Are Sire Guitars REALLY as Good as Folks Say?

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This guitar went to Rick's house for an extended holiday. Since I first tried this guitar I'm actually far more experienced in Les Pauls, so I wanted to reflect on how this guitar feels to play having played guitars 15 times the price!
The preset I'm using here is "Allen Hinds Lead"
/ johnnathancordy you can get my backing tracks and lesson tabs here.
www.buymeacoff... - if you like what I do and
only if you wanted, you could buy me a coffee!
Get my PADs bundle here: www.paypal.com... (this folder will grow, and I'd encourage you to ask for different keys/songs and stuff that might suit this type of preset?)
I've decided to make it possible to grab both my Helix/HX Stomp bundles (the expression bundle with freeze presets has always been separate) together - www.paypal.com... - I will then email you a link to both bundles!
Try my general patches for Helix or HX Stomp in this bundle using this link - I will then send out the patches! www.paypal.com...
You can get my EXPRESSION patches in this bundle using this link - I will then send out the patches! www.paypal.com...
Try my patches for Pod GO using this link - I will then send out the patches! www.paypal.com...
/ johnnathancordy get my backing tracks here
www.buymeacoff... - if you like what I do and
only if you wanted, you could buy me a coffee!

[@SnowDeity]

I'm glad you went back to talk about the Sire LP again. Hope you can try out the FGN Les Pauls as well since you really liked their stuff.

[@craiger2399]

Very cool that Sire can produce a great guitar at this price. I thought I wanted a Les Paul, bought and sold a few, but ended up discovering I liked the feel of the SG better. So I now have an SG Standard that I think I'm keeping.

[@MrKengabe]

John thank you for all your video's over the past few months they and you have been a part of me reconnecting with life so again thank you more than just a guitar or amp

[@iankenny1089]

Yep,..I’ve got the p90 version black with gold hardware…playability wise..best guitar I’ve played, love it !

[@magasindemusiquemusicson]

This model is available in our shop in France!! BIG THANKS to Sire, Larry Carlton and IMS DISTRIBUTION beautiful instrument and sound amazing for the price!

[@paulmckeown5672]

I was thinking about a Sire and your video has given me more information on them and your positive review takes me a bit closer to pulling the trigger on one

[@timtime9167]

I bought a t7 it needed a setup and after that it's a really nice guitar. Just as good as 1500 dollar ones I've played.

[@jesper1320]

if you ever get a signature of yourself, please make it like your swamp ash tele.

[@DaringDan]

The pricepoint this is at along with the Revstars and the SEs is the sweet spot for me for a good guitar.

[@markfahey3921]

A gold top is a finish in its own right, get a different finish if you want a flame top. I'd like to know how they compare to the mid range Yamaha Revstar with P90's

[@user-vv3ke3do4y]

FGN Les Paul copies are outstanding both in playability and tone too in my experience. And all FGN guitars seem flawless irrespective of price range.

[@muzerino]

Couldn’t agree more. I own an FGN, History and Cool Z single cuts and they’re all awesome. I might do a KZbin video comparing the three in build one day..🤔

[@Pete_Harris]

@@muzerino Agreed again! I have the LS10, LC10, and LS30. Beautiful guitars that are all keepers.

[@SuperEssenceOfficial]

@@muzerino I would love to see that! at least to find out more about their neck profiles. Are they like Gibson or more modern C like this Sire?

[@richfiryn]

I have a pair of Sire guitars. The H7 in Heritage Red and the T7 HHFM and both are simply great.

[@pinkguitar69]

That is such a great guitar. The pickups are lower output than the Epiphones I've had and I think it sounds all the sweeter for it!

[@Screaming-Trees]

What model is this? They seem to have so many models.

[@pinkguitar69]

It’s an L7 Goldtop

[@markpell8979]

John, this particular Sire L7 has got the mojo I think and I wouldn't rush into changing anything. It sounds great in the video, it looks great, and it didn't seem to be holding back your playing or expression in any way. The specs, features and overall fit/finish are pretty impressive, especially 'for the price.' An overused clichė maybe but that's the reality where most of us live; price vs. quality indeed matters. I refuse to pay an arbitrary luxury tax just to have a Gibson Les Paul. Others can do what they want and buy what they can afford and I have no problem with that. I own two Epi LPs and three Specials but if I ever get another LP type, the Sire is on my very short list for consideration. Another is the Schecter Solo II Custom actually but that's just a matter of personal taste, not necessarily an argument to persuade others. That guitar is a bit counter to the usual modern Schecter, having 24.75" scale, 12" radius and a more trad look and features including a conservative looking style and finish. Something for older guys like me. Worth a try if you haven't played one, and comes in under $1K. Not cheap to buy but good value. Gibson is NOT on my prospective list for my next and probably last ever single-cut. If I had Gibson money to dispose of, I'd rather have a couple of these Sires and the money left over would put groceries in the house and pay a few bills into next month. Thanks for this honest, as usual, review and commentary. Cheers from stormy Dallas where it's remarkably cool this Summer.

