Sire V7 Alder-4 New Gen FL Antique White Fretless Bassguitar

Fretless J-Style Bass with Marcus Miller DNA

The Sire V7 Alder-4 New Gen FL Antique White is a fretless 4-string bass built for players who want the singing, vocal quality of a fretless fingerboard without giving up the punch of a modern J-style design. Co-developed with jazz-funk icon Marcus Miller, this New Gen model refines the V7 platform with a revised neck profile, Edgeless™ rolled fingerboard edges, and lightweight Aluminum open-gear tuners that reduce neck dive. Designed for jazz, jazz-funk, R&B, and soul players, this fretless bass delivers smooth, glissando-friendly tone in a gig-ready package.

What Sets the New Gen Apart

Two upgrades give this model a clear edge over earlier V7 generations. The Edgeless™ rolled fingerboard edges — a "true custom shop feature" — round off the fretboard sides for a more natural grip during long sessions. Marcus Super-J Revolution pickups use a re-magnetized Alnico magnet and Plain Enamel coil winding that mimics the aged character of a 20-year-old Heavy Formvar pickup, delivering higher resolution and clearer note separation than typical stock J pickups.

Neck and Fingerboard — Built for Smooth, Confident Play

The neck and fingerboard geometry determine how a fretless bass feels under the fingers, and this model is engineered for a fast, custom-shop-style response.

• Neck Material: Roasted Hard Maple (C-Shape, New Gen) — thermally treated for stability
• Fingerboard: Ebony with Edgeless™ rolled edges — dense and smooth against the Antique White finish
• Scale Length: 864 mm (34") — classic long-scale J-bass length
• Fingerboard Radius: 241 mm (9.5") — modern curve for thumb and fingerstyle

Electronics — Heritage-3 Preamp and Super-J Pickups

The active/passive electronics package is the heart of this bass's tonal range, with a sweepable Middle Frequency control and a push/pull Bass knob for instant mode switching.

• Pickups: Marcus Super-J Revolution set — Alnico-magnet single-coils voiced for clarity and vintage-style warmth
• Preamp: Marcus Heritage-3 with Middle Frequency Control — 3-band EQ with sweepable midrange and active/passive push-pull
• Controls: Volume, Tone, Pickup Blender, Treble, Middle/Middle Frequency, Bass (P/P) — full tonal command in any mode

Hardware and Construction — Stable, Balanced, Stage-Ready

Hardware choices matter more on a fretless bass because every note must speak cleanly without fret support.

• Bridge: Marcus Miller Modern-S Bass Bridge, 20 mm string spacing — solid anchor for fretless intonation
• Tuning Gear: Premium Light Weight Open Gear (Aluminum) — reduces neck dive
• String Nut: Bone, 38 mm width — transmits vibration more efficiently than plastic
• Hardware Finish: Chrome with Tortoise pickguard — classic J-style pairing

Who the V7 Alder-4 New Gen FL Is For

The V7 Alder-4 New Gen FL Antique White is the right choice for bassists who want the smooth, vocal quality of a fretless fingerboard in a reliable, gig-ready instrument. It suits jazz, jazz-funk, R&B, gospel, and soul players who lean on glissandos, vibrato, and expressive slides, and it has enough tonal range to handle modern pop, fusion, and slap work. Intermediate and advanced players will appreciate the rolled fingerboard edges and the Heritage-3 preamp's tonal flexibility, while experienced fretless players will value the Ebony board's density and the bone nut's note definition. This fretless J-style is a natural fit for any bassist who wants Marcus Miller's signature voice at this tier.

Born from the Sire and Marcus Miller Collaboration

Born from a long-running collaboration between Sire and Marcus Miller, the V7 series reflects a Grammy-winning bassist's vision for an accessible, well-crafted J-style instrument. Marcus Miller is known for his work with Miles Davis, Luther Vandross, and Herbie Hancock, and according to Sire, the partnership's mission has been to build a bass at a price that makes it available to as many players as possible. The New Gen refinements — Edgeless™ fingerboard edges, revised neck profile, lightweight Aluminum tuners, and the updated Heritage-3 preamp — reflect years of player feedback aimed at making the V7 a more consistent instrument for working musicians.