I'm always very impressed with how the Sire guitars pickups are voiced. The single coils have great sparkle and mids that I prefer. Never too bassy or muddy.
Just bought it, same color. Great guitar for the price. I love the bar, it is so soft and regular. Really a great strato but with different voice. Thank you John for your video.
Looks pretty cool. The camera ratio did mean that we barely saw the guitar as a whole, so had to go online to look at the headstock properly, not too shabby!
I purchased the S7 FM. I was originally drawn to the beautiful blue finish and put my name on the list to get one from Sweetwater when they became available. The guitar was well worth the long wait. Mine arrived in perfect condition but not in tune.
For under a hundred bucks US (on sale) I got an amazing MITCHELL guitar- I bought it as a throw away guitar for camping. I now play it more than my strat that costs nearly 2k. It stays in tune better and the tone is nearly as good. It is lighter and the neck and action is arguably better.
@@MOAB-UT yes, i have it liker that. The Neck is just killer and the tuning stability is the best of all my hundreds of guitars i had in nearly 40 years of -professional- playing, even stock! Did put some Locking Tuners on and changed Pickups though.
@@Worlds_Worst_Guitarist Nice. I bet it is nice and light as well. With the new pups it's as good as any and it is original. I just got a new FM9 Turbo. You should check them out since you are a pro.
@@MOAB-UT I WAS a Pro.................................... since some years working for Federal Government (Germany) now. But the Fractal Audio stuff is just waaaayyyy too pricey................... even in my haydays 😞
Someone plays one of these on a French program called 'N'oublie pas les paroles' and it sounds killer. I think he tried to sand off the name from the headstock since it is hard to see it clearly.
I have the T7 fm !!! I'm very happy with it .However the trem was locked right down out the box and it needed setting up !!! But really happy with it now .😁
Was split between a Squier 60's CV candy apple red and a S3 hss sunburst. Bought the S3 since it was at proximity. The Squier I could have liked as much yet very happy with the Sire.
I've got the S7- it is such a beautiful guitar. The roasted maple neck is the best I've ever played. Wonderful instruments which are going up in price each time Andertons get new stock (lovely playing John btw). Namaste x
I was under this misconception as a noob so sharing this here. Locking tuners are not meant to hold tune. They are only meant to make string change easy. Holding or maintaining tuning is the job of friction points like nut and string trees if any.
I have the S7 and the build quality is exceptional. It’s a lovely guitar to play. Initially I wasn’t too impressed with the pickups but using the tone knob I’ve found sounds from it I’m much happier with. Amazing value for money. Tuning is very stable.
Thank you for a great video! Apologies if this has been asked elsewhere in the comments, but I don't think you mentioned the weight after weighing it. Is it a particularly heavy guitar?
S7 for me all the way Sam. I can't believe how amazingly mine plays. Absolutely recommend getting an S7 if you're in the market for a new guitar. Namaste x
I would go for the S3. I prefer the colour palette, the wood choice and the pricetag. ) The rosewood fretboard looks so good with sonic blue of vintage white.
What pedals/effects are you using to get that lead sound from 0:35-3:00? Ive been trying to get that sound for a while and I can't get close enough to it.
John, you did say you weighed the S3 but you didn't say what it weighed. Looks like a worthy competitor for the Squier Classic Vibe series. There is also a T3 which I need to take a look at.
Jonh, I live in Brazil and the cost of guitars imported here are frighteningly expensive. However, this guitar has an attractive price. Do you think that for those who can't afford a Fender (in reality, Brazilians), a Sire would be a good option?
I don't think u cannot get any better for the money as far as playability and tone ... I owned an s 7 , l7 now got another l 7 with p90's .... have several sire basses ... all all in very consistent ... unlike epiphone /squier n even mexican fenders. The sire instrument i parted with is because i gassed too much n traded them for instruments i really needed... i think Sire are a force to be reckoned because no matter what price point u go for u get " proper" instruments that do not need modding ... Larry Carlton and Marcus Miller would have never put their names down had the quality not been up to scratch... i'm really impressed with my v7 basses and they are my signature sound . I recently purchased a fretless v7 for £399 from Andertons... it was on offer ... Damn u Sire i really need to stop gassing away ahahaha
Looks like these are priced to compete with the Squier Classic Vibes, perhaps a future comparison for you John! I have a S7 vintage which I recently changed pickups in and converted to HSS, it’s now my main guitar in my church band. I always loved the way it felt but the original pickups were just too shrill and thin. Open question to the assembled throng, do people put locking tuners in their guitars for tuning stability? I’ve never had tuning problems which I thought were caused by the string pulling out the tuning peg. I have put locking tuners on my Mexican strat but that was just to make string changes easier!
