Don't Buy a Sire T3 or Sire T7 Until You See This 

A few quick things I did not mention: 0) After I filmed this video, a family member knocked the T7 off a stand causing a chip. I then decided to keep it since it’s damaged. SO if you see the T7 in other videos on the channel, I kept it ONLY because of the damage caused to it, not because I think it’s better. 1) I apologize for forgetting some of these finer points, but I wanted to get the video up as quickly as possible for those trying to make a choice. 2) Just because you spend 2,3 or even 4,000 on a guitar doesn't mean it will be great. In fact, check out my Mayones video. I have NO PROBLEM critiquing an expensive guitar harshly if it doesn't perform. 2.5) The reason I'm actually giving these guitars a chance is because I believe less expensive guitars can be great. These are fine guitars. 3) The T3 pickups are 100% higher output. I had to bring down the volume of the T3s a bit to match it so that the audio wouldn't clip. 4) The T3 is for sure heavier. Not unbearably so, but it is for sure noticeable. 5) The T7 has compensated Tele saddles so intonation shouldn't be particularly difficult.

Spending $3000 still doesn’t guarantee a flawless guitar

You are spot on about not putting much concern on the roasting of a neck. I mean, they didn't do it in the 50's but those guitars are still around and commanding WAY more money than they should! Also, necks aren't that expensive and you can just bolt on a new one. That's the point, but people forget.

Excellent video. You got straight to the point and made your preferences clear. And you didn't hide the guitars' tones behind a wall of distortion or other pedals. Well done!

Nice review! To me the T7 sounded far better; clear, crisp. The T3 sounded almost muddy, and like it wouldn't cut through in a mix. If they were the same price, the only reason I might choose the T3 would be if I was primarily a jazz player. Just my thoughts! Thanks!

You’ve put out a very fine and informative video. I like that you just gave us the clean tones of both!

thank you so much for this video! i'm looking into buying my first electric guitar and heard about sire. your video comparison was by far the best and it was straight to the point. i really appreciate the time you took to compare them back to back and explaining certain things such as the roasting process, what exactly that does, etc. liked and subbed.

I've been looking at the T3...listening to the T3...listening to folks playing the T3...is it me, or do you ALL agree this is a tremendous value? Quality tone, comfort, playability, construction, setup...you convinced me with the tone the middle position of the T3...I have to have one. Thanks, great job.

Great review, Andre. As a jazz player, it's refreshing to see a comparison without shredding up and down the fretboard. I am in the market for a T-type guitar and find it so much more beneficial to place value in a review from someone I respect. Thanks so much!

To me, the T3 sounds muffled, not fatter. I much prefer the sound of the T7. By the way, I have a V7 bass which is very good.

Yours is the most intelligent, well organized guitar review video I've ever seen.

Thanks for the review. I have an American Professional Strat with roasted maple neck, jumbo frets, ash body, custom shop .69 pups. It was a sweetwater exclusive. I love the extra resonance I get in the rm neck. Something I never noticed on the dozens of other strats I've owned. I'm sold on the idea, but in the case of the T7...I never cared for gloss fretboards. I had a couple of Rickenbackers, and the gloss fretboards are just too sticky for my comfort.

Thank you for this great review Clean sound comparison and straight up. I pre ordered a T3 but keep looking at the T7. Your video helped me tremendously to stick with my original thought, T3. It definitely sounds more tele. I have a Squire strat and the T7 sounded similar to me. So thanks for the straight comparison of the two sounds I'm more acoustic but wanting to improve my electric sound. Subscribed. I also really enjoy my firefly with those humbuckers. They've come so far in modern guitars they don't need to be a fortune to sound good and have fun. Which amp seems more of a problem for me. Thank you again for a great comparison. It really helped!

Love your videos man. Even as someone who doesn’t know too much about guitars, it’s really helpful and insightful.

This is precise and informative, loved your content man! My friend bought a T3 a few days ago and tried it. It doesn't sound like a budget guitar and I highly recommend it.

the s3 will be my back up one..i love it..thank you for the review!😊

Thanks for sharing you experience!

finally a channel that provides detailed insights and a real evaluation.

Man, that was a quality review. I appreciate the use of your opinion but the clarification that it's specific to your situation. Opinions aren't necessarily the rule and in this case, I really liked them both. Amazing what is coming out of china/indonesia these days.

Loved the video! very clear and precise. I just bought a T7 (I already have a H7 CS, great instrument!!!) and... let's see 😉

Great review Andre!

Very nice comparison video!

Really great guitars , and great customization platforms. Put really nice pickups and good locking tunners , they are world beaters.

