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Sire Larry Carlton T7 FM
Solar T1.6FRBOP
VS
Playability
67
Sound
68
Build
64
Value
71
Score
66
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Playability
73
Sound
82
Build
72
Value
76
Score
76
FIND IT ON:
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Sire Larry Carlton T7 FM vs Solar T1.6FRBOP

Reasons to Get
Sire Larry Carlton T7 FM over Solar T1.6FRBOP

Decorative Top
Flamed Veneer vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Number of Frets
22 vs 24
Warmer neck pickup
Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo vs XL Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Neck Joint
Bolt-On vs Set
Allows you to detach and swap the neck
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.9'' (22.9mm) vs 0.787'' (20mm)
More comfortable open chords for big hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.94'' (23.9mm) vs 0.866'' (22mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for big hands
Nut Width
1.654'' (42mm) vs 1.693'' (43mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Bridge
Tremolo vs Floyd Rose
Simple vibratos without too much maintenance
Fretboard Radius
9.5'' (241.3mm) vs 13.78'' (350mm)
More curved fretboard helpful to play chords without muting strings

Reasons to Get
Solar T1.6FRBOP over Sire Larry Carlton T7 FM

Fret Material
Stainless Steel vs Nickel Silver
Best fret material that will last forever
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Type of Frets
XL Jumbo vs Medium Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Pickups Brand
Duncan Solar vs None
Pickups from a renown brand
Number of Frets
24 vs 22
Allows to reach higher notes
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.787'' (20mm) vs 0.9'' (22.9mm)
More comfortable open chords for small hands
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.866'' (22mm) vs 0.94'' (23.9mm)
More comfortable at higher frets for small hands
Nut Width
1.693'' (43mm) vs 1.654'' (42mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Luminescent Sidedots
Yes vs None
Assists you when playing in dark environments
Bridge
Floyd Rose vs Tremolo
Allows intense vibratos and techniques like Dive Bombs
Fretboard Radius
13.78'' (350mm) vs 9.5'' (241.3mm)
Flatter fretboard makes it easier to play single notes and bend
Value Score
76 vs 71
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Sire Larry Carlton T7 FM vs Solar T1.6FRBOP

Bridge Pickup
Sire LC Super-M (Zebra type) Humbucker vs Duncan Solar/Bridge
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
Sire LC Super-M (Zebra type) Humbucker vs Duncan Solar
Different Neck Pickup
Body Wood
Alder vs Ash
Different Body Wood
Neck Wood
Roasted Maple vs Maple
Different Neck Wood
Fretboard Wood
Roasted Maple vs Ebony
Different Fretboard Wood
Headstock
6 vs R6
Different Headstock
Nut Material
Bone vs Locking
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Sire Larry Carlton T7 FM vs Solar T1.6FRBOP

Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
5
Same pickups versatility
Volume Knobs
1
Same volume control
Tone Knobs
1
Same tone control
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Scale Length
25.5'' (647.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut
  • High-Quality Frets

Common Weaknesses

  • Pickup Alter Switch/Knob
  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Solar T1.6FRBOP is probably the better product overall with its final score of 76 compared to the Sire Larry Carlton T7 FM's 66 score, which is a significant difference.

The Solar T1.6FRBOP wins when it comes to sound, playability, build quality, value for the money. This means that it wins over the Sire Larry Carlton T7 FM in every aspect.

If you got small hands, you'll probably feel more comfortable playing the Solar T1.6FRBOP.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Sire Larry Carlton T7 FM is the better choice.

The Sire Larry Carlton T7 FM meets 7 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Solar T1.6FRBOP 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 T7 FM
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Locking tuners
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Tall frets
  • Narrow nut
  • Comfortable neck
  • Short scale

New Player Friendliness

Solar T1.6FRBOP
  • Comfortable shape
  • Locking tuners
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Easy-to-use bridge

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 T7 FM Overview

  • From Sire's 2021 T7 series
  • Larry Carlton Signature
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 9.5" Fretboard Radius
  • Flamed Veneer top
  • North American Alder body
  • Roasted Hard Maple neck
  • Roasted Hard Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Sire LC Super-M (Zebra type) Humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Sire LC Super-M (Zebra type) Humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • T7 2-post Modern Bridge(Steel Block and Stainless Saddle) bridge
  • C-Shape Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Sire Premium Locking Tuner tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Solar T1.6FRBOP Overview

  • From Solar's 2021 Type T series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Swamp Ash body
  • Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Duncan Solar/Bridge (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Duncan Solar (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose 1000 with 34 mm Block bridge
  • Solar C Shape Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Solar 18:1 Locking Type 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 the Sire Larry Carlton T7 FM

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 Solar T1.6FRBOP

Maple wood pattern used for guitar building
Maple
Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony
Ash wood pattern used for guitar building
Ash

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.

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.

Ash is a type of wood that Fender used almost exclusively in the 50s, and it's still used by many brands. It's a dense wood with a light color that works well for a transparent, natural finish because of its beautiful patterns. In terms of sound, it's known for emphasizing the mid and high frequencies, but with strong low end. Find out more about Ash.

Winner: Solar T1.6FRBOP.

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

The Solar T1.6FRBOP pickups from a more specialized brand than the Sire Larry Carlton T7 FM. Its pickups should give you a fuller, richer sound, although it all depends on what type of music you're going to play. We recommend these pickups for Hard Rock and similar genres.

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: Solar T1.6FRBOP.

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.

