Yeah, man, take @Al1885’s words to heart. While many can hypothesize about a variety of bass virtues and features in the abstract, Al has actually lived them. If you can, follow his advice to the letter and get the brand/model he advises. Chances are great you’ll be a happy chappy.
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If you can’t try it yourself, there are a few options.
First, obviously, listen to review videos for the sound. Which you’ve probably already done.
Second measure all critical things; fretboard width at nut/body, fretboard width at nut/body, fretboard radius, weight etc. and compare with your existing one.
Third (and this is what I did, living the Highlands of Scotland, so similar issue), buy both and return one. Okay you’ll probably have to pay return shipping but that’s a small price to pay to get the right one. If you do this then do check for shipping damage before the courier departs!
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Your are so kind @MikeC thank you.
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This is my SB14 next to a Sterling Joe Dart. It has such an in your face tone you gotta have it. I’ll post some video later. Imma look for a sunburst one and convert it into a Fretless.
It’s parallel/ phantom coil(single coil no hum)/ series. No mod needed.
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For anyone interested in an SB14, as per Al’s reco, you might be interested in this:
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Funny you recommend that, that’s not what the original SB 14 but the new one is so delicious and it’s only limited time offer for $800. I just bought this one 5 minutes ago, from GC for $450 someone screwed up at GC for sure, 
The original has the same wiring as the EBMM Sterling. 3 way switch of heaven. Such an awesome bass. I have the fretted and fretless the fretted one has Birdseye maple neck and mute bridge (Flea bridge). Super awesome! The Sterling and the EBMM Sterling are practically the same feel and tone. This is the “One” bass that’s you can own the imports and it shares 95% of the traits of the Premiums.
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Forget Japan I want to visit your stingray museum
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Did I mention that @Al1885 is our resident EBMM and Sterling expert? 
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I know nothing of SB14s.
But a quick search came up with that Joe Dart-like 2022 model. With shipping and in mint condition, it seems like a decent deal. 
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Yeah that’s the latest one. It just looks a little different and definitely function differently. I can’t wait to play this one because it’s just a pure Sterling. I hope they tune it the same way. Lots of Mid-bass very satisfying tone.
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I sent both of the headless Ibanez basses back. Pressing pause on that particular pursuit. I still did want to play around with a five string, though. With my interest in EBMM style basses renewed thanks to the arrival of my Sterling Joe Dart model, which I’ve struggled to put down, I thought maybe I’d go for a 5er in that style. Then I remembered that Sire has a Z line and promptly bought this Z7.
It’s visually kinda plain which I prefer anyway, and the non-matching headstock and back of the neck have the perfect vintage-ish tint that I like. The tuners are smooth, the ebony fretboard is dark like I like them, and the stainless steel frets and rolled fingerboard edges are a nice touch. The pickups sound great, though the volume is different between them. I’ll try playing with heights to even them out. And I’m familiar with the Heritage pre-amp from my V3, so I knew I’d like it. 18v too, which is nice. My only gripe is that the stacked knobs were pressed on too far, making it impossible to turn only one level of the knob. Pulling the top knob off and pressing it on to the appropriate level made short work of that.
Overall, love it. This one stays.
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Huge congrats, man! I love it when players gel with soul-worthy instruments. It makes the world right. Have a blast and let us know how it goes for you. 
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Last night I played a Sire V3 and was really impressed with it. (I’d gone to the local GC to try out a variety of amps with the same instrument.) I started with a Fender Aerodyne Jazz Bass and then tried a secondhand V3 and was blown away with all the sounds I could get out of it and how well it played.
The V3 was listed at $325 and I was close to letting it follow me home until I found a set of dings in the back of the neck around fret 7. For a bass with an MSRP of $369 that didn’t feel like enough of a discount with that damage to it (a band new V3 2nd generation is on closeout for $400).
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I assume the hearts on my previous post mean “you should go back and buy that gear”?
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Sire makes great basses. I own three models.
A V3 is a steal of a deal for its added value at a crazy-low price point.
If you pull the trigger on one, go for the 2nd generation.
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I really want to get the blue burst Larry Carlton. I just need to learn one more song on guitar. I know 2 songs and 14 guitars is plenty
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Yes, and go for the V3P. It’s passive. Less knobs 
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Me too! 
Definitely. I never heard the v1, but word on the street is the pickups got a lot better in v2. They’re all I’ve ever played, and together with the preamp I have to say they sound really good with a lot of versatility.
Agree! I did have to replace the tuners on my V3 with some Gotoh Res-o-lites. They are fine on my P5R and Z7, though.
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That first one looks like my old high school girlfriend 
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