@BluesMan4U ...just another choice at that price point is the way I look at it. Roasted necks and stainless frets are great options, but I wouldn't want all of my guitars to have them.
Darrell. I was just hit up on IG from your account. Please tell me that wasn't you. I blocked them. Claims to be seeking me that guitar in this video for 300 USD. At that point I figured SCAM. FYI. It's your pic and entire name.
@@DavidHBurkart No doubts. I have never fallen for this before. Always on the lookout. Darrell has been a contact for years so I don't know how it got through as it did. When I went back to check someone has completely copied all his videos and identical at first glance. While the dude was talking I was suspicious and just waiting for the pitch. So I blocked right away and reported. Then found the actual IG as I thought shows Ive been subbed since 2019 which is back when I first got in IG. Thanks buddy.
I see so many people complain about the headstocks on these budget guitars, saying their ugly because it doesn’t look like it’s Fender equivalent. Why does it matter, in your own home it won’t make a difference, and many should know in a crowd it might as well mean nothing. You don’t get guitars to look nice, you get them to play/learn music and express yourself through an instrument.
I was guilty of this when checking out Teles. I didn’t like headstocks on most guitars that weren’t Fender/squire but when you’re playing it you don’t notice it. It’s just a weird thing that bugs people.
@@rexrathtar3893 I’m sorry I will treat every TH-cam comment i post from now on like a college essay, with perfect punctuation, grammar, spelling, and correct font size and spacing just for you 🙂👍
@@johnyamahakeyboard7472 😂 Don't bother replying to such people. They usually make an even worst mistake than the one they're trying to "correct". Just read his message again and you'll realise what just said. 'Their' 🤣😂
Us budget buyers owe a debt of gratitude to channels like yours and McKnight's KYG! Your suggestions on improvement and innovation have many smaller companies listening, and we budget buyers are reaping the benefits! Thank you Darrell for your time and talent. Play On!🔥🎸
I just got my Sire T3 earlier this week, same color. I agree, for $399…what a guitar! Plays great and it sounded great at worship team rehearsal last night.
Gotta say, whomever is designing their T and S style pickups, good job nailing the TONE you’d expect. This T-style reminds me of the tone of the Fender MIM Player Tele’s AlNiCo V pickups (and the Player Tele costs more than twice as much as this.)
I don't know... The tuners look literally identical to $100 guitars you can buy. I compared photos side by side and I think they're literally the just cheap "die-cast" tuners you get on the cheapest of the cheap guitars. They could've put some grovers on it for the price. I've seen much cheaper guitars with better tuners on it.
I really like watching your videos, Darrell, and one of the key reasons is your playing during the "clean" portion of your vids. Nothing at all to complain about when you use overdrive, but your voicing, chord progressions and lead lines are just SO matched to the style of guitar/pickup combo that you are showcasing--so much better than most other gear channels on YT--that you really show the guitars in their best possible light. Perhaps it is your superior playing ability, but your natural "feel" definitely brings out the best in each instrument. Great work !!!
This is an absolute steal for value! As a tele guy and a bit of a fender snob, I truly think sire blew this one out of the park. This guitar is definitely better than my player series tele. With my son getting interested in playing guitar, I think the sire would be a great first guitar for him. Been planning on buying him one, if I can ever find one lol. Thanks for the great review!
Hey Darryl, you need to check out the M-Musi Classic and Fusion teles. Under 500 Canadian and comes stock with alnico 5 cloth wire pickups, uncovered neck pickup, wilkinson compensated brass saddle ashtray bridge, shielded cavities, full size CTS pots American Blade switch, roasted maple neck, stainless steel frets mirror finish, bone nut, 9.5 to 12 compound radius, staggered locking tuners, contoured heel, with forearm and belly cuts, no string trees and a matching head stock! Absolutely incredible guitars!
He looks like a kid in the candy store, or a child opening the present of Christmas. He look so excited and pleased with that guitar. Thanks for the review.
I was really close to getting one of these, but they weren't in stock @ Sweetwater, so I went with the Squier 40th anniversary, the one with the block inlays, which I thought looked really neat on it. My next guitar will probably be that gold top p-90 LP style guitar that Sire makes. I've got my eye on that one.
