I ordered mine as a used demo from Sweetwater and couldn't be happier. Also, it's the V2 version. The neck is absolutely amazing and perfect for my playing. I especially like the articulation of the pickups which to me sound better than anything Fender offers. The tuning stability is off the charts too, it's by far my most stable neck out of 13 guitars I currently own. The finish? PERFECT! Some have commented negatively on the coated fingerboard but for me it makes it much easier to keep clean and not have to maintain. And the locking tuners are NOT cheap junk either. They're as good as my D'addario's and Schaller. My knobs actually came on the proper pots too lol.
Hey I have my sire S7 for 6 months and I have to say that it changed everything for me is an incredible guitar I been using it for gigs and it's just absurd how good and reliable it is
Same here shalomshalom. Mine is this one here (Trans Blue). Mine was a used demo from Sweetwater which I paid them to setup. Arrived in perfect tune to Atlantic East Coast.
Thanks for your review! The depth in that flame is ridiculous. I'm seriously considering this one. The natural finish is awesome too, because it has the red back (instead of black on this one). I bet this looks gorgeous in stage lighting.
Darn you! They better send you free guitars cause I have to have it now! Just got a PRS Mcarty 594 and I love it. However i do have a Sire T7 and the payability is unreal. I just need a strat to fill things out and of course Ive been complitating getting the “real thing” well… just because. Well, we’re talking dollars here and in the end I already know what I’m getting in a Sire. They are the best guitars going right now IMO.
Great review mate, loved the graphics to indicate which pick-ups you were switching between. Thanks for taking the time to share. Pity they are so hard to find in my local area. I’d love to have the opportunity to pick one up see how it feels and plays in person.
Just picked one up at my local GC earlier today. Wasn't looking for it, wasn't that aware of these, but I am absolutely thrilled that I found it. Thanks for your review. Although I won't admit to any improper feelings for the guitar (yet), I can say I understand where you're coming from ... lol. Be well and thanks again ..
I shopped for a while and finally completed the trifecta of the Sire L7FM, S7FM, and T7FMHH (Les Paul, Strat and Tele types). I love them all. They all have the same characteristics you mention, excellent fretwork, beautiful finish, etc. I've had zero quality control problems, nor did I feel the need to upgrade anything. I ordered them all from Sweetwater and they were perfect out of the box. The S7 and T7 tremolos were already set correctly for full floating capability, springs were properly adjusted and they stay in tune really well. The necks are so nice, satin finished on the back so they're super smooth and fast, and the rolled edges feel great on your hands. I have a lot of guitars of all kinds and the Sires hold their own with any of them, at any price. They aren't cheap, but they won't break the bank either. That's what Larry Carlton insisted on, and Sire delivered it.
Last comment I really related to. Everytime I pick up different guitars(usually at guitar store) each one does take you to different places musically and opens you up to different ideas and approaches regarding the songwriting process. Strange but true.
Absolutely worth the money and more to be honest! I have the exact same one. The surprising part for me is I didn't even have to change the pickups which I normally do on most of my guitars. This one just sounds right from the get go. Any slight changes I need I can easily get in my amp settings.
I just loved this model by Sire since I saw it the first time, even more than the Fm one, the first version, considering that the first one was picked before by me as a option to be bougth (I don´t have any Strato). Now with this option to divide the humbucker, this is the adecuate choice for me. Thank you for gave us such a complete visión of this magnificent guitar. The only thing I would change is the radius, maybe 10 o 12 could be interesting.
I love mine, the finishing is outatanding. The pickups are 'balanced' and sound great however they are what ill probably change. A custom shop texas special in the neck and middle and a paf pro in the neck is probably what ill change. My USA strat has notibly better pickups but the quality control and general finish on the sire is much better.
Grat review! Thanks! I was debating between Yamaha 612 and this Sire S7! But This kills me: "the gibson, I just look at it... and is probably out of tone" jajajajajaajaI
I like this but took me a while to get used to it . I’ve heard a few comments about the tightness and rigidity that meant it was difficult to really bond with it . I get what they are meaning the strings feel very rigid and feel a lot thicker than 10s for some reason , they were punishing my finger tips for the first few plays , first time I’ve felt this in 20 years . Perhaps puting 9s on it may help . Nonetheless it’s a solid guitar and I think I may grow to really like it
Exactly what I did with mine. I had no trouble with the original strings but chose to go with Ernie Ball Slinkies 9's which for me are much easier to bend and control.
