Unboxing the BEST BUDGET Strat I've EVER Played...
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ก.ค. 2024
- This guitar is proof that you DON'T have to sped a lot of cash to get a beautiful guitar!
If you enjoyed this video, be sure to like and subscribe :)
GEAR IN VIDEO:
SIRE S3 - sweetwater.sjv.io/y2gQLV
SIRE S7 (finally some in stock) - sweetwater.sjv.io/6eW5qK
DARRELL'S GUITARS & GEAR LIST!
imp.i114863.net/vM09j
DARRELL'S RECORDING SETUP:
Studio Monitors - imp.i114863.net/3PoOoX
Audio Interface - imp.i114863.net/d1xVW
Torpedo Captor X - imp.i114863.net/RMJR2
Condenser Mics - imp.i114863.net/Jr4QOr
DARRELL'S AMPLIFIERS:
Marshall - imp.i114863.net/ZdQNJ1
Mesa Boogie - imp.i114863.net/xdVB1
Orange - imp.i114863.net/94MWE
Hughes & Kettner - imp.i114863.net/Na1gV
Mezzabarba Trinity - www.overdrivedistribution.com/
*Links to gear in the video description may contain affiliate links
T-SHIRT STORE:
teespring.com/stores/darrell-...
TAB STORE:
Songs, Lesson Worksheets, and Guitar Techniques!
www.etsy.com/ca/shop/DarrellB...
PATREON:
Become a Patron!
/ darrellbraunguitar
ALBUM:
iTunes:
itunes.apple.com/ca/album/cel...
OTHER FAVOURITE GEAR:
*Obsidian Wire Solderless Kits - bit.ly/3IPf0NH
*Guitar Build Kits - bit.ly/3JHlizK
*Favourite Fret File - bit.ly/3Jk1EIz
SOLI DEO GLORIA! - เพลง
Man, Sire guitars are straight up amazing for the $$$
This guitar can definitely compete with other mid-range guitars, but at a fraction of the price
Guitar links:
SIRE S3 - sweetwater.sjv.io/y2gQLV
SIRE S7 (finally some in stock) - sweetwater.sjv.io/6eW5qK
Enjoy :)
agreed gr8 value and beauty
Better value than any Fender for sure. The block actually looks like a cheap Zinc alloy, but Steel or Brass blocks can be had pretty cheap if you think it matters much.
How’s the shipping and duties when buying from Canada?
The S7 is available on Thomann.
Unfortunately us Lefties are left out . . . . .
I'm terrible at guitar but I can't stop watching this channel.
Keep practising
Being fascinated is not the worst start to keep keeping at it, @Scott. It'll all come together for you eventually, I've seen it happen with others (and myself at times).
I am brilliant at guitar and can't stop watching this channel
@@Nathan-hc2bb 😆
I'm worse than you 🤘🏼
My S7 just came in a few weeks ago. It's an incredible value! I highly recommend them.
Congrats Shawn!
We are in an absolute GOLDEN AGE of affordable QUALITY instruments and gear! I remember back as a teenager in the 80"s, playing my crappy off brand "Strat" plugged into my Gorilla amp, dreaming of the day when I could afford better gear. Fast forward to now and its mind-boggling how good the build quality is on these budget instruments!
quality was better then
Thing is there is still a lot of cheap junk coming out of China .
Guitars - yes, but amplifiers - no. Real quality amplifiers are more expensive than before.
I saw your review of the S7 and immediately it was on my radar. It was hard to find but Sweetwater was waiting on a shipment and they contacted me. It’s now home with me and I absolutely love it. It feels and plays like a 1k+ guitar to be sure. It’s absolutely flawless!
This is EXACTLY what I was looking for. Thanks for the review!
I like it when you play clean through all the pickup settings. It helps illustrate how the pickups actually sound. After that, it’s mostly the amp. Also describing the feel of playing, neck shape, string action, and fret finishing.
THROUGH ALL THE ?
ah ?
Thanks for getting budget guitars back on the channel!
Great initial review Darrell. Wow this is nice! Thanks a lot!
Nice from you that you have now in your reviews more „chord and riff“ stuff! That serves me very well! Thank you or this good test!