I just got the red t3 like Darrell reviewed, and was SHOCKED. I expected a lesser experience because a lot of companies send a reviewer a tricked out, smoothed out model. No way! This guitar plays nicer than any Fender Tele I've had, right out of the box. Congrats to Sire for getting it right. Thinking Larry the Man told them the fretboard treatment was a must have. Thank you, Larry.
just got myself an affinity strat fmt! its actually pretty good. amazing what you can get on a budget these days! love your reviews cuz their so knowledgeable
@@GK-yf8mg yea man. i got like only 2 complaints. my humbucker moves a tiny bit, and the bridge buzzes, but imma get it set up by a professional and all that should go away. i got a really nice like 1k $ taylor guitar, and the affinity's playability is really good using that as a benchmark for quality. What finish do you have GK? i got the fmt blackburst
@@Jalu_liveontwitch Hey man don't worry about that humbucker, mine does too and it's normal because they have springs on the mounts. Mine is Charcoal Frost so it's black w/metallic gray pickguard. I have a $1200 gibson SG Tribute and the affinity plays as easy or easier than the Gibson, totally impressed for the $
Lets hope the shop models keep the quality up, as it has been variable on the other models. I have a H7 that I love, after a few tweaks that should have been done at the factory.
Just got a vintage white one. It starts with the way Sire packs up their stuff. Solid and safe. Attention to detail and finish is evident. Action on guitar was very high and like all have said frets and fretboard need a bit of break in. After that it’s solid with a darker tone like Larry wanted. Three way selector knob is cheap but an easy replacement. Looks really nice along side my Sire L7v. Now waiting for gig bag stock to come back.
Last year I went to the Thomann store with this exact guitar in mind. Unfortunately, it was out of stock at the time and nobody could tell me when it it would be available again. So I went for a Harley Benton instead and I wasn't disappointed. The Sire (they sell it as Larry Carlton on this side of the pond) is still on my list, though.
These guitars are amazing, I mean how are they able to pull this off, it feels like these guitars should not cost this low like we’re ripping them off. I absolutely these guitars, I love Sire more and more. The meticulous attention to detail even in this price range is what I’m grateful the most, and they sound amazing I can’t wait to get one Great video as always, love this channel 🙏🏾
I knew this was going to be a good guitar. We are definitely living in a golden age of guitar. There's no excuse for anyone now. Get yourself a great guitar and practice it and get good because we are going into a massive era of beautiful guitar playing wizardry. Let's go!!!
My new Sire T3 suffered from what a lot of guitars with cheap bridges suffer from, sitar buzz sound from the bridge. Replaced the saddles with Saddle Savers in Tusq. Fixed the problem. Nice low action with no buzz. Plays like a dream now. Worth the $60 upgrade.
The guitar world has changed so much over the years. It seems you can get a guitarnow for about 200-300 when 20 years ago thiswould be an easy 500.00 guitar. I just got a Leo Jaymz Storm with beautiful sound quality, stainless frets and active pickups for 200.oo delivered. My expectations were very small. Frets were smooth and playability was all there. Could use lock nut but dang the color was an obnoxious 1980's green. Keep rockin brother.
Darrell, great review, and this looks and sounds great. At a price point of a Squier but in direct competition of a Fender USA Tele (sub Ultra Series). FMC has been putting out a decent USA guitar for decades, but with really insane price points. Just compare the SIre 7 series to the Fender Ultra Luxe, that is a $1700 difference in cost. I can buy a hardshell case and a lot of strings for $1700.
You're 100% correct Jim. Been collecting and modifying electrics for yrs. The worst I've seen was on my MIA Strat. 250k pots that ohmed out at a weak 180k.
The 3 series has the budget manufacturers stumped as to how they compete at this price point. Good for us as this has just become a fantastic modding platform (if you are so inclined and have the budget!). Definitely no need to mod this to gig it though
Jet Sire Gear4music and Harley Benton def offer the best value Teles you can buy .Jet are no.1 but not sure they've made it to the States yet so youve got a lot to look foeward to.[my jt350 has bone nut ,roasted canadian maple neck ,rosewood fretboard ,locking tuners split coil humbucker for£299 in black less for butterscotch]I think I may well get this Sire next I have 2 teles but neither have the taditional pick up arrangement so this one looks like a winner .I think I would 've preferred a 3 saddle bridge just because the 2 I have already have that same type but other than that it's perfect .Cheers great review.
