Don't Buy a Strat Until You Try This Guitar...
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- Опубликовано: 9 дек 2021
- This guitar is better in EVERY single way....well except what it says on the headstock :)
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SIRE S7 - imp.i114863.net/vnEaWd
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So many guitar reviewers / channels demonstrate by playing insane shredding solos etc, that it's difficult for beginners to really get a feeling for how the guitar would be for THEM. DB demonstrates in a much simpler way that makes it much more useful, for what I would guess is a very high proportion of viewers. Keep it up.
But it gives a possibility to understand that the sound is in hands and no matter what guitar they use, if it is technically OK and every fret and note sound good, and tuners hold the strings, well, it is enough to learn. Once I payed for Japanese Fender strat, buying online, and received Chinese copy, it was not good, the guitar was very cheap and technically not ok, but I learned so much on it, I appreciate my Asian strat ) Finally I presented it to my 10 year old nephew, he has just started his life of a guitar player. )
I'm enjoying the Sire series youre doing. I like them all so far, the tones on this one sound really good to me
Not gonna lie. In more than one DBG video, I've noticed how you continuously move the guitar in/out of frame in just the right ways to get great angles and reflective lighting on the instrument. Really helps the viewer.
Darrell sometimes I just watch your videos because they are FIRST CLASS. it’s very satisfying to watch a fantastic presenter, educator, guitarist. Thank you!
You NEVER FAIL to DELIVER....You are BY FAR the best RUclips channel on equipment and just to listen to you play, DAMN LOVE your channel. Merry Christmas Darrell.
Sire has hit the ball out of the park with the Larry Carlton line. Next will be their even more high end line. Great to see. Another fun and eye opening demo.
Guitar reviews are getting better, this is one of them, sensible playing rather than 5- notes a second. Bravo
Sire has been putting out some really good quality instruments. Everyone should definitely take note....they are worth the money. They also as you so perfectly pointed out they're dominating the specs compared to instuments in they're range. Great video 🤘🤘🤘
*in their range
in their range*
I would take a Sire over a PRS SE any day.
@@Anjohl While I think the Sire is a great quality instrument, the PRS SE series is by far the best you can get for under $1000. Nothing can touch them.
I miss throwing the guitar on the roof and falling into the snow😂😂 classic. Great comparison video. Obviously no contest. Damn it, I don't really NEED another guitar but, Damn it!!😋
Love the new intro!
Hello, I am the one person who watches all your videos.
@@aaronlouis2049 No youre not, I am!
Thanks bro!
Who are u again?
I do miss the throwing the guitar on the roof, then face planting in the snow bit….😆😉
Im 43, been playing guitar since the 9th grade, and almost as long, been playing the piano/organ. Having the need to throw everything away last summer 2021, I find myself starting all over. I got my 2 digital pianos now (love variety), Casio Privia 870 and Yamaha DGX-670, just bought an electric acoustic, and the last piece of hardware I was looking for: GOOD but CHEAP'ish, quality guitar and you sold me on this! Just found your channel yesterday and I am glad I did! Thank you for your reviews and can't wait to "binge" your vids. Thanks again from NW Ohio!
I've only had my Sire S7 a few weeks now but it's truly become my number one! The sound of these pickups for me are the highlight and nail my favorite (the mid-range) tone desire. The neck is super comfortable and the body cuts make it feel like a custom build in every way. The Tremolo is absolutely amazing and on the new 2023 model it's a push in with set screw locking capability. I had a Fender Professional II Stratocaster in my Reverb cart all ready to go but chose to take a chance with Sire's offering and so glad I did. Way more guitar with better features for the money and no compromise in the electronics either. The different tones by using the new push/pull pot add another level of sound range that side by side, blow the Fender Strats away.
This is in no way one of those less expensive guitars you have to settle for with some quality compromises either. Sweetwater setup mine and it absolutely was ready to play out of the separate case I bought from them.
Thank you very much! Can’t wait to see the rest! But that’s the one I’m interested in and you’ve been very helpful and I respect your opinion!
I was thinking about getting my first strat, and Fender Player series was kind of a main candidate -- I've been craving for capri orange start for a few years. But holy moly Sire is amazing, it just puts Fender to shame. I tried Sire bass some time ago and it was all great in terms of quality and sound, except significant neck dive that was a show stopper for me personally. But it's great to see them releasing such a great guitars as well!