Man I absolutely LOVE what sire is doing with their ability to provide quality sound and construction with affordable instruments. I have 2 of their basses and QC is out of this world. I wish other makers would follow suit, but theyre afraid to let people into quality for cheap, might kill their high end market 😂😂😂
I have a vintage Sire S7. When I bought it, I was on the verge of buying a Fender Player series Strat. However, I saw your review of the S7 and you made such a compelling case for it that I took the plunge. So glad I did, it's a true thing of beauty. Apart from sounding great, the neck is outstanding. Streets ahead of my more expensive big brand guitars. Sire are working some magic in their factories.
Darrell/Sire never disappoints. love the videos man, always fun to watch.
my s7 fm came in last week, i’m in complete love with the quality of it. if you call a sweetwater sales engineer you can choose from their whole stock not just the 4 models they show you. for a 15 minute call i was able to grab one where all the flames align and the neck/ fretboard were 1 color!
Do you mean that the neck and fretboard are both maple?
This is insane value. The black with T shell plate looks great.
I love my S7 vintage I got a few months back. Easily worth the $700 I paid for it. Better than pretty much anything else at this price point, and they're absolutely beautiful instruments from afar and close up. Sire is a great brand to get into guitar with, highly recommend!
player series mexican strat for me
So when you were talking about trem systems on cheap guitars I could see you looking at my Glarry in the corner of my office. This S3 is one of the most beautiful looking guitars I"ve seen come along. Nice review!
I love my S7. The S3 would be awesome platform for someone wanting to do some modding. You would wind up with a way better guitar than say using a Squire. Just a fender neck costs as much as a whole S3 and it’s not as good. Sire guitars are bound to increase in price as they become more well known. I would buy one now if you are interested.
Great auto focus; precisely zooming in on fretboard! Very enjoyable. Thx.
Darrell. Tip from a shop repairer. To find out the way they wire the pickup use a screwdriver and gently tap the pickup poles to see which are active. Turn up a bit and watch your speaker cone and you can see the polarity of each coil by seeing if the cone "pushes" or "pulls" as the screwdriver contacts the pickup.
The obsession with "full size" pots is really baffling to me. The only reason to have a larger potentiometer is handle more current, and unless you have a serious problem with your amp, there's not much current flowing through your guitar at all. Bigger doesn't mean better in the electronic world...pretty much ever. I'd definitely take a quality dime-sized pot over a cheap full-sized one any day.
Yes sir...all colors are backordered on Sweetwater. Thanks for the demo. Wasn't really thinking about another S style guitar... TILL NOW.
great review as usual. this s3 sounds as nice as the s7. I'm very excited, I've got the blue t7fm arriving from sweet water this friday, can't wait.!!!
Worth a second look, and it looks great. I'm impressed with the features for the price.
I am super pleased with my new Sire S3. It sounds amazing.
Wow, it does sound lovely. I'm impressed with those pickups
Those pickups are great. What
fantastic clean tones.
08:55, if you want to see which coil of the pickup is activated you can lightly tap on it with a small screwdriver , slug side and screw side.
Nice review as always Darrell.
Darrell- you're killing me. I've bought 3 guitars in the last 2 years from watching your reviews. We ordered the Dakota Red Sire S3 last night. I'd looked at Fender player series previously but was unimpressed by the neck/ fret edges. My Indio's neck was nicer. But after seeing that S3 it looked like it was everything the player was and more for about half the money. My Revstar finally came-it took 295 days from order to delivery but love it. The S3 is going to be a shared one with my husband. Sweetwater had 2 when I looked, then hours later they were gone. Had to order straight from Sire. Update: "The Darrell Braun Effect"- the S3 is sold out everywhere except directly from Sire. UPDATE: Ordered it Saturday or Sunday night- arrived on Thursday (today). It is every bit as amazing as you said. The rolled neck and fret ends are killer! I checked out a limited edition fender player last summer and the neck can't compare to this. Now I have to quit your channel before I see any more reviews lol. (kidding). Thanks!
This seems like an amazing value guitar. Thanks as always for an excellent video. Hang in there, rumour is that spring will arrive in SA.
Great review I’m going to have to purchase one of these soon. I was toying with a parts caster or upgrading a Firefly, but this is already together and is very close to what I would have had. I want the three single coil version but the review had everything I wanted to know except the bridge pickup. Great job Darrell! Thanks!