Can you replace the bridge with a standard 3 saddle tele bridge without modding anything? What about the pickguard? What is the routing under the pickguard, for posible pickup replacement? Thanks
Looks and sounds great ! A really nice value at the $399 price point. In a relatively short time Sire has become a major player in the budget,(sub $800) guitar/bass market. Great review Sir. : )
Larry Carlton Model !!! Enough said ! ... I dig your reviews big time ! Logic , common sense approach works for me , which you certainly deliver ! Not many have thousands of $$$ for Gibsons , PRS & other overpriced brands ! ... Good review once again ! Awesome guitar from all angles !
Hey Darrell I’m thank you, for the review!! Did you buy that guitar or send it back to Sweetwater after the review? Reason why I ask I seen your review and went to Sweetwater this morning and bought a demo exactly like the one you reviewed. Great budget guitar!
That guitar looks and sounds really good,especially with you playing it. I don’t play guitar or know very much about them but this guitar sounds pretty decent to my old ears.👍👍🇨🇦
I would love to see a side-by-side ("Shoot-out", if you will) of this guitar and a Fender Telecaster. I'm a Fender "hater" and I need a legitimate T-style sound. Deus benedicat tibi
As long as the ratio on the tuners are 18:1 I'm ok. How can you beat a red guitar? Looks great, and has a great neck. $399 is a great price. A lot of other people must agree because they are never in stock for long.
Heads Up to anyone considering a Sire guitar. My T3 arrived with defective saddle-height screws. None of the 12 screws fit the allen wrench well, and 2 of them won't bite at all. So I can't adjust 2 of the 6 saddles. I understand that defective parts might make their way onto any guitar, so I wasn't too concerned. I emailed Sire right away and asked for replacements. But I'm still waiting, and my 30 day return period is passing quickly. Just something to consider when choosing a brand.
Hi from Argentina!! How would you position the fenders made in Japan in quality compared to the fenders made in America? I'm after a 2005 telecaster crafted in Japan but there is an American vintage that I like and I found a custom shop too. The difference that I can see is price but that is not a problem. Is it worth the difference in price?
Darrel. Love your podcast. Have purchased some of the items you've reviewed. I'm wondering what amp you use to check out tones and how is it set? Thanks.🎸
Hey Darrell, nice review. It would be nice for you to do a review of good budget guitars available in Canada for us "hosed" Canadians, you being Canadian and all. Good luck getting a Sire T3 in Canada for less than $650. I also enjoyed your review of the $200 Firefly Les Paul type guitar. Would love to get my hands on one of those, but likely not going to happen here north of the border, at least not for a reasonable "budget" price.
Seriously Considering buying one of these from Andertons? they have a T3 for Less than £300? in Sonic Blue, or vintage white both have the rosewood fretboard, and For the price are well worth it
It sounds great! I love the colour! It seems to have a bit different voicing than that of a fender Tele. Although in your playing you were getting some nice spanky sounds out of it!
Nice guitar!. How is it possible that we allow squier and fender to continue using indian laurel and pauferro respectively in their models and SIRE GUITARS to use rosewood at this price level? We must demand that fender MX and squier return the use of this wood... without talking about electronics in the case of squier, it is clear that everything is not the name of the brand
Very Cool, Thankyou. Looks an awesome construction affordable guitar. Not available here in Australia but maybe one might show up on used market here ..... hopefully. Cheers
How would you compare the T3 to the schecter you reviewed a few weeks back (the Nick Johnston). I know price wise the T7 compares better but I'm really loving that sonic blue colour and these two still seem close other than tuners and roasted neck. You praise them both a lot, I'm specifically wondering if there are any glaring differences in your opinion.
$400 US somehow becomes $650 in Canada. Not a "budget" guitar. It's more of an intermediate range guitar with the T7 at the high end. The discrepency in pricing makes it a pass for me.
