Just How Good Are Sire Guitars?
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- čas přidán 26. 08. 2024
- Sire Guitars mad a splash in the industry with their Marcus Miller Bass Guitars. Partnering with a well known musician to produce high quality, affordable bass guitars that have been well received. When they moved to guitar production they found an artist partner in Larry Carlton and have introduced a line of electric guitars with his moniker on them. Given the low price of these guitars how good could they be? Cooper and Chris give their honest opinion.
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Become a Sire dealer. I bought an S7FM from Sweetwater. It’s a great guitar value. I’m interested in a T3 and H7. I don’t want to take a real ES335 out to a gig in the humid Florida evening. I bought the S7 because it was available and I didn’t own a “Super Strat” but I’m more of a tele and 335 fan. We definitely need more Sire dealers!
ZZounds where I got my H7
I've had a S7 for a few months now. It's a fantastic guitar. Everything you'd want in a higher end guitar at the $700 price point. Sounds amazing and feels amazing!
I just bought a new black Sire S3 two weeks ago. It is blowing me away. I was a touring sound engineer for 43 years. I mixed almost every kind of high end guitar made. Fender, G&L, Gibsons,, Tom Anderson, PRS, Ernie Ball, and many others. This Sire S3 will hang with any of them. The more I play it the more I love it.
I just baught a Sire H7. I have owned 3 Gibsons and still have '71 Tele Custom. I have to say that this guitar is as good as any guitar I have ever owned. It is such a joy to play. Its tonality is rich and warm; its quality of workmanship and materials are second to none. Well done Sire! You have made a wonderful line of professional grade instruments at an affordable price.
I bought an s7. It's just incredible. The neck is best in class at the price point. Sound great, great features. Honestly the best built/featured guitars at that price point. If you can get yourself as a dealer - do it. Get your hands on an s7. You'll be amazed.
Also the s7 has locking tuners and staggered posts - they don't even point it out!? The locking part is advertised, but not the staggered posts. Hand on heart they feel like gotohs, but they don't have the labels. The 7 series is directly prices against the MIM fenders and unless you are married to THE MIM sound, the features and quality blow the fenders out of the water.
3 or 7 series, the value is amazing.
I was very impressed with your review and playing of these Sire guitars, particularly the S and T style solid body models. They look and sound like a tremendous value. Well done Chris and Cooper for getting Sire on your website offerings.
Can we talk about cooper’s playing on that S3 ?! So clean, so groovy, makes picking fast look effortless. This video randomly popped on my feed and I threw it on and then he started playing and my mind exploded
I just bought an S3 and I am shocked at how good it is. I have had an American Standard Strat, a Roland Ready Strat, and various Squiers including the much praised CV. I prefer the Sire to all of them. The neck is so playable and it sounds fat and warm--perhaps not typical Fender but more to my taste. I live in the UK and there is only one Sire dealer as far as I'm aware, but luckily it's Andertons. If you don't already, you should stock them!
I absolutely love my new S3. Here in the U.S. just soon as dealers get them in stock they are sold. I had to pre order in order reserve one for myself. The S3 rips !!!
Maybe I have bad luck but I always have to do more work on guitars made in Indonesia to make them feel the way I like. I don't mind doing it if I save a little. In fact, light fret work, swapping out parts, filing a new nut is a relaxing change of pace from work and video games. It's just labor in exchange for a good deal. Buying a nice looking guitar with rough frets, a plastic nut and pot metal tuners then making it feel and sound like it cost 2 or 3 times more than I paid is a fun hobby.
Great review video, and I always love to hear Cooper play. Those notes he played on the S3 were fantastic.
After a lot of searching and reading and watching review videos over a period of months, and after trying a number of guitars to see what felt best to me, I ended up buying an S7 without having ever seen one in person. The amount of features that Sire puts into that model while keeping below the cost of a Fender Player series is just nuts! Staggered locking tuners, bone nut, roasted maple neck with satin finish, and the best feeling fingerboard of anything I tried out.