One thing that really first stood out on the Sire was the finish on the neck. You pointed out the details too. Tnx Darrell.
The Sire fret ends feature buried tangs that will never suffer from fret tang sprout. A very nice touch. It's like treating an unbound fingerboard as if it had binding as far as the fret work goes. That takes significant extra labor. I know, because I do it.
They will though, crack the edge of your fingerboard.
I have seen other reviewers point that out as a very high end feature. I would imagine that it could split the fretboard eventually.
The cracks at fret sprout end along the fretboard can be filled in seconds by anyone, with clear fingernail polish... ez fix NOT AN ISSUE
Fender and Gibson purists will ALWAYS find minor complaints with something that is NOT Fender or Gibson and pay 25-100% more for "less"... My question is......WHY?? Just for a name??? Foolhardy imho
I’ve got 2 of their basses. Rolled fretboard is awesome, but I had to have all frets, top and bottom ground down and polished.
It was so jagged and sharp that my fret hand had cuts after every extended session/band practice.
It may be because I live in Denver, and the wood shrank a little.
Either way, both basses are AMAZING at what they do, ESPECIALLY at the price tag.
Sire has all of my attention
This type of info, we need this out in the open for guitarists everywhere, gotta go back to quality over quantity for our instruments! And as you've shown, that Sire definitely put everything into quality and didn't even bother upping that price to match bigger companies
Welcome to Part 2 in my SIRE guitar series featuring the SIRE S7!
Guitar link - imp.i114863.net/vnEaWd
Enjoy :)
Is there going to be a vintage s7 review as well? Thanks a lot for doing this!
How much you getting paid by Sire?
I had Strat since 1979 and I played it all my life until 2 years ago, when I got my Ibanez. I haven’t touched my Strat since. My Ibanez RG470DX has a lot of the features of the Sire, it’s amazing how the old dinosaurs refuse to budge, it’s a sure fire way for them to run themselves right out of business.
@@marioguti9887 If you would have watched the very first video, in witch he talked about how the „SIRE“ testing got ignited, you`d know 😘!
@@johnstarace8369 I own three strat like guitars: HB Fusion, Ibane AZ and a American Special Strat. Guess which one is worst?
Oh my God that guitar just sounds so beautiful. Those high notes ring out so clean! Great-sounding dirt too
That fretboard is beautiful. Great playing
I picked up one of these a few months ago as my 2nd guitar after playing a cheap Epiphone LP for years and it was like stepping into a new world. My fretting hand isn't sliced up after an hour of shredding!
This guitar is worth every penny if I was an S style player. I can’t wait to see the other models.
Love the show Darell. Your very knowledgeable and you really break down comparisons to the different guitars 🎸your demonstrating. Good stuff brother rock on.
Man, the timing of this video couldn’t have been better.
I’ve been looking at buying a strat (HSS) for the past month or so.
Most of the time, I’m a Tele player, and I love them, but there are times when I’m in my studio working on a song, and I want the tones of a strat on a particular track…you know, “that” sound. 😉
Thanks for this, Daryl, I’m definitely going to be looking into the Sire!
😊🙏
Wow, looks like a pretty damn good deal! I'll definitely look into this before buying my next one
I saw this model with a swapped dark coloured paisley pattern pickguard. It looked very nice!
Just bought one of these. Absolutely love it. Thanks for helping me make that decision!
Great work Darrell. Thanks for the excellent review and comparison of these guitars!!
Loving the Sire guitar series Darrell. They are quite the guitar!!! I’d like to have ALL of the models and some… 🎸
This is top of my to buy list! You helped push me over the edge and you tested everything I wanted to know. Brilliant as always! Thanks Darrell! 👍
Definitely. Me too :-)
Bet you won't find one you can actually try. Beware, most of these reviews are seeking to influence buyers who absolutely trust the review, have no opportunity to actually try it, then, yep, you buy it... only to find what you actually get is nothing like the demo.
I can say with absolute certainty, that Darrell demos guitars that are NOT what you will get. Suspect he gets pre-setup guitars that are nowhere near typical. What he doesn't do: go grab one off the shelf from an actual store, or actually just buy one online, then demo it. Don't trust this crap. He gets a near perfect "sample". Good for him, bad for everyone who wants to know the truth.