Cool fret end treatment but I feel like if you live in a place where the humidity is low and the fretboard contracts, that is going to do some serious damage to your hands.
With the quality issues coming from Fender(Mexico), I advise anyone to spend their money with other companies that produce superior products. I’m a big fan of the MIJ guitars.
If you want a killer highly versatile guitar, try out (I guess you did a video already on it ?) the G&L Tribute Fallout for under 500$. That's a hit. A P90, a Humbucker ... splitable (coil tap) and a three way switch and it's so light ... a killer ! 😉 I discovered that model recently (already own very high end and expensive G&Ls among other guitar brands I own) and it is a revelation ... no kidding. And for a little bit more $, the G&L ASAT Classic Tribute Semi hollow are just fantastic too ... I did buy a Sire S7 when they've been launched, I was expecting a lot from these guitars but was highly disappointed with the neck (not so well finished) and the overall feeling ... I didn't keep it.
So does the T3 come with the padded case/bag, or not? did you buy the case separately? I called a dealer and they have one in stock, but they sell the case for $75 separately...so which is it? I'm very interested in the T3...I own the P7 Sire PJ bass and I love it, so I'm wanting this T-style sire too...Thanks!
I think I like the S3 better. Shame, they don't have locking tuners, on the '3' models you can't have everything. At the end of the day you could get an after market set if need be. The gig bag looks quality.
darrell were you from I'm from New York I have ten guitars all budget except my latest guitar gretsch streamliner and all my guitars are made left handed
I've got the SIRE T3 in the studio today!
Like the S3 this one is an incredible guitar for the money!
Guitar link - sweetwater.sjv.io/R5PxJX
Enjoy :)
@BluesMan4U ...just another choice at that price point is the way I look at it. Roasted necks and stainless frets are great options, but I wouldn't want all of my guitars to have them.
Darrell. I was just hit up on IG from your account. Please tell me that wasn't you. I blocked them. Claims to be seeking me that guitar in this video for 300 USD. At that point I figured SCAM. FYI. It's your pic and entire name.
@@robertclarkguitar Definitely a scam. DB doesn't work that way
@@DavidHBurkart No doubts. I have never fallen for this before. Always on the lookout. Darrell has been a contact for years so I don't know how it got through as it did. When I went back to check someone has completely copied all his videos and identical at first glance. While the dude was talking I was suspicious and just waiting for the pitch. So I blocked right away and reported. Then found the actual IG as I thought shows Ive been subbed since 2019 which is back when I first got in IG. Thanks buddy.
@@robertclarkguitar No problem, we gotta help each other out. These scammers get more devious all the time
I see so many people complain about the headstocks on these budget guitars, saying their ugly because it doesn’t look like it’s Fender equivalent. Why does it matter, in your own home it won’t make a difference, and many should know in a crowd it might as well mean nothing. You don’t get guitars to look nice, you get them to play/learn music and express yourself through an instrument.
I was guilty of this when checking out Teles. I didn’t like headstocks on most guitars that weren’t Fender/squire but when you’re playing it you don’t notice it. It’s just a weird thing that bugs people.
No one who knows their grammar has ever said their ugly.
@@rexrathtar3893 I’m sorry I will treat every TH-cam comment i post from now on like a college essay, with perfect punctuation, grammar, spelling, and correct font size and spacing just for you 🙂👍
@@johnyamahakeyboard7472 😂 Don't bother replying to such people. They usually make an even worst mistake than the one they're trying to "correct". Just read his message again and you'll realise what just said.
'Their' 🤣😂
It's "worse" mistake when making a comparative, not "worst", though I suppose you proved your own point.
Us budget buyers owe a debt of gratitude to channels like yours and McKnight's KYG! Your suggestions on improvement and innovation have many smaller companies listening, and we budget buyers are reaping the benefits! Thank you Darrell for your time and talent. Play On!🔥🎸
Guitar MAX is also great. 🤙🏻
Dave Simpson too!
@@Joe-mz6dc Yikes! I can't believe I forgot Max! 10/10.
@@jperryfan Will check him out, thanks.
I just got my Sire T3 earlier this week, same color. I agree, for $399…what a guitar! Plays great and it sounded great at worship team rehearsal last night.