Very nice. Never thought of looking at Sire before. Great review.

man that was a great comparison. ive been looking for an inexpensive T style to do my first relic job on. i think ill order the T3 in vintage white and distress the body. thanks!

First time watcher and I enjoyed this

Veeeeerrrrrryyyyy good review. I discover your channel with this video. You got a new subscriber :) I like the way you present, I like the fact you give your opinion and tell what is important for you. I like you just play to make us hear the guitar sound and not to show how good you can "hero-play" it.... And the fact you did not add a distortion that usually makes guitars sound almost the same 😅 Keep it up ! Cheers from France !

Thanks so much for this review. My new T3 will be here tomorrow. Can't wait to plug it into my Orange Crush!

Great video. Thanks so much for playing those clean. It always irritates me when guys are doing tone comparisons (especially for Strat and Tele type things) and they use overdrive/distortion, thus making it a complete waste of time. Also, very efficient introduction and well thought out tone samples. I didn't have to skip a second of this video. First rate. Sub button hit immediately!

Great video. I have two telecasters, one has a vintage bridge, and the other has a modern bridge. With the vintage bridge I find that when I bring my palm down on the bridge to cut off sustain on a chord, it doesn't work as well because of the bridge's 'sardine can' shape. The other issue with the vintage bridge, is that the person who set it up cocked the bass saddle at an angle, which results in the low E string sliding off the neck very easily. I'm going to fix that one day dammit - one day it's going to happen! I think the vintage accoutrements plus the sticky finish makes the classic vibe tele a little less desirable, and that might cause me to consider spending a bit more money for a player-series telecaster. Of course this video might influence me to look at the Sire T3.

I love the T3 Tone for Chickin' Pickin' stuff and Blues Fullpower... I love the "dark" sound. Thanks for the demo

Happened to come across you channel while on YT. Like the way you approach the comparison of the T7 vs T3. (I subscribed to your channel.) I like your review so much I'm considering a T3. Presently I have the Fender American Pro II Tele which I'm very, very happy with!

Cheap guitars are the best! None of my guitars cost more than $500 when I bought them, but I’ve learned so much about dialing in my setup and upgrading/replacing parts, plus I leave them laying around all the time so super convenient to pick up and play. I think everyone should own at least one

T7 in a New York minute ! One thing you forgot to mention which is also nice about Sire guitars is the rolled fretboard edges. Very comfy...

Great video...what do you think about the new Powers Electric guitars?

It's amazing how the most simple guitar can also be the most versatile. My tele that I was telling you about the other day has a more modern bridge with the individual saddles instead of the barrels. The intonation is just more precise this way. Both guitars in the video are good looking and both would do the job. If you did want to get a more expensive tele however, I would suggest taking a look at the Fender American Pro II. It's got a different contoured neck heel that allows easier access to the frets in the upper registers than the traditional neck heel. This line doesn't have the modern saddles anymore. They used to but switched back to the barrels in the last few years. I think you would appreciate the higher access though. Thanks for another cool video. Cheers Andre

Just discovered the channel, love the gear reviews. I like how you went into this one with very little research, which didn't give you the chance to develop an opinion in advance . What we get then is a pretty instinctive and unvarnished response you don't often see on RU-vid. Plus, since you clearly are a little obsessive-compulsive and also have a taste for expensive craftsmanship, you really zero in on the fine details of what the reviewed guitar offers you personally as a player in a way that is uncompromising and also unique and appreciated. Can't wait to see more

Was debating which of the two I should buy, but you got me, T3 incoming!

You made a perfect comment. They are both close enough that its down to the taste of the player. I would like to play each one to see how they feel.

I felt the T7 had a much wider tonal range than the T3. You can always play with EQ to make T7 sound more like T3, but not the other way round. And personally, I prefer locking tuners. I would go with the T7. There are also better options for different colors, Fiesta Red or Arctic White for me :)

Very interesting point of view! I think that I'll choose the T3, as i do not care for locking tuners and prefer the strat type bridge. About the T3 being "fatter", I suspect that it's the result of a "cheaper" lutherie : in my experience, high end instruments sound thinner than cheap ones because their sound is actually more defined, and usually sits better in a mix.

Very good review. New subscriber. Thanks for sharing

There's a video comparing different components between a Suhr Tele and a diy kit tele. When the electronic components were the same, it was really hard to say one sounded better than the other.

Hey Andre! Thank you so much for the review - I love your approach to these videos, and I appreciate your honesty and comprehensiveness. You mentioned upgrading the T3 with locking tuners; I don't suppose you'd know if any 6L tuning machines would work? I'm thinking about grabbing the T3, and then some Gotoh MG-T locking tuners to go on it, but I'd like to get some idea of if they'd fit first.

