Swap
Swap
Sire Larry Carlton S7 Vintage
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 60s Stratocaster
VS
Playability
67
Sound
69
Build
64
Value
72
Score
67
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability
70
Sound
69
Build
57
Value
75
Score
65
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoAmazon logoFender logoMusician's Friend logo
Add to Compare
Add to Compare
Add more to comparison
Show Full Spec Comparison
Sire Larry Carlton S7 Vintage vs Squier Classic Vibe 60s Stratocaster Specs Comparison
Sire Larry Carlton S7 Vintage Squier Classic Vibe 60s Stratocaster
General
Brand: Sire Fender Squier
Year: 2020 2019
Configuration: SSS SSS
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Indonesia Indonesia
Series: S7 Classic Vibe
Colors: White, Sunburst, Black Blue, Red, 3-Color Sunburst
Left-Handed Version: No Yes
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Alder Nyatoh
Bridge: S7V 2-post Bridge(Steel Block and Steel Bent Saddle) 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Synchronized Tremolo
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Bolt-On
Tuners: Sire Premium Locking Tuner Vintage-Style
Fretboard: Roasted Hard Maple(Rolled Edges) Indian Laurel
Neck Material: Roasted Hard Maple Maple
Decoration: Abalone dot White Dot
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: C-Shape Modern C
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.9'' (22.9mm) - 12th Fret: 0.94'' (23.9mm) 1st Fret: - 12th Fret:
Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver 21 Narrow Tall Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 9.5" 9.5"
Nut: Bone Bone
Nut Width: 42mm (1.654'') 42mm (1.654'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickups: Sire LC Super-V (Single Coil / Passive) Fender Designed Alnico Single-Coil (Single Coil / Passive)
Middle Pickup: Sire LC Super-V (Single Coil / Passive) Fender Designed Alnico Single-Coil (Single Coil / Passive)
Neck Pickup: Sire LC Super-V (Single Coil / Passive) Fender Designed Alnico Single-Coil (Single Coil / Passive)
Switch: 5 Way 5 Way
Knobs: Bell Bell
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 2
Hardware
Strap Lock: No No
Hardware Color: Chrome Nickel
Show Diagrams Comparison
Sire Larry Carlton S7 Vintage and Fender Squier Classic Vibe 60s Stratocaster pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Sire Larry Carlton S7 Vintage and Fender Squier Classic Vibe 60s Stratocaster's switch options

Reasons to Get
Sire Larry Carlton S7 Vintage over Squier Classic Vibe 60s Stratocaster

Release Year
2020 vs 2019
From a more recent year
Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo vs Narrow Tall
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Number of Frets
22 vs 21
Allows to reach higher notes
Locking Tuners
Yes vs None
Easier to change strings

Reasons to Get
Fender Squier Classic Vibe 60s Stratocaster over Sire Larry Carlton S7 Vintage

Number of Frets
21 vs 22
Warmer neck pickup
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Type of Frets
Narrow Tall vs Medium Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Tone Knobs
2 vs 1
More tone control
Value Score
75 vs 72
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Sire Larry Carlton S7 Vintage vs Squier Classic Vibe 60s Stratocaster

Bridge Pickup
Sire LC Super-V vs Fender Designed Alnico Single-Coil
Different Bridge Pickup
Middle Pickup
Sire LC Super-V vs Fender Designed Alnico Single-Coil
Different Middle Pickup
Neck Pickup
Sire LC Super-V vs Fender Designed Alnico Single-Coil
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Alder vs Nyatoh
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Roasted Maple vs Maple
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Roasted Maple vs Laurel
Different Fretboard Wood

Shared Features
Sire Larry Carlton S7 Vintage vs Squier Classic Vibe 60s Stratocaster

Headstock
6
Same Headstock
Nut Material
Bone
Same Nut Material
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
5
Same pickups versatility
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Pickups
SSS
Beautiful cleans and good tone versatility
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm)
Same string separation at the nut
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Bridge
Tremolo
Simple vibratos without too much maintenance
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Fretboard Radius
9.5'' (241.3mm)
Same fretboard comfortability
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Neck Joint
Bolt-On
Allows you to detach and swap the neck

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut

Common Weaknesses

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

Price History Comparison

Sire Larry Carlton S7 Vintage Prices

    SET PRICE ALERT

    Fender Squier Classic Vibe 60s Stratocaster Prices

    SET PRICE ALERT

    These are affiliate links. We may earn a fee if you purchase after clicking. These prices are prone to error. Make sure you're buying the right product after clicking on a link from our site. We are not liable if you buy the wrong product after following these links. As an Amazon Associate site we earn from qualifying purchases.