I changed the tuners on my squier standard strat and it didn't do shit for tuning stability... blocking the trem made a significant difference... and changing to a graphtech nut made THE biggest difference by far went from staying in tune for minutes to staying in tune for hours/days
Totally agree - this guitar is a sleeper! I've got my buddy's brand new S3 on my bench for a setup right now and for the most part I'm very impressed. I also noticed the issues with fretwork that you pointed out around 10:54 - it feels like the starting action is a bit high due to bridge position and the fret crowns are a bit too wide, along with the nut needing some reshaping/adjustment. I think they play it a bit too "safe" on their stock setups to save labor (and $) but nothing that can't be sorted by a decent setup/fret crowning. I feel like locking tuners were a missed opportunity on this model and they only would have cost Sire another £15- but if they but lockers on the S3, nobody would buy the S7 :P
Hi John, thank you for sharing about this new Sire S3. I hope you could make a comparison with the Ibanez AZES soon. Hopefully. Cheers again mate! By the way, that is one mighty jungle knife you got there!😎
@dannyplaysguitar well its sold out im on the waiting list. But I see this guitar going around now so im curious on peoples opinion on the two , it may sway my decision
@dannyplaysguitar unfortunately not , im on the west coast of united states. Ive only seen these guitars on youtube so im caught on the fence now if to pre order one of these or wait on my azes40 im already on the list for :/ always something “new” coming out , its hard to know what to get as a new player without the knowledge of my preferences
Thanks John. Really nice sounding and looking guitar. Great playing as always. Quite a while ago you had a Harley Benton Dullahan in a few videos. Leon Todd did a video in the last few months about one that was sent to him. Do you still have that one?
My gosh, and I thought that David Gilmour was the best guitar player I've ever heard. I think I just changed my mind. Wow, dude, you are the best I've ever heard. Up there with Justin Johnson. How are you at slide? W Rusty Lane K9POW in eastern Tennessee
Im a bassist who just wants a guitar to mess around with or throw simple loops on in the backround. Seems perfect, beautiful affordable and not a guitar my skill will outgap. Probably will be my one and only guitar.
Hey Simon - personally I think between the two I'd try the Larry Carlton - specs suit me a little better - although the Yamaha I imagine may have more interesting pickups?
@@peterkelly8357 It makes a huge difference ergonomically. Gigging for hours with a 10 lb guitar is less comfortable than a 7 lb one. Manufacturers like Gibson and Fender reserve the lightest woods in their stock for their custom shop guitars. Personally, I find lighter guitars to be more resonant and more fun to play. The feel is better to me so I play better with them. That said, I played heavy guitars for years until I discovered this.
Hard not to buy at that price. A year later and they are still 400. After that huge inflation bump we had Sire didn't punish it for it. Proof that corporate greed exists and good companies do as well. so do your homework. The S-3 also has a mahogany body for the Gibson' fans out there. I believe the S-7 model is alder.
I'm always very impressed with how the Sire guitars pickups are voiced. The single coils have great sparkle and mids that I prefer. Never too bassy or muddy.
I have a Sire T7FM and love it. Based on your review I just ordered an S3.
I just purchased this guitar love it.
Just bought it, same color. Great guitar for the price. I love the bar, it is so soft and regular. Really a great strato but with different voice. Thank you John for your video.
Looks pretty cool. The camera ratio did mean that we barely saw the guitar as a whole, so had to go online to look at the headstock properly, not too shabby!
I really hated the headstock 😔 such a shame because I’m a sucker for that exact pick guard/body color/ fretboard combo
Waiting for mine to be delivered, can't wait sounds awesome 👏
That's one hell of a letter opener!
What a beautiful tone🩵I play in church and your review tells me I should order this the black one🖤
your skill is good at playing the guitar and choosing the tune.