Nice review! Been looking at the Sire range for a guitar that I don't mind so much if it gets a ding (or 3) carrying round the house or being knocked over by a family member lol I don't think I'll be buying either, but for what it's worth I thought the T3 had a more Tele sound & that's the one I also would have kept.

Very nice review. Thanks

One of my favorite guitars I ever owned was a Fender FSR Strat. It had a sculpted heel joint and 2 Dimarzio humbuckers. Bought it on sale for $400. Cheap doesn’t always mean bad. There are jems out there for little money.

Hey Andre. I was looking at the T7 after I purchased the Sire S7 HSS... I swapped out the S7 Pickups as I really wasn't happy with them. . I opted for a Fret King (Trev Wilkinson brand) model however instead of the Sire T7. Check Fret King out if you get the chance. The new Strat and Tele type Fret King models have a lot of tonal options with the patented VariCoil pot knob and pickup configurations specific to this brand. They even have "ghost single coils" placed under the visible single coil pickup on some models. Some interesting features there. Keep up the great work. Cheers

Great, Great video comparison, yo!!!!!! If you could do a revie os the new S3 model (the same one as this tele, but a Strat), It would be awesome!!! Keep rocking!!

I'd say the T3 sounds a little more balanced. The T7 has more of a mid presence. T3 looks more traditional but very nice. T7 is a cool hot rod. I like both. Glad I found your channel. Happy pickin'! Subscribed☺❤🎸👍

I'm glad you mentioned the T7 sounding more like a Strat because that immediately jumped out at me too. Not a bad thing, actually sounds like a good Strat too. Just probably not why you'd buy a Tele style guitar. I have one of their Jazz Bass style basses and been trying to get one of their guitars for a while now. The bass is also a lot brighter and cleaner than the equivalent Fender. Almost picked up the H7 but I've tried 2 in Guitar Center and they have that weird narrow nut that Larry has on his main 335. (Which is spec correct for that one or two years for the 335). The H7 was great, but felt like a Mustang or Jaguar or Duo Sonic and other short scale guitars and not for me with that neck.

You're right on the bodies - two piece bodies are a big cost savings over one piece, and three are a savings over 2. Lumber, especially clear lumber, is sold at a much lower cost in narrow boards. Once you get clear wood 7-8"+ from a supplier (big enough to make a two piece body), you'll get upcharged. It can be pretty stiff, too depending on the market. people get wound up about a statement I'm about to make - but in a $700 guitar, there really isn't that much profit, so even seeing a nice clear two piece body is good. In a $450 guitar that can be returned for almost any reason, there's very little room for error, too. If the body cost difference between the two is $5 to the manufacturer, there's probably 10 other things that are $5 different and it matters.

I was browsing and picked up a Harley Benton Tele-copy, best neck ever and I know that's subjective, but it really fits my hands. I'm not a pro player, just a hobbiest, but I cut my teeth on telecasters and Les Pauls. It's a shame when Harley Benton can get a neck, "Just Right" and the big Guys can't seem to.

I found this video recently and i all i can say is: i like how it looks the T3 more than the T7... About the sound, i like both, but the dark sound of the T3 give it personality i think... It's wonderful the fact of the Mahogany body, maple neck and Rosewood fretboard... For that price i surely go with the T3... I can change the tuners later. Nice video

I gigged a Sire V7 5 string bass (1st gen) for years, only recently sold it. It was a huge statement in terms of a budget active Jazz with a killer neck and a gigworthy preamp, nothing came close at the time. Great low B too. The 2nd gen ones have significantly better pickups and reduced weight. I thought the T7 sounded better in those clips btw, just had a bit more clarity for me.

Great video! The T3 sounded fatter through my headphones. Out in the wild I have yet to see any other Sire model than the semi-hollow. I'll keep an eye out for this one. You mentioned looking at the sub-$300 basic Squiers. Did you consider looking at their more expensive price range? Their Classic Vibe series goes above $400 now.

Great comparison video, thanks! I've been circling round the white T7 for a bit then this T3 series was announced! Individual bridge fine tuners is a plus but that's about it from what I'm hearing. I suspect the rosewood + mahogany is partly giving the T3 the 'warmer but also slightly muffled' sound - maybe the pick-ups? The T7 has a bone nut, BTW - not sure about the T3. Sale time here in HK so will revisit the T7 - I doubt the T3's will land here for a few months. Some of the Epiphone Customs are worth a look - ebony fretboards, well built - I recently bought the Cantrell 'Wino' and it's superb!

