The Sire Larry Carlton H7

[@KittyKatMan93]

I've loved watching the evolution of the sock test. The photo negative is the perfect illustration.

[@jazzsounds8159]

Could you please review the new Sire H7V for a thicker neck? P90's. Thanks.

[@Jack-zc1qp]

I think you’re one of the few reviewer on KZbin that I can trust. Thanks for doing these honest reviews!

[@1967whaley]

My exact guitar. It's great, powerful pick ups...louder than my PRS on same amp volume. Neck is defo narrow...Great for lead playing. It bites, it sings, it cries...love it.

[@barondavis5692]

Do you like the Sire more than the PRS? Which has better “playability?” Thanks

[@kjguitarman]

You set the standard for guitar reviews. The detail is truly top notch. Well done!

[@trushack]

Going with unpotted pickups gets a tip of the hat from me...that's some real attention to detail (if the goal is to get as close to vintage spec as possible).

[@henrysmith187]

Low output humbuckers are such a dream in a 335 style guitar.... or any guitar for that matter. They will hit the front of a pushed amp just fine. Much more articulate and just better overall than higher output pickups. Great demo.

[@jfar3340]

Articulate for some is bright city for others.

[@AAllinsonNN]

Couldn’t agree more. As someone that grew up playing metal, I’ve found that low output pickups can give you everything you want, if the rest of the rig is tuned in well. High output pick ups push everything too much, and by the time it hits the amp, it’s just a mess. && dang - if only there was something you could put between a guitar and an amp that tuned the EQ…. 😮‍💨

[@rickc2102]

And if you really need it, just use a boost.

[@jfar3340]

@@rickc2102 boost color everything and tend to make things muddy. Outside of a mix or band situation, I avoid boosts. Once my pickups were so low output that I could hear anything even with the amp on 10.

[@StayHomeEatGreat]

Good observation. Yes this is one of the very few humbuckers that I like. All the other I've tried have been Duncan's and just too muddy.

[@alexandereisen3486]

Was at guitar center the other day. Picked one of these off the rack and plugged it. Fell in love with it immediately. Bought it on the spot. Awesome guitar for the price.

[@stevieboy444]

I bought one. I love it. If it gets stolen I'll buy another one. I don't want to change the pickups, they sound great on their own & they play nicely with my Strat biased pedal-board. It looks exactly as presented in Phil's excellent review. If the 3 way switch broke I'd replace it with a switchcraft but as the soldering's so good I won't. My hobby is building partscasters. This is a great buy for the price.

[@chancemiller9340]

So much more thorough than anyone else who reviews guitars. Sounds like that guitar was created with jazz solos in mind. Thanks again.

[@jfar3340]

Really? It doesnt sound like jazz at all (or maybe very very modern jazz)

[@AAllinsonNN]

@@jfar3340 you don’t think that had more to do with Phil’s amp choice? Gibson ‘57s should be really nice for jazz w/ the right amp.

[@jfar3340]

@@AAllinsonNN Funny that you mention that because blackpanel type amps are ideal for jazz, and he's playing on a stock deluxe reverb. What tube amp would you have been ''the right amp''? Unless you are referring to solid state henricksen polytone etc.

[@Andrew_182]

I appreciate you touching on the string spacing and all that. Im a big guy with very big hands (can easily palm a basketball) and had kind of been considering trying one of these to see how it stacks up to my Epiphone. But now knowing it is a narrower one makes it easier to keep the GAS at bay, or really just means maybe I'll have to try out a different Sire instead lol. Thanks Phil!

[@garrettmundy4914]

Yeah I'm one of those that likes a chunkier neck also. I would have to really see if this one felt comfortable. Sure is a nice instrument though.

[@bradwebber3211]

All the Larry Carlton models have the narrow nut, he prefers it as he can play some really stretchy chords easier. It's the same size as his 1968 Gibson.

[@Andrew_182]

@Brad Webber Well, shoot. Thanks for the heads up.

[@StayHomeEatGreat]

Super comfortable neck. True to Larry it's a soloists dream.

[@cpanaretou]

I’ve had a H7 in Red finish for nearly 9 months from Andertons in Guildford UK and am blown away by everything about it. Is a great all round guitar for most styles, Great job Sire.

[@josephzita]

Those are some of the sweetest sounding pickups I've ever heard. Like a less angry P90

[@andreapasillas5803]

I played a sunburst Sire H7 two days ago at a big box store. I really liked it. Great sounding and easy to play with my smaller hands. I plan to purchase one later this year.