Guess that would depend on your style of playing. The S7 is definitely a “Strat” style guitar, which is totally different from the H7. I’m sure you knew that. I have two Sires now, and both are awesome. The other is the Tele style with humbuckers.
The guitar is almost perfect except for one thing. There is a play in the tone pot. I can turn it it a little bit in both directions without response/resistance. It doesn’t affect playability but is annoying. Apart from that, I love playing it. Have anyone else the same experience? 😮😊
Mine does also but it doesn't effect the playability much. It's about 3/16" turn gap which is just noticeable. I would say fixing it with a new pot would probably do the job but there are currently only 2 mfgs for push/push pots so it's likely a coin toss?
Great video, Jason. I am sold! But I wonder if the pick guard on the Sire can be swapped out with any standard Strat style pick guard. Would you happen to know?
thanks! That's a good question... I have no idea. A quick google search found other Sire pickguards on ebay, but I couldn't find anything about if Strat pick guards would fit. I would guess they wouldn't as I would think Fender has some type of patent on the Strat design that prevents companies from copying it exactly?
@cleverdood Thanks, Jason. I'm embarrassed to state that it never occurred to me look for Sire S7 specific pick guards. I suppose I figured that they were too new for aftermarket parts.
I found a Champagne Gold Metallic one in France. Global Audio Store had it for under $600 plus $89 shipping, and may have more! Pretty fast shipping too! It’s perfect and beautiful. Only thing I did do, which I’ve done on several $2000+ guitars, is took the spring out of the 6th string saddle, cut it in half and reinstalled it, to get it intonated. Neck perfect, great quality locking tuners. The quality that goes into this guitar is great, at any price!
It's an H-S-S configuration. Meaning, a humbucker (dual coils) in the bridge position, and single coil pickups in the middle and neck positions. It's a versatile setup. The humbucker is very quiet even at high gain settings. That's what humbuckers do, they have two coils which offset each others noise. Single coil pickups will hum at high gain (overdrive) settings, but they're still quiet with clean settings. That said, you have a 5-way switch which can select each pickup alone, or combine the middle and neck or bridge pickup which cancels the noise just like a humbucker. And, the humbucker has a feature called a coil tap, which shuts off one of the coils to make it perform like a single coil. So basically, the only "noisy" settings are switch positions 3 and 5. The rest are all noise cancelling at any volume or distortion level. It's hard to explain but easy to understand once you play this style of guitar.
The player Plus does have die-cast sealed locking tuners, but they cost $500 more than I just paid for my new Sire S7 at $592. I’m a Fender Strat fan. I own 6, including a beautiful Ultra Strat in Plazma Red Burst I paid $2100 for. I hate to say this Sire S7 is every bit as good as my Ultra. I do hate that, but it’s true. Only thing I like better on the Ultra, is the dual radius neck, which I hear Sire will have on a newer higher price model coming soon, but still $1000 cheaper.
yes, they are different. S3's have their 'regular' pickups in a SSS (3 singles) config. The S7's is their Super ST set in an HSS (humbucker, single, single) design.
Good question, I haven't played that so I wouldn't know. Sound-wise, I would image the Fender has an edge, but I thought the fit and finish and playability of the Sire was ahead of all of the Fenders I tried in the shop the day I got it.
I ordered mine as a used demo from Sweetwater and couldn't be happier. Also, it's the V2 version. The neck is absolutely amazing and perfect for my playing. I especially like the articulation of the pickups which to me sound better than anything Fender offers. The tuning stability is off the charts too, it's by far my most stable neck out of 13 guitars I currently own. The finish? PERFECT!
Some have commented negatively on the coated fingerboard but for me it makes it much easier to keep clean and not have to maintain. And the locking tuners are NOT cheap junk either. They're as good as my D'addario's and Schaller. My knobs actually came on the proper pots too lol.
Hey I have my sire S7 for 6 months and I have to say that it changed everything for me is an incredible guitar I been using it for gigs and it's just absurd how good and reliable it is
"the gibson, i looked at it so it's probably out of tune already" 💀💀
I ordered this online without playing it before and without ability to return it. It was probably the best guitar I bought. I love this guitar.
Awesome! Which colour?
Same here shalomshalom. Mine is this one here (Trans Blue). Mine was a used demo from Sweetwater which I paid them to setup. Arrived in perfect tune to Atlantic East Coast.
Yeah, mine is terrific too.
Just ordered one today! 💪🏻
I bought this guitar last month and what a great guitar in budget...i kiss it everyday before playing...in love with this guitar
I own two other Sire models and love them, after this one next 😊
right on! Which ones do you have? I have this and the L7. The T-series is next on my list.