[@tonedowne]

Yeah if you like the way a guitar feels but don't love the sound, change the pickups. That guitar sounded a little dark to me. Might have been the "amp' though. I would probably pick that over an Epiphone for the neck cutaway and locking tuners. Got to love a gold top though, I think they look the best on stage.

[@orlandofernandes4790]

Hello John, Honestly your playing is above a lot of big names!

[@ianbarnes1406]

You do make some tasty intros - nice chord sequence on this one

[@mortonwilson795]

Haven't tried the Sire LP but I did check out the Larry Carlton Tele which was pretty impressive - the appointments (Roasted Maple Neck / Locking Tuners / Bone Nut etc.) upstaged Fenders that go for twice the price or more. The only letdown for me was that the saddles, despite being brass, were 2 strings per saddle and that seems a bit retro given Fenders are increasingly using individual saddles per string which just seems obvious to me for fine tuning. Will check out their LP model next time I'm across the harbour! As a longtime Gibson LP Custom owner I do rate the Epi 59 & Wino - bought both and they each have their own charms!

[@hajwitlox6548]

I just re-discovered this one aswell. It plays soo smooth & lovely I took out the pickups though...not long after i bought it and installed some a ma z i n g Donlis alnico 2 P-90 humbuckers size pu' s from Ali. These people make great sounding pickups for a bargain price. i believe i paid 62 euro's a pair. I like this sound better than the humbuckers that were stock. After owning them 1 1/2 year this L7 & and the green S7 HSS are my favorite Sire's....theS7 sss, T7&H7' s are a thatch below those earlier mentioned...meaning i pick 'm up less. Might be different in a few months though. Great guitar brand and as you've stated, a game changer

[@standominguez8172]

I just got the Sire Larry Carlton L7 black with gold plated hardware. It’s beautiful looking. I have a vintage Gibson Les Paul custom that I have put away. I was looking to replace my Gibson with a Les Paul replica to have that big sound you get from Gibson Les Paul guitar. I looked at comparisons mostly between the Sire Larry Carlton L7, the epiphone Les Paul custom pro, the epiphone Les Paul standard 50s & 60s, including the Gibson Les Paul standard 50 which is substantially more expensive. Overall I felt there was little difference in sound. What sold me was the majority of the reviews I saw were very impressed with the neck of the guitar. Very smooth, rounded off frets and satin finish. They weren’t kidding. The neck of the guitar feels great. It sounds great in all 3 positions. It definitely has the Gibson Les Paul sound.

[@clivegeorge9740]

You didnt look for à prs 594, and ltd ec1000?

[@PaulPoGoaIndia]

Beautiful sound I'm in love .... def ordering right away ....

[@thesaj1110]

I just bought one! Worth every penny!

[@juanmv-zv7qo]

JN one of the craziest legato I've heard you play mannn. Freaking sick ❤

[@otherworldsnaps]

For the price, Sire is great! I needed a cheap bass for recording (I'm a guitarist, not a bassist) and the V3P was so much better than everything else at that price point. I'm seriously considering getting a Sire guitar next.

[@OliverAmberg]

My problem with this kind of guitars is and was always the lack of a nitro finish. I own Epiphones but I always take off the finish on the necks. I just love the nitro feeling of my other guitars. Thanks for the review John!

[@seusicha]

But add nitro finish and you're looking at $300 or $400 more on a $500-600 guitar. And, of course, you can always refinish yourself if that's the case (I'm also a nitro lover).

[@abdulazizrehan]

I’d love to see you review an Eastman hollow body some time!

[@lazvt8469]

Their T486 Semi is an amazing guitar....every bit as good as my old Heritage 535 (with slightly less attention to finish details...but tone-wise, magnificent).

[@joshpetermann]

Yes.

[@Wadey1960CS]

I would like to see you pit it against say maybe a Fibenare Basic Jazz, which I believe falls into that Les Paulish category of guitars by other brands. Nothing wrong with having a Gold Top over a Flamed top or Burst top. Thought the Sire sounded great as well in this video.

[@matt_greene]

You should check out the Harmony comet. I have a bunch more expensive guitars but I really love. It's like a 339 body but much cheaper. I'd be curious on your thoughts!

[@andrenascimento5851]

Thanks for the review John. I'm now more confused than I was before! How do you compare this Sire with the Tokai equivalent? Cheers

[@andrewbecker3700]

Sire is half the guitar compared with Tokai. He said the QC on Tokai is the best he's seen for the money. I'd have ordered a Tokai myself, but the international shipping spooked me.The Epi '59 in ASFB is my personal choice for a LP standard. I also scored an AJ sig. from Epiphone, with Frank Frazetta "The Berserker" custom art. As far as Les Paul customs go, antique silverburst is a finish option that's hard to top. Epiphone is swinging for the fences lately, with new releases every month. Kirk Hammett "greenie" and Dave Grohl semi hollow guitars are dropping any day now!