I purchased the S7 FM. I was originally drawn to the beautiful blue finish and put my name on the list to get one from Sweetwater when they became available. The guitar was well worth the long wait. Mine arrived in perfect condition but not in tune.
This is the first, and only signature guitar I have ever considered buying. I don't have one yet, but I will!!!!
For under a hundred bucks US (on sale) I got an amazing MITCHELL guitar- I bought it as a throw away guitar for camping. I now play it more than my strat that costs nearly 2k. It stays in tune better and the tone is nearly as good. It is lighter and the neck and action is arguably better.
I have a similiar experience with a "JET" JS400 Guitar!
@@Worlds_Worst_Guitarist Nice! The JS400 looks like a strat. You can get them with the HSS pups.
@@MOAB-UT yes, i have it liker that. The Neck is just killer and the tuning stability is the best of all my hundreds of guitars i had in nearly 40 years of -professional- playing, even stock! Did put some Locking Tuners on and changed Pickups though.
@@Worlds_Worst_Guitarist Nice. I bet it is nice and light as well. With the new pups it's as good as any and it is original. I just got a new FM9 Turbo. You should check them out since you are a pro.
@@MOAB-UT I WAS a Pro.................................... since some years working for Federal Government (Germany) now. But the Fractal Audio stuff is just waaaayyyy too pricey................... even in my haydays 😞
Someone plays one of these on a French program called 'N'oublie pas les paroles' and it sounds killer. I think he tried to sand off the name from the headstock since it is hard to see it clearly.
i have an AM pro 2
this will be my backup one..thnxx!
I have the T7 fm !!! I'm very happy with it .However the trem was locked right down out the box and it needed setting up !!! But really happy with it now .😁
The sound reminds me of Eric Johnson very much, which says a lot, this is amazing value!
Was split between a Squier 60's CV candy apple red and a S3 hss sunburst. Bought the S3 since it was at proximity. The Squier I could have liked as much yet very happy with the Sire.
I´m in love 😍❤❤❤ I had to sell my Fender Strat, but this seems to be a great bargain.
I've got the S7- it is such a beautiful guitar. The roasted maple neck is the best I've ever played. Wonderful instruments which are going up in price each time Andertons get new stock (lovely playing John btw). Namaste x
I was under this misconception as a noob so sharing this here. Locking tuners are not meant to hold tune. They are only meant to make string change easy. Holding or maintaining tuning is the job of friction points like nut and string trees if any.
I have the S7 and the build quality is exceptional. It’s a lovely guitar to play. Initially I wasn’t too impressed with the pickups but using the tone knob I’ve found sounds from it I’m much happier with. Amazing value for money. Tuning is very stable.
I would love to know the name of the beautiful tune in the intro and to learn the tab.
Saw these on the Andertons site and was wondering when one would pop up in your videos. Didn't take long!
Thank you for a great video! Apologies if this has been asked elsewhere in the comments, but I don't think you mentioned the weight after weighing it. Is it a particularly heavy guitar?
I like that color too. Good review!
Sire S3 a great guitar. And your sound is too good! You are a new Eric Johnson
Need sire S3 vs fender player series 🔥😍
I think we need a proper shoot out of the s3 and s7
S7 for me all the way Sam. I can't believe how amazingly mine plays. Absolutely recommend getting an S7 if you're in the market for a new guitar. Namaste x
I would go for the S3. I prefer the colour palette, the wood choice and the pricetag. ) The rosewood fretboard looks so good with sonic blue of vintage white.
@@stroopwafel6141 is the pick guard cream or blue? On the website it looks like it has a greenish hue but I’m not sure that’s correct
@@VirtualBird5954 Could be correct. Vintage strat and tele style pickguards often have a greenish cream colour.
Beautiful tone and playing.
Love your playing and a great Sire
I got the H7 and I can confirm it's unbelievable for the price.
I'm sorry but when you pulled the volume knob off then was like WTF and put it back on mid play.....I lost it 🤣🤣🤣🤣
What pedals/effects are you using to get that lead sound from 0:35-3:00? Ive been trying to get that sound for a while and I can't get close enough to it.
John, you did say you weighed the S3 but you didn't say what it weighed. Looks like a worthy competitor for the Squier Classic Vibe series. There is also a T3 which I need to take a look at.
Weight of the guitar and neck specs for 1st and 12th fret would be nice.
