An appointment-rich take on the P formula—with design input from a top-tier player—that still keeps it real on your pocketbook.
Recorded direct into Focusrite Saffire 6 interface into MacBook Pro using GarageBand.
Clip 1 - Neck pickup only. First riff in passive mode with tone at 100 percent. Second riff in active mode with mid and treble boost.
Clip 2 - Both pickups blended equally. First riff in passive mode with tone at 100 percent. Second riff in active mode with bass boosted.
Clip 3 - Bridge pickup only. First riff in passive mode with tone at 100 percent. Second riff in active mode with bass and treble boosted.
Relative newcomer Sire’s collaboration with Marcus Miller has already been a prosperous one. Since the bass manufacturer’s launch in 2015, they have garnered attention and praise by producing quality instruments at eye-popping values. Diversifying from their successful Jazz-style instruments, as well as a take on modern bass design with their M Series, Sire has unveiled another classic-form bass with the introduction of the P7. It has P-style aesthetics with versatile inclusions like a P/J pickup configuration, active electronics, and, for the P7 model we checked out, a 5th string for sonic spelunking.
Sirepedia
The P7 features design elements of the past and present. Sire kept it classic for our test bass: a black-finished alder body bolted to a hard-maple neck that’s capped with a rosewood fretboard. Players who prefer a swamp-ash body and maple fretboard combo will be pleased to know they're also available (for an extra $100), and the P7 is offered in different finishes.
Sire’s proprietary components make up the P7’s electronics outfit. The Marcus Super Precision pickup set consists of a P-style pickup in the neck and a J-style single-coil residing in the bridge position. A Marcus Heritage-3 preamp handles the tone-shaping duties. Fronting the 18V preamp are dials for volume and tone, which are in a stacked configuration. Neighboring the stacked duo is the blend control, which is followed by the 3-band EQ. The treble and bass dials provide cut and boost of fixed frequencies, while the midrange is manipulated by a stacked combination of boost/cut and frequency controls. A passive/active switch is tucked in neatly among the knobs.
Other features include a heavy mass bridge that was developed with Marcus Miller’s input, Sire open-gear clover tuners, and a bone nut.
Miller Time
Like Sire’s other basses, the P7 is attractive. The black finish and tortoiseshell pickguard on our tester were a classy combo, and the pearloid blocks and white binding pop nicely against the fretboard’s dark rosewood. Our bass weighed in at 9.2 pounds, but it felt lighter than its scale reading when in hand.
The balance was a touch disappointing, as the P7 was unable to maintain a satisfactory balance on my thigh in a sitting position. Fortunately, the bass held its position in a classical-guitar posture. There was zero neck dive when the P7 was strapped on and it held a playing angle slightly above horizontal. Though my personal playing style has a more pronounced angle than the P7 naturally maintains, I think most players should find Sire’s latest to be a pretty comfortable instrument.
The P7’s neck design was impressive with its C shape, 7.25" fretboard radius, and 1 13/16" spacing at the nut. This combination felt substantial, but not chunky. The glossy neck did not hinder shifting whatsoever, which allowed for effortless acclimation of the fretboard.
I plugged the P7 into a Bergantino B|Amp and HD112 cabinet. Keeping everything flat, I set the bass’ preamp to passive mode and attempted to adjust the tone knob for pickup experimentation. I found, however, that the stacked volume and tone knobs were installed too close to each other, which wouldn’t allow me to move them independently. As a result, I had to use one hand to hold the volume knob and the other hand to adjust the tone. While this might not be the case on other P7s, it was a frustrating characteristic of the test instrument.
Ratings
Pros:An affordable, versatile instrument with great looks and a stout 5th string.
Cons:
Somewhat bland P-style pickup in passive mode. Cheap-feeling knobs. Minor balance issues.
Tones:
Playability:
Build/Design:
Value:
Street:
$599
Sire Marcus Miller P7
sire-usa.com
Once I got the volume and tone where I wanted them, I set my sights on the P7’s sounds. Balancing both pickups yielded a tone with tight lows, shy low-mids, pronounced high-mids, and a sparkling top. Soloing the bridge pickup projected the pointed, mid-heavy tone bassists have enjoyed since the Jaco days. In fact, my only criticism of the Super Precision set came when rolling the balance towards the neck pickup. I found that the P-style split-coil didn’t offer the vintage tone commonly associated with this type of pickup, as it lacked in midrange complexity and aggressive high-mids. With that said, those who prefer a more modern-sounding split-coil with bigger lows and highs will likely appreciate what this pickup has to offer.
