Marcus Miller V5R Alder-4 TS

Personally, this bass sounds, looks and feels better than a Fender jazz. Very comfortable to hold with no neck dive, it has a silky smooth roasted maple neck (although my right hand can stick a bit on the gloss finish body). Pick-ups are loud and clear, with a thick and solid sound from the neck pick-up, and a raspy punch from the bridge pick-up (due to it having 70's positioning closer to the bridge). Although I don't mind the hum from single coil pick-ups, it is barely audible.
Musically, there are no special features as it's simply a jazz bass with two volumes and a tone control, but it does have a string through body for that extra depth of tone. Visually, the bass has cream binding to the neck, and pearl block inlays (something usually only found on more expensive basses) to give it a stunning 70's aesthetic - the only thing missing to complete the look is a red tortoiseshell pick guard (but it's easy enough to swap the black one out).
With so much bang for your buck, I doubt there's a better value bass guitar on the market right now.

As time passes, I like this bass more and more. For starters, it is a striking instrument, with flawless finish and a smooth neck. It has that classic timeless look, which evokes both low-lit Jazz bars and hard-working musicians jamming in somebody's basement.

Out of the box, this was perfectly playable. It is also remarkably easy to tweak. It sounds like you expect a J-bass. However, having played many similar basses, including a friend's Fender American Professional, I honestly think the Sire is a better-made instrument, at a fifth of the price.

Admittedly the electronics aren't the best in the world, and the bridge pickup on my Sire will sometimes hiss a little at full volume, but I don't think it's a deal-breaker.

Perfect for amateur practice, great sound range (from fat to singing), I use it with a Markbass CMB 121 Blackline Combo (150 W) and it just sounds perfect. The bass is not heavy to hold and quite well balanced (it does not drop on the side of the head) and the body shape is pleasantly ergonomic. About manufacturing quality, it is quite correct, the control knobs feel a bit cheap (but I guess they can be replaced) and the fret ends are not perfectly cut and polished, without being an actual problem in term of playability so far. In short: For that price, I am just very happy with that Marcus Miller bass!