Fender Marcus Miller Jazz Bass V Black

[Diminished Triad]

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/fender-marcus-miller-jazz-bass-v#productDetail

Anyone have hands on experience with this 5 string bass?
I haven't played one yet but would like to have at least one available.
Thanks for anything you can share or advise.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Fender Marcus Miller Jazz Bass V Black

The black one? No.

 

[One Bad Monkey]

Re: Fender Marcus Miller Jazz Bass V Black

I'd spend the money on a 5 string version of the Sire Marcus Miller V7 bass instead, which I have had my hands on (since I reviewed one for a magazine, and it's still with me, albeit a 4 string) and pocket the difference.

The Sire will easily go toe-to-toe with the Fender, if not surpass it.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Fender Marcus Miller Jazz Bass V Black

I'd spend the money on a 5 string version of the Sire Marcus Miller V7 bass instead, which I have had my hands on (since I reviewed one for a magazine, and it's still with me, albeit a 4 string) and pocket the difference.

The Sire will easily go toe-to-toe with the Fender, if not surpass it.

The last time I had briefly played the MM 5 string I was pretty impressed but didn't think it was quite worth the price. I would happily pay for the Sire bass if it really is like the Fender.

 

[Diminished Triad]

Re: Fender Marcus Miller Jazz Bass V Black

The last time I had briefly played the MM 5 string I was pretty impressed but didn't think it was quite worth the price. I would happily pay for the Sire bass if it really is like the Fender.

I enjoy/prefer the 7.25 fretboard radius for electric guitars and noticed this MM 5 string also has the same 7.25 radius. How did it play for you? There is no real bending of bass strings so hoping no issues with the 7.25 radius? Thanks!

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Fender Marcus Miller Jazz Bass V Black

I bend bass strings. Blame Billy Sheehan.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Fender Marcus Miller Jazz Bass V Black

I enjoy/prefer the 7.25 fretboard radius for electric guitars and noticed this MM 5 string also has the same 7.25 radius. How did it play for you? There is no real bending of bass strings so hoping no issues with the 7.25 radius? Thanks!

I don't bend too much. So the feel of the bass was nice, but I didn't think the sound was worth $2000. But it did sound good for $500.

 

[One Bad Monkey]

Re: Fender Marcus Miller Jazz Bass V Black

The last time I had briefly played the MM 5 string I was pretty impressed but didn't think it was quite worth the price. I would happily pay for the Sire bass if it really is like the Fender.

As with most of my articles/reviews, I really try hard to be objective and leave any personal feelings out of the equation (because that really doesn't help).

That said, it's hard to not be excited about the Sire bass. I'm truly blown away by the build quality, presentation and electronics package (which as we all know is where most companies cut corners for pricing). The gigbag is pretty nice too. I currently use the Sire at GHS as one of our testing basses, so for me to have that much confidence in it is really saying something.

The Sire is a bit different (I believe it has 60s pickup spacing over the 70s on the Fender MM basses), but if I had to choose between them, I'd do the Sire easily.

 

[Diminished Triad]

Re: Fender Marcus Miller Jazz Bass V Black

As with most of my articles/reviews, I really try hard to be objective and leave any personal feelings out of the equation (because that really doesn't help).

That said, it's hard to not be excited about the Sire bass. I'm truly blown away by the build quality, presentation and electronics package (which as we all know is where most companies cut corners for pricing). The gigbag is pretty nice too. I currently use the Sire at GHS as one of our testing basses, so for me to have that much confidence in it is really saying something.

The Sire is a bit different (I believe it has 60s pickup spacing over the 70s on the Fender MM basses), but if I had to choose between them, I'd do the Sire easily.

For any guitar to be made available for around $500, when you break down the cost of the parts and labor, what does that say about each? Wondering how long it takes a worker to put the bass together...and do it well, and whether there can be reasonable expectations and such relatively low prices? Thanks for any info... Just the cost of the pickups and neck might amount to half of the 500 already.

 

[One Bad Monkey]

Re: Fender Marcus Miller Jazz Bass V Black

For any guitar to be made available for around $500, when you break down the cost of the parts and labor, what does that say about each? Wondering how long it takes a worker to put the bass together...and do it well, and whether there can be reasonable expectations and such relatively low prices? Thanks for any info... Just the cost of the pickups and neck might amount to half of the 500 already.

Given that they're selling direct is going to be a large part of that as well. Now they don't have to price it as such so they can make a profit and the resellers can turn one as well, otherwise I'd say these would be priced right where the Lakland Skyline series is sitting (around the $1,000 mark and up).

There are a number of threads about the Sire bass on Talkbass, and for those folk over there to get legitimately excited about an import is saying a lot.

 

[Diminished Triad]

Re: Fender Marcus Miller Jazz Bass V Black

Lots of good info here at some at the Sire site too. 499 if alder and 599 if ash (for the 5 string version). Very interesting, thanks again!