Any sonic concerns were mostly mitigated with the help of the Heritage-3 preamp while in active mode—particularly with the flexibility of the mid controls. Extensive experimentation took place at a jam session where I plugged the P7 into the same Bergantino rig. The frequency control was handy in finding the ideal mids to enhance the P-style pickup, as it was able to inject a little vintage vibe for copping Motown-style bass lines and classic Stax-sounding low end.
The preamp also aided in bringing some low-mid punch to the bridge pickup, which gave my timbre aggression and bark. This tone was ideal when Stevie Wonder’s “I Wish” was called, as I got close to replicating Nate Watts’ slippery fills and pulsing eighth notes. The bass and treble controls provided ample amounts of boost, which gave my slaps and pops punch and presence. And Sire’s 5th string was, well, awesome. It delivered sub-sonic notes with clarity and huge definition. In fact, a bandmate remarked that it may have produced a few—ahem—“brown notes.” All said, the P7 performed quite well over the course of the three-hour gig.
The Verdict
Sire and Marcus Miller have come together to create a bass that’s packed with features and a price point that will please the wallet. For a hair under $600, you get practical tones, great playability, and a big 5th string. It might not be a match for the vintage-bass lover, but the P7 would be a great option for an amateur, budget-conscious, or pro player seeking a workhorse. Despite the minor issues regarding the balance while sitting and the sticking volume/tone stack on our test bass, the P7 proved to be a versatile 5-string that offers freedom from buyer’s remorse, and another impressive addition to Sire’s low-end family.
Watch the Review Demo:
MayFly Le Habanero Review
Great versatility in combined EQ controls. Tasty low-gain boost voice. Muscular Fuzz Face-like fuzz voice.
Can be noisy without a lot of treble attenuation. Boost and fuzz order can only be reversed with the internal DIP switch.
$171
May Fly Le Habanero
A fuzz/boost combo that’s as hot as the name suggests, but which offers plenty of smoky, subdued gain shades, too.
Generally speaking, I avoid combo effects. If I fall out of love with one thing, I don’t want to have to ditch another that’s working fine. But recent fixations with spatial economy find me rethinking that relationship. MayFly’s Le Habanero (yes, the Franco/Spanish article/noun mash-up is deliberate) consolidates boost and fuzz in a single pedal. That’s far from an original concept. But the characteristics of both effects make it a particularly effective one here, and the relative flexibility and utility of each gives this combination a lot more potential staying power for the fickle.
“Le Habanero’s fuzz circuit has a deep switch that adds a little extra desert-rock woof.”
The fuzz section has a familiar Fuzz Face-like tone profile—a little bit boomy and very present in that buzzy mid-’60s, midrangey kind of way. But Le Habanero’s fuzz circuit has a deep switch that adds a little extra desert-rock woof (especially with humbuckers) and an effective filter switch that enhances the fuzz’s flexibility—especially when used with the boost. The boost is a fairly low-gain affair. Even at maximum settings, it really seems to excite desirable high-mid harmonics more than it churns out dirt. That’s a good thing, particularly when you introduce hotter settings from the boost’s treble and bass controls, which extend the boost’s voice from thick and smoky to lacerating. Together, the boost and fuzz can be pushed to screaming extremes. But the interactivity between the tone and filter controls means you can cook up many nuanced fuzz shades spanning Jimi scorch and Sabbath chug with tons of cool overtone and feedback colors.
IK Multimedia is pleased to announce the release of new premium content for all TONEX users, available today through the IK Product Manager.
The latest TONEX Factory Content v2 expands the creative arsenal with a brand-new collection of Tone Models captured at the highest quality and presets optimized for live performance. TONEX Tone Models are unique captures of rigs dialed into a specific sweet spot. TONEX presets are used for performance and recording, combining Tone Models with added TONEX FX, EQ, and compression.
