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The Modern Precision with Vintage Soul Disclaimer: This bass was kindly provided by Sire for the purpose of this review. However, this does not influence our opinions or the content of our reviews. We strive to provide honest, unbiased, and accurate assessments to ensure that our readers receive truthful and helpful information. Introduction Sire has become one of the most trusted names among working bass players by offering professional instruments at accessible prices. The Marcus Miller P6 is their active Precision-style model, designed to deliver the familiar growl and thump of a traditional P-Bass, but with the added flexibility of a modern preamp and an extra Jazz pickup at the bridge. Sire was kind enough to send us one, and we put it through its paces to see if it really captures both worlds. TL;DR: The P6 is the epitome of a versatile Precision-style bass. Specifications The P6 we tested was the 4-string version, with a hard maple neck and rolled fingerboard edges. It comes with a 34″ scale length, 38 mm nut width, medium frets, and a satin neck finish that feels smooth and broken-in out of the box. The pickup configuration is PJ-style: Marcus Super-PJ Revolution Set Pickup set. Electronics include Sire’s Heritage-3 preamp, with a full 3-band EQ, active/passive switching, and a passive tone control.  Hardware consists of the Marcus Miller Modern-S Bass Bridge and Premium Light Weight Open Gear tuners. From the factory, the P6 comes strung with DR roundwound strings and is shipped with the Sire Official Gig Bag — a durable padded case that uses 1680D Oxford polyester fabric, Nylex tricot lining, and 18mm PE foam padding for serious protection during transport and storage. And like the rest of this new generation of Sire basses, the P6 is built with weight in mind, coming in at just around 3.6 kg. First Impressions Lightweight is the first word that comes to mind when picking up the P6. The body feels almost featherlight compared to many other P-style basses, yet it balances surprisingly well even without a strap. The neck, while slightly heavier, does not compromise overall comfort. Out of the box, the fretwork is clean, the edges are rounded, and the satin back of the neck has that fast, “broken-in” feel that players normally spend years achieving. Overall, it feels premium and gig-ready right away. Build Philosophy & Controls The P6 reflects Sire’s mission to blend traditional tone with modern flexibility. The body is mahogany with a sandblasted ash top, giving it a boutique “wooden relief” aesthetic. The C-shape maple neck is bolt-on, smooth, and ergonomic. The finish and rolled fretboard edges make it one of the most comfortable necks you’ll find in this price range. Controls are comprehensive: Master Volume/Tone Control, Pickup Blend, Bass, Mid, Treble, and an active/passive push-pull switch. Hardware design leans vintage-inspired, but sustain and stability remain excellent. Tone & Performance In passive mode, the P6 absolutely nails the traditional Precision vibe. Solo the Precision pickup, and you get that classic midrange growl. Roll off the tone and play closer to the neck, and the warm, muted thump comes alive. Switch things up with the bridge Jazz pickup, and you can blend in extra articulation and frequency content that expands the tonal range far beyond a standard P-Bass. In active mode, the 3-band EQ opens up even more possibilities. Each band is highly responsive, with even the smallest adjustments clearly audible. From vintage Motown-inspired tones to a modern, hi-fi slap sound, the P6 covers an impressive amount of ground with confidence. Comparisons Against Fender’s Player Precision, the P6 offers more tonal variety thanks to the PJ setup and the active preamp. Compared to the V6, the P6 really shines in passive mode, where it captures the essence of a traditional Precision bass more convincingly. Against Yamaha’s BB series, the P6 feels lighter and more modern, while still staying true to the P-Bass soul. Pros & Cons Pros: authentic Precision voice in passive mode; extra tonal versatility with bridge J pickup; highly responsive active EQ; featherlight body (around 3.6 kg) with solid balance; rolled edges and satin neck = immediate comfort; great value for money.Cons: neck is slightly heavier than the body; single-coil hum possible when soloing the J pickup; some players may prefer a heavier, more “traditional-feeling” P-Bass body. Q&A Q: Does the P6 sound like a true Precision bass in passive mode? A: Yes. With the P pickup soloed, it nails the classic growl and muted thump that define a Precision. It can easily hold its own against traditional P-style instruments. Q: How versatile is the PJ pickup configuration? A: Very versatile. The J pickup adds articulation and tonal complexity, allowing you to blend Precision thump with Jazz clarity. It makes the P6 a much more flexible tool than a standard P-Bass. Q: Is the P6 comfortable for long gigs? A: Absolutely. At just around 3.6 kg, it’s lightweight and balances well. The rolled neck edges and satin finish make it one of the most comfortable instruments to play, especially for extended sets. Conclusion The Sire Marcus Miller P6 4-String is a Precision-style bass that does more than just emulate the classics. It captures the unmistakable growl and thump of a traditional P-Bass in passive mode while offering modern versatility through its bridge pickup and active preamp. Lightweight, comfortable, and sonically flexible, it’s a reliable all-rounder that can adapt to almost any gig or studio session. For players who want the best of both vintage character and modern control, the P6 delivers in style. You can find more information on the new Sire P6 on Sire official website! Other bass reviews you might like: – Sire V6 5 String – Modern Active Jazz with Vintage Character – Epiphone Grabber – A modern take on a vintage classic – Ibanez TMB420B and TMB425B – Classic Elegance for everyone

