I feel like I need a passive jazz bass in my life, but I’m cheap and skills aren’t worthy of something high end yet and unfortunately the only options around me to try out are squiers and fenders.
The pro player ii is nice, same with the cool vibe squiers but any other suggestions? Been checking out some sires online and they seem nice.
The Sire Marcus Miller basses are some of the best bang for the buck you can get. They punch WAAAAAAY above their weight.
This^^^ 1000%
A Sire V3P is an amazing value: great materials, build quality, electronics, playability and tone. At an equally crazy price point.
https://www.pitbullaudio.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=sire+v3p
Nothing else to say… Sire Marcus Miller
I nearly bought this one: Marcus Miller V5 Alder-4 TS – Thomann Ireland
I liked it so much… and regret not buying it… that I’ve been ogling this one:
They are solid and good basses with an awesome punch!
Sire is a good brand, the Classic Vibe series is good, both are good choices. Fender Player II series looks like an upgrade; rosewood, rolled fretboard, etc. Lot of really good choices.
If I were in the market for a Jazz, I would see if I could find a Fujigen out of Japan
I was checking a few of them and bacchus
jazz last week but $300 CAD to ship kinda kills me.
Think of the total cost, not shipping as a separate thing. That’s how I approach it, getting an American Performer quality for the cost of a Player when all is said and done. But that’s me, you do you
Sire V7 2nd gen is very impressive it rivals my almost $2k modded Fender Elite Jazz.
For what I paid for it, it’s the best valued bass I have in my shed, by far.
It’s not the ProAudio Squier discount season, if not last year you can score the 40th anniversary for practically half price and the look and finish rivals the USA models.
I swear… one of these days I’ll find where you live and I’ll go there and help you tidy up all that stuff! 
Even the Sire V3P for under $400 features a rolled fretboard. And when ordered from Pitbull Audio, it’s free shipping and likely no sales tax (except for California residents).
When someone like @Al1885 says his Sire represents the best value in his shed, that’s saying something. Granted, he likely scored a killer deal, but the man does know a thing or two about basses (not least because he happens to own them all). 
I respect @Al1885 no question. And I love my Sire D5, but hated my Sire V7. Speaking from my experience, FGN is a better value for a passive bass
Personal experience is invaluable when it comes to most things, and it’s critically important when it comes to stringed instruments.
Not sure which version V7 you had, but many v1 Sire models were notoriously heavy. Like almost mid-70s Fender Jazz-heavy. And I had said Fender Jazz. No, thanks.
In contrast, my new Sire V8 is a stone killer in every respect that matters to me.
The only FGN I was interested in went to you, and subsequently to Booker, which makes me happy.
I can see your point. To be fair not only Sire V7 is an active bass but on it also a pretty rare feature on any sub $1500 bass a passive tone control. If you leave the mid at idle and only use the bass and treble knobs it’s very close to Sadowsky preamp tone, classic Marcus Miller Tone. I’d love to have the control knobs in a different configuration but there’s no complaints.
This is my HiFi John East Marcus Retro preamp on a Mij Marcus Miller signature Fender
It was a V1 and it weighed like 12 pounds. I also didn’t like the pickups which today, I would just change out. Live and learn.
I have an FGN Jazz (see my profile pic) and it’s just a fabulous bass. Fit, finish, everything. It cost me $600 shipped. It’s a good value.
I was just thinking about that bass today. Why did I sell it, Why did I let it go to Booker, and why don’t I miss it? Not to get mystical but I think it was meant to be Booker’s bass. It’s a banger.
I thought of Sadowsky Metroexpress as well, that is an incredibly well built instrument. I have one, a V1 was like $500, V2s are more. The preamp is amazing, string tree across all strings, it comes with a little tool that’s a lever for the truss wheel. So many little things. But it’s an active. I like the preamp so much I bought a Sadowsky pedal for when I get into my pedal board
Seriously, I wouldn’t let it go for 5 times what I paid… I love the FGN. Thanks, @Wombat-metal (and you too @MikeC for not beating him to it).
I am a Sire believer but there is little to no chance I would choose one over a MIJ Fujigen, FWIW.
Especially if made in Matsumoto.
I thought I remembered that. The v2 Sires are different animals entirely. My V8 weighs 8.5 pounds and its next-gen pups are superb.
For the money you won’t find much any nicer or of better quality than a Sire Jazz Bass. While their product line is now very diverse it’s their Jazz Bass Series designed in cooperation with Marcus Miller where they began their entry into the US market. I would buy one over an MIM Fender any day.
Would you buy one over MIA Fender? I have absolutely played MIJ Fujigen that I would choose over MIA Fender.