Frankly, don't trust any reviewer, of any product where the reviewer gets sent an "example" to "demo".
Andertons in The UK has these in stock I bought the black S7 and they had 12 of them
@@homerdude38 Anderson's appears to have an excellent selection. Wish there were something like that near me.
I am going to be a skeptic after my guitar buying experiences. If you can play it, and like it, then get it. So many are buying online now, that I don't think they realize you can pick up 10-15 and not like them, then find "that one". Buying guitars online is just rarely the way to go.
Great review, awesome looking and sounding guitar, definitely interested in one of these and a T7!
Great review. Hope the T-style review goes up soon.
Fender is living on it's Reputation. I like Fender ( own 2 of their Amps & love-em ) but once I got my Suhr-Strat . . . I had No-use for my Vintage Fender Stratocaster = Sold it. The Suhr is on another stratosphere. The Sire looks fantastic. Gorgeous guitar. Great bang-for-the-buck. Happy Holidays from NYC
As usual a very impressive and detailed comparison, thanks a lot for your time helping players to be well educated. My question is, are those noisless pickups? I could not hear any hum? Or are you using a noise gate? Sounds great to believe that this is not a noisless pickups though!
Great video. Halfway through I was on Sweetwater buying one. Thanks for helping me pull the trigger.
Just ordered this exact one after watching this. I have a Tele and been looking for a Strat. Glad I saw this. Thanks.
Thanks for the review. Bought this exact guitar in October 2020. I have much more expensive ones, but this is absolutely beautiful and definitely holds it's own! 🎸👍
I bought mine a year ago for an equivalent of $500 US (yes, brand new), regular finished of course. I am pretty much blown away by the quality, and as for those who asked, it does come with full size 500k pots and super switch. The only downside to me is that it only has one Tone control, I like a separate tone control for bridge pick up. Other than that there just isn't anything to complain.
Got mine a couple of weeks ago for €369. One must love cyber deals!
Could one add another tone control? Customize it.
@behindspace666666 it’s roasted maple, not rosewood… if you wanted a gloss rosewood board and neck like this Fender sometimes will do an all Rosewood neck.
I'm looking for "great rock bands I never heard of".
Anyone?
Can you add an extra tone knob?
I love the fretboard. Great video. Thanks Darrell.
Thank's Darrell, that's my Christmas sorted out 👍
I had been looking for an HSS Strat style guitar for awhile. Unfortunately, none of the guitar shops in my area had these in stock, so I was unable to really play one. I ultimately went with a G&L Legacy Tribute. No locking tuners, but it comes with a bone nut, coil split and passive treble and bass tone controls. It sounds and plays fantastic. Listed for $600 and I got it for $515. Bottom line, you don't need to pay a lot to get a lot these days. This really is the golden age of cheap guitars.
Owned one regret getting rid of it
Oh, 100%. My only issue is that *some* budget guitar companies intentionally "throttle" their guitars, cutting corners, to prop up more expensive lines. Some of their names start with "F" and "G", and "PR".
Yep, Legacy tribute is amazing, picked mine up 2nd for $350. As per usual on any guitar had to do a set up, but bloody fantastic guitar. I couldn't justify buying any other Strat style, i'm on the look out for a bluesboy tribute, but being sinestral hapers the choicesp
I love love love G & L…!!!!
Ive got a Tribute Kiloton bass coming soon, cant wait!
I also bought my third Sire this morning, they are that good.
I have the strat in this video in blue, and it sounds spectacular.
The one on the way is the Vintage SSS style in Mild Green.
Buy a Sire!!!
Excellent review man. I'm liking the looks of that Sire. Never heard of the brand before, but know about them now. I like underdog brands that compete against the big boys, so yeah this is something I would really consider if i were after a strat style guitar.
I bought the Sire S7 FM Blue V2 and love it! It plays better AND right out of the box it destroys a similar Fender that's $1,000 more. I played a Fender Pro II at Guitar Center and it was ok but definitely wasn't getting value for the money! I have an older Fender Tele from 94-95 MIJ and it was also better than a Made in USA equivalent. If I'm not getting the value I'm not overpaying for anything just because of the name!
Great review Darrell! That quick almost sounded like a Telecaster!
Great demo!! Think I'll get one
I've really been impressed with Sire guitars! This one sounds really amazing, too! And it looks awesome!!!