[@PDXDrumr]

Just bought one, and what impressed me is that they made a lefty version for the same price, which isn't always the case. It's a good guitar.

[@pdlawson-venusloon359]

Yeh, I recently got a lefty H7 too and I absolutely love it.

[@jamescoughlan8193]

Wow what a very thorough honest review , well done.

[@ryangunwitch-black]

These are killer. I just played one today and I couldn’t believe how good it was. The neck felt great and it was acoustically louder than any fully hollow guitar on the wall. And I tried a few. This thing felt so good. With a pick or fingers. I’m so tempted.

[@tramlad2]

I have the S7 fantastic in the Blue flame, such a brilliant guitar for the money, leaves the Epiphone and Squire standing, these will become collectable, such a user friendly guitar, your model was so nice had a great finish

[@amessica]

It is the best guitar review I have watched ever. Very very informative & professional. Chapeau.

[@mattevans060972]

Thanks for doing this. I bought an L7 partly due to your review and I love it. (Only my second guitar ). I’ve been thinking of getting one of those semi hollows too. It’s Larry Carlton after all! So great timing for this review.

[@vince8081]

Love the sound of these pickups, very sweet on cleans and creamy on overdrive, sounds so good. Great guitar.

[@tlister67]

Larry made his name on a 1966 es335, that era was known for narrow nut width. I have a MIJ tokai es with block inlays and it too is narrow, like 42 mm. No problems except the first 3 frets are tight. You get used to it.

[@Beatedelic_Records]

Wow...what a great review and very nice enjoyable playing! I bought the same guitar last year, but mine had string buzz, many dead spots and the frets were uneven like a mogul field. I had to invest some money and now it is perfect....no buzz, no dead spots and a perfect intonation! The guitar looks beautiful and sounds great!

[@Zilegil]

It's been my main guitar for like a year now. It's a lovely guitar!

[@SiddharthKarunakaran]

What do you like and hate about it? Do you like its playability?

[@el0blaino]

Excellent review. No dilly-dallying, just awesome information, sensibly chosen playing to reveal the tones - much appreciated! Sire sounding like a great brand!

[@Anjohl]

Watching this again, this guitar sounds *magnificent* Phil!

[@barrywinter8770]

I have one in red and love it. The is narrow and open chords need more precision than say on a tele, but get past fret 5 and the magic starts. It looks great, it feels quality.

[@hlyangel1]

Hi Barry how is the nut height? Mine is a bit high and I’m hoping lowering it a bit will make those first frets a bit easier to negotiate

[@thoughtprovoking001]

Super detailed review. This helped a lot and filled the gaps in the manufacturers info 👍

[@seangoddard5800]

I just bought one, ,trusted Phillp and am not disappointed at all, wonderful guitar

[@cruzincondo3395]

With all of his inside knowledge of build quality it’s safe to say ‘this dude is a guitar’ Great vid per usual.

[@davidharris794]

Fantastic review, Philip, as usual. The point you make about the neck width at the nut is interesting. Other reviewers have also commented about that. For some it's an advantage, but for me it would probably be a deal killer. I have broad fingers with broad tips and pads and need that extra space that a 43mm nut provides. As a lefty, it's almost impossible to find one of these H7s in a shop to try out the neck, so reviews really help. This guitar has many excellent features, it seems.

[@JazzGuitarScrapbook]

Given Larry’s 335 is a 1968 it makes sense. I have a 68 ES175 and the neck is super narrow. The guitar sounds like a Gibson, it has that distinctive upper mid nasality! I think I’ll have to try one ….

[@danielguimaraes8705]

Wonderful checkout! Thank you Phillip!❤

[@crabbybastardguitars9955]

Phil is a great reviewer. I have one of these in red. It has a great looking top and very good fretwork. The nut is slightly more narrow than most guitars but after a few minutes of playing you adjust to it. No guitar is perfect and you manage to find work-arounds to their imperfections. That is all guitars.

[@davedavem]

That seems extremely high quality! Great deep dive, Phil, and well done, Sire!

[@drvee1983]

You do great, short, concise reviews. Thanks for posting.

[@deannafisher2658]

Have this in red and absolutely love it

[@VintageRadius]

Super helpful review. I would have been really disappointed to buy one online and then feel the neck. I’ve come to realize that a somewhat thicker than average neck is just a must for me.