Sire Larry Carlton T7 FM pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Sire Larry Carlton T7 FM's switch options
Solar T1.6FRBOP pickups switch selector and push knobs diagram
Solar T1.6FRBOP'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 T7 FM
Pickups 60
Sustain 70
Versatility 67
Tuning Stability 75
Sound 68
Solar T1.6FRBOP
Pickups 85
Sustain 80
Versatility 67
Tuning Stability 95
Sound 82

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 T7 FM compares to the Solar T1.6FRBOP.

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.

The Sire Larry Carlton T7 FM 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 Solar T1.6FRBOP comes with a Locking nut. Instead of a regular nut, this guitar has a locking system that will lock down the strings at the nut, preventing it from getting out of tune. It removes one of the disadvantages of tremolo bridges, tune stability.

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.

In this comparison, the Solar T1.6FRBOP is the only one that has stainless steel frets. These frets will basically last for the entire life of the guitar. They will never need polishing nor replacement. And not only that, but some people also notice that bending and vibratos are much easier to perform when they upgrade to stainless steel.

Winner: Solar T1.6FRBOP.

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.

The Sire Larry Carlton T7 FM's brige is a 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.

On the other hand, the Solar T1.6FRBOP's is a Floyd Rose. This is a double-locking bridge system that allows you to perform techniques like dive bombs and pinch harmonics. The locking nut allows your guitar to stay in tune even after the most intense tremolo usage. The disadvantage is that it takes more work to change the strings and set up everything correctly.

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: Solar T1.6FRBOP.

Tuners

They both have 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: Tie.

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.

The Sire Larry Carlton T7 FM has 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.

On the other hand, the Solar T1.6FRBOP comes with 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: Sire Larry Carlton T7 FM.

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

Strengths & Weaknesses
Sire Larry Carlton T7 FM
  • 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
Solar T1.6FRBOP
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Tremolo
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Sire Larry Carlton T7 FM
Quality of materials 58
Features 65
Quality Control 70
Build Quality 64
Solar T1.6FRBOP
Quality of materials 66
Features 75
Quality Control 75
Build Quality 72

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 T7 FM Nut Width
Sire Larry Carlton T7 FM Nut Width
Solar T1.6FRBOP Nut Width
Solar T1.6FRBOP Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Solar T1.6FRBOP has the wider nut with 43mm (1.693'') vs 42mm (1.654''). This is a 1mm (0.039'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Solar T1.6FRBOP, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

Sire Larry Carlton T7 FM and Solar T1.6FRBOP'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 T7 FM Neck Profile
Sire Larry Carlton T7 FM's neck profile
Solar T1.6FRBOP Neck Profile
Solar T1.6FRBOP'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 T7 FM and the Solar T1.6FRBOP 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 T7 FM Fingerboard Radius
Sire Larry Carlton T7 FM's Fingerboard radius
Solar T1.6FRBOP Fingerboard Radius
Solar T1.6FRBOP's Fingerboard 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.

In this case, the Sire Larry Carlton T7 FM's fingerboard radius is smaller, which means it's more curved than the Solar T1.6FRBOP's. This extra arc will make playing chords easier in this model. You won't be as likely to mute the strings, especially if you have big hands. However, playing single notes and bending will be easier on the Solar T1.6FRBOP.

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.

And after taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that the Sire Larry Carlton T7 FM favors large hands more than the Solar T1.6FRBOP.

Sire Larry Carlton T7 FM:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Solar T1.6FRBOP:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Sire Larry Carlton T7 FM Frets Size
Sire Larry Carlton T7 FM's Frets Size
Solar T1.6FRBOP Frets Size
Solar T1.6FRBOP's Frets Size

The Solar T1.6FRBOP has XL Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Sire Larry Carlton T7 FM'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 T7 FM
Bending & Vibrato Ease 60
Chord Playability 80
Solo Playability 60
Playability 67
Solar T1.6FRBOP
Bending & Vibrato Ease 80
Chord Playability 50
Solo Playability 90
Playability 73

Specs Side-by-Side

Sire Larry Carlton T7 FM vs Solar T1.6FRBOP
General Sire Larry Carlton T7 FM Solar T1.6FRBOP
Brand: Sire Solar
Year: 2021 2021
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: Indonesia Indonesia
Series: T7 Type T
Colors: Black, Blue, Natural Black
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: North American Alder Swamp Ash
Bridge: T7 2-post Modern Bridge(Steel Block and Stainless Saddle) Floyd Rose 1000 with 34 mm Block
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On Set
Tuners: Sire Premium Locking Tuner Solar 18:1 Locking Type
Fretboard: Roasted Hard Maple Ebony
Neck Material: Roasted Hard Maple Maple
Decoration: Abalone dot Solar Logo on 12th Fret
Scale Size: 25.5" 25.5"
Shape: C-Shape Solar C Shape
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.9'' (22.9mm) - 12th Fret: 0.94'' (23.9mm) 1st Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) - 12th Fret: 0.866'' (22mm)
Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel
Fretboard Radius: 9.5" 13.78"
Nut: Bone Locking
Nut Width: 42mm (1.654'') 43mm (1.693'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: Sire LC Super-M (Zebra type) Humbucker (Humbucker / Passive) Duncan Solar/Bridge (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: Sire LC Super-M (Zebra type) Humbucker (Humbucker / Passive) Duncan Solar (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 5 Way 5 Way
Knobs: Dome Dome
Pickup Mods: None None
Volume Controls: 1 1
Tone Controls: 1 1