Sire Larry Carlton S3 HSS AWH

A "New Gen" S-Style at the Heart of the Sire S Series

The Sire S3 HSS New Gen embodies the spirit of classic S-Style guitars while adopting a modern approach: immediate playability, pickup configuration designed to cover a wide range of situations, and a reliability-focused design. It holds a prime position in the lineup as a versatile electric guitar capable of handling rehearsals, home studio work, and small gigs without hassle. Its 4-screw neck plate construction prioritizes stability and ease of setup, while the equipment (modern vibrato, simple and effective electronics) aims for a clear goal: a coherent, enjoyable instrument ready to withstand hours of playing.

For Which Guitarists and Styles?

This S-Style guitar is especially suited for serious beginners and intermediate guitarists seeking a "Swiss Army knife" guitar to progress without feeling limited. Thanks to the single coils + humbucker combo, it naturally adapts to styles where dynamics and tonal variety matter: funk (snappy attacks and intermediate positions), blues (expressive grain and singing notes), pop (defined cleans), rock, and fusion (powerful bridge pickup to push saturation). The neck comfort and fret size encourage work on bends, legato, and enriched chords while remaining accessible for clean rhythm playing.

A Balanced Sound Palette: S-Style Clarity and Bridge Density

The combination of an Indonesian mahogany body and maple neck provides a balanced foundation: present mids and a natural sustain feel, supported by a sharper attack on the neck side. The rosewood fingerboard rounds off the high end and softens brightness, helping maintain pleasant cleans and less aggressive overdrive.

The HSS configuration is the true musical asset of this model. The bridge humbucker delivers higher output and a more focused response, ideal for rock riffs, precise leads, and thicker saturated tones. The single coils (neck and middle) emphasize definition and the characteristic S-Style "snap": perfect for funky chops, clear arpeggios, or detailed pop rhythms. With the 5-position selector, you also benefit from rich intermediate positions for more nuanced and articulated textures. Finally, the Sire modern vibrato adds real expressiveness (vibratos, subtle drops, delicate effects) while maintaining a controlled approach for everyday playing.

Recommended Compatible Accessories

To get the most out of this electric guitar, you can pair it with an electric string set in 9-42 (flexibility, easy bends, brightness) or 10-46 (firmer attack, fuller feel), a comfortable strap, an electric guitar capo, a quality 6.35 mm jack cable, and a stable guitar stand. These essentials improve comfort, reliability, and consistency during sessions, whether at home or rehearsal.

Technical specifications

Electronics: microphone configuration	HSS	Strings	Steel
Category	ST	Nbr of strings	6
Left handed	No	Scalloped	Double

Wood	Indonesian mahogany	Neck joint	4-screw steel plate
Shape	Sire S-Style	Hardware	Chrome
Pickguard	"Tortoise"	Bridge	Sire modern vibrato
Finish	"Antique White"	Tuners	Sire standard
Neck	Maple, C profile	Output	Reinforced jack socket
Fingerboard	Rosewood	Pickups	Sire HSS set (1 humbucker bridge, 2 single coils neck and middle)
Scale length	25.5" / 648 mm	Selector	5 positions
Radius	9.5" / 241 mm	Controls	Volume, Tone
Frets	Medium Jumbo 2.7 mm / 0.106"	Knobs	Strat style
Nut	Bone 42 mm / 1.65"	Neck plate	Steel, 4 screws
Inlays	Dots