Gotta love that they have the updated saddles and cutaways for comfort as opposed to that traditional outdated design. Very cool
I rolled my fingerboard edges on two guitars based on your previous videos. I rolled my Parker PDF35 and my JS100. They feel like a friendly handshake rather than a formal greeting.
That's a stunning finish on that strat
High praise, indeed! I have the T7, and frankly I can’t think of any way to improve it… at ANY price. Now I’ve got my eye on their new P90-loaded models; the H7V “335” and the L7V “LP”. You MUST review those…. please!
Sire is really on it with quality and budget. I've seen higher end guitars that don't have workmanship that nice.
All pickup positions all sound great. What a nice guitar!
Sire makes great stuff. We are living in a great time, where affordable quality guitars are possible now.
Amen. Right now the quality around $500 is pretty mind blowing for those of us gray enough to remember when locking trems were starting to show up before Floyd Rose became the standard. If I had been born in the 90's I would never have owned a guitar with more than $1000 price tag.
So true. Cheap guitars, usually made in Japan at the time, were just terrible back in the early to mid seventies. Kids with not much money to spend for their first guitar, are so lucky today.
Master the old ones, then you can become a master like me
Don't know what you mean by affordable I bought my fender telecaster when I was in high-school for 300 now they are twice that
I have never been big on Strat style guitars ... but this is a great axe , especially for the $$. Yes I will buy one of these. And they are in stock , today anyway, at my favorite dealer. Thanks for sharing this video. Great job. As always.
It has been a long time since I saw a guitar review and was searching for one to buy before the video ended. Love the contours and beautiful wood but its the tone... Very nice
Over the last few months I've acquired a Sire T7 (blonde Tele style) and an H7V (think Lucille with p90s). They are *excellent* repeat *excellent* guitars. Fantastic necks and fretboards, solid pickups, excellent materials and super construction. They sound fantastic pushed through my Fender Deluxe Reverb. I'm not the type who goes after gear just for gear's sake. But ... I'm giving some thought to getting rid of my Les Paul Custom in favor of a Sire L7. Man! Those necks are *great*!
Great video, as always. Split coil? Maybe is hidden somewhere in 5 way switch?
Very nice, saw a few other reviews and all giving it thumbs up. I love my S7-FM-TBL, but if my budget had been limited and I were still looking for an alternative more affordable guitar, and a HSS at that...yeah!
I have now owned my new S3 for two weeks. I am absolutely thrilled with the way it sounds. I would put it up against any bone stock Fender.
I picked up the Sire S7 Vintage in black for £399. Love it. Fabulous guitar.
Nice.. very clean and clear.
This looks nice and sounds great. You can test if the trem block is steel with a magnet btw.
I saw an interview with Larry Carlton a few years back. He said he had worn out his Fender Stratocaster and just didn't want to get the frets replaced again, IIRC. Then he found the Sire series of Strats and to say he was pleased was an understatement. He especially loved the stainless steel frets and the rest of the handiwork on the instrument and again it left him more than pleased. At $399 US that is an absolutely awesome guitar. Period. 🎸💘💥🎙👽
I have a Sire H7 and I was shocked at just how much better it was than the Gibson Les Paul Classic I had. It actually stays in tune!
Another time I want the guitar after you present it! This time I can possibly afford it! Thanks for your videos!
I’m building my second guitar kit next week, a solo Strat kit! Super excited!
Good luck with the build!
@@DarrellBraunGuitar Thank you so much, loved the video. Hopefully with the obsidian wiring and fret leveling may be able to get my strat to sound like the Sire in the video. 🤞
Darrell that Sire sounded great. Could you please tell us what amp you played in the video? You have so many cool amps, it would be helpful to know what your playing through. Thank you
Great review as usual. Sweet sounding guitar. Sire makes nice gear.
One note about the tremolo block. You mentioned that at least its not a cheap forged block. Think you're referring to the cheap cast blocks some companies use. A true forged block would generally be stronger that a machined from billet one, and more expensive. Yea, I spent too many years in the machining and steel making industry.
He's talking about the cheap blocks made out of pot steal.
@@timtime9167hi Time. I know what he meant, I'm just a stickler for metal terminology. Just saying that when he mentioned cheap forged block he meant cheap cast. And some of the cheap ones are pot metals like zamak or really low grade steel alloy.
Lots of people get forging and casting mixed up. Casting quality can be all over the place quality wise. A forged part will be stronger and denser than either cast or machined parts.