[@andrenascimento5851]

@@andrewbecker3700 many thanks, Andrew. I have an Epiphone 59' and it's great! Have a Gibson LP Classic as well, but I prefer the Epiphone to be honest. I'm looking to buy a Japanese Tokai but I'm still not very sure...well, thanks again

[@joemiller9856]

Wow, really great tone @johnnathancordy . Probably a small thing but I wonder what differences you find in dialing in patches on your gear between these guitars. Maybe nothing. Just curious.

[@tr00stan]

Love this intro take on Always Wanna Die!

[@trebleboost7]

Heard a touch of Satch there in that intro. Nice.

[@Cherry_Sunburst]

Which TOKAI models do you recommend...? Where to buy?

[@lioneltromeur3612]

What is your opinion on the P 90 model ? I ve one

[@derekjohnson5720]

Tone and pickups are completely subjective. I've got a Fender pro 2 strat which i instantly put a set of Fender 57/62's in as they are my favourite strat pups. My pal has 2 Gibsons les Pauls, a classic and a Standard and a SG standard. He has SeymourDuncan pickups in them. If i played Les Pauls i would go for a Sire and put in my favourite humbuckers much better option than pay over 2000 for a Les Paul and having to swap the pups if you don't like them. I personally for thought Sire pups sounded good!

[@derekhand7904]

I didn’t realize these were so well priced the shipping is a bit much to get them stateside

[@johnborys7918]

You should try and SB59 Eastman?? just for comparison

[@woongyu6784]

Evh tone is great because he know how to make good tone. I belive he know how to make good tone. So do not think that ifnyou have same guitar and your have same sound. But if you have gibson and amp. That is very close

[@SteveClarkeSongs]

I bought a Sire A3 acoustic guitar and it's staggeringly good. I am looking for a les paul-type guitar that won't break the bank and and I'm definitely going to try one of these.

[@Cherry_Sunburst]

Some people say, the MAYBACH Lester models are as good as/quality GIBSON Custom Shop models...Have you ever tried one?

[@scouser2230]

It sounds great.

[@1alb]

Is that the Larry Carlton Les Paul copy?

[@Patriot1777]

Sire rules 😊

[@jeffreyhatch9933]

John, If you were making a choice between a Sire H7v and a Sire L7? What do you think of an Epiphone 60's Tribute Les Paul?

[@jakollee]

No. 100 on the thumbs-up, woo hoo!

[@twowaymuir]

Is the body top flat or a carved archtop?

[@ianmarsland44]

Any chance of the tab for your patreon? 😉

[@acemodean]

John, have you tried an ibanez ar420 or ar520?

[@marcbeaudin761]

With so much pedal effects, how can you tell the subtle difference with a gibson ? I suppose that it doesn't really matter.

[@johnnathancordy]

The differences are more likely to be in feel etc anyway

[@kingfisher7960]

If they were made by PRS they would be worth it. Maybe another SE...

[@duncanfelton5311]

I Just swapped a guitar for one of these gold top l7's Yes it plays nice good neck BUT The tuners are rubbish, the PICKUP'S are RUBBISH and the string spacing is to much, so for a $1300 australian guitar my Kramer assualt's which are half the price absolutely smash this thing!!

[@garyeggleton1142]

do you think epiphones are good guitars?

[@garyeggleton1142]

nevermind, I asked before watching the whole video

[@tylerthompson1842]

LP’s should be 1k they’re really not much better than an Epi

[@lookmanostrings]

LOL Sire guitars making its way around ALLLLL guitar KZbinrs... I was wondering when they'd get to you. :)

[@clivegeorge9740]

I wonder if it's not the brand that pays them to promote it

[@lookmanostrings]

@@clivegeorge9740 there's always a flavor of the month on GearTube

[@fr3ak1shh]

Now that I received mine, I can say with confidence that they are. Bought an L7 and a T7. Nothing about them is budget besides the price. I was expecting a well-made mid-range guitar, but they feel better than my American Fenders and PRS. Look great, play great, and sound great. Mine came set up perfectly from Thomann’s (which you can save money through vs ordering from Sweetwater). Now to sell the PRS CE 24 (price skyrocketed to $3100 after taxes if you want the PRS hard case). They are the most overrated company. I’m never buying an expensive guitar again. It’s just totally not worth it. WAKE UP PEOPLE.

[@mattwilliams3104]

If I’m going to buy an expensive guitar it’s gonna be Eastman. They’re the best 1k-1.5k guitars I have ever played.

[@kimseniorb]

looks ehh kinda like a harley benton

[@user-sx2fg9wl8t]

This guy not honest. He just try to sell with his guitar playing. And carnt play a note

[@ajpeagle]

The electrics are junk and the hardware is as low quality as it is possible to get . The paint is very thick and the whole thing is just nasty.

[@rickmoore52]

I disagree.