[@Patriot1777]

Got one used for $550.00 and love it😊

[@ron.v]

I love your reviews. This one is a topper. I once had a vintage '60 ES-335 but, sadly, let it go several years ago. As you played the Sire H7 clean, I heard what (to me) was the classic sound I grew to love from my old Gibson ES. That's a pretty amazing guitar.

[@rexrathtar3893]

Excellent review, Phil. Very thorough and useful for anyone considering a 335 style guitar. Fantabulous bit of Van Morrison you slipped in there.

[@jackhargreaves1911]

First time watching your channel, and I find…. the perfect review! You really do set the standard (not just detail but style).

[@KSETONMTL]

Adding a few notes what is already a great in-depth review, that smaller neck profile-shape is modelled directly from LC's guitar, and matches the typical 33x-series necks circa '67 through '70. For the mahogany necks, my H7 is a 1-piece completely including the heel. Sire has made a point of these being 1-piece mahogany neck as per LC's, and any other review I've seen so far have 1-piece mahogany necks as well. Looking at the grain on yours in the posting I'd suggest that what you might be looking at is simply the natural curve of the mahogany's grain lines? Also, the ebony fretboard is more appropriate in hardness and density to the brazilian rosewood boards used at the time as well - modern rosewood in-use today is a different species and is not as hard or dense. Last note, according to Elantric on the vguitar forum, who worked at Valley Arts and on Larry's guitar, LC's pickups were/are neck= 7.32 ohms, and the bridge= 7.03 ohms. Sire then, has done a stellar job! I've got quite a few G's myself, but after playing the Sire H7, bought it on the spot! I added Schaller tuners, M4/M8 bridge post converters and a Nashville bridge with titanium saddles, a TP-6 tailpiece, light-gold top-hat knobs, lowered the switch by removing the washer and using two underneath, and added a 60-degree bevelled 60's-style 335 pickguard with the 1' foot, and ... WOW I love my H7!

[@JohnFraserFindlay]

wow this is a serious review. probably the only one this detailed on the net.

[@tobiasryan8378]

Phil's pickups in jars remind me of a mad scientist's laboratory - a very helpful mad scientist :)

[@yesto9676]

I have one just like this and honestly I LOVE the look of it. I also really enjoy the tones coming straight out of the guitar, I can get a nice jazz tone just by DI'ing and turning the tone knob down.

[@СергейЧетвериков-й6ч]

Thank you for a deep and interesting dive. Great guitar. Acceptable price. Made well. Apparently at the Cort factory. Although they do not produce semi-acoustic models under their own brand. Larry is a great musician. And if he made an effort to create this brand, you can hope that there will be no disappointments. Moreover, he himself played on the Gibson 335 model and may have made some adjustments based on his experience. Good luck.

[@wesboundmusic]

Sweet presentation and compared to other presentations of this very model, it would even rate as a deep dive where I'm concerned. The thin, smaller neck wasn't even mentioned in the other demos I watched. Great, thanks, I've entered the give away somewhere already, so I'm good there. 😇

[@John-yl4tj]

I got mine a few months ago and run it into my Katana Artist. It's amazing. I can get every sound I've ever wanted. Mine is the transparent red and the flame is gorgeous.

[@lancetownsend6226]

Love my sire bass. More than any fender J bass I've played

[@bartm5485]

Thanks Phillip, I always like your videos... I've purchased items you have reviewed, and always been very pleased...

[@6stringedpsycho718]

Best review ever of this instrument, i just pulled the trigger on a black one and will be delievered 1 week from now.

[@lazvt8469]

...how did you like the guitar????

[@marcohermans3207]

I bought one today at a music shop in Belgium . They changed the nut to 43mm because of a lot of people had complained that the earlier ones it were to narrow. No blemishes or whatsoever, absolute stunning laquer,binding, and fretwork at this price point. The nut on mine was 43,15mm. We tried it against a Gibson ES335 custom shop that costs €5995 ... The playing experience was the same. The sound of the Sire is 95% of the Gibson. The Gibson has a litlle bit sweeter overtones and it's louder acoustic and sounds more woody acoustic but the playing experience was the same. As soon as you plug in there's no major difference. I find the fretwork on the Sire way better then the Gibson. For the price these guitars are insane good. I also have a H7V which is a P90 version and that sounds also awesome but a different character.

[@44totalmassretain]

Have one. You’re spot on. Loved it out of the box. I have options. This one is right at the top. Would definitely buy again. My hands a pretty good sized and usually I don’t like smaller necks. This one’s a keeper.

