Did Sire Guitars and Larry Carlton Make A Mistake? 

Thanks for the in-depth review

That's gorgeous! I love the blueburst.

Thanks for posting this. Helped a lot.

Thanks for the Review! You've got some Nice Equipment! Enjoy! Thumbs Up!

I have this exact model, great guitar, so well made and so playable

Very helpful; thanks

Thanks for your video. The HSS S7 is the model I'm looking at buying.

GREAT VIDEO SIR...

And that's a great music room setup :)

You did a great job with this video

Beautiful looking guitar indeed !

Hi Mark! Great review, thanks! Quick one. How would you compare this one, value for money, to the Fender Player Strat HSS? I'm torn between the two!

SIRE LARRY CARLTON S7 FM (HSS) Price = 659 $ Clean Channel Marshall DSL40 10:53 Bridge Pickup 11:15 Bridge and Middle Pickup 11:36 Middle Pickup 11:55 Middle and Neck Pickup 12:19 Neck Pickup Compressor (DynaComp MXR) + MicroAmp (MXR) 12:49 Bridge Pickup 13:07 Neck Pickup Compressor (DynaComp MXR) + MicroAmp (MXR) + Chorus (Analog Chorus MXR) 13:24 Bridge Pickup Compressor (DynaComp MXR) + MicroAmp (MXR) + Chorus (Analog Chorus MXR) + Phaser (MXR) 13:40 Bridge Pickup 13:48 Bridge and Middle Pickup Compressor (DynaComp MXR) + MicroAmp (MXR) + Chorus (Analog Chorus MXR) + Phaser (MXR) + Delay 13:58 Bridge and Middle Pickup Compressor (DynaComp MXR) + MicroAmp (MXR) + Chorus (Analog Chorus MXR) + Phaser (MXR) + Delay + SuperBadass Distortion (MXR) 14:28 Bridge Pickup Compressor (DynaComp MXR) + MicroAmp (MXR) + Chorus (Analog Chorus MXR) + Phaser (MXR) + Delay + SuperBadass Distortion (MXR) + Synth Boss Pedal 16:33 Bridge Pickup FENDER ULTRA (HSS) Price = $1900 Compressor (DynaComp MXR) + MicroAmp (MXR) + Chorus (Analog Chorus MXR) + Delay 19:48 Bridge Pickup Clean Channel Marshall DSL40 20:42 Bridge Pickup 20:57 Neck Pickup Compressor (DynaComp MXR) + MicroAmp (MXR) 22:11 Neck Pickup Compressor (DynaComp MXR) + MicroAmp (MXR) + Chorus (Analog Chorus MXR) 22:24 Neck Pickup Compressor (DynaComp MXR) + MicroAmp (MXR) + Chorus (Analog Chorus MXR) + Phaser (MXR) 22:33 Neck Pickup 22:53 Middle and Neck Pickup 22:56 Middle Pickup Compressor (DynaComp MXR) + MicroAmp (MXR) + Chorus (Analog Chorus MXR) + Phaser (MXR) + Synth Boss Pedal 23:08 Bridge Pickup

sounds fantastic🎸👍🙏

Cool setup you got dude

I also have a Fender American Standard Strat HSS. In your video the Strat sounds slightly warmer, but there are factors to consider. Are they both made of the same wood? Are the strings the same on both guitars? Is the tone pot set at approximately the same setting on both? Does the H split when in second position on the Strat (mine doesn't)? I can't remember right now either if on second position you get no hum where as with the S7 you do (positions 1, 2 and 5 if I recall are no hum on the S7).

Nice detailed review. How much does it weigh out of interest? Sorry if you mention this in the video.

Bought the S7 natural from Thomann, who were great about shipping, etc. The setup was really good, and volume and tone are balanced and even across the neck. The most playable guitar I have, and I have a Clapton strat,, Parker fly, and some obscure guitars like a Pedulla guitar (NOT a bass). Perfect action for me as shipped.

Two questions if I might sir! I'm seriously considering this guitar for some single coil favors as an alternative to my pride & joy EBMM EVH. What's the action like, is it nice and low without any fret buzz? Also, if you've ever played an EBMM EVH then you know that the neck is to die for (!) The radius on my guitar is 10 and I believe that it's 9.5 on these so similar, what's your opinion on the neck shape & size? Thanks sir!

