Sire Z3 Review - Is This Bass the Stingray Savior We've Been Waiting For? - LowEndLobster Review 

I never clicked faster on a RU-vid video! Please remember to make a Z3-Z7 comparison in your upcoming Z7 video! Lobster, you're the best

For what you get for the price, I couldn't justify getting a Ray24 or 34 over this. The only thing missing from their Z lineup now is a double humbucker model. Another stellar review!

Aw, sweet doggy! You make every bass sound so good. Sire continues to impress.

I’ve been waiting for your review of the z3! Looks incredible! Excellent review as always!

Amazing video as always Lobster, thanks!! I was so looking forward to this review in particular. It’s crazy how close the z3 sounds to a USA ray.

Excellent review as always, glad to see you back and happier than ever.

Undoubtedly the best review of this bass. I think I’ll have to get one of those… thanks, Lobster!

The dog was also impressed by the neat bird-eye fingerboard on the Z3! Btw, glad to see your dog on camera!😂 28:47 So sweet!!

I want the Rose Gold finish, it’s gorgeous.

Great review, as usual. It's weird that Sire's m.o. seems to be "We're going to do everything Ibanez used to get sued for and cop everyone else's designs." At least they're, for the most part, making decent copies.

Best Z3 review on the webs! I had to go through it really quickly at first, because we were headed to see a movie. I scanned through and erroneously concluded there was no slap tone segment, about which I was utterly confused and annoyed! I found myself in the movie thinking, "it has to be there, I'm sure it is, I'll watch it in full later". And of course, it was. For the blind tone test, I guessed Pinky was bass number 1. Between those 2 samples, the Z3 honestly sounded significantly better to my ears. Pinky still sports possibly the most beautiful flamed maple I've ever seen, though. Bummer about the tuners, but easily replaced. And agreed, I really like Sire's bridge design for this bass. And it's just high time I got some sparkle in my life again. Last sparkly bass I had was a silver sparkle Modulus Flea bass with black pearl guard that I sold probably 15 years ago. Love this black sparkle finish, as well as the unique body shape. Very cool to see that the board has some birdseye figuring. If I get one (more like "when"), I hope mine does too!

The black one is way more sparkly, than I expected Love it ❤ Even some birds eye in the Fredboard @5:02 Wow, that's a really thorough and in depth review very helpful thankyou :)

Great playing and review! Glad I pulled the trigger on the rose gold 5-string and can’t wait for your future mods 😁

Great review! Looks like Sire is having QC issues, releasing several new models at the same time and probably expanding the production lines to meet the demand. There's probably a lot of pressure with end of the year sales too. We see it on reviews and I've seen it in boutiques as well. One of them had to send back the ( only ) two he received and he wouldn't get more before december, with backorders already. I'm interested but I'll be patient to let them sort that out.

I suspect that the delay for the Z3/Z7 bass are probably due to quality issues as many seems to have those. It's probably the first batches of bass and unusual for Sire. But man that bass sound great. Can't wait to get my Z7 even if it take few months to get it in canada.

Great, now I'm going to be singing The Letter all day... Love the video, love the puppy!

Fantastic review Lobster! My Z3 came in at 8lb, a big surprise and I can see I've been very lucky. I have the same impressions with the bass, very good base, hambucker and preamp but tuners can be improved. So I look forward to you showing us this upgrade you mentioned! 🙌 Greetings!

again a superb review! thank you! I'm already looking forward to the Z7 review 👏

I. I just can’t express how cool the new reviews are. Do you.

Hello again ! I must say I had no problems with the tuners on my SireZ7 . And one more thing dear Lobster when you test the Z7 : The humbucking pickups are upgrade compare to the Z3 Can’t wait till you test the SireZ7-5 str Swamp Ash !!!!!

Great review Lob! Been waiting to see how these would be! Question: will you be reviewing the fretless Jack Casady? I felt like it would make its way to your claws soon! :)

Hey Lobster! For a bass at this price this bass blows me away! And after all the Sterling basses you have modified, wow, you only want to change the tuners on this bass! I wish I still had a dog to save me from the Big Muff. Great video.

I have a number of affordable basses that had tuner bushings popping out (on arrival). I take them out and put them back in with a dab of wood glue. Works every time.

