2 band preamp and very cool looking. They also have a used alder M7 4-string at the same store.
Great review as always. I really love the Sire headstock, as well as the A-D-G string tree (rather than the standard Fender D-G button).
Thanks Breakit!
"All this stuff is Fender-sized, so..." - love it ;)
Thanks Zahir!
We need a v5 5 string or v5r 5 string review! Love the videos
I would personally say that the price is in the ball park of a squire but it seems that the quality is near a fender player jazz bass, when I played the two I was torn but it's all up to personal preference. Keep up the good work lobster!
Thanks ! I’m testing now a V5 5 strings … and it’s super comfortable… looks great … I’m just thinking swapping the pickups … to get another sound that Sound the way a want … the body looks great
Thanks Tiago! I put in the DeMarzio Area J's in my V5 fretless and I absolutely love them. They're in my V7 modified too.
Awesome review as usual lobster, I asked you to check this out couple months ago, thanks bro, I bought the V7 2nd gen ash/maple body and then this came out the next month 😥 I really could do without the complicated preamp, however I'll buy one later....there is not much difference between the tone of the Alder and Ash, a difference yes but it's kind of suttle though somewhat🤔
Thanks Stephen! Congrats! Don't fret - I highly recommend snagging one of the Sadowsky onboard preamps to drop into your V7. Simple controls and does the right things for a J bass. I am running mine using the 18v battery harness at the full 18v, it's been almost a year in fact and no issues. Check out my video on that (with the stock sire pickups!)-th-cam.com/video/mjvnoxiAjaI/w-d-xo.html. I eventually put in DiMarzio Area J pickups and it got even better!
Got one , love it
I'm sold on Sire!!! I am still enjoying my 1st generation V7 5. The only issue I had were the tuners, which I replaced with newer Sire tuners(a big improvement). For the money, it's really hard to beat the quality of a Sire. Nice plug for Johnny Lee Long's Hobo Depot!
Thanks Keith!
Nice T shirt
Johnny would be laughing 😃👍 Bob
Thanks Robert! :)
HI and thank you for this video , i think i deal my fender !
Thanks for the review. Imo, I like the Sire head stock.
Thanks Philip!
Bought mine for $450, I know you were comparing with 70s Squires. I compared it to the MIM jazz bass's before buying. The Sire V5 had a better neck and overall tone was better. I'll be changing the bridge on mine neck, I appreciate your hard work.👍
Thanks John! You got a great deal!
Good lord that sounds good
Thanks Lobster for another great review. A big bit of information that I would like to see in your videos is how much the basses weigh. I know different Sire V5's and other basses can vary a bit in weight but you don't comment on how heavy or lite the basses are. No matter how good, I would not consider buying a bass over a certain weight. Again, love your videos and your great knowledge of basses and mods.
I think the 4 string version tends to be 4.3kg.
Thanks David! Great point! I always forget to mention the weight, I even have a scale under the display table where the bass is standing hahahaha! I believe this one was in the mid-high 9's, a little heavier than the fretless version I have.
Great demo ...
Love your playing
Love the simplicity yet great tone and
Look of this BASS.
Please,Please make me a deal I can't refuse.
Tx.
J.p.
I'll be honest getting a Sire was not a thought until I saw the champagne metallic gold v5 where the color, roasted maple and black pickguard just fit perfectly. Also it was a first in my life that I liked pink when I saw the metallic pink v7. They are killing with the looks. I am wondering if they would do a 60's positioning sometime in the future despite the 70's position being Marcus' thing.
I grabbed a V7 4-String early on.
I like the option to go passive. I Do like the Active though.
My main is a Modulus Q5 but I felt that I needed a P and a J back in my toolbox.
The P is a Fender but my J is my Sire V7 and it rocks ... and swings 😉
Sweet! Thanks for sharing KozmykJ!
I get one in five string . I put flat string the sound is amazing :)
I’d choose this over a Fender Geddy Lee MIM Jazz Bass any day. In fact, I would choose this over a lot of active Jazz Bass style instruments of other brands in this price range. Sire sometimes produces some misses, but most of their basses have been hits. I say this and I have a V7 four string, V7 five string and M7 four string.
