What is it?
If you've been in the market for a budget or mid-priced bass at any point in the last few years, you can't fail to have noticed Korean brand Sire.
Built in a dedicated factory in Indonesia, these instruments have absolutely snowballed in popularity of late. Reviews speak to the quality and playability on offer for very reasonable prices - but this isn't all.
Lending the company serious credence is the endorsement of legendary American session bassist Marcus Miller. Known as a long-time Fender Jazz Bass user, with a high-end signature model of his own, Miller's 2015 switch to this lower-priced upstart brand was noteworthy indeed.
But his confidence in Sire is such that his name is on every single bass the company puts out, whether modeled on a Jazz, Precision, StingRay or otherwise.
Let's zoom in on the Jazz Bass-inspired ‘V’ range, though, given that these are Miller's current stage instruments. Interestingly, he doesn't even use the highest-end model, favouring the mid-tier V7.
It'll be interesting to see how much of the appeal survives further down the range, for today, I'm investigating the cheapest model available – the V1. It comes in at a disruptively low $329; compared to Squier, for example, this undercuts all but the lowest-end Affinity basses.
Specs
- Price: $329 £299 | €319
- Made: Indonesia
- Type: Four-string passive bass guitar
- Body: Mahogany
- Neck: Hard maple, C-shape
- Fingerboard material/radius: Rosewood, 9.5”
- Scale length: 34”/864mm
- Nut/width: Bone, 38mm
- Frets: 20, medium
- Hardware: Sire Basic 4-saddle bridge, Sire Basic open-gear tuners, chrome finish
- String spacing at bridge: 20mm
- Electrics: Sire Basic J pickups, Volume (bridge pickup), Volume (neck pickup), Tone
- Weight: 7.5lb/3.4kg
- Left-handed options: N/A
- Finishes: Tide Pool (as reviewed), Antique White, Tobacco Sunburst, Black. (Black scratchplate with all finishes)
- Case: Not included - Sire gig bag available
- Contact: Sire
Build quality
Build quality rating: ★★★★☆
If you're expecting a sad slab of plywood with an orange-peel finish and mile-high action for that money, you simply won't believe what you're getting here.
This V1 is in a great color - called ‘Tide Pool’, it's close to Fender's classic Lake Placid Blue. The body shape is a close analog of a traditional Jazz, although with slightly more snub-nosed cutaways and Sire's rather bland-looking headstock.
I'd also swap the black scratchplate for white or mint-green, but it works with the dark rosewood fretboard; in itself, the latter is now a bit of a spec-sheet boast on a cheaper instrument, as most rivals slum it with lower-cost rosewood alternatives.
The body wood is quoted as mahogany - an unorthodox choice for a Jazz, but it contributes to a very manageable overall weight and good on-strap balance. And let's not beat around the bush: that Edgeless neck is remarkable.
The profile itself is fairly slim, and the nut is the usual Jazz Bass 38mm – but the heavily rolled edges and the smooth satin finish elevate it to a plane far beyond anything else you'll find for this price – or indeed, for several times this price.
Without a hint of exaggeration, this is the kind of neck profile, and the kind of superb playability, that calls to mind a modern American-built Fender – and not an entry-level one, either. It’s staggering to think that a $329 bass can be so addictively fantastic to play - I can’t rule out witchcraft being involved.
Playability
Playability rating: ★★★★★
Without a hint of exaggeration, this is the kind of neck profile, and the kind of superb playability, that calls to mind a modern American-built Fender
The body wood is quoted as mahogany – an unorthodox choice for a Jazz, but it contributes to a very manageable overall weight and good on-strap balance. And let's not beat around the bush: that Edgeless neck is remarkable.
The profile itself is fairly slim, and the nut is the usual Jazz Bass 38mm – but the heavily rolled edges and the smooth satin finish elevate it to a plane far beyond anything else you'll find for this price – or indeed, for several times this price.
Without a hint of exaggeration, this is the kind of neck profile, and the kind of superb playability, that calls to mind a modern American-built Fender – and not an entry-level one, either.
It’s staggering to think that a $329 bass can be so addictively fantastic to play - I can’t rule out witchcraft being involved.
Sounds
Sounds rating: ★★★½☆
In terms of pickups and electrics, though, the V1 doesn't play any fancy tricks - it's purely a conventional J-style configuration. The pickups themselves are Sire's ‘Basic J’ set - the lowest rung on the electronic ladder, only appearing on the V1. So, are they as perfunctory and uninspiring as that rather matter-of-fact name might lead you to believe?
Well, no – it's just as worthy a Jazz Bass sound as most others you'll find for this budget. With my preferred Acoustic 360 and Gallien-Krueger clean tones dialled-in on my Line 6 HX Stomp, and both pickups on full, it's the characteristic scooped midrange – a little darker and more subdued than some rivals.
The V1 would certainly fly higher with a slightly hotter and more vibrant set of pickups
But my favourite Jazz Bass tones come from rolling back the neck pickup a little, to bring out the chime of the bridge pickup; the Sire is no exception. Now, there’s a crisp growl with more upper mids and a nice, rounded top end which takes well to a pick and a more overdriven signal.
It’s still not the punchiest or the most characterful, but it’s solid and gets the job done. The V1 would certainly fly higher with a slightly hotter and more vibrant set of pickups, though - the overall quality of the instrument, particularly that brilliant neck, warrants it.
Verdict
All things considered, the Sire V1 is quite an achievement. It sits at a price point that undercuts any equivalent Squier, but offers playability that should give Fender serious pause for thought - that neck genuinely compares well to American-built models over five times the price.
For sheer playing comfort, I’d venture there’s simply nothing to touch it at this price
It’s not quite as sexy-looking as some rivals, and the sound is more functional than inspirational but, in many ways, the measure of a good instrument is in how often you pick it up, even for a quick unplugged noodle – and I’ve been doing so constantly with the V1, each time marvelling at how such a fantastic-feeling bass is available for so little cash.
For sheer playing comfort, I’d venture there’s simply nothing to touch it at this price.
Guitar World verdict: For a relatively new brand, Sire has developed some serious market presence - and on the strength of even this entry-level V1, it’s no mere hype. This bass holds its own against similarly-priced rivals for build quality and sound, but possesses an almighty trump card in its stunning playability.
Test |
Results |
Score |
|---|---|---|
Build quality |
It’s solid but unspectacular, and doesn’t look as arresting as some rivals – but it does feel as though it’ll easily stand up to live use. |
★★★★☆ |
Playability |
A richly deserved five stars – it’s utterly addictive. That Edgeless neck is worth its weight in gold, feeling for all the world like a high-end modern bas |
★★★★★ |
Sounds |
It’s perfectly good for the price, but the tones don’t quite live up to the standard set by the playing experience. If ever a bass deserved some good aftermarket pickups, though... |
★★★½☆ |
Overall |
In most ways, this is a very credible entry-level Jazz-style bass. In terms of sheer playability, though, the V1 is a true giant-killer. |
★★★★½ |