    Hand Size Comfortability

    And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the Sire Larry Carlton S7 Vintage favors large hands more than the Fender Squier Classic Vibe 60s Stratocaster.

    Sire Larry Carlton S7 Vintage:
    Big Hands
    Small Hands
    Fender Squier Classic Vibe 60s Stratocaster:
    Big Hands
    Small Hands

    Beginner Friendliness

    The Sire Larry Carlton S7 Vintage meets 7 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Fender Squier Classic Vibe 60s Stratocaster meets only 6. 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 S7 Vintage
    • Comfortable shape
    • Easy-to-use bridge
    • Locking tuners
    • Comfortable fretboard
    • Tall frets
    • Narrow nut
    • Comfortable neck
    • Short scale

    New Player Friendliness

    Fender Squier Classic Vibe 60s Stratocaster
    • Comfortable shape
    • Easy-to-use bridge
    • Comfortable fretboard
    • Tall frets
    • Narrow nut
    • Comfortable neck
    • Short scale
    • Locking tuners

    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 the Sire Larry Carlton S7 Vintage

    Roasted Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
    Roasted Maple
    Alder wood pattern used for guitar building
    Alder

    Roasted Maple is just maple without a finish. It's technically cheaper than regular maple, but it doesn't have any extra disadvantages because of this. The color is darker, and it's lighter weight and very stable even when there's a lot of humidity.

    Alder is the most popular wood that Fender uses in most of their guitars nowadays. Even though they say it's because of its balanced tone with an emphasis in the upper midrange, it probably is because it isn't too expensive, and it's also pretty lightweight—more than Mahogany. Find out more about Alder.

    Woods Used in the Fender Squier Classic Vibe 60s Stratocaster

    Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
    Maple
    Laurel wood pattern used for guitar building
    Laurel
    Nyatoh wood pattern used for guitar building
    Nyatoh

    Maple is one of the most popular necks for good reasons. It is a strong wood that is relatively cheap to make and looks beautiful. The highest quality maple is the hardest that comes from North America. Find out more about Maple.

    There are many types of Laurel, but East Indian is the most common for guitar building. Its color can vary from dark to light brown with black lines. Many people find its tonality similar to Rosewood, which favors the warmer frequencies. Find out more about Laurel.

    Nyatoh has been replacing Mahogany for guitar building. It's fairly hard, durable, more sustentable and common than Mahogany. Find out more about Nyatoh.

    Winner: Tie.

    Pickup Configuration

    Both pickup configurations are SSS. SSS is perfect for players who like to play clean. The definition you get between notes and the crispiness is unmatched by most other configurations. You can still use it for distortion, but you won't get the same kind of output and power compared to a humbucker, and the hum they produce also makes them less adequate for high gain.

    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.

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

    Winner: Fender Squier Classic Vibe 60s Stratocaster.

    Final Sound Quality Scores

    Sire Larry Carlton S7 Vintage
    Pickups 70
    Sustain 60
    Versatility 70
    Tuning Stability 75
    Sound 69
    Fender Squier Classic Vibe 60s Stratocaster
    Pickups 70
    Sustain 70
    Versatility 72
    Tuning Stability 65
    Sound 69

    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 S7 Vintage compares to the Fender Squier Classic Vibe 60s Stratocaster.

    Country of Origin

    The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. Both in this comparison where made in Indonesia.

    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.

    Winner: Tie

    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.

    In this case, both have Bone nuts. 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.

    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: Tremolo. Tremolo bridges give you more versatility than fixed bridges. They let you perform the intense vibrato effects that would be impossible with a fixed bridge. However, since the bridge floats and there's less contact with the body, the strings lose sustain slightly faster. They can also be a bit harder to restring and set up correctly than fixed bridges.

    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 S7 Vintage 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 S7 Vintage.