Thanks for your review! The depth in that flame is ridiculous. I'm seriously considering this one. The natural finish is awesome too, because it has the red back (instead of black on this one). I bet this looks gorgeous in stage lighting.
Darn you! They better send you free guitars cause I have to have it now! Just got a PRS Mcarty 594 and I love it. However i do have a Sire T7 and the payability is unreal. I just need a strat to fill things out and of course Ive been complitating getting the “real thing” well… just because. Well, we’re talking dollars here and in the end I already know what I’m getting in a Sire. They are the best guitars going right now IMO.
Awesome. I just discovered Sire. Amazing price for the value they bring! I'm waiting for the S10 SSS with the Ash body. It is going to be epic.
Great review mate, loved the graphics to indicate which pick-ups you were switching between. Thanks for taking the time to share. Pity they are so hard to find in my local area. I’d love to have the opportunity to pick one up see how it feels and plays in person.
Just picked one up at my local GC earlier today. Wasn't looking for it, wasn't that aware of these, but I am absolutely thrilled that I found it. Thanks for your review. Although I won't admit to any improper feelings for the guitar (yet), I can say I understand where you're coming from ... lol. Be well and thanks again ..
you're welcome! I still love this thing!
I shopped for a while and finally completed the trifecta of the Sire L7FM, S7FM, and T7FMHH (Les Paul, Strat and Tele types). I love them all. They all have the same characteristics you mention, excellent fretwork, beautiful finish, etc. I've had zero quality control problems, nor did I feel the need to upgrade anything. I ordered them all from Sweetwater and they were perfect out of the box. The S7 and T7 tremolos were already set correctly for full floating capability, springs were properly adjusted and they stay in tune really well. The necks are so nice, satin finished on the back so they're super smooth and fast, and the rolled edges feel great on your hands. I have a lot of guitars of all kinds and the Sires hold their own with any of them, at any price. They aren't cheap, but they won't break the bank either. That's what Larry Carlton insisted on, and Sire delivered it.
Right on! I have the L7 that I’ve been trying to find time to do a good review on, but I love them both. Just need a tele…
Last comment I really related to. Everytime I pick up different guitars(usually at guitar store) each one does take you to different places musically and opens you up to different ideas and approaches regarding the songwriting process. Strange but true.
Absolutely worth the money and more to be honest! I have the exact same one. The surprising part for me is I didn't even have to change the pickups which I normally do on most of my guitars. This one just sounds right from the get go. Any slight changes I need I can easily get in my amp settings.
I just loved this model by Sire since I saw it the first time, even more than the Fm one, the first version, considering that the first one was picked before by me as a option to be bougth (I don´t have any Strato). Now with this option to divide the humbucker, this is the adecuate choice for me.
Thank you for gave us such a complete visión of this magnificent guitar. The only thing I would change is the radius, maybe 10 o 12 could be interesting.
I believe the next generation will have the dual radius! It will cost more!
Love the bud voice (sounds good) 😂
Great review, and I love that gitter as well. It looks and feels so damn good.
that was pretty tao... :-)
I love mine, the finishing is outatanding. The pickups are 'balanced' and sound great however they are what ill probably change. A custom shop texas special in the neck and middle and a paf pro in the neck is probably what ill change. My USA strat has notibly better pickups but the quality control and general finish on the sire is much better.
Grat review! Thanks! I was debating between Yamaha 612 and this Sire S7! But This kills me: "the gibson, I just look at it... and is probably out of tone" jajajajajaajaI
I like this but took me a while to get used to it . I’ve heard a few comments about the tightness and rigidity that meant it was difficult to really bond with it . I get what they are meaning the strings feel very rigid and feel a lot thicker than 10s for some reason , they were punishing my finger tips for the first few plays , first time I’ve felt this in 20 years . Perhaps puting 9s on it may help . Nonetheless it’s a solid guitar and I think I may grow to really like it
Exactly what I did with mine. I had no trouble with the original strings but chose to go with Ernie Ball Slinkies 9's which for me are much easier to bend and control.
Beautiful guitar. I think I’ll be buying one of these rather than a Fender.
Thanks for the review. Trying to decide between a s7 and h7.
Guess that would depend on your style of playing. The S7 is definitely a “Strat” style guitar, which is totally different from the H7. I’m sure you knew that. I have two Sires now, and both are awesome. The other is the Tele style with humbuckers.
my brother was going to get a s 7 but he got a mij that was on sale and i got a deal on mine
I’m crazy to buy the H7 or the H7V. They’re beauty
Great review!
