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Review – Sire Guitars Releases New Bass Guitar Model, the Sire P7

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The Sire Revolution continues with the recent release of the Sire P7 electric bass guitar.

This new model follows in the well-established footsteps of its sibling models, the Sire V7, the Sire Vintage V7, the Sire M3, and the Sire M7 electric basses.  Like the other bass models made by Sire Guitars, the Sire P7 is just as well made as the other basses in Sire’s stable of bass models.

The Sire P7 is a very different bass from the jazz bass inspired Sire V7.  The obvious differences are that the Sire P7 has a jazz type pickup near the bridge and a precision type pickup near the neck.  Also, the control knob configuration is laid out in a very practical, yet aesthetically pleasing manner.  A difference that is especially noticeable when playing the Sire P7 is the wider neck than the Sire V7.  The sound of the Sire P7 is also another thing that sets this bass apart from the other Sire models.

All of Sire Guitars’ bass models share the same powerful and versatile 18-volt Sire preamp, as specified by Marcus Miller.

The Sire P7 also shares many of its high quality finishes with the Sire V7.  The headstock on the Sire P7 is the same as the headstock on the Sire V7 jazz type bass.  The body, neck and fingerboard wood options are also the same for the Sire P7 as they are for the Sire V7.

Okay, Tell Me About It

The Sire P7 has a noticeably wider bolt-on neck than the Sire V7 jazz type bass (neck width listed below).  The wider neck really works for this bass.  The comfortable neck profile, along with the wider neck, makes for an easy to play bass.  The Sire P7 has a 20-fret fingerboard.  The neck is made of Maple.  Players can choose either a Maple fingerboard, or a Rosewood fingerboard.  Sire Guitars continues their tradition of using high quality percoid block and binding on the Sire P7’s fingerboard.

The scale length of the Sire P7 is a comfortable 34 inches and neck is affixed to the body with four bolts.  The nut is made of bone.  All 20 frets are easy to access due to the generous body cut-away.  As with other Sire Guitars basses, the Sire P7 can be strung either through the body or through the high mass bridge.  The open tuning machines are tight and feel smooth when turning the tuning machines.   The hardware (bridge & tuning machines) has a beautiful chrome finish while the control knobs only come in a sort of black rubberized plastic.

The Sire P7 shares the same phenomenal preamp with all of the other Sire bass models.  Its controls are stacked volume/tone, pickup blend, treble, stacked mid/mid sweep, and bass.  There is also a two-way toggle switch to put the bass in either active or passive mode.

Currently, the available options for the Sire P7 are either four or five strings.  The body wood options are either Alder or Swamp Ash.  Fingerboard options are Rosewood (on the Alder body models) and Maple (on the Swamp Ash body models).  The finishes are Black, White, Natural (Ash models only), and Sunburst.

But How Does It Sound?

The bass used for this review is a five string bass with a Swamp Ash body and a one-piece Hard Maple neck with a Maple fingerboard.  It was also used to record, practice and perform live.

In passive mode the P7 has a huge, warm and muscular sound.  The precision type neck pickup does an excellent job of bringing warmth to the sound, while the jazz type bridge pickup adds articulation.  Soloing the precision type neck pickup results in a beautiful, warm and settled vintage precision sound.  In passive mode, the three-band EQ with a sweepable mid-range is not functional, which is typical for passive/active preamps.  However, the tone knob is available for tone shaping in passive mode.

In active mode, the Sire P7 turns into a percussive, deep sounding, articulate tone machine.  Once the active mode is turned on, the three-band EQ with a sweepable mid-range becomes available to the player.  The 18-volt preamp offers plenty of headroom, and the EQ allows for an incredible amount of tonal adjustment.   The sound of the bass in active mode retains its bigsound, however, the bass gains more sonic presence and a wonderful percussiveness.  The combination of the precision style neck pickup and the jazz style bridge pickup work together beautifully.  The low end, mid-range and high end are very well represented without being unbalanced.

Thumping or slapping the Sire P7 is a lot of fun, thanks to the wider neck and the great sound!  The slightly wider neck, the sound for the precision and jazz pickups, and the percussiveness come together to make the Sire P7 a great platform for this type of playing.  A player can dial plenty of bottom end, enough mid-range to achieve the desired articulation, and some high end for a little sizzle.

