Already had all the guitars I ever wanted, so I thought. Got the Sire l7v and T3 and they are amazing, not just for the money. Larry has clearly voiced the pups no wood to his liking. And it works really well for me!
I have the H7 (335) in white just like the one you have. For reference this is the least expensive guitar I own. I feel they are excellent quality for the money really. I got mine from Sweetwater and the thing is damn near perfect. I've had a couple months now. Fit and finish wise mine had zero flaws. My only knock was the fretboard was fairly dry and either the strings or fingerboard made my fingers black. It played really well out of the box for me but I always set guitars up to my specs with. Once I set up, conditioned the fretboard restrung with my brand of strings I was totally happy. I find the bridge pickup a bit bright but backing the tone down a bit tackles that. If your looking for a good quality 335 type check out the Sires
I recently bought a T7 and I'm totally loving it. I just did a slight tweak to the action as it was a wee bit high for me. But pickups sound great, neck is wonderful, intonation was perfect, finish is excellent. I love the sound and playability of my Sire. I have now retired my '52 reissue Tele. All my other guitars are in the $2k to $3k range of name brands and this hangs with the best of them.
Hey John, I recently discovered your channel in order to acquire more knowledge on amp modelers and I have to say you have quickly become one of my favorite players. You deserve way more subscribers.
I just purchased a new PRS SE Custom 24 and a Sire S7 and both guitars are great value and awesome guitars. The SE doesn’t have the feel of my old core model McCarty but is a solid guitar. The Sire plays very similar to an 88 Strat that I have owned for years, can’t ask for a better guitar at $599
That’s very interesting about the neck size. Fifty three years ago when this signature photo was taken with my 1968 es335 with trapeze tailpiece (presumably the same as LC’s, I didn’t care about the neck profile at all. I just loved the guitar, and the fact that it was a Gibson and got on and played it. Now all these years later I actually bought a Sire version ( nostalgia, as well as wanting a different sound from my solid bodies), and just couldn’t get on with the shape of the neck, and after a couple of weeks sent it back. Even though nowadays I need a fairly skinny neck, I found it just too narrow across the nut and too deep front to back. I’ve now found a Fender Thinline/p90, and Squier Thinline Classic Vibe 70’s fills the need at the same budget level.
that's interesting - I bought one around when they were first being promoted - Feb '22. I retuned it as although it was a beautiful guitar and sounded great (my main guitar is an Eastman T486) the neck on the Sire was just too narrow - compared to me Eastman and my Gibsons). I'm tempted again (Christmas time!!) and I see the nut width is now being advertises as 43mm whereas when I look back the first ones stated about 40mm. I was initially going to pick up a cheap Harley Benton as a backup but I'm seriously considering getting the Sire (again) now that the nut width has increased.
Because you asked: No more Squiers for me (even if I need to buy an affordable guitar). Aside from my problems with Fender (look up lawsuit against Win-D-Fender), the last Squiers I have had have been so inconsistent... spent Extra on a Classic Vibes 50's... it was terrible. Had an Affinity for a few years that rivaled my MIM stuff. So, no more gambles. Would probably try Sire.
Squiers are amazing - got a Classic Vibe Tele Deluxe on a great deal in the same week as my DGT SE arrived and the DGT has been neglected. Quality is awesome. So much so I had to get a Squier Strat Vintage on the same deal. Excellent quality too. And then the Squier Paranormal Strat Nashville came out!! They easily hold up to Fenders and LTD's and even the PRS's
I got a Squier a year ago, and not even a nice one… an Affinity model. I took the time to learn how to do a proper setup and I can’t imagine being happier for the money spent.
I watch your channel a few times each week...like your cosy, down to earth presentation. it's fun to watch and listen to your personal experiences with the guitars you play. And how they hold up in you'r eyes and ears. And how they feel in your hands. Would be great to hear and see what would be your opinion on G&L guitars. G&L was Leo Fenders last project. His ceramic MFD pickup design is his evolution of how a Tele and Strat pickup could sound even better in his view. They make, as you must know, American made, Fullerton California ones wich are the higher priced ones. They are also very receptive to what the customer wants, If you want another color, they will do that for you ect. They also make very afordable Indonesian made Tribute-series guitars. Very well made, at least, (maybe even better) certainly on par with Sire's and about the same pice range. The great thing is. The pickups in the Tribute series guitars are exactly the same as the ones in the much higher priced American ones. fantastic brand. Would love to hear your opinion on G&L guitars. Ok, Thnx
Actually I had a white G & L Legacy in the mid 2000s! I think mine was a bit on the chunky side, I'll keep an eye out and see if I find anything locally. I love the smell of them - super vanilla!