Excellent comparison. Very honest. I am on the same fence with s3/s7 with very similar conclusions :-)

I remember hearing Jeff Healey rip this crazy solo in concert...came to find out that he was legally blind, and that his guitar of choice was a regular Squier, with red Evans pickups. Being blind MAYBE has prevented him from hooking at the hype manufactured around certain brands and models...i don't know... But i know i love playing my Majesty 7 as much as i love playing my old, stripped down 90's Yamaha 721DM that i had my tech put back together. Different feel, sound and attention to details, but still both a lot of fun to play. Great video Andre!

I like the look of both. The T7 sounds more definitive and with clear chime. I appreciate your comparison review. I'm considering the T7.

Hey Andre, do you have any comments on the action?? I like a low action. Have you tried different actions?

Thanks for the great review. I've got a very superficial question to ask... the T7, can you get a black pickgaurd for it? Either from Sire or will a Fender pick guard fit?

this is a great Video , Well done Bravo !!!!

Recently discovered your channel and I'm really enjoying going through all your video's, great content! I was wondering if you have any thoughts on 7 and/or 8 string guitars, I would certainly be interested in hearing them. Cheers!

I dig your vid...you know guitars way better than I....I am an amature...but I want one now...thanks for the vid

This was an excellent comparison well done video ! My ears tell me the T7 sounds better but that’s just me. I’d play either guitar I don’t own one. I’m torn as I want the T7 but can only afford the T3

@andrefludd Does the T3 have ceramic or alnico pickups? If it has alnico pickups - what magnet/magnets? Thank you.

I like the T7 pickups better. Good video, thanks.

Thank you for the video. Subscribed rightaway. In my experience, roasted necks are heavier, and this can give neck dive. The 2 guitars sound very different, the T3 is obviously darker, but it's "twang" is more obvious, and this is what I'm looking for when buying Telecaster model. So for me, the T3 would be my choice.

Awesome review of the their traditional T series. please review the S7 and the T7 FM? :)

Thanks for the review. I really was worried about buying the cheapest guitar. I've done that before and had to spend three times the money to get it right.

Thanks!

I'm primarily a guitarist but I have a fretless 4 string and a regular 4 string sire bass that I REALLY enjoy, especially for the price point. The fretless in particular probably has the nicest ebony board I've had on any instrument, I'll probably end up buying the same bass in a 5 string version soon- I'd highly recommend, the ebony boards esp!

Haven't tried their guitars but I can definitely say the basses compete with Squier/Epi/Ibanez very handily! If I were going to recommend one for a starter bass I'd be hard pressed not to say Sire.

the T3 sounds darker and less.. clear but sounds good. Thanks for the video. I had to subscribe because you are doing a good Job. If I could get a t 3 I would rather have one of those because of the bridge. I don't mind the locking tuners but I don't have to have them.

I’ve got the exact T7 from your video, and it almost breaks my heart just to put it down and walk out of the room! I’m sure that T3 is a beauty as well. Until your video, I wasn’t even aware there WAS a T3!

This is first I've seen of the new T3, really appreciate your overview and comparison to the T7. All I can say is WOW! $399! This has to be a Squier killer. Rosewood Fretboard! Fender charges a fortune for Rosewood on their necks. What a terrific value. Just a word on non-roasted maple necks. When I was 15 my parents gave me a brand new 1966 Fender Jazzmaster. I still play that Jazzmaster today. Nothing has ever been done to the neck, no truss rod adjustments, no fret sprout, it's perfect. And 50 years from now, some kid will still be playing this fine instrument. Good video Andre!

the t3 sounds just a touch more warm on the neck, and a tad brighter on the bridge. Both of which i’m a fan of!

Deciding factors for me, would be feel and sound. Six saddle bridges, aren’t necessarily better than the vintage style. I’m switching back to vintage on my Tele, I feel it sounds more Tele like. Intonation can be adjusted perfectly or closer than most of us can hear with the new compensated Tele bridges. Sometimes perfect intonation will result in deviations, elsewhere on the fretboard. So it might be necessary to temper the intonation settings for a more pleasing overall result. This can happen with six saddle bridges too.

I like the simplicity of the T3. I wonder how it compares to the Squier Classic Vibe 50's or 60's. I really like the Squier Classic Vibe series, but I find the body on the 50s are generally heavy (9-10 lbs) but have a pretty good feeling neck, whereas the 60s Custom Tele model has a VERY thin neck (which I don't like). I wonder how these Sires compare in terms of feeling.

Are the fret marker luminaires? If the S7 offered a rosewood board I would buy it. Considering the S3 because the fretboard is rosewood.