It is my first electric guitar (I've been playing acoustic), so I don't have decades of owning multiple guitars, but I love it. When I took it to a lesson and handed it to my instructor, he played it and loved it and said "What is this? What is this S on the headstock? Who made this?"
He, too, was amazed by the build quality and features at the price point.
Great job, Alamo Music Center. If you carry some of these guitars, I think people will come to the store just to finally get to try one in person.
"The amount of features that Sire puts into that model while keeping below the cost of a Fender Player series is just nuts!"
No it's not. Fender is overpriced. Just like Gibson.
I love Cooper's playing! I swear he's the best demo guitarist on the Tube.
My personal experience with a Heritage Red H7 was different. It was and remains an exceptional guitar in all respects. I have owned numerous 335's over my 58 years of playing and this is one I can confidently take anywhere any time.
Glad you now carry Sire.
That's probably the nicest playing I've heard on a guitar demo video. Good job!
Also own a T7 FM great guitar for price. Locking tuners and the neck is the best I've played on at this price! Great guitar
These have been in Aaustralia for sometime now, which is a treat as we are often a little behind or left out of some options. These are a game changer and that Larry Carlton puts his name to them is of no surprise to me. Whilst I am predominantly a blues keys/piano player, privately I have always wanted to join the ranks but as anyone knows, great gear improves everything and it has always been an expensive set up. These days, quality valve amps can be had for under $1000 instead of units of thousands and finally, a company has recognised the huge gap in the market that Epiphone and Squire have completely missed. My 335 style Sire is so beautifully finished and attention to detail is obvious. This 54yo has a great set of ears and I thought it sounded good so I took it to my friend who is also my age but wisely chose guitar at a young age. He owns a bunch of name guitars, new and vintage and has three amps, all good for different things. He played the Sire and as he was not aware of the brand at that stage, assumed it was a small English or American operation with the expected price tag. The guitar is still at his place, I think I might buy the LP style and he can give me lessons until the 335 models is paid for. I urge anyone from beginner to pro to look at any of the Sire range, this is a truly well crafted instrument that sounds as good as it looks. I imagine there will be a fans website already or soon, full of pick up mods etc. Well done to all involved with this project, all success truly deserved.
Glad to see that you all review gear that isn't stocked in your shop. Awesome review!
Just bought two guitars from Sweetwater and one was a Sire Larry Carlton S7. I think it's a great guitar, especially at $649.00. Then again I am the king of off brand budget guitars. Other than my PRS standard, the highest quality guitar I ever bought is my Gretsch Silver Bullet. The rest are IYV, Indio, Harley Benton and Squire. The minute I took my S7 out of the box it played fantastic.I personally would recommend Sire to anyone looking to get a nice guitar for less than a $1000.00
Cooper’s face when Chris said “chunky nut” 😂😂
Or "bound F-hole"
Jim from the Office
Lmao
Chunky lug"
Strap button.
I have a T7FM, an H7 and an A4 Dreadnought. The H7 had the same issue as yours, super low. It sounded a lot better after raising it up a bit. I’d like to see them put out a thin line T series like the Classic Vibe Squier. I’m happy with my Sires especially after years of buying Taylors. Great every day guitars.
Really appreciate what you guys do..! thank ya!
I bought a S7 hollowbody, love it and no knit picking here 😊
I've got a T7 FM, and it is great.
I got a Marcus Miller V3P (their entry level passive J bass) a few weeks ago and I love it! The quality is so much better than a Squier for about the same price. Like Cooper said, the fret edges are really nicely rolled. I'm seriously looking at their 335 or LP style guitar now!
Good review , very nice playing too ,but whats missing for me as I see in so many reviews is the lack of using /testing the volume and tone controls , they are there for a reason and its a pity they are not covered .
For example I tried an S7 recently and as soon as the volume pot was knocked back just a touch the tone lost all its brightness although I loved the guitar for other features but not that feature ! .
Hope this comment is taken in a constructive good spirit.