Thanks again, Darrell!
I can't wait to see what others in the series you demo. I may buy a Sire guitar the next time!. Impressive.
Sire's basses are killer. Glad to see that same value translated over to their electric guitars.
I have one. I agree. Have a Ceriatone Expression arriving any day.
Awesome stuff like always!
I came back to this after a while and the already great impression I had from the first time got reenforced upon seeing this back to back a second time. Amazing quality and "bang for the buck" in the S7! At least for certain models and price categories, there really aren't many or any "good" as in: sensible reasons to go with the iconic brands unless someone needed to have that company logo on their headstock. Apart from that and even from a less analytic perspective, but a more "feely" one I can't see any good reason why someone would ditch the S7 in favour of a Player Series Strat.
Thanks, really great and honest, sincere presentation!
Amazing review!! This one was one of my options. I was adviced to buy a Sire by my guitar teacher since they are great value and play amazing. I ended up getting a Sterling Valentine which is amazing and didn't get to try the Sire since they didn't have it in store
Ĺ
Can you compare the Sire with your Yamaha 612?
The finish on that Sire is outrageous! 🤩
Sir, I watched your video, then checked out other videos, then I ordered one for both my sons and one for myself.
You have great reviews and always make the guitars sound fantastic.
Thank you.
I have a Sire L7 which I think is great. I also have 3 strats and this one isn't tempting me. Can't say I found the 2 and 4 positions very pleasing or "straty".
The S7 body looks a lot like a Yamaha Pacifica body minus the contour cuts on back. Maybe a comparison to the Pacifica 612VII would be more appropriate, although as much as I like my Pacificas I think I know how the comparison would come out.
Darrell, Thank you Sir. Excellent. Love your work!
Great review, thanks Darrell.
How is this guitar against the pacifica 612?? Hugs from Chile Darrell
For the Fender tremolo, Fender sells a steel spring that goes in the hole before the bar, then tighten the bar to the tension you want it at and you can make it stay wherever you want it to.
Anyone worth their salt in regards to Strat knowledge should know this already.
Take it from Mr. Chrome Dome Dohbie himself, eh?
Wow. Awesome! Thanks for the info. So helpful!
Great video as always. I'm sold and purchasing one. Thanks from the Philippines.
Outstanding review. I love the neck. Unfortunately Fender appear to be going the Gibson route, over priced on some models due to its name. Many good brands out their for less money and this Sire appears to be one of them. I'm going to check them out. Thanks
Thanks Darrell, very informative (as usual!) I always wonder if sample instruments sent for review have been specially QC'd, I know if it were my company I'd make sure they were as perfect as possible before despatch to a reviewer! It's just that I'm seeing differences between Darrell's experience of Sire and comments on other videos where some people are expressing disappointment with the quality of these guitars. Yes, I realise you're bound to get dodgy bits on a guitar at these prices, but poor, scruffy QC is just not good. I'm very tempted to buy one, the L7 Les Paul-type in my case, but I'm wary at the moment of having a huge dose of buyer's remorse after getting one. BTW, I live in the depths of Cornwall and it's just not practicable to visit Andertons in Guildford to try one (they are the only UK dealers) almost 500 miles away.
I am from Bolivia and have the R3 acoustic and the S7, and both play like a dream...
Same concern here. I can tell you that I recently had good success with their low end bass guitar, the V3 version 2. Remarkable instrument for $300, shipped via Thomann (Germany) to the USA with a decent gig bag was under $400. The fact that Sweetwater has now decided to distribute for Sire probably speaks well of their quality and stability? Unless I can justify a Strat Ultra (similar specs), I may buy one of these and will most likely procure it through Sweetwater since their return policy is quicker and less costly for me here in the USA.
That looks stunning in the black maple with the roasted neck.
I'm loving that roasted maple neck. Sounds amazing but hard to tell on RUclips. I live near Portsmouth, UK so I'm on the hunt for a local dealer to try one for myself. Thanks for a great vid😁
I recently bought this guitar because of this video.
And I have to say I really love this guitar.
Thanks Darell for this video!
Just one comment, my S7 can split the humbucker in position1 when pressing the tone knob.
I Agree that Sire seems to be offering a lot more for less but good luck finding one right now.
Just ordered one because if this review! Thank you!
