Larry Carlton S7 FM Trans Black New Gen

Larry Carlton S7 FM Trans Black New Gen: Review

The Larry Carlton S7 FM Trans Black New Gen combines an alder body, a flamed maple top, and an HSS pickup configuration. It has a 648 mm (25.5-inch) scale, 22 medium-jumbo frets, and a two-point tremolo. Listed at 735, it has been available since September 2025. The supplied specifications identify the finish as matte black and the hardware as chrome.

The player feedback provided for this review describes a guitar that was not initially on the owner's wish list. Its features and price prompted a closer look, and the playing feel eventually won them over. That account is useful context, though it reflects one player's experience rather than a guarantee that every example will arrive or feel the same.

Neck and playing feel

The bolt-on maple neck has a C profile and a compound fingerboard radius that changes from 241 mm (9.5 inches) to 356 mm (14 inches). The fingerboard is rosewood, with pearloid and abalone block inlays shaped like rounded rectangles. Nut width is 42 mm (1.65 inches). Together, those measurements describe a familiar scale length with a fingerboard that becomes flatter toward the upper frets.

The owner specifically praised the compound-radius neck, the frets, and the tremolo, saying the guitar played well compared with much more expensive models. They also reported that their instrument arrived well set up, with no workmanship issues. They later adjusted the strings, action, and tremolo to suit personal preferences, which is a reminder that a factory setup may still need changes for an individual player.

One detail took some getting used to: the stainless steel fret ends were heavily rounded along the high E string side. The available specifications list 22 medium-jumbo frets, while the owner's account notes the stainless steel fret ends. That observation concerns feel at the edge of the fingerboard, rather than a reported defect.

Pickups and controls

The S7 uses one SIRE LC Super ST humbucker at the bridge and two SIRE LC Super ST single-coil pickups in the middle and neck positions. Controls include one volume knob, one tone knob, and a five-way selector. This HSS arrangement offers a bridge humbucker alongside two single coils, giving the player access to different pickup combinations through the selector.

The owner liked the pickups' warm character. They found that quality particularly useful with amp modelers that can sound harsh. Other reviews reportedly rated the pickups less favorably, so that impression should be treated as a matter of preference, not a universal verdict. The hands-on account suggests the pickups may suit players who want to temper a brighter or sharper modeled sound.

Tremolo and hardware

A two-point tremolo is listed in the specifications, along with Sire Premium locking tuning machines and chrome hardware. The owner included the tremolo among the features that helped convince them to keep the guitar. They did make personal adjustments to it, but the feedback does not provide details about its range, tuning stability, or setup procedure. Those aspects should be assessed in person rather than assumed from the hardware description alone.

The package does not include a bag or a case. Buyers should account for that separately when comparing the guitar's listed price with instruments that come with protective storage.

Verdict

The Larry Carlton S7 FM Trans Black New Gen has a specific mix of features: an alder body with a flamed maple top, an HSS pickup layout, a compound-radius rosewood fingerboard, and a two-point tremolo. In the supplied field report, playing feel and the warm pickup character stood out, while the unusually rounded fret ends needed some adjustment. The guitar arrived well set up for that owner, but they still tailored the action, strings, and tremolo to their own preferences.

That experience made a strong impression: the owner later bought another S7 in red and described both as favorite guitars. It is a positive individual report, not a substitute for checking the specific instrument. Players considering the model should try the neck and fret edges, listen to the pickup combinations with their own gear, and factor in the lack of an included bag or case.