As you mentioned years ago, I think Sire M5 is still the best bang for buck and the most versatile. I would love to get one of these, but I wish they make a passive version for each model at 100$ less, like a z3, m7, z7, and so on. Sterling is doing it, I think other brands should do it too. Keep with the perfect reviews as always Lobster :)

Cant wait to watch this! Would love to see a comparison between the Z7 or Sub Ray 4 🙏 Thank you!

I hope the tuner issue is going to be addressed. Could just be a QC issue with your example. Sonojono didnt complain about the tuners in his review and other reviews I read of this bass stated that the tuners, while nothing great, served fine. Either way, we'll see when mine arrives probably later this month, haha. After 2 very faulty Ray34s (frozen truss rods on both, twisted neck on 1st, a janky tuner, and discovering they're wired in SERIES) I'm REALLY hoping it's a winner. Looks fantastic, appears comfortable and certainly sounds the part. Hard to argue with for $450.

This bass is a 🦞 🦞 🦞 🦞 🦞 for sure. I did I review too on my channel about a month ago! Sounds great for punk rock!

I’ve had my Z7 for a little over a month and love it. Seriously considering a 3 as well

Lovely playing just before you said that's enough of that, no please more of that! Thanks for the video

Hello dear lobster, France is listening! I dreamt about it and you did it, a big thank you for this moment in the company of the Sire Z3. I think the Z3 is more attractive than the Sterling, but that's just me. As far as the Music Man is concerned, it's a beautiful product that justifies its high price. I'm off to find myself a Z3, and thanks again!

Nice review, now let's get your customised Ray2 reviewed before I make my choice ❤

Great playing wow. That bass sounds fantastic. You made a believer out of me. I had a USA Stingray years ago and this gets into that sonic territory...perhaps even a bit brighter and livelier.

Excellent review yet again, Lobsterina!

That ending jam was otherworldly, like the finish on the bass! I wasn't sure if I liked it in the stills I've seen of it, but it looks so much better in the video. In the blind comparison, the MM sounded clanky and buzzy. The Z3 sounded much warmer. I like the tone of the Z3 better!

Great review, great style, great passion, thank you Lobster ❤.

Jam at the end is excellent. Not often I go back and listen to a gear demo twice.

Nice! That sounds good! I think I like it better than the the Z7. I will really want to see the 5 string review!

Absolutely everything you do is amazing! Best bass channel !!! Thank you for making work extra hours to buy another bass!!

I was gonna cop one of these as a 5 string before my local music shop got a 70s Fender Jazz 5 string clone by Vintage. Could never find a review tho, just demos from NAMM. Could never get an answer on how thick the neck was. Looks and sounds fantastic, might get Great vid as always Bass Aunt

And by the way I have no problems with the bass Z7 Everything was in perfect condition ! And thanks for good demos ! God Bless 🙏

The passive sound is so juicy! I'd be into it even without preamp.

I wish Sire would offer this model with roasted maple fingerboard, and maybe even fretless. Most people don't need the additional J pickup on Z7, but this roasted maple is a very nice thing to have (I own a P5, so I know :) ) This is a very versatile bass, I heard MM, P and J tones, and the smaller lower horn really looks good, IMO better than all kinds of "real" Rays.

"Who Let the Dog Out....?" 😂😂❤❤❤❤🎶🎶🎶

I am interested in this bass, my first step into a Stingray style bass. Thanks for the review. Are you by any chance going to review the Sterling Joe Dart? Mine just arrived today and was curious what your thoughts are. But really excited about the Sire Z series

Looove the look...sound and the price of the Z3 😂...Minus one Sire issues...The Headstock..🤷🏽‍♂️..Great Vid 🦞

Welp... finally have an excuse to sell my USA Stingray Special and reclaim somewhere between $1500-2000

I heard that Donny Benet bass line! Hell yeah

Been waiting for this one!