I been looking hard at the S7 and I dig the binding around the body too
Been eyeing this guitar for weeks trying to determine if all the reviews were legit or just a little over hyped. This video finally pushed me over the edge.. just ordered this guitar in this very color.. thanks, your video quality is what pushed me into this purchase.
What quality? I wouldn't like playing that cooked finish on the neck, the guitar veneer is ugly. it doesn't have a unique sound, could be any of hundreds of guitars in this price range, but it definitely much better than the pacifica.
@@luismangiaterra1031 reading comprehension matters.
@@roadduster6200 ok, I'll say it this way. It sounds like any of hundreds of guitars in this price range. And I don't like the glossy fretboard personally but it is a good neck. I don't like the paint on the body of the guitar.
I prefer the fender. The Sire is far better than the Yamaha in the Fender vs Yamaha comparison in the previous video.
I just went over and checked out their website. Holy smokes. It's not just Fender that should worry. They have a single cut "Les Paul" style and the Larry Carlton (yes, THAT Larry Carlton) "335 semi-hollow" that are stunning works of art. And the basses are just sick. Other than the name, which is what Fender is relying on, there's nothing that would justify buying a Fender over a Sire. You would have to get a Fender Custom Shop guitar to match spec for spec, and pay at least $4000. What sorcery is this?
Yeah but for 4000 usd you can buy a used car that actually works. Think of all the parts and the different little mechanics that all need to function. A guitar is just two pieces of wood, strings fastened at two ends, and some eletro-magnets. You just have to do a decemt job at manufacturing the parts and then a monkey can put it together. I think what is ridiculous is the high price on the fenders.
The sire looks and sounds amazing ❤️
I just bought the T7 sire. And wow! 😍 what a well built beautiful guitar! You and the andertons guys do great reviews
Great video as usual. Perhaps having begun my guitar journey at an older age, or maybe after raising a couple of kids, I’m just too sensible, but I find the almost god-like worship of “authentic” classic Fender and Gibson guitars down right silly. How hard would it be for Fender to change the jig to cut a more comfortable body, or for Gibson to stagger the tuning keys a bit so the G string doesn’t constantly go out of tune? It’s certainly not my place to tell folks how to spend their money, but it seems to me the behemoths of the industry are taking their customers for a ride with nothing more than some ink on the headstock. Now get off my lawn!
@PenileAugmentation Cheap and easy to get material. Besides, idiots believe it affects the tone, so you can charge way more than what you spend to build the guitar.
I just received my S7 Vintage yesterday. I'm loving playing it, but that may be just because it's a new thing for me. Observations I've made after playing for about 3 hours. The neck DOES feel good....that being said, I do believe that the feel is actually overhyped. Not just by Darrell, but every youtube reviewer gushes over the neck, with the rolled edges, the fret ends dressed perfectly, what have you. Now, for context, I build parts-casters, pretty regularly. When purchasing necks, it's always a crapshoot, just like when you buy budget guitars. Sometimes, they're good, sometimes they need a bit more work. I've bought necks that feel similar to this S7 neck. I've rolled my own edges, dressed fret ends, etc. So I feel I'm pretty qualified to be able to compare necks. That being said, I haven't had the ability to compare THIS neck, with the necks found on Fender comparable guitars....after all, this is the most expensive guitar I've ever purchased. One thing that I don't recall anyone mentioning in their reviews, is not only are the tuners locking, but they are also staggered, which was a nice surprise. I mean, similar tuners from Hipshot, could cost over $100 themselves.
I'm not sure if I like the pickups. I wanted the vintage because I already have enough HB equipped guitars, and getting another would be redundant. I think I just have to fiddle with pickup height, tone controls, string gauges, compression, etc, to find a sound that fits for me. They seem a bit to top end heavy, very bright. Could just be that the strings are new, I don't know. I play through a DSM Humboldt Simplifier. I've tried this on all 3 amp settings. The Fender setting just doesn't have the output to get a great full sound. the Vox setting REALLY makes this guitar chime. I think I've settled on the marshal setting, but I have to be careful with the gain, as a very small tweak can get out of control fast. But the highs dominate the tone. (I play at church, direct to FOH, no physical amp at all, not even at home, practice how you play, right?)