Nice video review! Have a H7 in Red, Regarding the neck, I have not had or seen any issues. Also, not sure how Sire does their necks. I'd assume they do the process like Gibson does. Frets are installed before the necks are glued into the bodies of 335s, Les Pauls, SGs, etc. at Gibson. It's much easier to do it that way. Just handling the neck alone when installing the frets rather than having it already set into the body. As you noted/hinted, some vintage and high-end guitars can have some ugly stuff if you look into the F-Holes. My old 58 335 Reissue was a little messy.
Hey guys at Alamo. Just bought my first Larry Carlton, it's an H7V the 335 copy but with P-90's. It only arrives from Germany 2 days from today. I mostly play my Gibson or my Ibanez. I didn't want to shell out 3500 semolians for a Gibson because I really don't play semi hollow bodies... Let's see what it really feels and sounds like. Take care.
When I'm ready for a HSS Strat you have me sold on a Sire S3!
I have a Marcus Miller 5-string that’s unbelievable. I’m taking a good look at their LP right now.
Great demo.
I have an S7Gen2 HSS Sire. Its great, looks good, feels nice, play very good.
There are a thing or two i have to ”complain” about.
1. The E1 string broke on the first bend.
2. I have some stringbuzz on E6 and A on some frets.
But its just a setup away!
I took it to a gig right after i changed the strings.
Its holding tune like crazy!
There are some differenses between the pickups on the 3 series vs the 7 series.
There is a video out here that shows 7 series are a bit more premium.
I was about to pay for a Fender Player plus or a step up. Say somewere around 1500euros - 2000euros.
After trying a Sire S7 FM HSS gen2 i was like, take my money.
Come on, ~650euros, just ridiculous.
AND the S7 HSS has a coil split With a push knob.
GREAT value.
Cooper, jeeeeez what a demo, pure class....... i am interested in the more recent H7V, after this i'm totally sold, what a class act you are.....
"Keep your strap on and bind your F holes." Cooper, you're killing me.🤣
Damn Cooper! Just WOW! Enough said.
I bought a T3 from Sw__tw_ter recently. As you guys both said, these guitars are punching above their weight class. Only mod I made was locking tuners as I had a set of Hipshot tuners laying around that dropped in. Just unloaded my Squire as IMHO this guitar is just better. I did dress the frets myself. The ends are just perfect. Hopefully you guys get to carry these guitars. You guys do awesome videos too!
Hi Guys, yes, please get them in stock. All the Sire line are very nice guitars in both versions, the "3" and the "7" and you missed the "LP" type. I own a T7 and I loooove it, the neck is a beauty in that guitar. I'll get a hollowbody at some point too.
Thank you for pointing out the high fret issues.
I have two Sires currently fulfilling the roles I rarely need (L7V for Singlecut and back up P90s and a J-Bass style V5) and in both cases, they're perfect until you go above the 12th fret.
That's less of an issue for me on bass. I only need to about the 14-15th fret on bass and very rarely. However I had to level the frets a bit on the L7V and shim the neck on the V5 and still the action is just a little higher than I would prefer with a little more relief in the neck than I would prefer.
This would not be an issue for even most gigging players that only need below the 12th fret or beginner to intermediate players. But it kind of sucked I had to do fret work just to play Sweet Child of Mine on a singlecut and even then, it's just that little bit harder to play because of the higher action makes me want to put 9's on it when it's already tuned down a half step and a singlecut is halfway to short scale guitar.
A luthier can dress the frets no problem.
I have a Sire H7V VS which is a 335 style with P90 pickups (not Humbuckers) which sound like boutique pickups which I won't name. Excellent guitar sound, playing and quality wise!