As an added bonus, the Sire P7 comes with a highly protective gig bag.  The Sire gig bag has two pockets, one of which is large enough to fit a music folder or iPad.  The neck gets a neck pillow with a Velcro restraint to keep the bass from moving around while in the gig bag.  Although it offers good protection, the Sire gig bag is very light in weight.

In designing the Sire P7, Sire Guitars has again designed a bass that continues the company’s tradition of quality at an affordable price.  The Sire P7 is capable of playing highly articulate parts as found in jazz or pop music.  It is also easily at home anchoring a rock band or any musical situation requiring a great bass sound.  Audio engineers will also find this bass a very easy instrument to work with in the studio.

For the bass players who already have a Sire V7 jazz bass, a Sire M7 or some other make and model of a bass, the Sire P7 is a great addition.  It provides a very different and wonderful sound and feel.

Okay, How Much Does It Cost?

  • The Alder body/Rosewood fingerboard 4 string Sire P7 is $499.00
  • The Swamp Ash body/Maple fingerboard 4 string Sire P7 is $599.00
  • The Alder body/Rosewood fingerboard 5 string Sire P7 is $599.00
  • The Swamp Ash body/Maple fingerboard 5 string Sire P7 is $699.00

Although it is very reasonably priced, this bass is not a bass that needs upgrades.  It is ready to gig right out of the box!

Conclusion

Sire Guitars managed to surpass themselves with the design and construction of the Sire P7.  The quality, playability and sound of the Sire P7 are truly amazing at any point, however this bass is reasonably priced.  The Sire P7 will make a very capable workhorse for a working professional, or a very affordable quality instrument for a new bassist.  It also makes a great addition for a bass player with several basses.

Specifications

Body

  • Material: Swamp Ash / North American Alder
  • Shape: Sire Precision Bass Type
  • Color: Ash Body – NT (Natural), TS (Tobacco Sunburst), WB (White) | Alder- Body-4 TS (Tobacco Sunburst), AWH (White), BK (Black)
  • Pickguard: Ivory Pearl (Swamp Ash) / Tortoise (Alder)

Neck

  • Material: 1 Piece Hardmaple
  • Shape: C-Shape
  • Scale: 34”
  • Neck Joint: 4 Bolt Steel Square Plate

Fingerboard

  • Material: Hardmaple(Swamp Ash ) / Rosewood(Alder)
  • Radius: 7’25”
  • Frets : Medium Small, 20 Frets
  • String Nut: Natural Bone 38mm width(4 string)
  • Binding: 1 ply Ivory
  • Inlay: WH Pearloid Block

Electronics

  • Pickups: Marcus Super Precision(Neck) + Jazz(Bridge)
  • Preamp: Marcus Heritage- 3 with Middle Frequency Control
  • Controls: Volume / Tone (Dual Stacked Pot) | Pickup Blender | Treble | Middle / Middle Frequency (Dual Stacked Pot) | Bass, Mini Toggle (Active / Passive )
  • Knobs: Modern Black Plastic

Hardware

  • Bridge: Marcus Miller Heavy Mass Standard
  • Tuning Gear: Sire Premium Open-Gear
  • Hardware Finish: Chrome

Approximate Weight

  • The approximate weight of the Swamp Ash body/Maple fingerboard Sire P7 four string bass is in the range of a little over 8.5 pounds.   The five string is around 9.5 pounds.  The weight of the Alder body/Rosewood fingerboard Sire P7 was not available during the writing of this review.

For more information, visit online at sire-usa.com

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Bass Videos

Review: BITE Custom Bass – The Black Knight PP Bass

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Review - BITE Custom Bass - The Black Knight PP Bass

BITE Custom Bass – The Black Knight PP Bass Review…

I am sure many of you saw my review of the Snobby Steampunk Bass from BITE Guitars back in February of 2021 and will remember what a remarkable bass it was. BITE has been building custom basses since 2019 and has a unique custom approach where you can configure your bass to your specs.

I am very excited to have another Bass From BITE Guitars in my hands, The Black Knight PP Bass! 