The bone nut seems perfect. The bridge is VERY high quality for a vintage trem bridge. Height adjustments are a cinch, with none of the grub screws locking the wrench in place, or stripping in any way (I'm sure you've experienced this) The trem springs seem pretty ridged . The claw is nearly halfway in the cavity, and the trem is not "loose" in any way. if I screw it in further, it will take some force to use the trem, and there are only 2 springs installed. I'll probably swap in some softer springs. I got the white guitar with the tortoise pickguard, and was a little surprised to find that the back cavity cover is black...not a big deal, but it just doesn't fit the scheme.
Another little thing that I hadn't noticed on these reviews....the jack is on the side of the guitar. It's a little thing, but for me, it looks so much better than that football jack right there on the front...I know, petty. But I like it on the side.
All in all, I'll be playing this thing pretty regularly, getting it set up just how I like it, taking out all of my gauges, to get the perfect setup. I'm sure I'll love this guitar. It's fun to play, and to tweak. I may think about doing some wiring mods, maybe add a blend control to get the bridge and neck sound. I'm definitely not going to md this as much as I've done all my other budget guitars. But honestly, this doesn't need as much as they do, since most of it is already done.
Does it have 500k pots? Single coils use 250k for that exact reason, to remove some of the brightness.
Just ordered one for Christmas, seems like an affordable boutique style guitar. Thanks Darren
Thanks Darren, I will check it out
Well, I have an Ibanez Rga42 at home (FR, of course), and it has the strat/humbucker coil split switch so I can have a super metal guitar or a crazy blues guitar, so…
Nice guitar. Don't care for their single coil sound, but thats just me. Looking forward to the other models review.
Great review. This is the first I have heard ofsire. I am going to check out their iotions. Thank you.
Thanks Darrell, you made very informative and detailed comparison between those guitars. I think this is the best comparison in RUclips of those guitars. Sire is offering great features than fender at such a good price..❤️
I've had a Sire S7 for about 6 months...Awsome guitar! Worth twice as much as I paid for it!!
Had or have?
@@vividvulpe9842 I've had it for 6 months... I still have it. 😎
@@harvey785 fosho!
Import guitar companies are listening to consumers and straight stomping a lot of the ridiculously high dollar USA models. I just don't understand why Fender is sitting back and watching this happen. Gibson as a company is at least getting it done with their import line. I just got my 3rd Epiphone and like my other 2, it's stellar. Completely different beast than this MIM Strat, but spec'd out to the max and still less money. I have no interest currently in a strat style guitar, but if I was this thing looks amazing, especially since it's HSS. Thanks for digging in to these.
Well said!
But Fender does have an budget line, it's Squier
@@ss_whole I never said or even implied that Fender doesn't have a budget line. It's about high quality import guitars that are a fraction of these USA models that are excellently spec'd and for the money are owning them.
I have an Epi LP pro plus and also an Epi SG. They are OK for the money. Then I got an Agile 3100 LP that was a little less($50 or $100 cheaper I believe) and it beats the Epiphone LP in every single category. Better pups, better electronics, better hardware, ebony neck, tusq nut, 3/4" solid maple cap instead of veneer, tuners are both grover.
@@ss_whole and the higher end Squire's like the Vintage Modified and Classic Vibe series are very good guitars for the money, pretty close to MIM strat for 1/2 the price. My Squire has Duncan Designed pickups that are excellent.
Excellent review, indisputable observations, objective beyond anyone else out there! That's integrity! Now I'm going to have to save up and buy one of these babies!!!
Man DBG yah pulled it off I have been pondering about these guitars not alot on the tube about them so glad you did this series DB comon my fellow Canadian neighbor please try and reach out for a yamaha series il leave it to you what to do I mean I'm really curious about the revstar series I mean there are alot of videos but not a FBG breakdown bud .I'm sure my fellow subscribers would agree .thanks for all you do .Tim from london ontario
Hey Darrell,please compare this Sire guitar to Yamaha Pacifica 612. ))
I second this request. Im debating between the same two guitars.
I just bought the 612, not regrets. Probably 95% of my old strat elite.
I have a Pacifica 812, swapped out neck and middle pups for Seymour Duncan cool and vintage rails. Really is a fine guitar, I'd say the doesn't accept a set up terribly well, but for the bang for buck yeah it's great
My favorite !