@@johnnathancordy I ast year i bought an Asat Classic Tribute (G&L's main Tele) from Andertons during their summer sale for a really great price and had it sent over to me in Holland. That guitar's fantastic. A Tele with a sound design of it's own. As is the Strat S-500 i bought over here the year before. MFD Pickups. Great tones i.m.o. I found the fret-ends are smoother on the Sire's though.... they are smooth on the G&L's but not Sre-smooth. But no sweat i use a Goldo sanding rubber the make 'm smoother. A nice work while watching RU-vid channels's. I am very curious listening to hear you'r great playing while using A G&L Asat Classic or Strat. And you' r ' verdict' on them....if you ever are in the position to do so. Thanks for your awnser & kind regards
Great story. I have mixed reactions on Sire. I do have and really like the L7 although I’m still wondering if Squire has an edge in Sire. The T7 I found far too heavy too play, but it’s the older model, the one in the video looks like the vintage model and those Sires look really nice.
I have a sire LP P90, the playability is one of the best guitars I have owned, pups sound really nice, vintage style tone, clarity is excellent. Has recently become my main gigging guitar, will certainly consider one of the 335 style models 👍
I love the finish on the L7 neck, which I got last year. However, the jumbo frets are really challenging me. It feels like the action is high but it's not. The value for money is amazing, though.
I love my L7, I had to lower the action clean the fretboard, it made my fingers black, so I just put on new strings,Stringjoy 9.5-46 on ,with the lower action It plays 10 times better than it did out of the box. I could have lowered a little bit more but I dig in once in a while and I didn't want fret buzz, I lowered it quite a bit though from new. Absolutely love it, the tone, the quality, especially for the price, it's an absolute steal ,
I'd really like Sire to do a Jazzmaster, to go with my H7. Otherwise, I'll probably get a Squier Jay Mascis Jazzmaster. Though it's really tempting to get a H7V and install a Bigsby on it. There's a bit of an opening for a good vintage style Jazzmaster around £500, because the Fender Player Jazzmaster isn't really it. And the Vintera is a lot more expensive.
Nice intro! Tried the Sire LC Tele model - ticks all the boxes (except for not having individual adjustment at the bridge for fine tuning - albeit, the double ones are brass) and neck felt great. Didn't try the LP or 335 styles - maybe next time.
I ordered a Sire S3 back in March from Sweetwater...I am still waiting for them to get it in stock. My thinking was I would try it out and if I liked it, I would take the next step up and try out a T7 or H7. Not sure when I will take delivery of the Sire I ordered but I am chomping at the bit to get it. LOL Hopefully, the wait will be worth it.
Had an Epi Dot for a while. Just couldn't get on with the slim taper neck. Had decided to go with a 486 or T59 from Eastman, but I may give the Sire a shot first.
No matter what guitar brand you end up getting there are always going to some guitars within the same model that will be better than others. I purchased a Sire L7 awhile back and it needed a setup and some nut work. But out side of that was really nicely done and very playable. The pickups are good but maybe a touch on the darker side (Larry Carlton). Weight came in at 7lb 13oz, lighter than I was thinking I would get. A good guitar and purchase overall. Really dislike those glossy and can be sticky necks on the Gibson LP standard. The satin neck finish on the L7 is wonderful.
How does the nut width feels in this model? Like everything about it in specs, except that seems to be too thin on the width. I tried a Music man once with very thin nut width and really dislike it. Thanks!
This is what bothers me about all the "which guitar is best" videos. The specs are never exactly the same. Like you can rave about the quality of a Classic Vibe Squier all you want, but that neck will never be comfortable in my hands. And for some reason Fender only offers wider nuts on American models (save for a few models like the Player Plus Strat and the Squier Contemporary HH FR... Both of which I own). And then there's the whole neck finish thing, these imports (Epiphone included) then to have glossy urethane finish that get sticky when your hands get sweaty. It's what's keeping me away from most imported semi hollows. Give me satin finish or give me nitro.
@@yessitsme6884 yeah, CV I liked it a lot except the neck, too thin for my taste. Dont like the modern C myself. I like the neck of the deep C of my pro II, is like as thin as I like, but is good for me, and Im ok with the wider width of the modern fenders, and love the satin and rounded edges of this one. I have a vitntage style nash guitar adn that gives me the specs I love, great neck, feel and everything. I also like a more satin neck. But if the rest of the guitar is good, I think its worth it to sand the neck down. My Tele american origial is nitro but felt very sticky. Sanded it down, and put bigger frets, now is perfect! Worth the extra $$ on this one cos everything else about this guitar was great.