This V5 is a home run! It sounds great and I really need to try that roasted maple neck. It’s on the wish list!
Thanks Joe!
Wow been looking around and have enjoyed tones from different basses but listening to this hit the highest mark for me! The price range is rocks! I hope they have Black Friday deals!
Thanks Guatobean! Good luck, these are hard to come by nowadays
@@LowEndLobster Yikes I was going to pull the trigger on a Sire THEN I saw your Cort gb64jj review and now I’m stuck 😂
@@guatobean2869 I have a revisit of the Cort coming in a few weeks :).
@@LowEndLobster very nice! It’s a slapper ✋🏻 great channel by the way!
Looking at the V7 Vintage was wondering what you don't like about the sire pre-amp. Thanks! great demo!
I am deciding which Jazz Bass to buy, between Sire V3, V5, V7 or Squire 70's. After your detailed review I believe I will decide for the V5.
Thank you
Thanks Andrea!
I'd thought I'd tell you that your bass channel is the most informative and my personal favorite. When I buy a bass (about a dozen in the last 6 months) I first check if you have reviewed it. Keep up the good work. Btw, can you review the Epiphone Thunderbird Vintage Pro Iv? Thanks.
Thanks Jag! I'm definitely hoping to check out that model of T-bird in the future, I've had my eye on it!
Looks and sounds great - I can't get on with the V7 electronics either.
Thanks Dave!
It has a great slap tone.
still waiting for the D5;)
Me too! I think mine are en route very soon though!
Cool warm lovely bass i love the beast sound good in slap
Thanks Ram!
I’ve always disliked Sire until today after trying to source for a 70s Style Jazz bass after coming from the Squier/Fender lineup. This V5 will surely do the job for a heck of a price compared to Squier CV price tag in 2022!!!
Love it.
Thanks Belman!
Me too on the bridge! Other than that, period blocks and standardized pick guards so you can swap them out. Other than that, I think it's really pretty much perfect. Which is saying a lot, because I can be really picky.
Thanks Mark! Great points and I agree, though the black ones definitely don't look bad. The roast here was much more even vs. the Cort GB64JJ which I appreciate
Should have been acrylic pearl. Spellcheck! Nice review and it really is a great bass for the money. I wonder if the roasted maple makes inlay markers more difficult? Anyway, the black ones aren't bad. The bridge is a much bigger deal. Personally, I can't wait for the P5's. Those look awesome.
Must love the t-shirt.
:)
i am going confused....just sold an ash v7 becouse it hasn't the real biting i was looking for....damned v5 !!! happy new year mate, thanks 😉
Great bass for the money! , That being said , I just bought one recently , however in less than a month both volume pots crapped out! I emailed sire 3 weeks ago and still haven't heard back! So I went and ordered cts pots and installed them myself, problem fixed!
This is my 3rd Sire and I've had issues with all 3 so far! In spite of all the problems Sire in the past has been great with customer support... So this latest request for support from Sire has not been anything close to the past customer service, Still waiting on your response , even though I've fixed the issue at my cost Sire!
You can do better Sire and you have in the past , get with it!
Hi, new subscriber here. Love your videos. May I kindly inquire if what pickups swap would you recommend to get that “low end boom” for the MM V5? Thank you in advance.
I nicknamed the P7 I borrowed for a bit “Bullwinkle” because of the headstock…just needs a big googly eye and some antlers :)
LOL I dig it!
I think these are beautiful instruments but so hard to get right now. I would love to see a comparison between this and the Michael Kelly vintage element 4 as they seem to be similar and competition for each other.
Did a few reviews on my channel. I would say "Step aside Fender". Sold 2 Fenders after getting this one. Heck even sold the all new P10 (though it's fantastic).
Hell yeah! I'll check em out! I think I checked out your P10 video a while ago before I got mine hahaha. Join our discord channel if you haven't yet! :) (in the description)
Hey, Lobster. I read on talkbass that the Fender Geddy Lee basses have the inlays painted on too. I think the binding is painted as well, but I'm not 100% sure on that.