Thanks!
Hey! Just picked this up used for around USD450. Love your tones! What amp and settings are you using for the sound demos?
Softube Amp Room for them all. The signal chain is in the intro and I just increased the drive a little for the “gritty” samples.
The guitar is almost perfect except for one thing. There is a play in the tone pot. I can turn it it a little bit in both directions without response/resistance. It doesn’t affect playability but is annoying. Apart from that, I love playing it. Have anyone else the same experience? 😮😊
yeah, mine is the same, it's very loose. I would assume that's an easy fix, but it is annoying!
Mine does also but it doesn't effect the playability much. It's about 3/16" turn gap which is just noticeable. I would say fixing it with a new pot would probably do the job but there are currently only 2 mfgs for push/push pots so it's likely a coin toss?
Could you you tell me what's you pickup heights after that flight?
Great video, Jason. I am sold! But I wonder if the pick guard on the Sire can be swapped out with any standard Strat style pick guard. Would you happen to know?
thanks! That's a good question... I have no idea. A quick google search found other Sire pickguards on ebay, but I couldn't find anything about if Strat pick guards would fit. I would guess they wouldn't as I would think Fender has some type of patent on the Strat design that prevents companies from copying it exactly?
@cleverdood Thanks, Jason. I'm embarrassed to state that it never occurred to me look for Sire S7 specific pick guards. I suppose I figured that they were too new for aftermarket parts.
Hi thanks for the video. Can you compare it to the G&L Tribute Legacy HSS which is quite the same in terms of specs and price? Thanks
Wish I could find a Champagne Gold one. Nowhere to be found.
Same
I found a Champagne Gold Metallic one in France. Global Audio Store had it for under $600 plus $89 shipping, and may have more! Pretty fast shipping too! It’s perfect and beautiful. Only thing I did do, which I’ve done on several $2000+ guitars, is took the spring out of the 6th string saddle, cut it in half and reinstalled it, to get it intonated. Neck perfect, great quality locking tuners. The quality that goes into this guitar is great, at any price!
Is there any glossy finnish on the fretboard? It looks very shiny!
yeah, it's pretty shiny!
Are those pickups alnicos or ceramic? I don't have much knowledge on pickups but can you help me know ?
The specs don’t say, they only say they are “Sire ST Super Pickup Set”
Are the pickups noiseless?
hi,can anyone tell if the pickups are noise less?
no, they're not.
It's an H-S-S configuration. Meaning, a humbucker (dual coils) in the bridge position, and single coil pickups in the middle and neck positions. It's a versatile setup. The humbucker is very quiet even at high gain settings. That's what humbuckers do, they have two coils which offset each others noise. Single coil pickups will hum at high gain (overdrive) settings, but they're still quiet with clean settings. That said, you have a 5-way switch which can select each pickup alone, or combine the middle and neck or bridge pickup which cancels the noise just like a humbucker. And, the humbucker has a feature called a coil tap, which shuts off one of the coils to make it perform like a single coil. So basically, the only "noisy" settings are switch positions 3 and 5. The rest are all noise cancelling at any volume or distortion level. It's hard to explain but easy to understand once you play this style of guitar.
The Player Plus does have locking tuners. (and sounds more like a Strat)
$500 more
The player Plus does have die-cast sealed locking tuners, but they cost $500 more than I just paid for my new Sire S7 at $592. I’m a Fender Strat fan. I own 6, including a beautiful Ultra Strat in Plazma Red Burst I paid $2100 for. I hate to say this Sire S7 is every bit as good as my Ultra. I do hate that, but it’s true. Only thing I like better on the Ultra, is the dual radius neck, which I hear Sire will have on a newer higher price model coming soon, but still $1000 cheaper.
Is there any pickup difference between sire s7 and s3 ?
Yes there is. Hard to describe but the s7 is "brighter"
yes, they are different. S3's have their 'regular' pickups in a SSS (3 singles) config. The S7's is their Super ST set in an HSS (humbucker, single, single) design.
The S3 have higher output pickups and don't have the roasted maple neck.
How much does it weigh?
3.76KG, or 8 lbs. sire-usa.com/pages/faq
How does it compare to a 3rd and final generation American Standard with the Fat 50s pickups ?
Good question, I haven't played that so I wouldn't know. Sound-wise, I would image the Fender has an edge, but I thought the fit and finish and playability of the Sire was ahead of all of the Fenders I tried in the shop the day I got it.