Modern Active Jazz with Vintage Character Disclaimer: This bass was kindly provided by Sire for the purpose of this review. However, this does not influence our opinions or the content of our reviews. We strive to provide honest, unbiased, and accurate assessments to ensure that our readers receive truthful and helpful information. Introduction Sire has built a reputation for delivering professional-level instruments at prices that appeal to working musicians. The Marcus Miller V6 is their new active Jazz Bass model, positioned just above the more traditional passive V5. Sire was cool enough to send us a unit so we could see whether the V6 could combine the vibe of a vintage Jazz with the flexibility of a modern preamp, and if the extended low B string would hold up in live and studio contexts. TL;DR: The V6 is, in every sense, a workhorse bass. Specifications The V6 we tested was the 5-string version, with a hard maple neck and rolled fingerboard edges. It comes with a 34″ scale length, 46 mm nut width, medium frets, and a satin neck finish that feels broken-in straight out of the case. The electronics are really where this model stands apart: the Marcus Super-J Revolution pickups are paired with Sire’s Heritage-3 active preamp. This offers a 3-band EQ, active/passive switching, master volume, pickup blend, and a passive tone control. Hardware includes the Marcus Miller Modern-S Bass Bridge, a classic J-Bass style bridge and the Premium Light Weight Open Gear tuners, both solid, stable and super light. From the factory, the V6 ships with DR roundwound strings, ensuring brightness, clarity, and long life. It also comes with the Sire Official Gig Bag, a padded and durable case designed to keep the instrument protected during transport and storage — far more protective than typical entry-level gig bags. And as part of Sire’s lightweight philosophy, the bass tips the scales at just around 3.7 kg, making it especially gig-friendly. First Impressions Out of the box, the bass feels premium. The fretwork is clean, the rolled edges make the neck extremely comfortable, and the satin finish on the back of the neck encourages fast movement. It feels like a broken-in instrument from day one. One of the first issues we noticed was the balance. This new Sire series is clearly focused on being lightweight, and while that’s great for comfort, the lighter body does create a touch of neck-dive on the 5-string. It’s not a dealbreaker — with a strap it almost disappears — but it is there. Once you get used to it, the V6 is a breeze to play, and I’d happily take it through a 3-hour gig without breaking a sweat. Build Philosophy & Controls The V6 reflects Sire’s design philosophy: lightweight comfort with professional-level flexibility. The body is mahogany with a sandblasted ash top, giving it a boutique wooden look and texture. The C-shape maple neck is bolt-on, smooth, and extremely comfortable. The finish makes it feel like a broken-in neck from day one. Hardware leans vintage-inspired, but sustain and tuning stability are a given. And true to Sire’s style, you get a lot of control options: Master Volume/Tone Control, Pickup Blend, Mid and Treble, Bass control with active/passive push-pull. Tone & Performance In a 5-string, the first thing most players check is how well the low B balances with the other strings. On the V6, the low B is tight and articulate. It can sometimes feel a little hotter than the rest, but the difference is subtle and not disruptive. The active mode is where the V6 really shines. The bass feels super balanced, articulate, and robust. The 3-band EQ seems tailor-made for this bass, enhancing all the natural qualities of a Jazz-style instrument — punchy lows, articulate mids, and crystal-clear highs. In passive mode, the V6 is still very usable but feels more sterile compared to the P6’s passive voice or the V6’s own active character. It won’t disappoint, but it doesn’t reach the same level of personality. Comparisons Compared to the V5, the V6 is more versatile thanks to the preamp, and it’s better suited for players who need a wide tonal range. The V5 has the advantage in simplicity and pure vintage vibe. Against Fender’s Player Plus Jazz 5, the V6 holds its own — offering a sweepable mid EQ and a similarly tight B string, but lighter and at a more approachable price. It’s also a strong alternative to Yamaha’s BB735A, though the V6 captures a more authentic Jazz character. Pros & Cons Pros: super versatile and articulate in active mode; tight, usable low B string; wide tonal palette with Heritage-3 preamp; rolled fretboard edges and satin neck = immediate comfort; great value compared to competitors; ultra-lightweight at just around 3.7 kg. Cons: slight neck-dive due to lightweight body; passive mode feels less inspiring than active; single-coil hum possible in passive. Q&A Q: How does the low B string perform on the V6 compared to other 5-strings in this price range? A: The low B is impressively tight and articulate, with only a slight tendency to be hotter than the other strings. It holds up very well against competitors like the Fender Player Plus Jazz 5 and Yamaha BB735A. Q: Is the V6 too heavy for long gigs? A: Not at all. At just around 3.7 kg, the V6 is ultra-lightweight. There is a bit of neck-dive due to the lighter body, but with a strap it’s barely noticeable. Overall, it’s a very comfortable bass for long sets. Q: How versatile is the preamp and EQ section? A: Extremely versatile. The Heritage-3 preamp offers a 3-band EQ, giving you everything from classic Jazz growl to modern active clarity. Even small tweaks are very audible, making it a flexible tool for live and studio use. Conclusion The Sire Marcus Miller V6 5-String is a versatile and robust instrument that easily adapts to different genres. It truly shines in active mode, offering clarity, articulation, and power, while still maintaining a