@Yessitsme I agree, I have never liked the glass urethane finish on any instrument. And to tell you the truth, that's my biggest reason not to buy a Sire . I don't like that mirror finish on the fretboard or the body for that matter.
Redid makes a really decent 335 for $160. Few other companies are trying to compete at that price. I think the bigger companies know they can’t compete on price anymore.
I would get this guitar right now if they had some more modern colors. All they have are those boring vintage colors like Black white cherry and burst. Guess I'll wait a little while and hopefully their next run will have some. Orange? Blue? Green? Or even natural?
I had a Gibson Memphis ES-335, which I thought was a fairly good guitar. I sold it immediately upon buying a Collings I-35. Gibson was a “toy“ compared to the Collings. This style of guitar is very complex to manufacture, so I am skeptical of any instrument available at low cost. There are bound to be various inconsistencies which affect the playability of the instrument because of the way the neck attaches to the body. I have always thought that Ibanez produced a very good version, including the John Scofield model.
Going to be frank, if I pay top dollar for a Guitar, I expect it to be worth the money, not the name, I have had guitars that cost silly money, yeah, they were investments, but always something to worry about, in case they get nicked or damaged, last few years seen some fantastic new Builders, I have a Jet 400, changed Pups and trem springs and now wonderful Strat, a Fazley Tele I bought with a P90 in neck for beer money, not great fretting, but suits my Band, today bought a Sire 335 with P90's from Andertons, very very nice Guitar, they had a Gibson SG in there I really liked too, obviously much more expensive, but nice sounding Guitar.
I have a couple of "vintage" Gibsons, a 67 335, and a 65 330. I've had the 335 since 1970, and the 330 maybe 12 years. While these guitars are wonderful to play and sound very good I'd have to say that the finish is just OK. The points where the binding meets the body are kind of not precise in that it's not a clean line, it's kind of smudged. The 335 has a cosmetic flaw on the the lower cutaway where the binding was ground away too close to the finish revealing a small line of wood under the finish... it was built this way. My point is that these guitars are wonderful guitars, but they are far from perfect cosmetically and always were. And I guess the question is: Does it matter? Do they sound good? Do they play well? I don't believe Gibsons were ever flawless from a fit and finish standpoint, Gretsch guitars from the same era were much worse IMHO. But are they really great guitars? Without a doubt. Give the new ones 50 years and I think they might be just as good.
My Squier 40th Vintage JM came with a shorting output jack, rough frets, and one high fret. I’ve fixed the first two issues and the third is relatively manageable. For $360, it was an absolute steal and I like it more than the Am Original JM I had.
Thank-you John for taking the time to create this video, and as always, very informative👌🏿 I particularly like your theme of uncovering value-for-money gear. I'd be curious if you or anyone else may know much about Bacchus guitars? Laura Cox has collaborated with them for her signature guitar, however there is very little information out there on them. Similarly, they appear to offer great value for MIJ 🤓
This idea of having the perfectly finished guitar from the factory is over hyped. After a month of playing on my nearly new hardly played Ibanez John Scofield signature model (Indonesia) the scratch plate is scuffed and scratched from my finger nails. It's probably a bit scratched else where too.. It plays and sounds great. It gets used. A guitar which is played will be abused. Shiny new guitars in perfect condition are museum pieces. Btw I played a couple of Epiphones and the necks were thin and weedy.. I purchased the Ibanez because of the all maple construction, ebony fretboard and the neck dimensions. Cheaper semis use different woods so be careful with what you are buying. Another tip is to look at the neck dimensions before buying online - width at the nut, 12th fret and the neck depth - it may save you being disappointed 😢
Gibson guitars has a great history and make good products but they have become so overpriced they just aren’t worth the price when companies like Sire exist. Even Epiphone prices have become inflated lately.
I've actually had very good luck with Gibson's quality in recent years. In my experience the issue is more the neck carve - you have to find the one for you.
Gibson are shite! My Agile LP's and Junior are a lot better, as is my Eastman. As far as 335, My Eastman 486 well and truly outshines Gibson. USoNA made guitars are overpriced and overrated, poor QC and way to expensive compared to Indonesian and Korean guitars, and of course Eastman, although Eastman are now way too pricey.
@@ScottyBrockway These are essentially plywood. Gibson uses a maple/poplar/maple laminate. Not necessarily a bad thing though for higher volumes - actually better for that than a carved top.
