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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.

Sire delivers incredible value with their basses. I've owned a few over the last several years including an earlier U5 in this same finish. They are also consistent with the 'feel's. This one feels vintagey and my blue-finished, maple-FBed M2 (which I modded with 3-way Series / Humbucker / Parallel mini-switches like the M7 & M9) feels modern. From my experience I'd think you'd have a hard time going wrong with any of the Sire Marcus Miller models even if you ordered any random model/wood/color/configuration. Perhaps I'm kinda biased, loving basses across the spectrum of scale-lengths, number of strings, traditional or multi-scale and/or headless, passive or active, etc. Since their introduction, Sire has been 'killing it' with these basses.The U5 was already configured in a way that closely aligns to my preferences to begin with... a 30"-scale Jazz bass with a maple fretboard and split-coil Precision Bass pickup in upper position (it's not really a neck pickup, so I suppose Middle position) pairing with a Jazz pickup in Bridge position, straight-ahead passive with no questionable active tone-strangler EQ circuit. Don't get me wrong, higher-end active EQs with semi-para mid and active/passive mode so you can disengage it are all cool with me. Something like an Aguilar, etc. fine, but i've played too many mid-tier basses in the last couple years that have the most frustratingly tone-sucking, sterile, unnatural cheap-sounding active EQ circuits on-board, as a sad attempt to add perceived value, because it has an 'active EQ'. I've just cut them out like cancer and most of the same basses sounded BETTER without the 'Active EQ' installed. Some really opened up and surprised me with how really great-sounding some of the stock pickups were. My point being: these pickups sound just fine to my ears. Not mind-blowing or anything but I don't hate them and uncharacteristically I don't feel compelled to replace them and upgrade the electronics. I've really come to appreciate the 'rolled edges' thing on the Sire basses as well. At first it was an eye-roller of a feature. I just considered it marketing shinola. But after playing basses with that feature, you can tell the difference and I do like the more 'broken-in' feel. Most of the basses I truly love are far beyond 'broken-in'... more into the 'loved-HARD' category, so I think I've just taken this for granted on most instruments I play and really notice the difference the most when compared to new basses.The flame top veneer looks excellent. It's a matter of taste as to how much you like or dislike cosmetics like this but at it is well-done. Both of the 2 U5s I've owned were as close to perfect cosmetically and you can get.The neck is excellent as well. Very good fretwork, close attention to detail. It plays smoothly & effortlessly. You can even detune it a whole step without having the strings get too flubby, I was actually playing at Lord Iommi's Unholy C# earlier without issue on stock strings.Tone is subjective. Your attack, playing style and amp have huge effect on the sound that comes out of the speakers. Having said that, this bass sounds excellent to my ears. It's very comfortable to wear on your shoulder for a couple of hours as it's got a smaller, lighter body. It's like playing bass on the moon! And it's nice to no be so serious and take a load off sometimes. Also great for kids or smaller people who feel like an extended scale 5 or 6-string WAR BASS is intimidating would have a great time with this bass! I have a hard time seeing how anyone would NOT... I know these were back-ordered everywhere last year and had kinda become unobtanium, at least in this finish, so if you're inclined I'd say check it out and don't miss out on one of these sweet little basses. The bang for the buck is very high with this one. About the only things I'd change are idiosyncratic to me. I would (and probably soon will) install a high-quality brass nut and a Hipshot Kickass bridge with brass saddles which is as much of a direct functional replacement for the legendary, but sadly out-of-production, Leo Quan BadAss II (and I don't have one in my parts bin currently). My sensibilities are old-school. While it's apparent to some that 'Penetration is paramount.', solid-coupling is fundamental. A well-cut nut & a high-mass bridge (especially brass at the nut slots & bridge saddles) contribute to notes that ring out clear with a ton of sustain to help you hold down the bottom-end with superior tone! Ultimately, this bass easily falls into the 'Shut up and take my money!' category for me. Once I replace the nut & bridge as mentioned above, it will be a near perfect short-scale bass to me.

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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.

I haven't owned a short scale bass in over 30 years and last one I owned (an EB-3) I hated. But I felt the need for one again and based on reputation wanted to try a Sire. Rather than say I surprised I'd rather say everything I've read about their features and the quality of the build is true. This U5 is a great little bass and I'm enjoying it. I'm particularly pleased with the pickups and electronics. The split coil tends to dominate the overall voicing but the tone control has a very broad sweep and is very effective. The noiseless single coil pickup in it's position works best when used to add more highs and an edge to the overall tonality. But the ability to blend as much or as little of either pickup as into the mix as I wish offers a huge tonal palette considering it's a completely passive bass. I'm pleased with the bass. For it's price it's a very nice and useful instrument. This is the fourth or fifth guitar or bass I have purchased through zZounds. Their customer service and prompt delivery have been spot on every time I have no reservation recommending either the Sire U5 or zZounds as a top shelf dealer.

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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.

I saw low end lobster demo this bass and I fell inlove with it. Plays great. Better then squire or mim fenders. The short scale allows me to still play after a hand injury. The rolled fingerboard feels fantastic. Also it not heavy. Mine is just under 8 lbs. The tobacco sunburst is beautiful. I used it in my band for the first time and it sounded great. This is one of the best short scales u can buy right now. And it just feels solid in my have. I hope this helps someone if they are considering a short scale

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