Guy gets paid to mislead you
Wow!!! I know that Sire sent you these and doubters might argue that this had a subjective effect on your evaluation....but the tones don't lie! The contours, finish and attention to detail don't lie. I'm an LP, SG and 335 man so far, but the S-style is in my near future and Sire S7 will be the first instrument I check out when the time comes.
I agree with your comments, I just love the neck on the Sire, it’s really nice, as you mentioned the only missing item is the single tone control.
The construction and specs are great, but the tone isn't that great. I wish Darren did an actual A/B comparison with the player strat, because these Sire pickups are overly bright and sound artificially compressed. You can check out some other videos with high quality and varied demos. If you swap out the pickups for brand ones, these will end up costing more than the Player - still a good deal compared to the Fender, but there are other cheaper and better choices (like Sterling, Yamaha, Schecter, G&L or even Cort).
I think for Sire guitars, their Les Paul is actually the best deal, because it has locking tuners and the pickups genuinely sound pretty decent for the price range. I think in recent years Harley Benton and Cort have really shaken up the budget and lower-mid range guitars to the point that not just the big brands but also other smaller brands are threatened. There are just too many good options at lower price for beginner/intermediate players that although Sire offers great value, they're becoming too expensive.
@@zxbc1 I couldn't agree more!
@@zxbc1 What? For 600 bucks a G&L will get you roasted maple neck, locking tuners and a rolled fingerboard?
They have a new "Vintage style" SSS model as well as the regular HSS model. Might want to try both!
Thanks for the video! Oh, I have a Fender stratocaster, a USA model. And it's still a guitar I love to hold in my hands. But when I saw and also bought the Sire, I have a white one, I knew how everything could be better. A fantastic guitar that S7. I can also really recommend.
I’ve always wanted one of these beautiful acoustics. Maybe someday!
Darrell - I wish you had pulled the pick guard off and looked at the electronics and body cavity like you typically do. Do they use shielding paint? Full size or dime size pots? Cheap or quality switch?
Ditto
Haven't opened mine up but I have 0 noise/interference so the shielding seems good. Switch doesn't feel amazing, can be hard to land in the correct position because the stops aren't very firm. The guitar is excellent except for the pots: between 10-1, the volume control does almost nothing. Then it cuts out completely from 1 to 0. There's no cleaning up your sound with the volume knob on these guitars, unfortunately.
My switch is really noisy. I plan on replacing it. It feels really cheap to me. No problem with the pots, but the tone control is tapered differently from other guitars, but it's usable, just takes some getting used to.
Same: I'm personally curious about the route.
@@alexmanderson7182 Is there a treble bleed on the S7 as well? The L7 has the same problem but just removing the treble bleed circuit fixes this to make the volume pot more usable.
I feel like recently fender squire has made some huge strides with their contemporary series, especially the new contemporary jaguar. They all have roasted necks, countered heels, and great pickups. I'd love to see you review one of those!
Me too. And would like to see a comparison with the Sire S7
They're no Sire but I got the Contemporary Strat and it is super cool. I bought it on impulse, went to a local shop to have one of my guitars worked on and I thought "hm I've seen these online let's try it" and was like "whoa I need this in my life" XD
*Squier
@@QS-si3cq Do you prefer the Squier Contemporary over the Sire S7?
Poplar bodies is a big turnoff for me on them, but they are fantastic otherwise. I would rather pay $40-50 more, and have a proper hardwood body (Alder, Mahogany, Ash, etc).
Great review Darrel, thanks again for your service to the YT community 🙋♂️😘!
Got to find me a suitable SIRE dealer here in Germany and try them out 🤔🙄😃!
You all have a good time and take care 😘!
So great, I've wanting to buy a good strat for a while. I might get this one. It sounds very good !
I did a ton of research before I bought a Sire and I ended up with the green version of this guitar. Darrell is right, it really is a surprisingly good guitar. The neck is what makes it, but the pickups are surprisingly good too, especially if you like bright sounding strats, which I do. The headstock kinda looks like a foot, but it grew on me and now I actually kinda like it. The trem system is nice and will allow you to do some flutters. Honestly I don't have much to say negative about this guitar because I love to pick it up and play it. The high E string likes to sneak off the fretboard if you're not conscientious about how your finger is being placed on the string. Maybe the biggest complaint... and this may sound weird... is that I only spent $600 for this. If you go and spend $2k for a Fender Custom Shop or some PRS you're going to think about a guitar a little differently. You may think that because you spent only $600 for this that it's some kind of cheap guitar and maybe since it's a new brand that's warranted to some degree. However, I believe this is one of those guitars that will stick around in your collection for awhile just because it's so nice. I hope some of this helps those who are doing research.