Nice review! Btw, I really eager to see a video of the BB on the wall haha

Great review! Was waiting for that one. I mentioned this on the Andertons video, but 3 weeks in I'm still massively digging my z3. Have to agree on the tuners thoygh - they are rough as hell. Mine stays in tune perfectly though, so i guess it's just a bit of a pain when changing strings. I actually swapped the pickup for a Nordstrand MM4.2 and... I wish i didn't spend the £100 😂. It does the vintage stingray thing better, to be fair - great burpy tones. But the stock pup is more than fine, and nicer to my ears than the one on the ray4. The problem is I got the z3 thinking it would just be a fun companion to my pbass, for specific stuff. Its so nice and versatile that I'm now playing it all the time, and i sort of wish I'd spent the little extra dosh on the z7 for even more versatility and the sweet natural finish... Oh well!

I want to put a P pickup in for that P/MM thing. These are gorgeous and really affordable

Yeeeeesssssssss!!! Finally the review that I’ve been waiting for!

It's a post-hurricane, pre-Sunday miracle! Like so many others, I was waiting and hoping for the LEL take on this one. Can't wait to watch!

Your description at the end makes me think this could be the bass for me. My only issue with it, really, is how harsh that top end is when you turn the treble past mid. I feel like it'd benefit from a passive tone control. I'm not sure I'd want to replace it with an MM or Sterling preamp though that said. I feel like they're definitely giving you a "Marcus Miller" sounding preamp with a lot of range.

I love your commentary but is there any way to release a shorter 10 minutes version of your reviews?

In Europe, this Bass is even cheaper than a Ray 4. Unfortunately the two Z3s I had were boat anchors and on the slightly lighter one the pole pieces on the pickups didn’t align properly with the strings so that the G String was lacking a bit of volume…

I knew these were on their way, but I saw an 8 lb Ray34 demo at Sweetwater and jumped on it. Did I make the right choice? The price tag says no, but the listed weights for Z3s on Sweetwater say yes.

4:00 Tail bombing floofer has entered the discussion.

This is a killer bass! It's cheper than Ray4 in my country, it's a better mod platform and sounds better out of the box. Probably it's also better than Ray24, which shares some of the same components as Ray4... However, to my ears Stingray (and probably Ray34) sound better. But Lobster's mods videos are really helpful here! I think Nordstrand Big Man has a lot of that Stingray bite in mid-range and that's what I'd put into Z3. Z3's pickup sound a little bit too clear and gentle to my ears...and kinda scooped, so it might get lost in the mix easily I think. But that's up to preference

Great review, bass sounds good. Cheers.

Great review as almost always. Hey nobody's perfect;-) I'm really look forward to your take on the Z7. A few years ago I got one of the Harley Benton M-84's Which is overall an ok bass. Very playable and decent sounding with the 5-way switch and 3 band pre. For me though it's too heavy and the neck profile is too thick for me. As Sire goes I currently have a M7 and, in a case, because I don't have any more wall space, a V5. The M7 gets a fair amount of play but I favor my Fender J's (both MIM & USA) over the heavier Sire. At any rate. I really am interested in the Z7. I look forward to your next video. PEACE

thank you so much for the review! I've been wondering if the rose gold color would look good without the pickguard but so far no one online has shown what it looks like under there, no clue if thats a good idea until we get to the all the modding vids ;)

Hello Lobster 😃So finally Sire did what you said long time ago ; A humbucking in the bridge position ! Well The Sire Z3 is great for the money but I tell you the Z7 is in another division . When you shall test the SireZ7 make sure you got the Z7-5str. Swamp Ash ! That’s the best bass I ever had ( and I have had them all except Fodera and some expensive high end basses) The neck ! The different sound you can get and much much more ! I’m in love❤ best Bertil from Sweden

Love the sparkle...

I think Your stingray special had some older strings so it had less treble. With the same strings no one would hear the difference. Good job Sire.

"Give me a ticket for an aeroplane, ain't got time to take a fast train, lonely days are gone, I'm comin' home, my baby she bought me a... SIRE Z-3!!!"

Sire costs what Sterling SHOULD cost. I'm not saying its a better instrument, but I have no reason to pay over double the price for the same level of build quality. Sterling needs to sort their stuff out

Nice ! Love this z3

Thanks for the review. I have a question. I know it Is not a proper question sincevwe're talking about a music man style bass, but: Is the re or are they thinking about a passive version? Thanks

Oh no, I told myself no more basses! So tempting:) LOL, love the revolving stand:)

While I'd rather have 38mm nut, this looks like a great MM alternative with some better bells and whistles. I do wish Sire would use this smaller headstock on all their Fender inspired bases. Any chance of a review of that F10?

