Where to try a Sire Bass?

Dmlk

Hi

I was wondering if anyone knew where in the UK supplies Sire Basses (Sire Marcus Miller Basses). My brother wants to try them out but when we googled them it seems they are only in Andertons.

My brother is based in Manchester and there does not seem to anywhere near by that stocks sire bass. He wants to try the bass before he buys it.

Help clues where they could be in the UK other than Andertons?

Thanks for your help in advance.

DrJazzTap

I thought they were thomann and now andertons exclusive basses. 

Dmlk

DrJazzTap said:

I thought they were thomann and now andertons exclusive basses. 

I had no idea. This may explain why my brother cannot find them anywhere. Thanks for your input.

Kebabkid

DrJazzTap said:

I thought they were thomann and now andertons exclusive basses. 

@Dmlk - This ^^

I have 2, one from Thomann ( a V7), before they were available here, and one from Andertons (a V3). Both were well set up straight out of the box.

They can vary in weight (a known Sire fact) but I'd recommend them to anybody and they punch well above their weight.

The Marcus Miller 18V preamp in those models is excellent and can also be switched from active to passive mode. Also, if the batteries run down, you can carry on in passive mode.

In fact, there's a nice, upgraded one on here (no affiliation)
 - http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/147040/sire-p7-precision-pj-5-string-with-nordstrand-pickups#latest

Bridgehouse

(Moved to Bass)

Dmlk

Sorry I posted to wrong area.

Thanks kebabkid. My brother wants to play it so he can try them out in person. Looks like a trip out of Manchester to visit andertons is the only way. 

Bridgehouse

Dmlk said:

Sorry I posted to wrong area.

Thanks kebabkid. My brother wants to play it so he can try them out in person. Looks like a trip out of Manchester to visit andertons is the only way. 

No problems at all!

Winny_Pooh

Dmlk said:

Sorry I posted to wrong area.

Thanks kebabkid. My brother wants to play it so he can try them out in person. Looks like a trip out of Manchester to visit andertons is the only way. 

With cost in mind, it'd be more economical to buy online and have the 14 day return policy if you dont like it.
Or buy used, try at your convenience and sell on with minimal loss.

Dmlk

Hi Winny

Thats an idea. I wonder if my bro would want to do that. 

Funkfingers

Kebabkid said:

They can vary in weight (a known Sire fact) 

This is sufficient reason to justify trying several examples in person before settling on whichever one feels and sounds most satisfying. 

Try as many body shapes and pickup permutations as possible. Marcus Miller is associated with 2 x J pickups. Your brother's needs might be better satisfied by something with a P-type pickup or, possibly, the larger "soapbar" types of the M series.

Dmlk

Hi Funkfingers

This is why I was trying to ask where stocks Sire basses. Are they really only in Andertons in the UK?

Funkfingers

Affirmative. 

I appreciate that a day trip from Manchester to Guildford is time-consuming and that travel costs could seem disproportionately large compared to the eventual purchase price of the instrument.

In your brother's position, I would want to get my paws on several examples of the supposedly identical instrument. Don't be palmed off with something that weighs as much as a boat anchor. I do not know how far the Anderton's storage and set-up facility is from their retail outlet. Allow enough time to for instruments to be driven across town. 

Be bold. Stroll in. Make your intention to purchase clear. Apologise to the salesperson that you might have to be a bit of a PITA until exactly the right instrument is detected. 


As Winny_Pooh suggests, your brother could go through repeated cycles of mail order, dissatisfaction, return. 

If distance selling and pot luck makes better economic sense, I suggest grabbing the last of the Version 1 Sire basses for approximately £200. With a set-up and a few modifications, your brother should have a keeper.

Alfi27

Hey, I have a handsome looking Sire Marcus Miller V7 4 string in alpine white that I am considering to sell! Based in Liverpool City Centre, and I'm thinking £300 for it. Should be easy to flip for the same price if it doesn't satisfy 
Shoot me a PM if this could be of interest! 

Dmlk

Hi Alfi27, I have messaged my bro to see what he wants to do. thanks for the offer.

Lord_Spanielchip

I’ve just taken delivery of a series 2 V3. If your brother wants to try that he’s welcome to - I’m at the other end of the M66 in Rossendale.

Dmlk

Lord_Spanielchip said:

I’ve just taken delivery of a series 2 V3. If your brother wants to try that he’s welcome to - I’m at the other end of the M66 in Rossendale.

HI Spanelchip, thanks for the kind offer. I will pass on the message to my bro.