Once again- thanks to this review and sweetwater- I am down another $500. I am actually a P-bass guy but I have been wanting a J style and this will fit the bill hopefully. I am a knucklehead rock and roll player- so tone will be down with a pick. But hey- Ian Hill made this combination work for years till he switched to a Spector. So did Noel "Bob Dylans Granny" Redding
Congrats Dan! I think you'll be happy with your purchase :)
This one speaks to me. Generally I do prefer a passive Jazz, but seriously throw an Audere pre-amp, maybe some DiMarzio's.... The bridge can wait.
Thanks Bevin!
I love Fender and Squier.....but love isn't blind.
Thanks Russell!
Shata Cacka- Love the Hobo Depot shirt!
Shadda ka ka!
@@LowEndLobster thanks for the correct spelling.
Got my v7 fretless 5 last week for 320$. Incredible for the price, and incredible in general. Selling my Warwick corvette proseries fretless and godin a4 thats way much expensive, but I just think the sire is way more useful and even better feelwise.
Nice! Their fretless basses are killer! My V5 is one of my favorites
I love when you talk about things that we can’t see...”up at the headstock we have....” what headstock??? I don’t se a headstock????
It makes you seem like a complete lunatic.. and I suddenly feel comfortable and quite at home....(I am at home, but you know what I mean)
That bass is absolutely beautiful and sounds wonderful. Ive recently played a couple Sterling by MM basses with the “roasted maple” neck and fretboard (that always look amazing and classy when you review them) but in person i was so disappointed, i thought they look cheap and weird, but with the lacquer on the fretboard (That I always prefer) looks a little classier??? But I haven’t seen one up close...
Oh damn I forgot to look at the headstock....
Oh you’re right... i like that a lot too.
You’re the best, Cheers
psst...he thinks he has a lobster claw where his hand should be. Don't antagonize him :D
@@amradiosound152 Cheers. Mums the word.
LOL Thanks Tommy! Sometimes I film something with the intent of having B roll but then never make the B roll (instead I make a B-line for the lobster rolls!)
@@LowEndLobster share some lobster rolls and we’ll pretend we see the headstock too...
Hey, Lobster! Another convert here, reporting in to tell you I dig your channel, and to ask you a question: I’m preparing to upgrade my affinity j bass to either a paranormal or this beautiful roasted maple sire you reviewed. Can you compare them, maybe offer some guidance? I’m trending toward the sire, but I can’t entirely shake the pull of the superior (?) pickups and cheaper price of the paranormal. Also, the sire v5 is never in stock. What would you recommend?
The Squiers are indeed less consistent, but if you get a good one, they're outstanding. My issue with Sire is threefold -- they tend to be very heavy. The headstock is ugly as hell and gives it a bit of neck dive. And frankly, I don't think they sound all that special. If you want the classic J sound, I think the Squier gets closer. But they're a fine bass for the money. It all comes down to what feels good in your hands.
Hi Lobster,i just want to ask which one is better overall if you compare this to the fujigen mighty jazz with emg pickups?thanks and more power to you.
I like this one. It can stay.
Thanks Ryan! :)
This is a good, honest to Flying Spaghetti Monster, lovely sounding Jazz Bass. I wish they made a black one. Black finish and a black pickguard combined with that roasted maple neck would look gorgeous. Shame about that hideous headstock though - but that's the problem with all fenderoid Sire basses ;-)
Thanks BD! Yeah black would be a no-brainer in the colors dept for this bass. Black with the roasted neck is just beautiful!
Hello. Very good review. Which bass would you choose? Sire v5 or FGN Boundary Mighty Jazz Bass. In my country they have a similar value. I am in doubt. Thanks
I have a 76 Jazz which is rapidly becoming an heirloom. The binding is peeling and there are fret and neck bolt issues. I've been looking for a giggable replacement with similar characteristics. Squier is just too cheap with dumbed down hardware and crappy body woods. Poplar, nato and basswood are the cheapest hard woods available. Alder is standard on mims and Sires. Fit and finish is noticeably better on both. The mim player series are about 200 more but these Sires are competing with them. Lots of finish options as well. The four bolt bridge is my biggest nit pick too. (I wonder if this is a Fender licensing issue) I would want to put a Leo Quan bad ass 2 on it. If Sire is listening make a compatible high mass bridge in house. Wink nudge. Otherwise a fantastic value. These are serious player basses compared to Squier. I like the thorough reviews including gripes and nitpicks. No nonsense.