At the beginning when I thought hmm this headstock doesn’t look as good as the stingrays / sterling But you know what? That’s ok to have a little personality and I think is just lovely ❤ just like you new lobster 🦞

I love the new spin set up. (I have two basses. I don’t need more. I have two basses. I don’t need more. I have two basses. I don’t need more.)

Is that Donny's tune you are playing? :) Thanks for the review...great as always. I also do agree that this colour looks amazing!

Nice bass, but that's a classy vintage-looking dress!

I’m not the person listed for this phone it’s my wife, and I’m Mike. I started following a couple years ago, and I knew you as The Lobster, and now I know you as the Lobster. You are a nice looking lady bass player. Oh the bass is sexy as hell! I love the one you have, and the Rosegold. Sweet basses! I like your reviews better than everyone else’s. I do like Johnny D., and Nate Navarro. Nice sounding bass.

Im thinking of the Z7 Fretless might have to try this too😅

Sparkle❤❤❤ I’m a sucker for that shimmer

Next time you talk to a Sire PLEASE tell them to make a copy of Rickenbacker. In this case I still prefer ray35.

Thanks great review. Serious contender for the collection. Ok so…. now the Markbass entry level Jazz Bass????

This absolutely annihilates the Ray4 and Ray34, especially for europeans where sterling prices are higher.

hi lobster! another great Review! is it possible to install full passive pickup and electronics? i personally dont like active basses....thx👍

The Musicman string buzz made it easier to differentiate.

Before discovering the Z3 5 string I was actually contemplating purchasing a $2,300.00 Fender rig. Sire makes Fender look ridiculous.

Looking forward to this review for quite a lot of time. Since I am not satisfied with my Ray 34, I am really looking for an alternative. The Ray 34 neck profile and radius makes it not comfortable to me (the back of the neck is too beefy for me), compared to other basses I own but at the same time I want the Musicman look and feel. Hope that the neck will feel less chunky than the Ray 34. The lacquered fretboard also reminds me of my goold old Geddy Lee Jazz that I sold a couple of years ago.

Bright clean sound especially in slap mode this was just amazing like you and the big muffler invite the big woof 2😊 that's what I call playing in 2 maybe next chapter he will sing something good ! Job ! Please continue and Shana tova 2 you

Question for Lobster (and anyone else) - you (like me) are someone who really connects with Stingray basses, but other people absolutely hate them. I have my thoughts about why they are so divisive, but what do you think?

Oh, does it come with one of those very nice Sire gigbags?

I would say this. I love my USA & SBMM basses. But they’re not offering more options; even their “custom shop” page doesn’t offer any, which is a bummer! Sire is offering more options like fretless and active/passive control. I always wanted a stingray fretless with a/p switch but can’t get one. I’m leaning toward Sire. They DO sound great and have that ‘stingray’ zing!😕🎶🎸👍🏾

I wish the Z7 came in the Black Sparkle.

They really do people a disservice with the cheap and heavy tuners. Have to budget in a set of Gotoh or import-Hipshot lightweight tuners to replace those awful stock tuners.

I have been waiting for your review for ages!

Uyghur I was waiting for this, now I’ll watch it

I do like an unroasted maple fretboard.

Oooooh shiny! I’m not the biggest fan of sires tbh. I tried a jazz style and it wasn’t my cup of tea, the electronics felt off and the finish was quite sticky. Marcus likes bright trebly stuff I like low mids. Lots of low mids and a smidge of highs.

I was very excited when i saw the first Z series announcement and watch like at least 80% the videos out there. They were inbetween meh and horrible so I gave up. After this, I'm ready give them another chance. Waiting for Z7 video 🖖

It's the headstock that puts me off. Should be 3+1. Plus the lower horn looks amputated

It definitely sounds Good. 👍🎸♥️🎶

Mmmm. Not entirely convinced about the preamp here. Not much growl. I predict upgrades. 😊

Personally, I love boring colors like matte black, black, or natural wood-colors and they don’t offer that. This alone would influence me to get a Ray 4. Sparkles, pink and similar are not for everyone