Hey man!!! Great video. Love the details. I have a quick question good sir... I'm trying to choose between the Sire L7 and the Fujigen Neo classic (Les Paul) Don't know if you know of Fujigen. There Japanese. But I'm torn between these two and I have a limited opportunity to purchase one. Would appreciate your thoughts. I'll obviously try em both out if I get the chance next month. Have a good day my guy.🙏🙏🙏

what is the fretboard radius on it? The website says 9.5 but it seems flatter in the videos.

The Sire is nice. I wouldn't hate to own one for sure. I have a Fender American Strat and a Japanese Telecaster. Hard to find fault in them but 3 times the cost is a lot. If I had seen the Sire first I probably would have bought the Sire Stratocaster. It is sweet looking for sure and well made. I don't have remorse about having bought the Fenders though, they are hard to beat for the sound I want. Take care!

I have the exact same model. I got mine from Anderton's. Didn't like the setup at all and the pickup switch was dodgy. Got it professionally set up and it's fantastic. I feel like I was born with it in my hands. 10/10. 😁

Great review mate. I am totally curios about the 12 strings electric fender. What is the exact model? Thanks!

Is the body alder or mahogany. Also does the maple top affect the sound

less pedals please - its the guitar sound that matters

They now have them at Sweetwater, Guitar Center, and Musicians Friend

That Sire has some very nice comfort cuts on it. You would think a Fender Ultra Strat would also. lol

Should receive an S7FM just like in your review sometime in December 2022. Ordered it through Sweetwater. Mine will come with a hard-shell case. I had of course to order the case separately, but I know its worth it.

Nice quality guitars 🎸👌👍

Can it produce a classic strat sound for recording

Nice video. I am considering the Strat model. Phil NYC Area

Hello, thanks for video, I've just got the guitar myself. Can you please check if the pickguard from fender fits to the sire? I'll be very grateful. I would like to change to color and maybe fender has the same spacing. Greetings!

setup is personal, so how can they know how you want it?

I'm concerned about the shiny laquiered up fretboard of S7. Some say it may by sticky and prefer untreated wood such as rosewood. Please advise.

What is the deal with the lacquered fretboard?

Why is there no video of Larry Carlton playing or even talking about these guitars?

Great video, thanks! I ordered that exact model (Sire S7-FM-TBL), due to arrive sometime August 22nd, paying 936$ CAD with txes and delivered. Check out this video as well for some demo playing : "Sire Larry Carlton S7 FM - Sound Demo (no talking)"

I'd say they fricknnn nailed it. And for the money, its a great rig. Most rigs this nice, cost about twice as much.n

Out of curiosity, which would you prefer: a PRS se or an S7?

The Vintage has three knobs, three single coil pickups, bone nut, locking tuners, but also an input jack on the side rather than top and a high e string that tends to roll off the frets and can cause issues for newcomers and those unfamiliar with the guitar. Different trem bar - arguable better. Trem itself - about as good as standard Fender.

I put emg in sound great

Priced to compete with other pacific rim products. A lot of QC issues with these so far…once that gets straightened out they’ll be a nice alternative to EPI, Ibanez & import Fender, G&L Tribute import PRS etc….a lot of these guitars come out of the same factories.

From everything I've read and seen online, these Sire guitars are great value. The neck especially punches above their category. And the other things you mentioned too. This may be a steal for a limited time.. once they gain some momentum, the prices should increase. These prices are for the brand to enter the market. Thanks for the vid! Take care.

Hi Mr.Murphy. Really thinking about the Sire S7 as my new warhorse guitar. Would you recommend it for blues style??? Compared with an American Fender, how do you feel the neck and electronics? Thank you for your review!

Hi . I have a question about this guitar. Does this guitar's tremolo bridge vibrate smoothly? Does the flutter technique work well with this guitar's bridge? I like to do flutter skills with a two-post bridge.

Thanks Mark. Any problems w/ the high e string slipping off the neck? I've heard some people have had that issue.

Bought the s7 from Thomman. Definitely had problems right out of the box. terrible intonation, neck trussrod was too tight. the bone nut was not cut properly. other than that great. the pickups are not as hot as i normally like, but sound good. the bridge humbucker is kind of plain sounding but a booster pedal helps a lot.

Sire is better sounding (a bit more bright) , better designed (steel frets, no string tree) and more beautiful then ultra IMO.

Hi hope your well. hows that Sire going a year on ????

actually sire mapped out larrys sounds before they talked to him he just liked what they had already built

Why why why do they have to make it 9.5 inch radius rather than something flatter?

