Sire built a reputation for producing high-quality instruments to suit beginners & professionals alike. Their range of electric guitars is designed with the help of guitar legend Larry Carlton - in this guide, we compare the models, features, and sounds of each range to help you find the Sire guitar to suit you!
The Ultimate Guide to Sire Larry Carlton Guitars
Who Is Sire?
Sire has developed a reputation as one of the most reliable, versatile, electric guitar and bass manufacturers in the industry.
Through a collaboration with guitar legend Larry Carlton, the brand has created an extensive range of highly-playable instruments which deliver optimum levels of performance and premium features, while still providing excellent value for money.
From their own factory, Sire produces electric guitars which rival their pricier, American-made counterparts. Every guitar made has undergone rigorous quality control to a high level.
Sire's take on the classic "S" and "T" style electric guitars pay homage to their original inspirational models, whilst the L, H, J, and X series cater for any and every playing style, offering a broad expansive selection of guitars to choose from. If electric ain't your thing, then the Larry Carlton G series gives you an acoustic sound from an electric guitar - it doesn't get more unique than this!
The Sire Larry Carlton Guitars Range
The Sire guitar range features different body shapes, some inspired by timeless designs and some going for a more modern style. Whether you're looking for a classic semi-hollow for jazz & blues or a razor-sharp S-style for metal riffage, Sire & Larry Carlton have you got you covered. Read on for a closer look at each model!
SIRE S SERIES
The Sire Larry Carlton S series range of electric guitars consists of a traditional S-style body connected to a C-shaped, hard Maple neck. All feature Sire’s Edgeless fretboard design, with rolled, smoothened edges for an ultra-comfortable playing experience.
- Available in H-S-S and S-S-S configurations, the Larry Carlton S3 electric guitars come with Larry Carlton-approved electronics and hardware to suit most playing styles, from classic to contemporary.
- Perfect for anyone who is new to electric guitar playing, or those looking for a basic instrument for future upgrades, the Sire Larry Carlton S5 is a new addition to the S range that really impresses, considering its price.
- As well as a standard model, the Larry Carlton S7 also comes in Vintage and FM versions. The Vintage S7 comes with a signature Super-V S-S-S pickup set for a classic vintage sound, whereas the S7 FM brings us the distinctive S-style body in a stunning Flamed Maple veneer.
- The new, top-tier model on the S series is the Sire Larry Carlton S10. These guitars come with Seymour Duncan S-S-S or H-S-S pickup configurations, a Hard Maple, Compound Radius neck, and come bundled with a hard case.
SIRE T SERIES
The Sire Larry Carlton T series of electric guitars provide the assured comfort and feel of the traditional T-shape body alongside the incredibly bright, clean and cutting sound that we crave. The range has now been bolstered with the introduction of the Larry Carlton T7TV and T7TM models, which feature new body modifications to bring more resonance into the mix.
- The Sire T3 is a Larry Carlton-approved electric guitar in the T-style that is designed to produce a prominent pure, clear and balanced sound for live performances and studio recordings.
- Sire has introduced two brand-new additions to its T-style electric guitar range, both of which feature a T-style body variant with an added F hole for enhanced resonance. But whereas the Larry Carlton TVTM goes modern with its hardware and features dual P90 pickups, the T7TV adopts a more traditional approach with two single-coil, Larry Carlton-approved pickups.
SIRE L SERIES
Emitting classic 50s vibes, the Sire Larry Carlton L series of electric guitars with a single-cut body shape and - for all models except the L5 - a solid Mahogany body that is durable and built to withstand the modern rigours of rock and roll!
- The new Sire Larry Carlton L3 P90 comes loaded with a single P90 pickup that is designed for easy playability and is mostly found in much more expensive guitars, whereas the new L3 HH model comes with double humbuckers for a warm and powerful sound.
- The Sire Larry Carlton L5 pairs a single-cut, Swamp Ash body with a Maple neck to produce a natural, clean sound, and three Lipstick Tube pickups, along with a Tune-O-Matic bridge reduces unwanted hum and creates a light, jangly tone.
- Sire’s top tier Larry Calrton L7 range of electric guitars includes the standard L7, with powerful twin humbuckers, for projecting heavy chords or single note patterns, and the L7V. This model swaps out the humbuckers for two signature Vintage P90 pickups for a warm, rich and full-bodied tone.
SIRE H SERIES
The Sire Larry Carlton H series of electric guitars feature a hollow body that produces rich and jazzy tones for musicians who love playing blues, jazz and pretty much any other genre you’d care to mention.