I had a sire bass that was killer. It would have been from the same series of the T3. You won’t have any issues with that neck. Both sounded great.

Came here as a acoustic-only player whose been eyeing the T7 (as my first electric guitar, to add color to some of my rockier sets of covers), left as a very impressed subscriber - and a potential T3 buyer. :-) Love your informative and astute delivery and obvious experience. Didn‘t have a clue what else you tout on your channel, but decided to follow you just because you‘re you. ;-) Looking forward to the T3, which should be easier to „sell“ to my wife since it‘s cheap(er). ;-) P.S. I never had locking tuners, so will likely not miss them. And the same goes for a glossy fingerboard.

I don’t care about the roasted neck but I prefer the bridge with six individual string saddles which help with intonation. I’d say for me anyway the T 3 would my preference. I don’t like the shape of the headstock, oh well. Great review

A little of topic but since it is a telecaster model, what do you think of the G&L Classics vs Tribute models? Thank you in advance.

Hi. Are this guitars was seted up before comparing? I mean, to yighten every screw, set pickups heights and so on... Because sound of guitar changes dramatically after that

Do these guitars require sire tuning machines? I clearly dont know much about guitars but I’m learning. I know they don’t have string trees… is that due to the tuners or the cut of the headstock? Silly question I know. Bare with me.

I'm just happy we have affordable high quality options these days.

Just curious, do you notice a difference in weight of the necks between the roasted/standard maple?

To my ear T7 sounds better, I like the neck pickup not being muffled and I play neck very often. You are totally right about roasted necks, I thing it is a hype. Not needing locking tuners, especially on non tremolo guitar, but for 200$ price difference I would get T7 for more pickup clarity alone, on T3 I would search for new neck pickup that sounds less as a humbucker. Great review, thanks.

Love the T3 because I prefer unfinished fretboards, also the vintage white color option is nice! Andre, have you checked out the Ibanez EH10? I was wondering what you think of it, seems like a moden strat style guitar that you could like, similar to the Schecter's Nick Johnstons, if you haven't yet, check it out

Good review

I personally think Sire has done an amazing job figuring out how to make a high-quality neck and guitar body. What they produce is as good as most normal players could ever want. I think they should release a model with amazing pickups and electronics and save people the cost and hassle of using them as a mod platform. Imagine they had a premium tier loaded with lollar pickups and high-quality pots and jack. That guitar would probably be better than a USA fender and would sell an absolute ton. I’d buy one (or more). A sire tele witk two lollar humbuckers would be incredible.

Love your vids 😁

Thanks for the video ..I think t3 tone is much fatter than t7 .. t3 can be good for jazz though… how about the fretboards ? Is it the same or ? …any idea about t7 fm ? Am planning to buy one

I prefer the fatter sound of the t3 especially the bridge pup, less spikey. I find most tele bridge pups can be ear shattering. Not keen on the t7 neck, fingerboard is way to shiney and i dont like the colour of the roasted maple but i think the body finish looks better. I prefer a 6 saddle bridge, much better for intonation. I would take the bridge, pickups and neck of the t3 and put them on the t7. If i had to choose i would go for the t3, still a good looking guitar. Brilliant review by the way!!

To me, the individual saddles on the T3 bridge are so superior that it's not even a contest. Love your channel! Just discovered you a couple weeks ago, and you offer a very different perspective to an old 80s metalhead like myself.

The sound difference is basically because of the wood of the fretboard. Rosewood fingerboards always sound a little bit fatter and on the other side maple fingerboards sound more punchy and take overdrive and distortion very well. Really it comes down to personal preference and in my choice, the T7 sounds good for what I play.

I reviewed the entire Sire lineup last year, and I was blown away. The "Strat" models that are HSS absolutely blow the Fender Player's Series out of the water. 100%. They are just better. I don't care where guitars are made, and it doesn't matter. "Made In USA" means nothing in most of the world. My favorite guitars have all been from South Korea and Japan. Funny how people will drink the Kool Aid though. I toured with a Squier '51 for years, there's tons of pictures of me using it on stage (when I played guitar and didn't just sing) and my other guitar at the time was an American Tele. Night after night, I would start the set with the Squier. Eventually, the TELE BECAME THE BACKUP! From 2006-2007 that entire tour cycle, it's the Squier in my pictures and press photos. Why? Because it was just a great guitar. I bought the Squier in the Hollywood Guitar Center for $99 out the door. All I added was locking tuners.

I love my s7 , I have a fender American and a prs ce and I play my s7 all the time! They also have bone nuts I dont know if you mentioned that, Its also hard roasted maple.