The need for a P-Bass in one’s armamentarium is pretty standard for bass players and I recall chatting about this with Marty O’Brien about a year ago. It turns out that Marty and BITE Guitars got together and came up with this excellent configuration that gives you a P-Bass with a whole lot more.  Marty even played his own Black Knight PP bass at the 2024 NAMM show. You can see his review here.

Join me as I take an in-depth look at this very cool instrument and share all the details.

Here is The Black Knight Bass from BITE Guitars!

For more information, visit online at bite.guitars/product/black-knight-pp

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Gear Reviews

Gear Review: Origin Effects Cali76 Compact Bass

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Gear Review: Origin Effects Cali76 Compact Bass

Origin Effects Cali76 Compact Bass Review…

Throughout the evolution of music, bass players have sought tools to sculpt and enhance their sonic landscapes, and one indispensable ally in this pursuit has been compression. Origin Effects, a name synonymous with premium audio craftsmanship, introduces the Cali76 Compact Bass Compressor, a pedal that pays homage to the legacy of compression and brings forth a new chapter in bass sonic mastery.

As we delve into the world of the Cali76 Compact Bass Compressor, we’ll explore how Origin Effects seamlessly weaves together the heritage of compression and contemporary bass demands, promising a pedal that not only honors the past but propels your bass playing into the future. Join us on this sonic expedition as we dissect the nuances of the Cali76 Compact and uncover the secrets it holds for bass players seeking the perfect blend of vintage warmth and modern versatility.

For Starters, the Cali76 is a studio-grade FET compressor pedal, based on the classic Urei 1176, but with some features optimized for bass guitar. For those of you who are not familiar with it, a FET (Field Effect Transistor) compressor is essentially a solid-state tube compressor emulation that allows for fast and precise control over the attack and the release parameters; allows for extreme compression ratios; and finally adds the typical 1176 color and character to the sound.

Together with the common controls we see in most compressor pedals – Ratio, Attack/Release, input (just like the original 1176, the threshold in this pedal is fixed), and output (makeup gain). The Cali76 offers two more controls dedicated to us bass players.

A Dry control – This allows us to mix in our dry, uncompressed signal to the pedal output. This is great for when we want to add back some of our playing dynamics to the compressed sound or for when you want some volume back in situations where the compression starts taking away the volume.

A High Pass Filter control – Low frequencies on a bass guitar signal normally overwhelm compressors. This high pass filter allows the compressor to only react to higher frequencies, which helps preserve the natural dynamics of our playing while keeping the low end intact.

Metering on this pedal can be a bit hard to get used to at first. There’s a single LED light on the pedal, that not only serves as an On/Off light, but it’s also our meter. It glows red when no compression is applied and orange for active compression. The brighter the light, the greater the amount of gain reduction. Yellow signifies that the gain reduction reached 27dB and maximum reduction occurs around 38 dB.

In practical terms, it’s all about working with the input and the LED to find the sweet spot (turn the input to zero, start playing and slowly increase the input level until you start seeing the LED glowing orange, which means there’s reduction going on).

With 6 highly interactive knob controls, this pedal implies some degree of compressor knowledge and also some amount of tweaking and experimentation to find the perfect settings. The good news is that it is very hard to make this pedal sound bad…

It can go from very subtle compression settings to very extreme, and it can do everything in between. Also, the team at Origin has been kind enough to add a couple of sample settings in the manual to get players started and to help us understand better how the pedal works.

Origin Effects Cali76 Compact Bass

Dynamic Control is a setting that provides natural compression, balancing dynamics between various playing techniques. It is a subtle compression that will work almost out of the box almost all the time. Having a medium setting for the High Pass Filter ensures an honest translation of the lower string dynamics.

Origin Effects Cali76 Compact Bass

Parallel compression is a popular studio technique, where both compressed and natural signals are blended. We get the sound and feel of hard compression while retaining the natural playing dynamics.

Origin Effects Cali76 Compact Bass

Percussive, lively & Fat is a setting that uses a slower attack time to accentuate the start of any note. Then using a fast release allows the compressor to recover between notes so that the phrases sound more percussive. Ideal for slapping and other percussive techniques.