Who Gets What:
TONEX Pedal
- 150 crafted presets matched to 150 Premium Tone Models
- A/B/C layout for instant access to clean, drive, and lead tones
- 30 Banks: Amp & cab presets from classic cleans to crushing high-gain
- 5 Banks: FX-driven presets featuring the 8 new TONEX FX
- 5 Banks: Amp-only presets for integrating external IRs, VIR™, or amps
- 5 Banks: Stompbox presets of new overdrive/distortion pedals
- 5 Banks: Bass amp & pedal presets to cover and bass style
TONEX Mac/PC
- 106 new Premium Tone Models + 9 refined classics for TONEX MAX
- 20 new Premium Tone Models for TONEX and TONEX SE
TONEX ONE
- A selection of 20 expertly crafted presets from the list above
- Easy to explore and customize with the new TONEX Editor
Gig-ready Tones
For the TONEX Pedal, the first 30 banks deliver an expansive range of amp & cab tones, covering everything from dynamic cleans to brutal high-gain distortion. Each bank features legendary amplifiers paired with cabs such as a Marshall 1960, ENGL E412V, EVH 412ST and MESA Boogie 4x12 4FB, ensuring a diverse tonal palette. For some extremely high-gain tones, these amps have been boosted with classic pedals like the Ibanez TS9, MXR Timmy, ProCo RAT, and more, pushing them into new sonic territories.
Combined with New FX
The following 5 banks of 15 presets explore the depth of TONEX's latest effects. There's everything from the rich tremolo on a tweed amp to the surf tones of the new Spring 4 reverb. Users can also enjoy warm tape slapback with dotted 8th delays or push boundaries with LCR delay configurations for immersive, stereo-spanning echoes. Further, presets include iconic flanger sweeps, dynamic modulation, expansive chorus, stereo panning, and ambient reverbs to create cinematic soundscapes.
Versatile Control
The TONEX Pedal's A, B, and C footswitches make navigating these presets easy. Slot A delivers clean, smooth tones, Slot B adds crunch and drive, and Slot C pushes into high-gain or lead territory. Five dedicated amp-only banks provide a rich foundation of tones for players looking to integrate external IRs or run directly into a power amp. These amp-only captures span clean, drive, and high-gain categories, offering flexibility to sculpt the sound further with IRs or a real cab.
Must-have Stompboxes
TONEX Pedals are ideal for adding classic effects to any pedalboard. The next 5 banks focus on stompbox captures, showcasing 15 legendary overdrive, distortion, and fuzz pedals. This collection includes iconic models based on the Fulltone Full-Drive 2, Marshall DriveMaster, Maxon OD808, Klon Centaur, ProCo RAT, and more.
For Bass Players, Too
The last 5 banks are reserved for bass players, including a selection of amp & cab Tone Models alongside a few iconic pedals. Specifically, there are Tone Models based on the Ampeg SVT-2 PRO, Gallien-Krueger 800RB, and Aguilar DB750, alongside essential bass pedals based on the Tech21 SansAmp, Darkglass B7K and EHX Big Muff. Whether it's warm vintage thump, modern punch, or extreme grit, these presets ensure that bassists have the depth, clarity and power they need for any playing style.For more information and instructions on how to get the new Factory
Content v2 for TONEX, please visit:
www.ikmultimedia.com/products/tonex
Darkglass Electronics unveils ANAGRAM, a flagship bass platform designed to redefine tone, flexibility, and performance. The pedal’s extraordinarily deep feature set includes multiple effects and modeling, an on-board looper and tuner.
Best of all, ANAGRAM brings together these creative tools in a streamlined, rugged format that’s designed for ease of use. Onstage and in the studio, bassists can quickly access and fine-tune their sound via the ANAGRAM interface:
- 7-inch high-brightness touchscreen for clear and intuitive control.
- Three footswitches for live performance control.
- Six high-resolution endless rotary knobs for precise parameter adjustments.
- Flexible input and output configuration.
With ultra-low latency, extensive customization, and seamless integration into the Darkglass ecosystem, it supports both studio precision and stage performance. Combining 15 years of innovation with cutting-edge processing power, ANAGRAM offers a purpose-built solution for bassists seeking unparalleled sound-shaping capabilities.