- The Sire Larry Carlton H7 is a stunning guitar featuring a semi-hollow body topped with luxurious flamed maple. The dual humbucker pickups and Tune-O-Matic bridge produce a distinct, traditional tone that really resonates.
- The Sire Larry Carlton H7V is the perfect guitar for anyone looking to emulate Larry Carlton’s iconic tones on a budget. Featuring two Vintage P90 (Dogear) pickups, it has a sound that has been approved by the great man himself.
- Sire’s Larry Carlton H7T electric guitar is a new variant in the H series that introduces a tremolo unit to the H7 to cater for players who wish to incorporate vibrato into a semi-hollow body sound. A dual Filtertron pickup configuration significantly enhances the guitar’s output and sustain, enabling anyone to seriously rock out.
- A new addition to Sire’s H series of electric guitars, the Larry Carlton H7F comes with a twin humbuckers and a Tune-O-Matic & Tailpiece bridge that is configured to Larry Calrton’s iconic tonality to provide plenty of smooth-sounding, classic jazz charm and unrivalled comfort.
SIRE J SERIES
Sire has just expanded its stable of Larry Carlton electric guitars with the new J series. These guitars channel vintage vibes thanks to their offset JM body shape that makes it easy to access the 3-way toggle to switch between rhythm and lead playing.
- An inaugural model in the J series, Sire’s Larry Carlton J3 electric guitar is fitted with two new LC JM pickups that deliver a thick jangly sound, producing a J-style model that is faithful to the basics at a very affordable price.
- Capturing the essence of classic design and sonic versatility, the Sire Larry Carlton J5 is a higher-tier version of the J3 that comes stacked with LC Vintage Jazzmaster pickups, a Göldo/Sire ‘Vintage’ JM-type bridge and DG tremolo, and Sire Premium Locking Tuners.
SIRE X SERIES
Expertly crafted for a more aggressive playing style, the new Sire Larry Carlton X series is perfect for people who want to explore heavier music styles – and with their X-shape body style, these guitars certainly look ready to shred. The power in these guitars goes way beyond the appearance though, it manifests in the feel and the sound that they produce.
- Brimming with power, the Larry Carlton X5 features two LC Modern humbuckers that are configured to provide those hard-hitting metal tones. While a heavy-duty, Floyd Rose Special bridge helps the guitar stay in tune through even the most violent bends.
- If you’re on the hunt for an electric guitar that can unleash plenty of raw power, then the Sire Larry Carlton X10 is such a beast. It features a neck-through body design, twin Seymour Duncan humbuckers and a Floyd Rose bridge that is the choice of many a metal-player.
SIRE G SERIES
Created for players seeking a more acoustic sound from an electric guitar, the Sire Larry Carlton G series electro-acoustics pairs a luxurious build quality with an incredible sound that can be tailored to suit any performance. Featuring a chambered body and a Piezo pickup processed through the new Sire ‘Vivid’ preamp, these guitars provide that distinctive acoustic sound while absolutely owning the stage.
- The Sire Larry Carlton G5A allows you to experiment with more than just one particular sound. The Vividx-A preamp consists of a Piezo pickup situated under the saddle and a 3-band EQ (for Treble, Middle and Bass) with a phase switch to allow players to adjust the sound to suit any vibe.
- With a thicker neck and nylon strings, the Larry Carlton G5C guitars reproduce the sound of a classical guitar but without the feedback in live situations, serving up tones that are smooth and sophisticated.
SIRE ACOUSTIC GUITARS
The Sire Larry Carlton A series of guitars offers an equilibrium between cutting-edge design and excellent performance. These beautiful acoustic guitars come in two body shapes - Dreadnought and Grand Auditorium - and feature Sire’s Edgeless fretboard design with rolled, smoothened edges for a superior feel and playing experience. When you need to tap into higher volume levels you can plug these guitars into a mixer/PA system and, thanks to the onboard SIB Acoustic EQ System, you can blend the inbuilt Piezo under-saddle pickup and condenser microphone together to recreate accurate acoustic tones.
- The Sire Larry Carlton A3-D and A4-D guitars feature a Mahogany body topped with Roasted Solid Spruce, a Mahogany C-Shape neck and a Rosewood fingerboard, which produces a luscious and captivating sound.
- The Sire Larry Carlton A3-G and A4-G acoustic guitars are constructed to the same high standards and specifications as the Dreadnoughts, but features the Grand Auditorium single cutaway design for an easier, strapped-on playing experience.
MORE INFO ON SIRE GUITARS
Hopefully this guide has answered all your questions on Sire and got you one step closer to picking the perfect model for your style. If you'd like to find out more, click the links below: