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Sire Larry Carlton L7
Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Wino Les Paul Custom
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Playability
73
Sound
67
Build
63
Value
73
Score
68
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Playability
73
Sound
65
Build
62
Value
72
Score
67
FIND IT ON:
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Sire Larry Carlton L7 vs Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Wino Les Paul Custom

Reasons to Get
Sire Larry Carlton L7 over Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Wino Les Paul Custom

Country of Manufacturing
Indonesia vs China
Built with higher quality standards
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.9'' (22.9mm) vs 0.86'' (21.8mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.94'' (23.9mm) vs 0.98'' (24.9mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Value Score
73 vs 72
Better price/quality relationship

Reasons to Get
Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Wino Les Paul Custom over Sire Larry Carlton L7

Weight Relief
Yes vs None
Lighter Body
Release Year
2021 vs 2020
From a more recent year
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.86'' (21.8mm) vs 0.9'' (22.9mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.98'' (24.9mm) vs 0.94'' (23.9mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands

Other Key Differences
Sire Larry Carlton L7 vs Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Wino Les Paul Custom

Bridge Pickup
Larry Carlton Modern Humbucker vs 98T PRO
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Larry Carlton Modern Humbucker vs Alnico Classic PRO
Different Neck Pickup
Nut Material
Bone vs Ivory Tusq
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Sire Larry Carlton L7 vs Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Wino Les Paul Custom

Body Wood
Mahogany
Same Body Wood
Neck Wood
Mahogany
Same Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Ebony
Same Fretboard Wood
Headstock
3-3
Same Headstock
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Volume Knobs
2
Same volume control
Tone Knobs
2
Same tone control
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Number of Frets
22
Same maximum octave
Nut Width
1.693'' (43mm)
Same string separation at the nut
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Fixed
Good sustain and needs no set-up
Scale Length
24.75'' (628.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Fretboard Radius
12'' (304.8mm)
Same fretboard comfortability
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Decorative Top
Flamed Veneer vs Plain Maple Cap
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Neck Joint
Set
Neck is glued to the body
Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • Top Pickup Brand
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

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Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Wino Les Paul Custom Prices

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Sire Larry Carlton L7 is probably the better product overall with its final score of 68 compared to the Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Wino Les Paul Custom's 67 score, although not by a lot.

The Sire Larry Carlton L7 wins when it comes to sound, build quality, value for the money. On the other hand, the Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Wino Les Paul Custom has the upper hand when it comes to.

If you got small hands, none of these instruments will make a big difference when it comes to comfortability.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Sire Larry Carlton L7 is the better choice.

The Sire Larry Carlton L7 meets 5 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Wino Les Paul Custom meets only 4. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players.

New Player Friendliness

Sire Larry Carlton L7
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale

New Player Friendliness

Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Wino Les Paul Custom
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

Nevertheless, when it comes to choosing an instrument, you should pick the one more compatible with your personal style. Still, below we'll try you to give you our results as objectively as it's possible to help you decide.

Sire Larry Carlton L7 Overview

  • From Sire's 2020 L7 series
  • Larry Carlton Signature
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Flamed Veneer top
  • Mahogany+Hard Maple body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Larry Carlton Modern Humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Larry Carlton Modern Humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 2 tone Speed knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Sire Modern Tune-O-Matic & Aluminium Stop Tail Piece bridge
  • C-Shape Set neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Sire Premium Locking Tuner tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Wino Les Paul Custom Overview

  • From Epiphone's 2021 Artist Collection series
  • Jerry Cantrell Signature
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Plain Maple Cap top
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: 98T PRO (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Alnico Classic PRO (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 2 tone Speed knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Epiphone LockTone Tune-O-Matic bridge
  • Jerry Cantrell Set neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Grover Rotomatic 18:1 with Kidney Buttons tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Sound Quality Comparison

The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

Woods Used in Both

Mahogany wood pattern used for guitar building
Mahogany
Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony

Mahogany is a fairly rare wood nowadays. It's used mostly for bodies due to its relatively lightweight. Gibson popularized it with their Les Paul guitars during their golden years, so this wood has a lot of good reputation behind it. The most expensive type comes from South America and it's still used by Gibson even today. Find out more about Mahogany.

Ebony is a high-end wood, so it is not cheap. It's only used for fretboards because it's also very heavy. It does an excellent job as a durable material while looking elegant. Find out more about Ebony.

Winner: Tie.

Pickup Configuration

Both pickup configurations are HH. Double Humbucker (HH) is the choice for people who want a fuller, more round sound with tons of mids and lows. Humbuckers also get rid of the hum noise that plague single-coil pickups. They can work out for almost any genre going from Djent to even Jazz.

Pickups Quality

None of these use a specialized pickup brand for their pickups. Some of the best guitars on the market come with pickups from brands like EMG, Seymour Duncan, DiMarzio, etc. You might want to replace your pickups eventually if you want to get the best sound out of any of these instruments.

Both use Passive pickups. This is what's used for most music genres. They have a regular output and will serve you for both high-gain and clean tones. The alternative (Active pickups) offer a higher output that is mostly used for heavy music.

Winner: Tie.

Versatility Comparison

Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

Switch Options

Both are equal when it comes to the pickup switching option.

Neither of them come with some kind of coil split or pickup mod option. This makes both lacking in terms of versatility.

They both share the following switching options:

Sire Larry Carlton L7 and Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Wino Les Paul Custom pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Sire Larry Carlton L7 and Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Wino Les Paul Custom's switch options

When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

Winner: Tie.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Sire Larry Carlton L7
Pickups 60
Sustain 75
Versatility 53
Tuning Stability 80
Sound 67
Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Wino Les Paul Custom
Pickups 60
Sustain 75
Versatility 53
Tuning Stability 70
Sound 65

Build Quality Comparison

When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the Sire Larry Carlton L7 compares to the Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Wino Les Paul Custom.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. The Sire Larry Carlton L7 is built in Indonesia while the Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Wino Les Paul Custom is made in China.

Indonesia is becoming the most popular country for guitar building because they can make good instruments for a low price. Some people think that they're 'the new China' when it comes to build quality. But the truth is that Indonesian guitars are more consistent, although Chinese quality has improved a lot in the last few years.

China has a bad reputation when it comes to building quality. However, times have changed and now respectable brands use China's cheap labor to build good instruments for a lower price. Don't discount a guitar only because it was built in China, but also expect more quality from countries like Korea.

Winner: Sire Larry Carlton L7

Nut Material

If you want your guitar to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

The Sire Larry Carlton L7 has a Bone nut. It's a type of nut found in high-quality instruments. They sound similar to Ivory since they give a lot of sustain and a bright sound (at least when striking open strings). The only problem they can run into is that you may get a bone piece that simply doesn't sound as well as others because that's just how natural materials are.

On the other hand, the Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Wino Les Paul Custom comes with a Ivory Tusq nut. Ivory used to be considered the best material for guitar nuts due to its beauty, durability, and the rich harmonics and sustain you could get from a guitar with it. However, the way to obtain it is simply unethical. Enter TUSQ ivory nuts, which are made synthetically to imitate ivory. Technically, it's better than ivory because it is consistent piece-to-piece, while natural materials can vary a lot, even if they're made from the same.

Winner: Tie.

Fret Material

Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

Unfortunately, none of them come with stainless steel frets.

Winner: Tie.

Bridge

The perfect bridge for you will depend on your playstyle because they all have advantages and disadvantages. However, some bridges are more expensive—like Floyd Roses and Evertunes—and thus add more value to a guitar.

Both come with a similar bridge: Fixed. It's a simple bridge that is very beginner-friendly since it doesn't require any set-up. You can swap strings easily. It might also give more sustain since it doesn't have complex moving parts that make the strings lose vibration. However, it doesn't have the same versatility as a tremolo bridge.

Since we need to be objective, the most expensive type of bridge will be the winner of this section. In the end, this doesn't matter if you're not going to use the bridge for its original purpose, so choose the bridge that fits your playing style better.

Winner: Tie.

Tuners

The Sire Larry Carlton L7 has the best tuners of the two because they are locking tuners. They'll help to keep your guitar in tune because they allow you to tune it without wrapping the strings around the posts. This avoids variations in the tuning due to the strings changing position at the post after a bend. They come at the disadvantage of being slightly heavier than regular tuners. Also, it makes it a lot easier to restring.

Winner: Sire Larry Carlton L7.

Neck Joint

Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a guitar is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

Both have a Set neck joint. This neck is tightly glued to the body. They give you the least versatility because you can't swap them for a neck that fits your hand better if you want to, unlike bolt-on necks. Some people think this gives more resonance and sustain, but there's no real difference if the bolt-on joint is well built.

Winner: Tie.

Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

Strengths & Weaknesses
Sire Larry Carlton L7
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Wino Les Paul Custom
  • Expensive Wood
  • Ivory Tusq Nut
  • Weight Relief
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Sire Larry Carlton L7
Quality of materials 58
Features 60
Quality Control 70
Build Quality 63
Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Wino Les Paul Custom
Quality of materials 70
Features 55
Quality Control 60
Build Quality 62

Playability Comparison

Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a guitar might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a guitar feels in your hands.

