I have an ES-335 and recently got a Sire Larry Carlton H7. You can work magic with EQ and almost remove any tonal difference. The huge difference is in weight and feel. The H7 is a lot heavier. I think mine is almost 9 lbs. They also slot the nut super shallow on the H7, so it needs some work out of the box to get action right. It's way too high from the factory. Replacing the tuners is probably a good idea as well. Outside of that, I can't put it down. I don't gig the 335 anymore since it's old and club patrons can be careless. The H7 has been doing great.
I have purchased 3 sire guitars. Technically, one was a bass. I only kept the H7v because a) it has P90's and b) of the 3 it was the only one that had good quality control. I'm a big guy and tall, too, so 9 pounds isn't an issue. I recon mine is about 8 and change. I'm a middle position guy, and the H7v does not disappoint in that middle spot. Neck is a muddy-ish. Nothing you can tame with the amp.
Great comparison! They sounded to me like the same guitar, unbelievable! Did you play an old Sire model with narrow 40mm nut or a new one with 43mm nut?
So I bought mine in December 23, It was made in early '22, with the 40mm nut. According to Sire, they started making the 43mm nut mid way through 2022. So I got an older version. I would have preferred the 43mm, but it is what it is. They are hard to get and dealers have been waiting up to 6 months here in Canada for stock to arrive. Awesome guitar either way.
Far too close for my taste. I'm glad I bought my Gibson 335 before the prices got silly. I could never justify that purchase today. The Sire sounds great on this video and also looks great.
How about you tell us since you were playing which one is better? lol. Sometimes it’s hard to pick up through the video. Even if the Gibson is better how far off is the sire compared to it? Thanks
The Sire guitar is very well made for the price and the sound is very good. A Gibson is a Gibson, but of course that also costs money. I can't tell you which guitar is better. Everyone has to decide for themselves.
$3200 ahead? NO! A few hundred on pickups and you'll still be way behind of the cost of a Gibson. And the pickups definitely weren't that far ahead either!