I also bought a H7v for some 600 euros. I love the sound of these P90's. I can 't find any faults even after scrutinizing because at this pricepoint you expect some corners have to be cut. Still I can 't find any. I however changed the strings for flatwounds and that plays ever smoother. It is a happy purchase
Compared to my old Tokai, The Sire S7 sounded a little bland, and yes, a good comparison would be between the S7 and a Fender. The T7 was ok, but first thing I'd do is replace the locking tuners with a standard set as they're too heavy and spoil the balance. This type of locking tuner is our arch enemy in terms of neck dive. You don't need anything too fancy on a tele. The T3 apeals. I like the idea of a rosewood board. It also seems to dusguise the altered headstock shape a little better than the full on, in your face, roasted neck. Haven't tried one yet, but hopefully, the neck has the same profile has the 7? One ask would be for the bridge attachment to be a 4 screw. That way you could experiment with a vintage 3 saddle bridge and easily swap them. I also like ceramic pickups on a Tele, and I'm assuming the pots will be 500k in The T3?
I just played a Sire T7 FM. It was far more comfortable than guitars costing 4x the price. It also sounded better than almost all of them.
What does the fm mean ? Great looking and sounding guitars for the price. Amazing.
I love my Sire bass.
Awesome demos and very informative reviews. I'm definitely interested in Sire. I'd be curious to hear your thoughts after a professional setup to see if any of your nitpicks on the semi-hollow body guitar go away.
Kyle Kim does interviews and he's a pretty genuine guy with a great origin story and great attitude.
Chris and Cooper are the best. Love and blessings from Pearland(Houston), Texas.🎶🎸❤😊👍
David, Forgot to mention, I do have a T7 also… can’t put them down. I recently bought a Fender Vintage II 57 Strat ( despite claiming to the world I wouldn’t) and should have sent it back due to quality issues but being the luthier I am, I corrected them. Plays great now and those pickups are sweet. Never again thou. I’ll build more partscasters then spend that kind of money. Face it, that’s what Leo intended.
Tim Pearce just reviewd their 335, I bought the P90 version today, didn't know about this guitar, but have a Sire acoustic, was just wandering around Andertons, I don't care about badges, there was a Gibson SG standard that sounded beautiful, that nearly got bought, the Epiphone Tony Iommi model was also nice, tempted by an Epiphone Tele with humbuckers, but got 100 bucks knocked off the Sire, I bought my Son a Sire left handed bass, he is left handed, had never seen a left handed bass before, it is a beautiful instrument, my Squirrels Gone Song will be ideal with this.
I am shopping for an electric semi hollow to move up to. Considered Gretsch, Guild, Ibanez and others. This appears to be a great value and it's not made in China. The neck dimensions are favorable to those of us with small hands, especially the S model. Others that have reviewed the H7 give it very high marks in the price range.
Enjoy these videos very much.
So after so many hours of trial and error, I found quite a few defects with it and I'm considering returning it to be honest.
so I was mega hyped by this guitar and everyone on the internet had only good things to say about it , I like how it sounds but for someone that is used to play an Ibanez S520 for almost 10 years, this guitar seems like a downgrade to be honest ..... where to start:
- ah yea, the damn tremolo didn't fit unless I literally hammered it in with a rubber mallet because of a fabrication defect (i had looked inside the tremolo hole and it wasn't finished so a lot of metal is in there)
- the action was too high and when I adjusted it a bit lower the frets started buzzing like hell
- the backplate is not cut properly, I noticed this while re-stringing the guitar
- scratchy frets, so while playing it and doing some good 'ol regular bends I immediately got cringed by the feel of starching strings over the frets ( i guess this will go away in time but it's horrible )
So all of these for me are kind of a deal-breaker, however I will take the guitar to a skilled luthier and let him give it a go at it and then play with it some more. I'm sorry to make this post into a rant but I'm extremely disappointed.
Despite of all the above I do have some good things to say about the guitar:
- it sounds awesome, the s-s-h combo makes it an incredible versatile instrument and I really enjoyed so far the sounds it came out of it (this is the main reason I decided to give it another swing and postpone the return of the guitar)
- locking tuners
- electronics are super responsive and I love it (volume/tone/switch are good quality)
- the neck feels good
- the overall design & visuals are great
Conclusion: I got way too hyped for what it has to offer in terms of price/quality, at first contact I am disappointed but looking forward to test it more after I take it to my luthier and have him take a look of all the issues I'm having with it. Again this is my initial review of the guitar and I will follow up later.
after giving it some patience and setup, i am now pretty happy with it and it has became my main guitar :-D
Gret reviews and playing!! They seem to be some of the best value guitars on the market. I agree about the bound f-holes, too. Seems like a no-brainer and at a minor cost.
