I got the v7 vintage with ash body and maple fretboard, really really good bass for the money. Just a tiny bit on the heavy side but it is my favorite bass
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Yes yes yes. Love Ebony fingerboard. I have a V7 but maple with white binding so I would not change a thing 
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Just to add a heretical point, I have a Gen II V7 fretless, butâŚ
While, overall, the bass is a nice feeling instrument, I really dislike the preamp. Iâm not wishing to get into a debate (again) about this, but I find it unnecessary complicated compared to my other active basses. One of the reasons I donât pick that bass up much is the preamp. In fact, I would likely not buy another Sire active bass and should probably sell this one.
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Once again, Sire basses are not active only. They have a passive mode that bypasses the preamp entirely.
No debate, just fact: Play any Sire with a Heritage-3 preamp in passive mode if its controls confound you. Done. Perceived preamp complexity gone.
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Indeed, you can @MikeC, but it kindâa defeats the object of having active, plus I also think it sounds weak in passive mode. My other active basses simply sound better and have simpler electronics.
Clearly, we have different views on how good the Sire preamp is, but thatâs fine. I posted in this thread simply to highlight that not everyone thinks they are fantastic.
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Also not all Sire basses have a preamp. Just sayin
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Yep, I bought a D5 to try out a passive Sire and A / B test it against my Squier CV 50s bassâŚ
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My D5 is much better build quality than the Squier and I liked the neck more; the Squier sounded better. I would gig with the Sire, but record with the Squier, is how I looked at it
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I agree the D5 neck is better, itâs thinner and narrower at the nut, which I like.
I also agreed that the Squier sounds better.
One is going to get sold on, most likely the Sire as I actually prefer the look of the Squier, especially the colour of the fretboard.
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I like Sire instruments and generally like roasted maple and I especially prefer Sire over Fender style headstocks, but that Squier looks much better, yeah. Just classic maple-and-pastel.
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Indeed. Your opinion is completely valid. I mean, itâs not as if a subjective opinion can even be wrong, that just doesnât make sense 
If you dislike something, you donât like it. Nothing wrong with that.
Sire really impresses me as a brand, especially in cost/performance. All the same not everyone is gonna like them.
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Agreed, the âstandardâ Fender / Squier headstock doesnât really do much for me. The one on this Squier, a Tele headstock, I do like though.
Again, agreed. I prefer the unroasted maple fretboard, I think it looks a lot nicer than the Sire version, despite the Sire neck being arguably better.
Whatâs your phrase, your miles may varyâŚ? Tone, feel, looks, perceived ease of use, all of these are subjective qualities. My Dingwall is fantastic, but so is my 35âish year old Hohner B Bass. Both beat the V7 Sire, in my humble opinion. Ok, one is a lot more expensive, but the other was a lot less. But YMMV⌠
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YMMV is short for âYour mileage may vary.â
This phrase came from a disclaimer in TV commercials for cars that used to tout fuel economy. The phrase expressed that actual gas mileage depends on driving habits, road conditions, and other factors.
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Well, first thing first, the jury is still out on Passive VS Active. The things that Iâm pretty certain is youâll hit that point of the Cycle and come to appreciate the Passive tone, I hit that point several times. Iâm a big fan of Active pickup, as well as Active preamps, there are differences.
As for the Setup layout on the Sire, I know itâs cramped but itâs pretty standard run of the mill Active setup unless you have a âcertainâ MusicMan, G&L or definitely Warwick. I found that Marcus is staying pretty true to his favorite Sadowsky house tone except for adding the Mid and Mid sweep. I remember bypassing the mid and compared them with the Fender Marcus Miller Original preamp and John East Marcus Retro, the essence are there.
Most peeps here know where I stand on any kind of adjustment, a little goes a long way, and if you own multiple basses itâs best that you cleanse your system and go dead neutral till you know what each bass sounds like.
When you own âOneâ bass you want your bass to sound like everything. When you own a bunch of basses you just want it to sound like âOneâ bass, 
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Thank you all for all your comments. Great conversation.
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So Iâve gone ahead and ordered a Sire V7 from Sweetwater. Theyâre offering the black ones for $549. Seems like a good deal for an excellent bass with plenty of headroom for growth.
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$550 for V7 whatâs the world coming to. Back in the day Iâd get 2,
Congrats Buddies. Like @howard with Yamaha, @MikeC deserves every affiliate commission from Sire everytime some one make a purchase,
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Canât go wrong with either
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They both can do Jazz pickup really well and both donât necessarily sound like the Fenders. the active V7 is pretty much early Sadowsky to my ears. Remarkable!
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Only if you get an affiliate kickback from Music Man, @Al1885.
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