Finally, I would like to mention the classic 1176 tonal coloration. It’s not a secret that engineers all around would sometimes use the 1176 compressor, without applying any compression, just to get the tonal coloration into the instrument sound.

And the Cali76 compressor is no different, it has such a rich, warm, and full coloration that’s super pleasing to the ear and makes you want to have it ON all the time. So be aware, that if you want a transparent compressor, this pedal is not for you!

All in all, it is easy to understand why this pedal became a favorite of so many bass players around the world. The Cali76 Compact stands as a testament to the meticulous craftsmanship and thoughtful engineering that Origin Effects is renowned for. It seamlessly navigates through the rich history of compression, offering bass players a gateway to the soulful resonance of the past while empowering them to sculpt a contemporary sonic future.

Whether you’re a seasoned bass maestro or a budding virtuoso, the Cali76 Compact invites you to embark on a sonic journey where every note is held in a delicate balance between tradition and innovation. As we bid farewell to our exploration, we do so with the realization that the Cali76 Compact is more than just a pedal; it’s a sonic companion that elevates the artistry of bass playing

For more information, visit online at origineffects.com

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Gear Reviews

Spector NS Ethos HP 4 Bass Review

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Spector NS Ethos HP 4 Bass Review

Spector NS Ethos HP 4 Bass Review…

Not long ago, I did a review of the Spector NS Dimension HP 5 Bass and I have just been given the honor and privilege of reviewing the Spector NS Ethos HP 4 Bass. I have to say, another great bass from Spector that is hard to put down! While there are some similarities between both basses, there are also some noticeable differences which is why I believe having both is essential to any bass arsenal.

Spector, widely used by many rock and metal bassists like Ian Hill, Alex Webster, Colin Edwin, Doug Wimbish, and many more, just to name a few, has a long-standing in these genres. Well, that’s about to change! The bass I used for the review, didn’t see any of those genres, matter of fact, I used it on a few classic country gigs and at church too! However, when at home in the studio, I let the funk out. The NS Ethos HP 4 Bass is an all-around great bass for any genre and will not disappoint.

Let’s get into the specs about the bass, and here we will find the differences between the HP 5 Bass and the HP 4.

Forget that one is a 5 string, while the other is a 4, while that is a difference, that’s not one that I feel needs to be noted as both models are available as 4 and 5 strings. The Spector NS Ethos HP 4 Bass has a 34” scale, 24 fret, 3 piece maple neck through construction with solid alder wings, ebony fingerboard along with centered and side dots and the 12th fret Spector logo inlay with a brass nut.

While the pickups are different as the NS Dimension HP 5 Bass uses the EMG 45DC and the NS Ethos HP 4 Bass sports the EMG 35DC pickups, they are the same pickup configurations, the difference being, one for 4 string, the other for 5 string. The electronics are the same, consisting of a Darkglass Tone Capsule preamp which consists of +-12dB @70Hz for Bass, +-12dB @500Hz for Mids, and +-12dB @2.8kHz for Hi Mids. Controls for Spector NS Dimension HP 5 Bass consist of Master Volume, Blend, Bass, Mid, and Hi Mid controls. The electronics are powered by a 9-volt battery.

The bridge is a Hi-Mass locking bridge with intonation screws and the tuners are sealed die-cast. All hardware is black. Same as the Spector NS Dimension HP 5 Bass, the HP 4 Bass is available in 4 different finishes, White Sparkle Gloss, Gunmetal Gloss, Plum Crazy Gloss & Black Gloss. The bass also comes with a very nice and well-padded gig bag.

Check out the Spector NS Ethos HP 4 Bass at a Spector Music Retailer today near you or visit online at spectorbass.com/product/ns-ethos-hp-4/

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Gear Reviews

Review: Italia Leather Straps

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Review: Italia Leather Straps

Italia Leather Straps…

Whenever I get a new bass, I like to get a new strap to christen it and I also like to find one that is “color coordinated” to my new instrument. I recently had a 6-string fretless bass created by a local luthier named Frank Brocklehurst, which started my search for a new strap.

There are a few points that I always look for when searching for a new strap. 