Every time I watch Cooper demo I check the playback speed - thinking I must have turned it up to 1.25x speed . . but no . . . . he is just that fast on the fretboard . . . . some of the best demo playing anywhere
Fabulous guitar, I own one the hollow body your holding 😊
I have an S7 and it’s great. Best $600 worth of gear that I’ve ever spent.
Alamo should carry these,,,,,I am buying one and I would rather buy it from Alamo.!!
We do carry them now!
I have a first model H7 and the only complaint is the neck is very narrow at the nut. Other wise plays and sounds great and the only cosmetic flaw is a hardened drop of finish on one of the F holes.
I have a Sire S7 fm with the split Coile and love it. Great guitars!
So can anyone tell me why to this day and back to the 90s when an excuse was that they had to turn all the machines to lefthand hence why some are €100 plus and also up to €200 more in some stores because it’s a lefthand ? Why are lefthand still being charged more than a right handed player is beyond me. And don’t tell me it’s about changing the machinery around at the factory because that would be any technicians nightmare.
CAN ANYONE ANSWER THIS FOR ME?
A friend has a sire Marcus Miller 5 string and he likes it a lot.
However, it's much better suited to studio work than live, because it's EXTREMELY HEAVY!
Heads Up to anyone considering a Sire guitar. My T3 arrived with defective saddle-height screws. None of the 12 screws fit the allen wrench well, and 2 of them won't bite at all. So I can't adjust 2 of the 6 saddles. I understand that defective parts might make their way onto any guitar, so I wasn't too concerned. I emailed Sire right away and asked for replacements. But I'm still waiting, and my 30 day return period is passing quickly. Just something to consider when choosing a brand.
Sounds like you used the wrong allen wrench' Was the allen wrench included with the guitar' the one you used' did you try a different Allen wrench when you figured out it was the wrong one?
Around 25:56 you said Squire instead of Sire … LOL
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE REVIEW :😊
Very torn between the T3 and S3
The rough fretboard goes away very quickly. Bit of a strange thing but the fret ends and finish make up for this.
The T3 needs string trees to avoid the sitar sound. Maybe a nut issue also?
I’ve got a T3, l7v and looking at the H7v although my Epi Inspired by 335 works just fine.
Great guitars, all voiced to Larry Carlton’s style and that’s ok with me!
I have the L7 gold top and love it more than any Gibson LP I’ve owned. The quality is superb and it’s a no brainer on which one to buy. Fender’s quality has gone down but prices have skyrocketed, same with Gibson but worse.
Lot of truth here about skyrocketing prices from the big two. My Sire T7 Fm Blue is amazing. I chose it over a Fender Professional II Miami Blue and so glad I did. The quality and tone IS there too! The necks on these really are fantastic, it's not just empty hype. Playability wise it has become one of my top 2 guitars because of how it actually sits in your hand. Not many have mentioned this and it's criminally good! Even more surprised how amazing the pickups function and sound. I'd absolutely recommend checking one out for yourself.
Thanks good to know an L7 is a model I’m going for next.
I just took delivery of the S8 strat. Happy man but needs a setup
I'll take an S7 thank you SIRE!
Well Gibson did do a version of a Tele (sort of) a few years back. It was the Gibson Music City Jr. with B-Bender
. . . .that strat sounds really good . . . .and look is cool as well - my pick.
You guys overlooked the L7's. Just got the Transparent Blue and it's well made. The locking tuners, rolled edges and bone nut are great value. Not impressed with the humbuckers. Plus I had to take it in for repair. It had some bad wiring. But the Al5's are not a good choice for LP's. Too bright, too thin. I will swap them out for SD Alnico II Pros. But it's a great value for the price.
As a customer I would like to see Alamo become a dealer of Sire.