[@dennischurgovich1904]

Recently purchases a H7V. Price was just under $750. Looks good and the tone is marvelous. Very good quality for the price.

[@markseverson3358]

GREAT REVIEW AS USUAL PHIL, BEEN LOOKING FOR A LEFTY L7 👍

[@fernandog9684]

Damn. I’m not even in the market for this but it looks and sounds amazing. I think I would enjoy that smaller neck too. Great review/demo!

[@Spahr62]

Very helpful information! I haven't found any Sire guitars near me to play... I think the guitar is beatiful and am impressed with the build quality, but the darn neck is much thinner than I like or want. This is where you shine with this grat info! Thank you!

[@Time-Trvlr]

impressed upon me your use of closed cell foam to protect the finish from scratches.

[@marklawrence8518]

Well rounded review. Nice playing on that neck pickup demo, too! Sounds nice. Thx

[@deeman1]

So concentrated qualifiyng stuff, man that is really professional. Great videos here, so much info in short time, thanx !

[@BazonBlades]

I pretty much default to Ibanez Artcore models for semi-hollows as I have had very good luck with them. But I appreciate the look at other options. Especially when they are well done at an accessible price point.

[@herbertmcgowan3080]

Ibanez AS-153 is outstanding at 1,000 $ with hard case

[@Russell_Optics]

I have the white one and like it a lot. It plays good and the pickups sound great. The stock tuners & hardware are fine and do need to be changed. I like the neck and while having a narrower nut width, the neck carve is nice and full and fills your hand. It took me 9 months before I found a white one in stock to buy.

[@swordfan1330]

Very thorough reviews, I'm enjoying your attention to detail!

[@luigizanellato2959]

Definitely a smooth sounding axe for jazz playing. Very nice, great review Phil!

[@patrickcolclough2423]

Thank you Phil, exemplary as always. You'll have to do the Sire S7 next, personally I'm blown away. :)

[@FarrellMcGovern]

Nice guitar. The sounds it gave reminded me a lot of Randy Bachman's guitar sounds in The Guess Who.

[@joeschmoe1301]

Your guitar reviews are in a class by themselves!!!

[@skwissgaar_skwigelf_kdz3251]

i tried one of the sire strats and it was very easy playing and looked great

[@monmixer]

Hey there it is. I asked, you did with the L-7. thank you!! they are making some nice guitars. I'm so tempted. Back to work now. Live entertainment workers really suffered. time to buy now!! I have small hands and am not into shredding.

[@daviddalziel884]

Thanks for this review . Just recently heard that these have a really narrow neck and many other reviews had never mentioned this but glad you’ve pointed this out too . I was lucky to play 66 Gibson 335 but it too had a really narrow neck and I believe they only made them like this for a year . Hard for bends as you clunk really quickly into the other strings . There’s a lot of competition at this price point eg Epiphone but it’s difficult to find a store which stocks both .

[@Barbarapape]

Sire are making good quality guitars at sensible prices, and well below the big names ever increasing prices. I bought a Sire Larry Carlton S7 last year, and it realy is a great guitar that played well out of the box, with only a few tweaks required. The spec is way above most other brands, if than can keep the quality consistent, they will do well.

[@forddriver8827]

I'm in Sydney, Australia and have my eye on one of these H7 in see through red. The Joe Bonamassa Epiphone es335 is $2800 where the Sire H7 is $1300. I can buy an amp with the change. Thanks for the great insight and I appreciate your neutral stance in the review. New subscriber.

[@ManlyMcBeardFace]

This was so gratifying to hear that I’m not crazy regarding the neck. I purchased one a few months back and felt like the neck was super cramped. I ended up returning it and I was really bummed. Still trying to find a good budget semi hollow.

[@dubblyewjay1133]

Corey-If you don't mind semihollow treetrunk bodies.. I LOVE my Epi Wildkat Anniversary.. albeit a heavy guitar in that midrange price pocket, it sounds and feels great.

[@ManlyMcBeardFace]

I will check one out. Thanks!

[@Gs-nc4jx]

Guilds tend to have wide string spacing (and you get a lot of guitar for your money with their import models). they make a good semi hollow “star fire”

[@ironmikezero]

Check out the AIO SH-335 (actually a 355 copy) @ $469 (with 1SKB-35 case - $584); neck isn't so thin, nut is 1.688"/42.88mm. Comes with a custom setup (your specs). Worth a look. I've got three and I'm tempted to go for another one.

[@ManlyMcBeardFace]

@@ironmikezero wow that’s awesome I might check that out. I love the figured red.