I’ve never seen you smile more than when you’re doing these Sire reviews. Being a Sire T7 owner myself, I can totally understand why.
Gotta say, whomever is designing their T and S style pickups, good job nailing the TONE you’d expect. This T-style reminds me of the tone of the Fender MIM Player Tele’s AlNiCo V pickups (and the Player Tele costs more than twice as much as this.)
This is unbelievable value for this guitar. $400 guitar that needs no upgrades, ready to gig out of the box! Thanks Darrell. Great review, as usual.
I don't know... The tuners look literally identical to $100 guitars you can buy. I compared photos side by side and I think they're literally the just cheap "die-cast" tuners you get on the cheapest of the cheap guitars. They could've put some grovers on it for the price. I've seen much cheaper guitars with better tuners on it.
I really like watching your videos, Darrell, and one of the key reasons is your playing during the "clean" portion of your vids. Nothing at all to complain about when you use overdrive, but your voicing, chord progressions and lead lines are just SO matched to the style of guitar/pickup combo that you are showcasing--so much better than most other gear channels on YT--that you really show the guitars in their best possible light. Perhaps it is your superior playing ability, but your natural "feel" definitely brings out the best in each instrument. Great work !!!
From a playability standpoint the important features are there, and it sounds terrific to boot. For $399 it's a winner!
Yup
I am indebted to you Darrell for your hard work in researching all those guitars, you are the greatest man!!!
He is not researching, he is promoting them, you fool!
This is an absolute steal for value! As a tele guy and a bit of a fender snob, I truly think sire blew this one out of the park. This guitar is definitely better than my player series tele. With my son getting interested in playing guitar, I think the sire would be a great first guitar for him. Been planning on buying him one, if I can ever find one lol. Thanks for the great review!
Hey Darryl,
you need to check out the M-Musi Classic and Fusion teles. Under 500 Canadian and comes stock with alnico 5 cloth wire pickups, uncovered neck pickup, wilkinson compensated brass saddle ashtray bridge, shielded cavities, full size CTS pots American Blade switch, roasted maple neck, stainless steel frets mirror finish, bone nut, 9.5 to 12 compound radius, staggered locking tuners, contoured heel, with forearm and belly cuts, no string trees and a matching head stock! Absolutely incredible guitars!
He looks like a kid in the candy store, or a child opening the present of Christmas. He look so excited and pleased with that guitar. Thanks for the review.
Sire have brought so much to the table with this innovative design.
It looks nice but I think Fender Squire affinity telecaster is a best value at $249 with all maple satin finish neck!
I was really close to getting one of these, but they weren't in stock @ Sweetwater, so I went with the Squier 40th anniversary, the one with the block inlays, which I thought looked really neat on it.
My next guitar will probably be that gold top p-90 LP style guitar that Sire makes. I've got my eye on that one.
Great choice
I just got the red t3 like Darrell reviewed, and was SHOCKED. I expected a lesser experience because a lot of companies send a reviewer a tricked out, smoothed out model. No way! This guitar plays nicer than any Fender Tele I've had, right out of the box. Congrats to Sire for getting it right. Thinking Larry the Man told them the fretboard treatment was a must have. Thank you, Larry.
just got myself an affinity strat fmt! its actually pretty good. amazing what you can get on a budget these days! love your reviews cuz their so knowledgeable
Change the pots and that can become a Fender lol
I have an Affinity HSS and it's truly incredible, better fretwork than any guitar I've ever picked up at any price, its crazy really
@@GK-yf8mg Affinity guitars can be amazing and easier to play for some reason. With a bit of TLC they can be you No:1 guitar easy.
@@GK-yf8mg yea man. i got like only 2 complaints. my humbucker moves a tiny bit, and the bridge buzzes, but imma get it set up by a professional and all that should go away. i got a really nice like 1k $ taylor guitar, and the affinity's playability is really good using that as a benchmark for quality. What finish do you have GK? i got the fmt blackburst
@@Jalu_liveontwitch Hey man don't worry about that humbucker, mine does too and it's normal because they have springs on the mounts. Mine is Charcoal Frost so it's black w/metallic gray pickguard. I have a $1200 gibson SG Tribute and the affinity plays as easy or easier than the Gibson, totally impressed for the $
Lets hope the shop models keep the quality up, as it has been variable on the other models. I have a H7 that I love, after a few tweaks that should have been done at the factory.