I own a T7, purchased for $499, list was $599...absolutely love it! Squier & Epiphone should be scared...Sire quality is much, much, much, (1 more time for emphasis) much better.
Not sure about epiphone
The EART 335 blows it away
Vintage is much mucH muCH mUCH MUCH BETTER
I had my heart set on a Pacifica 311 HS with the P90...I wonder how similar model Sire shapes up against the Yam'?
Question - Did Cooper, having such a cool name feel that that gave him an advantage to being such a kick ass player? I mean, the dude slays 🙌
His power comes from the hair... like Samson.
@@kimoandrews5802 I wish. I have long hair and don’t play like that 🤣
@@thelolguy007 well now you are just mocking me. I have more hair on my back than on my head and I play like I’m fretting with hot dogs.
Great player is right. Just amazing.
My main electric is a L7 FM HH, it is a wonderful instrument
an algorithme brought me here I guess - nice video on Sire
I have the L7. And man, what an axe!
These guys have added so much to the guitar world with their body designs.
I could be wrong but isn’t that the H7V? Looking at the pickups in black is kind of a V model thing and they should be P90’s. I want the V model because of fretboard width and I like the 90’s. Back to the show. Thanks guys, wish you sold these. If not the H7V could you do a video on one? Oops, the pushups are chrome. Never mind.
Did you use the coil splitter on the S type tone knob? I think there is a push- pull there. Great demo playing!
Great guitars and great playing.
Those Sires look beautiful and sound great!
You guys are great. Genuinely funny and great playing.
I would like your opinion on the Sire L7, L7v, and the T7v. It would be helpful to know the average weight for these guitars. Thank you.
Does anyone know if the nut width on the H7 is standard? It used to be thinner than Gibson and I didn’t buy one because of that. I loved everything else but it felt strange. I would buy/recommend one of the but width is normal on the newer ones.
Damn. That was some fine playing.
How does the T3 compare to the T7?
I got an S7 and it sounds and plays so much better than my Ultra Strat that I sold the Strat and haven’t missed it for a second. The stainless frets really make a difference and the pickups are awesome.
I also have an S7 (vintage) the frets are not stainless steel. That being said, the locking tuners and roasted neck make it a better value than a lot of Strats.
Yeah no, they do not come with SS frets but the ones they do have are phenomenally good!
@@devinsinderwitcz9134 I agree....I just don't want people to think that they do. Even in an Anderton's video, Pete claimed that they were SS. The necks are wonderful....
Not bad .....better than expected.....especially the price ! Nice.
Good demo👍
My next guitar will be an s style Sire
My Sire V7 bass has quality similar to Bassmods EF5. So their eléctrics must be great too for half the price
Chris - Gibson made a Super Strat in the late 80s/Early 90s (look up Trogly’s videos) and Epiphone did a straight up S-type clone as well.
I like the T3 telecaster style and I have heard the 335 and the H7 sound great too. I would buy either one for my first electric guitar. I wish you listed the specs on them 18:07
I've been eyeing the S3's. This exact tobacco burst lasted only a few days on reverb. A black one on pitbull lasted 45 minutes, lol. If you want one and you see a color other than pink or vintage white(too yellow for me) you better pop because she's going bye-bye.
My T7 is great. Amazing value. Play better then my previous fender AM pro!!!
Just curious. Who sells more? Sire signature named quality guitars under $800, or signature guitars for thousands of dollars by the big names. Sire often sells out, but say, how many MusicMan Steve Morse or Fender SRV guitars sell a year ?
They all sounded good, albeit the S3 sounded a bit restrained to me. I enjoyed the H7 until Cooper switched to the last position in the demo. As for Squier, I have seen too many obvious flaws (not nitpicks) to ever consider them.
Tried to purchase a t3 but from Alamo it's sold out
I have a Sire jazz bass and a short scale bass. Both well made and sound great at a reasonable price.
Would like your Opinion on the Sire L7 and L7v. Thank you. Like weight of guitar too.
You can get the H7 with P-90
Fret dressings and setups should be expected at this price point.