    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 Bolt-On neck joint. This neck is joined to the body by 4 bolts that you can simply unscrew. This allows you to replace the neck or take it off for travel. It's the most common and cheapest way to build a guitar.

    Winner: Tie.

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

    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Sire Larry Carlton S7 Vintage
    • Locking Tuners
    • Bone Nut
    • Tremolo
    • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
    • Made in Indonesia
    • No Expensive Woods
    • No Top Brand Pickups
    • No Neck-Through Build
    • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
    • No Weight Relief
    • No Luminescent Inlay
    • No Compound Radius Fretboard
    • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
    • No Strap Lock
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    Fender Squier Classic Vibe 60s Stratocaster
    • Bone Nut
    • Tremolo
    • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
    • No Locking Tuners
    • Made in Indonesia
    • No Expensive Woods
    • No Top Brand Pickups
    • No Neck-Through Build
    • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
    • No Weight Relief
    • No Luminescent Inlay
    • No Compound Radius Fretboard
    • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
    • No Strap Lock

    Final Build Quality Scores

    Sire Larry Carlton S7 Vintage
    Quality of materials 56
    Features 65
    Quality Control 70
    Build Quality 64
    Fender Squier Classic Vibe 60s Stratocaster
    Quality of materials 51
    Features 55
    Quality Control 65
    Build Quality 57

    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 S7 Vintage 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 42mm (1.654'').

    This is considered a narrow width for a 6-string guitar. This means that this guitar will have a narrower string separation at the nut, which will affect your fretting hand.

    If you are a player with big hands, you might find it difficult to play chords without muting strings. However, this is good for players who have smaller hands, as it will allow them to reach each string more easily at the nut.

    Scale Length

    Sire Larry Carlton S7 Vintage and Fender Squier Classic Vibe 60s Stratocaster'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 25.5".

    This is the scale used in most Stratocasters. It's slightly longer than the typical 24.75'' size found in Les Pauls, and it's one of the main reasons why Stratocasters have such a bright sound in general. A longer scale also means that the strings will have higher tension. This will help you get lower action without suffering fret buzz, which will also be helpful when playing in lower tunings without having to increase your string gauge.

    However, this also means that there will be more separation between frets, which can make it more difficult to play. Also, bending the strings will require more strengths due to the increased tension, but remember that a tremolo guitar will offset this difficulty.

    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 S7 Vintage Neck Profile
    Sire Larry Carlton S7 Vintage's neck profile
    Fender Squier Classic Vibe 60s Stratocaster Neck Profile
    Fender Squier Classic Vibe 60s Stratocaster'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 S7 Vintage and the Fender Squier Classic Vibe 60s Stratocaster 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 S7 Vintage 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 S7 Vintage and the Fender Squier Classic Vibe 60s Stratocaster have the same fretboard radius of 9.5". This is the most common radius for Stratocaster guitars. It's considered curved when compared to most other models. This allows you to play chords very easily without muting strings accidentally and gives you more space between strings for fingerpicking. However, this curve also gives the guitar less allowance for lower action. If you bend too hard at the high frets, some of your notes might get muted because the curve will make the string fret out.

    Fret Size

    Sire Larry Carlton S7 Vintage Frets Size
    Sire Larry Carlton S7 Vintage's Frets Size
    Fender Squier Classic Vibe 60s Stratocaster Frets Size
    Fender Squier Classic Vibe 60s Stratocaster's Frets Size

    The Fender Squier Classic Vibe 60s Stratocaster has Narrow Tall frets, which should be taller than the Sire Larry Carlton S7 Vintage's Medium Jumbo frets.

    Some people prefer taller frets because they result in more sustain since the strings get pressed cleanly without interference from the fretboard. However, if they're too tall—like Jumbo frets—, you might change the pitch of the strings accidentally if you press too hard because you won't be touching the fretboard with your fingers. This is also why some guitarists with a heavy grip prefer smaller frets. They like to feel the fingerboard to avoid pressing down too hard and getting out of pitch.

    Final Playability Scores

    Sire Larry Carlton S7 Vintage
    Bending & Vibrato Ease 60
    Chord Playability 80
    Solo Playability 60
    Playability 67
    Fender Squier Classic Vibe 60s Stratocaster
    Bending & Vibrato Ease 70
    Chord Playability 70
    Solo Playability 70
    Playability 70