Just got a vintage white one. It starts with the way Sire packs up their stuff. Solid and safe. Attention to detail and finish is evident. Action on guitar was very high and like all have said frets and fretboard need a bit of break in. After that it’s solid with a darker tone like Larry wanted. Three way selector knob is cheap but an easy replacement.
Looks really nice along side my Sire L7v. Now waiting for gig bag stock to come back.
Last year I went to the Thomann store with this exact guitar in mind. Unfortunately, it was out of stock at the time and nobody could tell me when it it would be available again. So I went for a Harley Benton instead and I wasn't disappointed. The Sire (they sell it as Larry Carlton on this side of the pond) is still on my list, though.
Sounds great, the middle position so great!
These guitars are amazing, I mean how are they able to pull this off, it feels like these guitars should not cost this low like we’re ripping them off.
I absolutely these guitars, I love Sire more and more. The meticulous attention to detail even in this price range is what I’m grateful the most, and they sound amazing
I can’t wait to get one
Great video as always, love this channel 🙏🏾
they know it will Definitely sell at a low cost pretty smart if you think about it and yes sounds so good 😅
I knew this was going to be a good guitar. We are definitely living in a golden age of guitar. There's no excuse for anyone now. Get yourself a great guitar and practice it and get good because we are going into a massive era of beautiful guitar playing wizardry. Let's go!!!
Great review! Sire offers a lot of bang for your bucks, that's for sure! Nice Tele.
My new Sire T3 suffered from what a lot of guitars with cheap bridges suffer from, sitar buzz sound from the bridge. Replaced the saddles with Saddle Savers in Tusq. Fixed the problem. Nice low action with no buzz. Plays like a dream now. Worth the $60 upgrade.
Thanks Tom, good to know.
You got a link for those saddles, Tom?
Cant wait for your review of the Sire Les Paul style L7V with P90's... I'm hoping that's next.
The guitar world has changed so much over the years. It seems you can get a guitarnow for about 200-300 when 20 years ago thiswould be an easy 500.00 guitar. I just got a Leo Jaymz Storm with beautiful sound quality, stainless frets and active pickups for 200.oo delivered. My expectations were very small. Frets were smooth and playability was all there. Could use lock nut but dang the color was an obnoxious 1980's green. Keep rockin brother.
I have a T7 and it has an ashtray bridge. I had never played one before and had to get used to it. I prefer this bridge to the one with sides.
Looks good, sounds good and played expertly. Fantastic informative review! Thanks!!
been waiting this review for a while, thank you for making this video!
Sounds like a tele should! What a value!
Darrell, great review, and this looks and sounds great. At a price point of a Squier but in direct competition of a Fender USA Tele (sub Ultra Series). FMC has been putting out a decent USA guitar for decades, but with really insane price points. Just compare the SIre 7 series to the Fender Ultra Luxe, that is a $1700 difference in cost. I can buy a hardshell case and a lot of strings for $1700.
Fantastic reviews thanks for doing this type of work
Love the deep, rich, rosewood on a budget tele (or strat) when Fender is using crappy light brown fingerboard wood on nearly all its models.
Sounds great, thanks for the in depth review!
There are no sting trees on the headstock. Are the tuners staggered?
Actually, full sized pots don't make it better. It's what the actual tolerance of the pot. If they 250k pots and they read 245-255 they are just fine.
You're 100% correct Jim. Been collecting and modifying electrics for yrs. The worst I've seen was on my MIA Strat. 250k pots that ohmed out at a weak 180k.
Tolerance, taper, construction quality all matter. Size does not.
The 3 series has the budget manufacturers stumped as to how they compete at this price point. Good for us as this has just become a fantastic modding platform (if you are so inclined and have the budget!). Definitely no need to mod this to gig it though
Jet Sire Gear4music and Harley Benton def offer the best value Teles you can buy .Jet are no.1 but not sure they've made it to the States yet so youve got a lot to look foeward to.[my jt350 has bone nut ,roasted canadian maple neck ,rosewood fretboard ,locking tuners split coil humbucker for£299 in black less for butterscotch]I think I may well get this Sire next
I have 2 teles but neither have the taditional pick up arrangement so this one looks like a winner .I think I would 've preferred a 3 saddle bridge just because the 2 I have already have that same type but other than that it's perfect .Cheers great review.