@sunn_bass8724 I actually help manage a foundry started as a pattern maker in 84' I'm familiar with it.
@@timtime9167 Bet you have some cool experiences from that. Metal is fascinating. So many misconceptions in the general public about metal.
I've worked with 100 pound capacity induction furnace for investment castings up to 125 ton EAF. Fun times. Miss being in the steel mill.
Nice find! Chords sounded a little gnarly; need to go back and play the S7 video...
Stunning looking and sounding guitar!
Have a T3 and its a blast just to pick up and strum away, feels amazing in the hand for the value!
Hey Darrell, I just picked one up about a month ago and agree with the initial unboxing for sure. the only issue I had was developing fret sprout, and that in my opinion is just because its so fricking dry in our home in michigan right now. easily fixed and lovine the neck for sure. the only think I would change is the weight. the Mahogany is deffinitly heavier but not bad. Thanks again. I would like to check out the T3 but I will wait for next weeks video first lol. God Bless
"Fret Sprout " ??? H'mmm maybe that's where the S7 with its roasted neck comes in . I'm thinking that as good as the guitar is ... in todays manufacturing environment (grab that wood as fast as you can as opposed to letting it lay around and age) Roasting makes any makers neck more stable . My Sire is a T 7 (stable so far in Crappy Chicago---I'm from Detroit !) and I have a H7V ordered (mahogany neck ? ) but not roasted ...
Great video brother. Nice guitar.
Bought a sire s7 with flamed mapel top and it arrived today! So happy with it and sound sick. Love the split coil in the bridge humbucker and gets me all the sounds I like! Recommend!
excellent job, as always!
Darell you deserve 1 million subscribers. Thank you so much for this info!
If I had to replace my American Standard Strat like I did then, I'd have definitely gone for one of these, no doubt! The MusicMan Sterling Cutlass could've been a contender, but no longer after watching this, simply amazing bang for the buck, thanks so much! (it shows that you really enjoyed this one :) )
For me it still comes down to the neck profile. I wouldn't buy one of these without trying the sterling cutlass.
@@j_freed I hear you. That is actually one of the aspects I'd definitely need to check out prior to actually owning one as my fingers are short, so I typically handle flat, modern C shaped necks better than the chunkier ones, which the Cutlass is supposed to provide. Not like a vintage Fender "baseball bat" type of neck contour, but def. chunkier, someone said when demoing and testing them). But to each their own, more power to everyone ;-)
That sounds really smooth.
Darrell, when you were first checking out the tremolo, I think you forgot a technique (which I believe I learned from you) where, when you're finished with each particular tremolo bend, you give it one more quick push down and let it snap back up.
That helps (at least for me) with non-locking tremolo systems.
Deus benedicat tibi
Sire are the top dogs of budget and mid-range guitars at this point 🎸 ❤
Great video, Darrell, but I have a suggestion. I like that you opened the back vibrato cover and looked in at the vibrato block, but you might consider testing the block with a small magnet to illustrate that the block is magnetic like steel. I've seen zinc blocks that LOOK like steel, but magnets are harder to fool than eyes. That Sire is turning my head, too! Darn!😇
It seemed to have a lot of Gibson SG type tone in position 5. It will be interesting to see what your tones are like after a couple weeks of playing. Could this be the guitar EVH really wanted back in 77?
What amp were you using. The guitar sounds as good or better than my high end strat. I really like how you demo each guitar and pick it apart which is the way you should.
You sold me on this..just bought it today..sounds very nice..very warm
Been waiting for thiiisss. How's the neck? Is it thick or still easy to play?
Hey, great job with your channel overall! Greetings from Romania! I was wondering if you ve heard about the 2nd gen of S7. Apparently the main difference is the coil split for the humbucker. Cheers!
Not all Sire guitars are great. My S7 just came in and it’s riddled with cosmetic issues: chipped headstock, chipped nut, two cracks in the neck joint, marks on the body and pick guard. The nut wasn’t cut properly so the guitar can’t hold tuning. It’s going back to the shop tomorrow! The neck is sublime though and the overall aesthetic is very nice. This was clearly the runt of the litter!
If you had to choose between the Squier Classic Vibe and the Sire S3, which one would you pick?
Crazy, I wanted the S7 but the glossy fretboard was a killer for me. Now the cheaper one is in my sights
I have an S-7 and I love it. This looks like another winner.