Nut Width

Sire Larry Carlton L7 Nut Width
Both Guitars Have The Same Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, both have a nut width of 43mm (1.693'').

This is within the most common range of nut widths for a 6-string guitar. It offers a good balance of string separation at the nut. It's the size that most guitarists prefer as it gives them just enough space to play open chords without muting the strings, but without spreading the strings too wide and making bar chords difficult to perform.

Scale Length

Sire Larry Carlton L7 and Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Wino Les Paul Custom's Scale Length
Both have the same scale length

The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

In this case, both have a scale length of 24.75".

This is the scale length that Gibson uses for most of its Les Paul guitars. It's a smaller scale than the typical Stratocaster's 25.5''. Short scale lengths like this make it easier to bend the strings, which is pretty important if you have a fixed bridge. They also have a shorter fret separation, which makes it easier to change position fast at the fretboard.

On the other hand, a shorter scale like this one will make fret buzz more likely, which can affect you if you want to use thicker string gauges.

Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

Neck Profile

Sire Larry Carlton L7 Neck Profile
Sire Larry Carlton L7's neck profile
Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Wino Les Paul Custom Neck Profile
Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Wino Les Paul Custom's neck profile

No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

Both the Sire Larry Carlton L7 and the Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Wino Les Paul Custom have a C-shaped neck. This is what you'll find in most modern guitars. Most people feel like the thickness of a C neck is simply the less intrusive one for playing fast, while at the same time allowing you to grab the neck easily for resting if you want to.

Fretboard Radius

Sire Larry Carlton L7 Fingerboard Radius
Both Guitars Have The Same Fretboard Radius

Most guitar fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

Both the Sire Larry Carlton L7 and the Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Wino Les Paul Custom have the same fretboard radius of 12". This is the radius used in most Gibson guitars. It gives you a good balance for playing chords without muting, but also good comfortability for playing single notes and bending.

Hand Size Comfortability

Everyone has a different hand size, and that's why it's recommended to try a guitar before buying, even if others tell you that it's comfortable to play. However, we can know whether a guitar favors small or large hands just by knowing its exact measurements.

After taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that both in this comparison are balanced for most hand sizes.

Sire Larry Carlton L7:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Wino Les Paul Custom:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Sire Larry Carlton L7 and Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Wino Les Paul Custom Frets Size
Both have a similar Medium Jumbo fret size

Both have a Medium Jumbo fret size. These are slightly shorter than full Jumbo frets, so you'll still feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings. However, they interfere less with your fretting hand than medium-size frets. This is a good size if you like easy-to-press frets, but would still like to feel a bit of the fretboard when playing.

Final Playability Scores

Sire Larry Carlton L7
Bending & Vibrato Ease 85
Chord Playability 65
Solo Playability 70
Playability 73
Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Wino Les Paul Custom
Bending & Vibrato Ease 85
Chord Playability 65
Solo Playability 70
Playability 73

Specs Side-by-Side

Sire Larry Carlton L7 vs Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Wino Les Paul Custom
General Sire Larry Carlton L7 Epiphone Jerry Cantrell Wino Les Paul Custom
Brand: Sire Epiphone
Year: 2020 2021
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Indonesia China
Series: L7 Artist Collection
Colors: Gold, White, Sunburst, Black, Blue Red
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Mahogany+Hard Maple Mahogany
Bridge: Sire Modern Tune-O-Matic & Aluminium Stop Tail Piece Epiphone LockTone Tune-O-Matic
Neck
Neck Joint: Set Set
Tuners: Sire Premium Locking Tuner Grover Rotomatic 18:1 with Kidney Buttons
Fretboard: Ebony Ebony
Neck Material: Mahogany Mahogany
Decoration: Pearloid Trapezoids Pearloid Block
Scale Size: 24.75" 24.75"
Shape: C-Shape Jerry Cantrell
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.9'' (22.9mm) - 12th Fret: 0.94'' (23.9mm) 1st Fret: 0.86'' (21.8mm) - 12th Fret: 0.98'' (24.9mm)
Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver 22 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 12" 12"
Nut: Bone Ivory Tusq
Nut Width: 43mm (1.693'') 43mm (1.693'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Larry Carlton Modern Humbucker (Humbucker / Passive) 98T PRO (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Larry Carlton Modern Humbucker (Humbucker / Passive) Alnico Classic PRO (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Speed Speed
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 2 2
Tone Controls: 2 2