Wow! That thing sounds incredible clean. You got a big ol grin, it must play good.
You could make a broome stick and twine home made guitar sound good ! Very nice review and excellent playing
thanks you, Im thinking of having a budget T guitar, so with your help I decide to get a Sire T3. THANKS!
Can you replace the bridge with a standard 3 saddle tele bridge without modding anything? What about the pickguard? What is the routing under the pickguard, for posible pickup replacement? Thanks
Looks and sounds great ! A really nice value at the $399 price point. In a relatively short time Sire has become a major player in the budget,(sub $800) guitar/bass market. Great review Sir. : )
Larry Carlton Model !!! Enough said ! ... I dig your reviews big time ! Logic , common sense approach works for me , which you certainly deliver ! Not many have thousands of $$$ for Gibsons , PRS & other overpriced brands ! ... Good review once again ! Awesome guitar from all angles !
Can you do a comparison between this and the squire tele?
Bought the T7 FR version of that guitar that was recommended by my local guitar store seller and it never disappointed me
Hey Darrell I’m thank you, for the review!! Did you buy that guitar or send it back to Sweetwater after the review? Reason why I ask I seen your review and went to Sweetwater this morning and bought a demo exactly like the one you reviewed. Great budget guitar!
very original headstock, reminds me some old Yamaha and a bit of the Samurai
That guitar looks and sounds really good,especially with you playing it. I don’t play guitar or know very much about them but this guitar sounds pretty decent to my old ears.👍👍🇨🇦
I would love to see a side-by-side ("Shoot-out", if you will) of this guitar and a Fender Telecaster. I'm a Fender "hater" and I need a legitimate T-style sound.
Deus benedicat tibi
I was like wow what a nice looking guitar until I saw the head stock. It looks like a goose that lost a fight with the garbage truck. 🤣
Wow nice. Hoping you can review the A4 Acoustic too down the road. Great Video👊😎
Very nice. I don't see any maple fingerboard versions of this model though?
I don't mind a bit rough frets, makes the note sing forever when you apply vibrato.
As long as the ratio on the tuners are 18:1 I'm ok. How can you beat a red guitar? Looks great, and has a great neck. $399 is a great price. A lot of other people must agree because they are never in stock for long.
Heads Up to anyone considering a Sire guitar. My T3 arrived with defective saddle-height screws. None of the 12 screws fit the allen wrench well, and 2 of them won't bite at all. So I can't adjust 2 of the 6 saddles. I understand that defective parts might make their way onto any guitar, so I wasn't too concerned. I emailed Sire right away and asked for replacements. But I'm still waiting, and my 30 day return period is passing quickly. Just something to consider when choosing a brand.
Hi from Argentina!!
How would you position the fenders made in Japan in quality compared to the fenders made in America? I'm after a 2005 telecaster crafted in Japan but there is an American vintage that I like and I found a custom shop too. The difference that I can see is price but that is not a problem. Is it worth the difference in price?
My T7 is an amazing guitar. I’m sure these ones are very good too
Does this guitar share same hardware specs with fenders? In other words, can I swap with generic fender pickguard, birdge, etc?
I really want a T7 in that fiesta red color but with a black pick guard.
Darrel. Love your podcast. Have purchased some of the items you've reviewed. I'm wondering what amp you use to check out tones and how is it set? Thanks.🎸
The lack of string trees is worth a mention.
Wouldn't mind to try it. It's in a Tele style. That's a plus.
Glad to see Tele makers ditch the barrel bridge. Intonation is important.
Hey Darrell, nice review. It would be nice for you to do a review of good budget guitars available in Canada for us "hosed" Canadians, you being Canadian and all. Good luck getting a Sire T3 in Canada for less than $650. I also enjoyed your review of the $200 Firefly Les Paul type guitar. Would love to get my hands on one of those, but likely not going to happen here north of the border, at least not for a reasonable "budget" price.