[@worthmoremusic]

Over all Sire makes a good, well made, respectable guitar regardless of the price point. Since one cannot really see the innards of a semi hollow body I appreciated your being able to show us the inside electronics.

[@jasonmccann257]

I bought one of these last November, and sold it this past April and bought a 2022 ES-335. You get way more then what you pay for, for the price of this guitar, but the nut width, and the potentiometers are the "Achilles heal" on this guitar.

[@dubblyewjay1133]

Love your straight-forward techie approach.. only 1 gripe- you didn't mention that Gibson and Epiphone scarf joints - esp on Les Pauls- is prone to breaking off unless they've (Gibson and Epi) changed their neck angle. Otherwise, spot-on, Phil. neck-headstock angle. Kudos.

[@davidpatrick1813]

Unbelievable great review.. helpful. I am looking for clean sound ... and my first semi-hollow

[@mpf44]

Great review. Very in-depth, which we need to make an informed decision.

[@danparry834]

Nice to hear a bit of Van Morrison there Phil! Awesome video as always!

[@evankeal]

I am a sucker for ebony fretboards, will give it a try.

[@stevewehner9540]

It's reviews like this that I decided to buy a T7 sight-unseen. Now I'm waiting on August for it to get here and I keep asking my self the question, will it be worth the wait. But due to your and other reviews it keeps my hope alive.

[@rjb7569]

Very knowledgeable review! Enjoyed the full breakdown before playing. Particularly the neck description emphasis as this neck would be right for me, based on your detailed commentary.

[@svesselsdgt]

Very thorough inspection. Really appreciated. Only thing is they probably sent him a good one to ensure a good review. It might not reflect the average quality.

[@hotdotdog]

Hey Phil, I have a '69 ES335 like Larry Carlton does and it has a very small neck. So this Sire seems to track along with Larry's.

[@davva360]

Saw one in guitar center a couple months ago. Was very impressed with quality and fretwork. Just wasn’t the guitar I was looking for I was actually looking for an L7.

[@brianh794]

Reminds me of my Ibanez as83. These intermediate semi hollow guitars are so much bang for the buck

[@canufathomit6728]

Thanks Phil. I bought the H7 Hollowbody in see-through red. Gorgeous vintage sound. But, there were some finish issues that were cosmetically obvious -- on the back, luckily. And, I was shocked to find that the fret ends were so bad -- super rough as to make the guitar un-playable. I went to work on the fret ends, and in a half hour, I had what should have come from the factory -- a smooth, polished, playable neck.

[@sid35gb]

Sire make really nice guitars. They sell out for a reason it’s because they’re really nice to play. And WOW the review was impressively good you really put some work into that Phil 👍

[@rufusevans7844]

Phil this level of information is like a dream for me! Love this format!

[@kevinanthony3144]

This is my favorite hollowbody ive ever played. I could play i miss you by blink 182 over and over. 10/10 would buy if i wanted a hollowbody that bad

[@alexanderwernet9881]

Great Review - just ordered one some minutes before and now waiting excited how the neck will suit me, I have not big hands...

[@Capt-Cran]

SUBSCRIBED ... great channel ... glad I found you!!

[@briansimpson8116]

My favorite style of guitar. This one was nice.

[@elguapo9628]

Really nice guitar! Digging that Vans t shirt, too 👍

[@ew6629]

I've had the H7 for about a year and I love most everything about it except the volume knob. Once you go past around 4 or 5, not a whole lot of volume change.

[@MrMrjauregui]

I've been watching Phil's channel for so long I can pretty much tell how soon he will sell/return the product off Lol!! Not a knock by any means, love all your videos!

[@davidcudlip6587]

I just ordered the H7V P 90 model in Cherry Sunburst. I'm all aquiver.

[@evenmilla]

I have a h7 i absolutely love it !!

[@claudehopper9813]

Good honest review . I've played other " Indo " built guitars they were very good instruments . They were very light in weight and the fit and finish was spot on .

[@picksalot1]

Nice guitar, good for smaller hands, or doing a Richie Havens impression. 😉 I'm also not a fan of the strap button on the back of the heel, as it can get in the way when playing the high frets, and I find it makes the strap twist in uncomfortable ways. I hope Sire will consider using ball ends on their frets instead of beveling them. This will help the two E strings from slipping off the edge of the fretboard, and give as much as one millimeter of extra usable width on each fret end. Could be helpful on a thin width neck.