I can compare with Vintage VSA500. Sire has less bass, the sound is not so velvety, jazzy. But it's more ringing in the treble, punchy. It's easier to "crank". The neck from the back is more arched into a C. More comfortable for me. The guitar arrived basically tuned, fret edges ground down, fretboard without blemish, octaves sitting with flugelhorns. The decorative double line around the body is smudged in one place. Pickup switch unusually angled towards the player. Cannot straighten after loosening nut, apparently jammed into wood from below. But in the videos it's done the same way, probably by design. Ernie Ball strings play nicely, no need to change. The mechanics hold the tuning. Pickguard doesn't squeak or pickups. Nice draw on the maple top. Some have complained about pearl inlays at Thomann, all fine with me, cleaned up.