1-Comfort 
2-Width
3-Great color
4-Price

My most recent quest put me in touch with “Italia Leather Straps.” Italia has been in business in California for about 20 years and has been selling factory direct for the past 18 years.

When you order your strap it begins its “made to order” build process and after shipping more than 50,000 straps they certainly have it well in hand!

To answer my 4 questions regarding comfort, Italia uses some of the most comfortable and luxurious leather in a wide variety of colors. I was able to match almost perfectly the color of my bass and the color of the leather.

You can order it in either a 2.5” or 4” width as well as a standard and long model for tall players. I prefer the 4” for all of my basses. 

I received my strap and I must tell you, the leather was soft, supple, and truly comfortable when I attached it to my bass.

I must commend Italia Leather Straps for their attention to detail and beautiful selection of leather. I would say that when you go looking for a new strap, these guys should be on your shortlist.

Call or visit Italia Leather Straps online:
831-324-4277
www.italiastraps.com

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Bass Videos

Review: The Fuchs FBT-700 Bass Amps

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Review: The Fuchs FBT-300 and FBT-700 Bass Amps

Fuchs FBT-700 Bass Amps…

Much like our original ODS amps were initially inspired by the legendary Dumble amps, the new Fuchs FBS-1 bass amps have found their inspiration from the iconic Walter Woods © bass amps, but with Andy’s own enhancements.

Andy tapped his years of experience as a working musician, as well as servicing and tweaking guitar and bass amps for many famous clients as diverse as Carlos Santana through jammers like Jimmy Herring, including jazz legends like Dave Stryker for over 40 years as inspiration for our new bass amps. Fuchs’ 20-year list of reviews and endorsers is truly impressive to say the least.

Not unlike the iconic Walter Woods © amps the FBS-300 and FBS-700 amps are designed for maximum power at minimal size and weight. For years, the rare and coveted Woods amps have built a following amongst industry professionals. They were literally the first switch mode class-D style lightweight bass amps ever. Due to Walter being reclusive and now retired, these amps found their way to Andy’s shop to be repaired. While servicing them Andy was able to reverse engineer the preamp and power supply. Mated to a modern lightweight ICE power digital power module we have produced an amp that Woods owners agree, is equal (if not better) than their predecessors.

The FBS-1 bass amps (and our FBT tube bass amps) share identical panels and chassis and are available in 300 and 700-watt models, they feature a solid-state preamp inspired by the infamous Walter Woods © amps, but with improvements like a steep-slope subsonic filter and a DI output using high-speed audiophile op amps and a regulated power supply. The DI output is electrically balanced pre/post switch, ground lift, DI Phase, and a global mute switch.

Small and light, (downright diminutive) at less than 5-lbs and 12 x 3 x 9, they are loud and clean. Want some dirt? Raise the input gain and lower the master volume. Want total clean, lower the input gain and raise the master. They are super easy to operate, and the FBS-1  amps will easily fit in a gig bag, run ice-cold, and feature a well-thought-out, simple configuration for the working musician. A Fuchs gig bag designed for all models is coming soon.

These amps feature an input gain control allowing both passive and active bass use, Baxandall (shelving eq) high and low controls, a parametric rotary midrange control with level and frequency control and an output master volume. With the midrange pot in the ‘0’ position the circuit is flat. In this mode the bass and treble pots emulate the classic Woods and B-15 style amps we know and love. Use the mid circuit for boost and cut of up to 20 db at a fully adjustable frequency.

All models use the industry-standard Ice power modules, which are known for their rock-solid reliability and excellent cool-running, audio performance. These amps feature a buffered patch loop between the preamp and power amp. All amps offer worldwide automatic line voltage selection. Wherever you are, they automatically set their own line voltage. All amps are CE and RoHs compliant.

FBT-300 6 lbs 12 x 3 x 9 chassis. FBT-700 6 lbs 12 x 3 x 9 chassis.

FBT-300: 300W at 1% THD+N, 4Ohm • 260W at 0.1% THD+N, 4Ohm • 380W at 10% THD+N, 4Ohm • 450W at 1% THD+N, 2.7Ohm (Approximately ½ half this value at 8-ohms).

For more information, visit online at fuchsaudiotechnology.com

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