Will we ever see that AZES again? Still my current axe, and I'm loving every second of it
The guitar sounds very good, and the sustain seems exceptional. I'd suggest metallic colored paints to make the guitars look more vibrant.
Jonh, I live in Brazil and the cost of guitars imported here are frighteningly expensive. However, this guitar has an attractive price. Do you think that for those who can't afford a Fender (in reality, Brazilians), a Sire would be a good option?
I don't think u cannot get any better for the money as far as playability and tone ...
I owned an s 7 , l7 now got another l 7 with p90's .... have several sire basses ... all all in very consistent ... unlike epiphone /squier n even mexican fenders. The sire instrument i parted with is because i gassed too much n traded them for instruments i really needed...
i think Sire are a force to be reckoned because no matter what price point u go for u get " proper" instruments that do not need modding ...
Larry Carlton and Marcus Miller would have never put their names down had the quality not been up to scratch... i'm really impressed with my v7 basses and they are my signature sound .
I recently purchased a fretless v7 for £399 from Andertons... it was on offer ...
Damn u Sire i really need to stop gassing away ahahaha
Sounds good to me. I play mainly Les Pauls and Strats.
Outstanding young man, Outstanding!
I own a Sire S7 Flamed Maple . Is it reasonable to sell it and buy the S3 ? Feels like the pickups on S3 are much punchier and brighter .
Is the Machete Stainless Steel or is it nickel? Is the handle Ebony or rosewood. Is this ok for the money or is it a cut above. Cheers
Only you could go into Lion Kings/Elton John - Can you Feel the love tonight mid review nd make it sound so good. Chapeau
Looks like these are priced to compete with the Squier Classic Vibes, perhaps a future comparison for you John! I have a S7 vintage which I recently changed pickups in and converted to HSS, it’s now my main guitar in my church band. I always loved the way it felt but the original pickups were just too shrill and thin.
Open question to the assembled throng, do people put locking tuners in their guitars for tuning stability? I’ve never had tuning problems which I thought were caused by the string pulling out the tuning peg. I have put locking tuners on my Mexican strat but that was just to make string changes easier!
I changed the tuners on my squier standard strat and it didn't do shit for tuning stability... blocking the trem made a significant difference... and changing to a graphtech nut made THE biggest difference by far went from staying in tune for minutes to staying in tune for hours/days
I feel like they help tuning stability on strats but even if they didn't, the advantage in string change time/ease is worth a pot of gold on it's own
Faster to change strings.
I would like to see a comparison of the Sire s3 and Musicman Sterling Cutlass ct30 if possible.
the machete always cracks me up
Totally agree - this guitar is a sleeper! I've got my buddy's brand new S3 on my bench for a setup right now and for the most part I'm very impressed.
I also noticed the issues with fretwork that you pointed out around 10:54 - it feels like the starting action is a bit high due to bridge position and the fret crowns are a bit too wide, along with the nut needing some reshaping/adjustment. I think they play it a bit too "safe" on their stock setups to save labor (and $) but nothing that can't be sorted by a decent setup/fret crowning.
I feel like locking tuners were a missed opportunity on this model and they only would have cost Sire another £15- but if they but lockers on the S3, nobody would buy the S7 :P
Hi John, thank you for sharing about this new Sire S3. I hope you could make a comparison with the Ibanez AZES soon. Hopefully. Cheers again mate! By the way, that is one mighty jungle knife you got there!😎
@dannyplaysguitar you sure about that? What makes this better than the azes40?
@dannyplaysguitar well its sold out im on the waiting list. But I see this guitar going around now so im curious on peoples opinion on the two , it may sway my decision
@dannyplaysguitar unfortunately not , im on the west coast of united states. Ive only seen these guitars on youtube so im caught on the fence now if to pre order one of these or wait on my azes40 im already on the list for :/ always something “new” coming out , its hard to know what to get as a new player without the knowledge of my preferences
Thanks John. Really nice sounding and looking guitar. Great playing as always. Quite a while ago you had a Harley Benton Dullahan in a few videos. Leon Todd did a video in the last few months about one that was sent to him. Do you still have that one?
Sire Larry carlton s3 or Squier classic vibe With Fender noiseless pickups?