Yes, they did some mistakes: phone jack on the side of guitars is a big no go for me, I dont give a shite on locking tuners, the dark tone on the fretboard makes the inlays almost invisible which is annoying for me, and headstock shape wise nothing can come close aesthetically to the 2 Fender headstocks, pup switch is dodgy in mine

Music Store Live/Pit Bill Audio are the best.

I'm guessing the reason they're being sold cheap is because they're made in Indonesia where labour costs are low. It's not a loss leader; you don't make a loss leader of your main product. Same reason Fender can make Player guitars and basses in Mexico for about the same amount. The prices won't go up when they get popular but when Indonesia becomes a more expensive place to make stuff, because workers organise and demand more rights. Korea used to be associated with cheap instruments and look at it now; the more expensive D'Angelico guitars are made there, the cheaper ones (same price point as Sires) in Indonesia. Same with Taiwan and even Japan. You get more expensive Indonesian-made instruments already (such as Lakland Sykline basses).

What's the synth pedal please?

Great review. Just a suggestion...please play more than open chords when doing your reviews or comparisons. I hardly ever play open chords and my playing preference is somewhere between the 5th and 15th frets.

Sweetwater sells Sire, FYI

Sweetwater has them now. And they’re not bad for the price. At all.

Better buy one before the price goes up! 😅😂

All I'm hearing is a G chord through some pedals. Hope there's a better live demo out there.

Regardless of the price I actually like the sire better.

Hey Murphy I second your opinion I got a Sire H7 - the 335 style one and is way underpriced However I feel I might change the pickups later on

How can you go wrong with a guitar like that

All those guitars and you have to pay someone to do setups?

I tried one. Weak pickups, fantástic feel and built.

YEAH tell everyone they Under Price their guitars.

I think the Sire sounds better

The Sire is much brighter than the Strat. Maybe too much?

I like the Sire S7 more than the fender in this video. The tone/sound that comes out from the Sire S7 is tight, solid, round. The fender gives soft tone. For the price with all the features, I will go for the Sire S7 for $599🎸🎸

Sweetwater sells them.

Larry Carlton would no way want a guitar to come out with his name on the head stock . And it not to be decent

Hard to tell which of these youtube reviewers are honest or they are bribed with free gear.

Yeah, looks like he did.

Not happy with the heap of crap they sent me as a guitar and all this could have been spotted well before they sent it to me. Now I have to send back and wait again for another 10 days and hope I don’t get another Hybrid guitar which will have a body of lefthand and electrical components of a right hand. What kind crap is this they are selling me for €600.00

Not a binding, it is the base that is exposed via a stripe. Very clever and nice choice. Of course, the top is a veneer, again a great choice for style, while saving money. Roasted neck is wonderful, but no stainless steel frets, which to me is the next update that will make this a setup worth the price. And no, I don't think Sire is underpricing these guitars, I think the majority of the industry (read: FMIC and Gibson) aren't following the price trends well enough. But with Covid, they sell anything they make at any price. Sadly, small brands will lack the resale value, so I guess this plays into it. Just looko at Schecter or ESP Ltd. I just bought a 2006 Made in Korea Ibanez AR for less then a middling Squire, where the price/value is way beyond. I hope Sire will gain enough brand recognition not to fall into this trap, for their sake. As bargain hunters, we might not mind as much. I for one want to see what value Sire's 335 will be, given Larry is "Mr 335". The other models are the proverbial "cherry on top".

folk player at best

I hate to break this news to you my friend but people are coming to hear the guitar. Not all the crap you got in front of it to color the sound. This isn't a guitar demo!!!

Why not plug it strait in the Marshall.. Do you only know "G" Not a true picture here of a good guitar sounding very poor with too many pedals.. Sorry mate, but thats how i see it. just a Durge.

🤦🏼‍♂️

Headstock is still trash looking. Comeon, hire som talented designers for christ sakes!

Between Muscians Friends & Sire guitar, The customer service totally bad. I would love to be enjoying my new guitar but, i have no idea where it is!! And yet they hold my money for it in the form a debit card hold and the bonus is every 10 days they hold twice the amount because a new hold goes on before the old one expires. Horrible!! Neither Sire or Musicians Friends keeps me informed as to what is happening. Both are Terrible, Terrible customer service companies.

are the frets SS ??????????????????????????????????????????