It's a lot crispier than my '99 American Vintage '75, but a little lacking on the neck pickup for my taste. Still a bang for the money!
Great review, as usual! Is the V5 equivalent (PU & electronic-wise) to the V7 in passive mode? If yes, what would motivate a V5 wrt a V7? Thanks (for this an all you reviews!)
Thank you! think the pickups are roughly the same (they look the same) internally. The V5 is cheaper, and definitely caters towards the crowd who isn't super into the Sire preamp.
According to the Sire website, the V5 has the same “vintage” pickups as the V7 Vintage.
The standard V7 uses the “modern” pickups that are also used in the V9.
All active Sire basses use the same preamp.
Do you prefer these p/us to the sire p5 precision style?
You had said the p5 wasn't as "bassy" as you would prefer
I'm hearing "very nice" alot😃
Thanks
Hey Lobster, love your videos :)
Was wondering what you thought of perhaps a 5 string fretless version of it, yay or nay? I've heard the neck dive is a bit problematic on the 5 string but maybe the lack of frets would do the trick? Maybe the ultralite hipshot tuners too?
And what do you think of Natural vs Sunburst? Usually not a fan of sunbursts but this one stands out to me. Natural is a classic, but I noticed that for the v5 the natural finish looks quite bad in a lot of lighting/photos. Looks fine in your video though.
Apparently the 5 string fretted sits at 4.38kg and the 4 string fretted at 4.30kg. Doesn't seem like too much of a difference. Not sure about the credibility of this though, seems sketchy.
Thanks Joshua! I have a 5 string P5 coming (fretted). It's all about the weight at the end of the headstock. Hipshots will be a BIG improvement, especially on a 5 string. I really like the burst on my fretless, but the natural look on the fretted one here is great too. These generally weigh around 9-10 lbs, but ymmv as weight can differ a lot between examples
oh that is deffs a marcus miller bass it just has that tasty trebley clear tone
wonderful....
Thanks Anonymous!
I tried one of these basses a few days ago (the 5-string version), and I don't know if it was the amp I played it through or the bass itself, but I found it lacked a lot of punch in the low end. It sounded WAY too bright in the highs and the mids.
Now, that's just MY opinion, it didn't work for me personally; I know some people like that kind of sound.
However, I agree that the construction of the bass was PHENOMENAL. The rounded fretboard edges made it super comfortable, it was solidly made, and the playability of it was astonishing. It's just the sound that I didn't like (and, as I said, that MAY be because of the amp I tested it with, not the bass itself).
I'd like to know if anyone else that has tried a Sire V5 experienced that or if it was just me.
Thanks Jack! Yeah I found the same along with the P5 and D5. They just lack a little bit of 'booty'. Nothing a good pickup swap won't solve though! I think they're similar style pickups wo the V7, but now it can't leverage the preamp to bring up the low end.
Very interesting point. From this point of view (being "bright", a bit weak on the low end) how would you say it compares with a Squier CV 70s?
@@paofredi85 The CV pickups are nice... it's everything else about them that I hate (cheap young wood, cheap hardware, meh QC)
@@LowEndLobster Thanks! Very helpful! Love your channel btw
I have a V5 and to be honest, while its no P-bass ( or should it technically be- they are different instruments with different characteristics) mine has plenty of bottom end especially once dialed mine in at the amp- I have a Orange 4x10 and a OB1-500.
Question.
Is there volume deep with V5 compared to V7?
Is there a huge hum noise? Or just a normal jazz bass hum 🤔?
How well do you think it will fit in a live band mix and recording 🤔?
Thanks 😊 sounds great.
PS your a lil picky but I respect your input. 😆 🤣 😂