Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 5 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
5.0 (4)
$399.00
Guitar Center
5.0 (3)
$399.00
Reverb
$399.99 New
$486.59 Used
Musician's Friend
5.0 (3)
$399.00
Thomann
5.0 (1)
$333.00

Average Price: $403

Standard/Professional

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

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Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 3 merchants for "Sire USA Larry Carlton S3 Electric Guitar". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

The Sire Larry Carlton S3 Electric Guitar is a fine example of quality craftsmanship and remarkable sound. Designed in collaboration with legendary jazz guitarist Larry Carlton, this guitar provides an authentic, rich tone that is perfect for musicians of all genres. The guitar boasts a mahogany body, which not only adds to its aesthetic appeal but also contributes to its warm, full-bodied sound.

The bolt-on maple neck of this guitar offers excellent sustain and stability, while the rosewood fingerboard ensures smooth playability. The guitar’s scale measures 648mm (25.5"), providing a comfortable playing experience for both beginners and seasoned musicians. The Sire Larry Carlton S3 Electric Guitar also includes a bone nut and 22 medium jumbo frets, providing a superior playing experience with enhanced tonal clarity.

The guitar is equipped with 2 Sire Standard ST single coils (middle and neck) and 1 Sire Standard ST humbucker (bridge). These pickups, combined with the volume and tone controls and a 5-way switch, allow you to easily customize the sound of your guitar to suit your style. The guitar also features a tortoise pickguard, a Sire Standard 2-Post Tremolo, and Sire Standard machine heads, all contributing to its timeless look and reliable performance.

Key Features:

  • Mahogany body
  • Bolt-on maple neck
  • Rosewood fingerboard
  • Scale: 648 mm (25.5")
  • Bone nut
  • 22 Medium jumbo frets
  • Pickups: 2 Sire Standard ST single coils (middle and neck) and 1 Sire Standard ST humbucker (bridge)
  • Volume and tone controls
  • 5-Way switch
  • Tortoise pickguard
  • Sire Standard 2-Post Tremolo
  • Sire Standard machine heads
  • Chrome hardware
  • Colour: Black

Product specs

Number of Strings 6
Left-/Right-handed Right-handed
Body Type Solidbody
Body Shape Larry Carlton S3
Body Material Mahogany
Body Finish Gloss Polyurethane
Neck Material Hard Maple
Neck Shape C
Neck Joint Bolt-on
Radius 9.5"
Fingerboard Inlay Ivory Dots
Number of Frets 21, Medium Jumbo, Nickel Silver
Scale Length 25.5"
Nut Width 1.653"
Nut Material Bone
Bridge/Tailpiece Sire Standard Tremolo
Tuners Sire Standard
Neck Pickup Sire Standard ST Single-coil
Middle Pickup Sire Standard ST Single-coil
Bridge Pickup Sire Standard ST Humbucker
Controls 1 x volume, 1 x tone
Switching 5-way blade pickup switch
Strings Ernie Ball Slinky, .010-.046
Case/Gig Bag Sold Separately

FAQs

What type of music is the Sire USA Larry Carlton S3 Electric Guitar best suited for?

The Sire USA Larry Carlton S3 Electric Guitar, with its versatile pickup configuration, is well-suited for a variety of genres including blues, rock, jazz, and pop. The combination of single-coil and humbucker pickups provides a wide tonal range for different musical styles.

What is the neck profile of the Sire USA Larry Carlton S3 Electric Guitar?

The neck profile of the Sire USA Larry Carlton S3 is a comfortable C shape, providing a smooth playing experience suitable for both rhythm and lead guitarists.

Does the Sire USA Larry Carlton S3 Electric Guitar have a tremolo system?

Yes, the Sire USA Larry Carlton S3 Electric Guitar features a Sire Standard Tremolo, allowing for expressive pitch modulation and vibrato effects.

What are the pickup configurations on the Sire USA Larry Carlton S3 Electric Guitar?

The Sire USA Larry Carlton S3 Electric Guitar is equipped with two single-coil pickups in the neck and middle positions and a humbucker in the bridge position, offering versatile sound options.

Is the Sire USA Larry Carlton S3 suitable for beginner guitarists?

Yes, the Sire USA Larry Carlton S3 is suitable for beginners due to its comfortable neck profile, versatile tonal options, and quality construction, making it a great choice for those starting their guitar journey.

Sweetwater

Sweetwater

Larry Carlton on his Signature Sire S3 & T3 Electric Guitars

Video thumbnail for Larry Carlton on his Signature Sire S3 & T3 Electric Guitars by Sweetwater

Larry Carlton on his Signature Sire S3 & T3 Electric Guitars

Sweetwater

Sweetwater

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Sire S3 Stratocaster (Best Budget Guitar?)

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Elmo Karjalainen

Video thumbnail for Sire S3 Larry Carlton  - The Best CHEAP Guitar I've Played? by John Nathan Cordy

Sire S3 Larry Carlton - The Best CHEAP Guitar I've Played?

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John Nathan Cordy

Video thumbnail for Sire Larry Carlton S3 - INSANE Guitar for Less than £400 by John Nathan Cordy

Sire Larry Carlton S3 - INSANE Guitar for Less than £400

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John Nathan Cordy

Video thumbnail for Sire S3 | The Go-to S-style Electric Guitar | Larry Carlton Lineup by Sire Guitars

Sire S3 | The Go-to S-style Electric Guitar | Larry Carlton Lineup

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Sire Guitars

Video thumbnail for Sire S3 Larry Carlton  - maybe the best strat under 400 - Comfortably Numb by GUITAR GEAR - Strumenti Musicali Dalmine BG

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GUITAR GEAR - Strumenti Musicali Dalmine BG

Video thumbnail for Sire S3 Larry Carlton review. I think it’s better than Squier Classic Vibe.. what say you? by The Novice Noise Maker

Sire S3 Larry Carlton review. I think it’s better than Squier Classic Vibe.. what say you?

The Novice Noise Maker

The Novice Noise Maker

Video thumbnail for Guitar Sire s3 Larry Carlton ( audio) by O.G Guitars

Guitar Sire s3 Larry Carlton ( audio)

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Reviews

PROS

  • Offers a vintage-style tone with a darker, balanced sound

  • High-quality mahogany and rosewood construction provide a rich, full body

  • Excellent value for the price, comparable to higher-end brands

  • Comfortable, lightweight design at 6.4 lbs

  • Impressive fretwork and perfect action right out of the box

  • Stays in tune well, even with heavy whammy bar use

  • Arrives fully tuned, ready to play

CONS

  • Plastic nut might require replacement or lubrication adjustments

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Sire USA Larry Carlton S3 Electric Guitar.

Build quality

  • Owners appreciate the roasted neck and locking tuners, noting their similarity to higher-end models like the Sterling CT50.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Users report needing a setup out of the box, but the neck and frets are consistently well-made and require minimal adjustment.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Sire S3 is viewed as a solid alternative to low-end Fender models, with better quality control and consistency.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • It's possible to split the humbucker for increased versatility, appealing to those who prefer single-coil sounds.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The pickguards are model-specific, making replacements challenging due to limited third-party options.

    Source

User experience

  • Some users have experienced temperamental tuners but generally find the hardware satisfactory for the price.

    Source

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