My gosh, and I thought that David Gilmour was the best guitar player I've ever heard. I think I just changed my mind. Wow, dude, you are the best I've ever heard. Up there with Justin Johnson. How are you at slide? W Rusty Lane K9POW in eastern Tennessee
Sire S3 HSS Humbucker not splitable? Sorry if I missed that...
Going to get one 😊
i neede a backup gitar ( have a usa strat)...is this the one?
I just think Larry Carlton deserves to be a Sire.
Please compare it with Ibanez AZES 40,got to buy one of these two.Thankyou
This or the Ibanez AZES40?
These look so nice! I'm glad I'm already set 😂
Jonathan, would you buy/ or recommend the S3 over a Silver Sky SE??
Looks like the Ibanez AZ ES you demoed a few month ago
Im a bassist who just wants a guitar to mess around with or throw simple loops on in the backround. Seems perfect, beautiful affordable and not a guitar my skill will outgap. Probably will be my one and only guitar.
I have two Sire Guitars, A Gold top Les Paul and A Souped up Tele Rock machine. Best Guitars you can buy for a budget price today. 😉
I agree, amazing for the money, mine plays really well 🙂
1:54 quick knob check 😂
how would you compare this to a Squier Classic Vibe?
I was just about to buy a Yamaha Pacifica 311H, but am in doubts now. Which would you guys choose? Both seems like great value for money!
Hey Simon - personally I think between the two I'd try the Larry Carlton - specs suit me a little better - although the Yamaha I imagine may have more interesting pickups?
What is the weight?
Pickup alnico?
Caaaan you feel the looooove tonight, od yeah!
i wish they came out with the color pickguard to begin with.
How would you rate this one compared to a Schecter Nick Johnston?
Does this Sire come with bigger frets than the Fender Player Strat?
Medium jumbo
Note. Never break onto JCs house!
For £30 more lefties a choice of four colours.
Man, I don't need another guitar. But I am missing a blue coloured instrument in my collection.
Weight in details?
JC I wish you would put the Andy Timmons patch from TPS in the folder Please 🙏🙏🙏
Do they include the gigbag if you buy t3 or s3?
I don't think so
Brilliant playing but somehow this guitar does not sound like a strat . Would it be the guitar or the sound effects you are using?
These have mahogany bodies, most strats are alder or poplar!
Did you end up weighing it? I think you said you were going to but I didn’t hear you mention the result.
Why do people always ask how much a guitar weighs?
@@peterkelly8357 It makes a huge difference ergonomically. Gigging for hours with a 10 lb guitar is less comfortable than a 7 lb one. Manufacturers like Gibson and Fender reserve the lightest woods in their stock for their custom shop guitars.
Personally, I find lighter guitars to be more resonant and more fun to play. The feel is better to me so I play better with them. That said, I played heavy guitars for years until I discovered this.
@@peterkelly8357 when you have an orthopedic issue like bilateral thoracic outlet syndrome, it matters ALOT.
Was really thinking of buying an s7 but just saw one of these for £269. Torn
Seems to sound better than your yellow K-line. Or you make it seem so, at least. Colour me surprised.
Is this better than the S7?
ua-cam.com/video/-W38WF272gg/v-deo.html
really want to see harley benton fusion hss compare to this.
La guitare semble vraiment bonne. Pour le guitariste, il n'y a aucun doute là-dessus... 👍
I play two Sire basses. They beat the Fenders if you ask me.
Man after my own heart…I use a Katana sword to cut my steak! But seriously, love your videos!
WTF. That knife!
Hard not to buy at that price. A year later and they are still 400. After that huge inflation bump we had Sire didn't punish it for it. Proof that corporate greed exists and good companies do as well. so do your homework. The S-3 also has a mahogany body for the Gibson' fans out there. I believe the S-7 model is alder.
I think JET guitars offer similar specs for half the price.
Damn bro...a Katana box opener??? 😂😂😂
Damn! Looks like Sire has paused (or forever stopped) making lefties. Bummer!
Nope, they offer them in left hand.
Sounds good but the bit at the top of the body looks a bit too much like a blue banana
How similar to a blue banana is acceptable?
You should check out a Harley benton fusion and a godin session.
Tagimas are great as well.
S3 is sounding better in my opinion
Compare to s7?
Sure doesn’t sound like a $400 guitar
Man! I'm begging you. Please get rid of that machete before you lose a finger! What the hell are you thinking?