Seriously Considering buying one of these from Andertons? they have a T3 for Less than £300? in Sonic Blue, or vintage white
both have the rosewood fretboard, and For the price are well worth it
It sounds great!
I love the colour!
It seems to have a bit different voicing than that of a fender Tele.
Although in your playing you were getting some nice spanky sounds out of it!
Nice guitar!. How is it possible that we allow squier and fender to continue using indian laurel and pauferro respectively in their models and SIRE GUITARS to use rosewood at this price level? We must demand that fender MX and squier return the use of this wood... without talking about electronics in the case of squier, it is clear that everything is not the name of the brand
slight forearm cut? looks nice.
Awesome. Thanks for sharing this review. ✌️
Very Cool, Thankyou. Looks an awesome construction affordable guitar. Not available here in Australia but maybe one might show up on used market here ..... hopefully. Cheers
How would you compare the T3 to the schecter you reviewed a few weeks back (the Nick Johnston). I know price wise the T7 compares better but I'm really loving that sonic blue colour and these two still seem close other than tuners and roasted neck. You praise them both a lot, I'm specifically wondering if there are any glaring differences in your opinion.
I prefer poa ferro over rosewood. It feels like ebony and has better grain patterns. i don't understand the hate on it.
For 150$ extra, is the 7 series worth it?
You should do an ultimate METAL guitar build
$400 US somehow becomes $650 in Canada. Not a "budget" guitar. It's more of an intermediate range guitar with the T7 at the high end. The discrepency in pricing makes it a pass for me.
Socialistic country does that. haha
What is the deal with the different sized pots? What is the benefit of having larger pots?
It’s disappointing that Sire has forgotten about us south paws.
Larry Carlton guitars are so good I like them more then fender
Also there are individual saddles instead of the barrel saddles but very nice 👍
Cool fret end treatment but I feel like if you live in a place where the humidity is low and the fretboard contracts, that is going to do some serious damage to your hands.
That Sire T3 sounds so great, but what is the price on that baby?
I’m sticking with my classic vibe thank you, I like the headstock better than the t3.
With the quality issues coming from Fender(Mexico), I advise anyone to spend their money with other companies that produce superior products. I’m a big fan of the MIJ guitars.
Hi did it come with that gig bag because here in the UK it doesn't come with one. Not that it really matters, it just seems odd.
If you want a killer highly versatile guitar, try out (I guess you did a video already on it ?) the G&L Tribute Fallout for under 500$. That's a hit. A P90, a Humbucker ... splitable (coil tap) and a three way switch and it's so light ... a killer ! 😉 I discovered that model recently (already own very high end and expensive G&Ls among other guitar brands I own) and it is a revelation ... no kidding. And for a little bit more $, the G&L ASAT Classic Tribute Semi hollow are just fantastic too ... I did buy a Sire S7 when they've been launched, I was expecting a lot from these guitars but was highly disappointed with the neck (not so well finished) and the overall feeling ... I didn't keep it.
How does Sire get away with using no string trees because there's no back angle on the headstock is there. Or is there?
I am soooo in the market for one of these 🙌🏻
So does the T3 come with the padded case/bag, or not? did you buy the case separately? I called a dealer and they have one in stock, but they sell the case for $75 separately...so which is it? I'm very interested in the T3...I own the P7 Sire PJ bass and I love it, so I'm wanting this T-style sire too...Thanks!
I know they are not quite the same but would you pick this over the eart t380?
That guitar sounds fantastic.
I think I like the S3 better. Shame, they don't have locking tuners, on the '3' models you can't have everything. At the end of the day you could get an after market set if need be. The gig bag looks quality.
How would you compare the Sire T-3 to the Harley Benton TE-40 TBK Deluxe?
Hey there! is it still the best budget telecaster? or Harley Benton TE-25TH Firemist?
Do you know (or can you check) if the neck pickup route is pre-routed for a humbucker?
darrell were you from I'm from New York I have ten guitars all budget except my latest guitar gretsch streamliner and all my guitars are made left handed
What is the guitar plug in to? IMHO very important.
Oh! I love it great tone