I need to try a Sire, they seem to be really consistently knocking it out of the park.
Looks super cool and That 4th position sounds distinct! I just just picked up a very similar Schecter, Diamond series California Classic and It's an amazing guitar but it's not mahogany lol. It's like Murphy's law of guitars. A month after I finance a nice, used guitar, someone will start selling an even better, brand new one for less $. Rock n Roll!
Ah but isn't there always another guitar? I mean you can't get caught cheating on your Strat with a Les Paul lol. I think the mahogany gives it a unique look and for tone it gives off rich texture. I am currently leaning toward ordering one I really prefer to buy new in person but this is a solid strat for under $500 that would look pretty sweet onstage
Great Vid as always!!!
Before Christmas 2022 I went to two local distributors and checked out two Sire guitars, an LP style and an ST style (I was looking for a low-cost Strat), and they were both pretty terrible, considering the price point. Finish flaws, which you wouldn't find on a Harley Benton, and both with terrible set up's, out of the box. I finally bought a Squire (which was/still is, excellent out of the box).
Love your reviews. Also, your voice has perfect articulation. You could be an announcer or talk show host.
Competition is the best thing for progress and pricing. Sire looks like they are amping things up, should benefit us all as the other companies try and catch up..
Was watching this during a late lunch.
Sire S3/7, Ibanez Azes31/40 and Squier CV series seem to be appealing guitars between €300-600.
The Gretsch Electromatics are also solid guitars (got a G5421).
Nice video 👌🤠
Would be good to see a follow up video after you've had a chance to really use the trem for a while
Going to buy one for sure as well as that Schecter T Style Johnson.
Sounds terrific! I think i need one.
Stunning. That neck looks immaculate too✌️👍💜😊 Reminds me of Japanese strat types in the 1980s, having said that Fender and Gibson lost a lot of ground with their USA models back then 🤔💔
Typically fresh strings are still getting set, as there might have been slack around the tuning pegs and a little bit of string stretching too. It may not necesarily be the trem. I like it, but I like my maple flamed Strat better. I also like humbuckers in the bridge position but if they are splittable. After all it is a strat style.
Never heard a split coil sound decent though.
Fender cant touch this unfortunately. Good price/good quality! Thanks DBG!
Thank you Darrell, what amp setup did you use for the tone demo?
Hi Darrell, After watching your videos especially on the S3 I decided to buy it today. I did notice that it was the last one available and the specs said it weighs 10 pounds. Is that a typical weight for a mahogany guitar? I know it will sound great but I’m just wondering, is that an extreme weight or do you think they may have made a mistake on the Sweetwater specs?
never owned electric guitar, only acoustic electric. This one has me intrigued, ty for the in depth and knowledgeable review. Electric guitar seems much more complicated than acoustic.....
Just bought the S7FM gen2 HSS!
Not arrived yet, but cant wait. Ive had an mexican SSS Strat 20 years ago. Missed it ever since.
But after a BIG research i thought to by a player plus.
The S7 looks WAY better on paper and design and for the price of almost third of the price in sweden.
Next week it arrives.
Just in time for my new gigs 😏
I bought the S7 and returned it, lots of issues with the guitar and horrible QC. Bought the Schecter Nick Johnson and liked it much more as an S series. I did buy the Sire L7 and was very happy with it.
Ya. This one surprised me. I’m blown away.
What amp did you use? sounds fantastic!
Nice looking guitar, great price and sounds really good. It's amazing how you can pay very little for a guitar today and they sound great. Well done review Darrell. How do you stay so thin?? Peace.
Body reminds me of my 90's Charvel Deluxe STX, nice contours!
My Sire V3P passive Jazz Bass has the same rolled edges & they make a huge difference.
I'd like to know which amp or whatever he is playing this through. Sounds pretty good.
A bandmate has a Sire Marcus Miller bass. He plays it more than his Uber high end basses. It sounds great.
I look forward to checking out these sire guitars.
That particular specimen is absolutely gorgeous. I'm not a sunburst guy. Not a tobacco burst guy. And not a tortoise pick-guard guy. But that particular guitar is stunning. Aaaaaaaaaaand....... already out of stock. LOL
I agree. The color and pick guard are wrong for me too. But wow, this is good.
@@judih.8754 I know.... right ?