Hi, I have a quick question, I want to upgrade from an Affinity Stratocaster and want to avoid another narrow nut (the Affinity is like 40mm... Super small and hard to play).
So how'a the Sire at the nut? I'm scared because of the rounded edges that it might just feel like an Affinity.
@@devinsinderwitcz9134 having the strings close to each other might make muting some a bit easier... But maybe a bit too much :)
I'd like to see you comparing that Sire S7 $659 to a Harley Benton Fusion Pro 2 €398: specs wise they are the same. Tone wise very close. I have the HB Fusion Pro 2 HSH, perfect build, no flaws at all.
I have this strange feeling (based on absolute lack of research) they are being made in the very same factory. Having Fusion II myself and seeing this review, the way the roasted maple neck looks like with gloss headstock and silver logo along with the serial number stamp on the back. I do realize HB doesn't have gloss fretboard but its a plus imo. Although i still want to try Sire out, having said that i think i'll choose my HB fusion anyday because of SS frets. Remaining €100 (comparing roasted neck HB and Sire prices on thomann) i would invest in swapping out the pups which i did anyway.
@@Paraphrasaurus Sire has its own factory which only produces Sire guitars :)
Honestly i've tried them both and the Sire is the better guitar by far IMO :) Amazing build quality, great sounding PUs and overall great feel to play. HB is a good guitar for that price i'm not gonna lie but I'd dish out extra cash for the sire :)
@@soulassasin10 Hey, that's sounds quite impressive. I thought most of those are using oem of some kind.
Thank for your input, now i'm tempted to try one despite of being quite happy with the HB.
@@Paraphrasaurus I thought i heard in the Sire review that it had SS frets too, unlike the fender?
Im a big SS fret fan and will get them every time.
Andertons in The UK has these in stock.I purchased the black one yesterday and they had 12 in stock.Very excited
Got one in green, love it🤘
I tried one of these, and was super impressed. You get a *very* nice feature set for the price. I would rate these as better than Squiers, and maybe even better than MIM Fenders. My only real complaint was that the pickups were a *little* underwhelming. If we have a 1-10 scale, and 1 is ceramic starter guitar pickups, and 10 is Gibson USA pickups, I would rate the pickups Sire put in the S7's as a 5 or a 6.
I mean, you could change them up, but at that pricepoint, I think a guitar should be playable as-is. I am eyeing their Telecaster-style guitar that's coming out in the Spring *very* closely! I also want to try one of the SSS models they have, that apparently have re-voiced pickups as compared to the HSS S7.
Thank you for your brutally honest reviews. I’m getting a Sire! Getting rid of my fender… just can’t believe how tricked out the Sire is for the price! Fender needs to get with it… the Yamaha Pacifica that you did a demo on was another option , but I think the S7 appears to be even better
I’ve had the sire S7 in green for about a year. I haven’t touched any of my other strats since. I enjoy the tones, but one could easily swap the pickups to fine their ideal tone. It’s a great amazing guitar. Enjoy it!
@@GuitarTabsDaily guess I am going to have to wait. It seems they’re sold out everywhere and you have to be on a waitlist now!
@@anthonyangelis1094 well worth the wait 😉
@@GuitarTabsDaily 6 month wait list currently Uggg! Got one pre-ordered from Sweetwater Maybe by summer they said😞
@@anthonyangelis1094 if you have a strat style guitar that doesn’t have the upgraded rolled frets and features this sire does, just play it as much as possible. Once this guitar comes it really hard to go back lol. I have a pretty good guitar collection and after playing the sire for a while I’m serious contemplating selling my American tele, my strat and more guitars to get more sites. The feel of the frets and neck for me personally are just too perfect. Can’t wait for you to get yours, you’ll love it! 🙌🙌
Got my blue S7 FM two days ago! And the hype is real! Now I am definitely getting an T7 too!
Have that s7 on order. Hopefully by august I’ll have it. Makes me happy that they aren’t just pushing guitars out and lowering quality.