Anagram
Powered by a state-of-the-art hexacore processor and 32-bit/48kHz audio processing,ANAGRAM delivers ultra-low latency, pristine clarity, and studio-grade sound. Its intuitive blocks-based architecture lets players create signal chains in series (12 blocks) or parallel (24blocks) using a high-resolution touch display. ANAGRAM features three control modes—Preset,Scene, and Stomp—for instant switching, parameter adjustments, and traditional pedalboard-style operation. With a curated collection of distinct preamps, 50+ customizable effects, a looper, tuner, and user-generated IR support, ANAGRAM delivers unmatched creative flexibility.Seamless integration with the Darkglass Suite allows for expanded control and functionality. Additionally, Neural Amp Modeler (NAM) integration provides access to thousands
of high-quality amp and effect models, expanding tonal possibilities from analog warmth to futuristic textures.
"Anagram represents the culmination of years of research and development," says Marcos Barilatti, Managing Director of Darkglass Electronics. "We set out to create a product that not only pushes the boundaries of bass tone but also inspires musicians to explore new sonic territories."
Housed in a rugged anodized aluminum chassis, ANAGRAM is road-ready, compact, and powered via 9V or USB-C (PD). With flagship features at a compelling price, ANAGRAM represents the new standard for bassists seeking a modern platform for their performance.
Street $1199.99 USD
Alongside Nicolas Jaar’s electronics, Harrington creates epic sagas of sound with a team of fine-tuned pedalboards.
Guitarist Dave Harrington concedes that while there are a few mile markers in the music that he and musician Nicolas Jaar create as Darkside, improvisation has been the rule from day one. The experimental electronic trio’s latest record, Nothing, which released in February on Matador, was the first to feature new percussionist Tlacael Esparza.
Taking the record on tour this year, Darkside stopped in at Nashville’s Brooklyn Bowl, where Harrington broke down his complex signal chains for PG’s Chris Kies.
Brought to you by D’Addario.
Express Yourself
Harrington bought this mid-2000s Gibson SG at 30th Street Guitars in New York, a shop he used to visit as a kid. The headstock had already been broken and repaired, and Harrington switched the neck pickup to a Seymour Duncan model used by Derek Trucks. Harrington runs it with D’Addario NYXL .010s, which he prefers for their stretch and stability.
The standout feature is a round knob installed by his tech behind the bridge, which operates like an expression pedal for the Line 6 DL4. Harrington has extras on hand in case one breaks.
Triple Threat
Harrington’s backline setup in Nashville included two Fender Twin Reverbs and one Fender Hot Rod DeVille. He likes the reissue Fender amps for their reliability and clean headroom. Each amp handles an individual signal, including loops that Harrington creates and plays over; with each amp handling just one signal rather than one handling all loops and live playing, there’s less loss of definition and competition for frequency space.
Dave Harrington’s Pedalboards
Harrington says he never gives up on a pedal, which could explain why he’s got so many. You’re going to have to tune in to the full Rundown to get the proper scoop on how Harrington conducts his three-section orchestra of stomps, but at his feet, he runs a board with a Chase Bliss Habit, Mu-Tron Micro-Tron IV, Eventide PitchFactor, Eventide H90, Hologram Microcosm, Hologram Chroma Console, Walrus Monument, Chase Bliss Thermae, Chase Bliss Brothers AM, JHS NOTAKLÖN, two HexeFX reVOLVERs, and an Amped Innovations JJJ Special Harmonics Extender. A Strymon Ojai provides power.
At hip-level sits a board with a ZVEX Mastotron, Electro-Harmonix Cathedral, EHX Pitch Fork, Xotic EP Booster, two EHX 45000 multi-track looping recorders, Walrus Slöer, Expedition Electronics 60 Second Deluxe, and another Hologram Microcosm. A Live Wire Solutions ABY Box and MXR DC Brick are among the utility tools on deck.
Under that board rest Harrington’s beloved Line 6 DL4—his desert-island, must-have pedal—along with a controller for the EHX 45000, Boss FV-50H volume pedal, Dunlop expression pedal, Boss RT-20, a Radial ProD2, and another MXR DC Brick.