Larry Carlton T7 New Gen Dark Forest

This is my 45th guitar since 1989. Right out of the box rivals my Les Paul in terms of quality.

You know the specs already. Let's just say it's so well designed that you stop noticing the 'extras' almost immediately and just get on with playing the thing. And then you pick up another guitar and wonder why it doesn't feel or sound anywhere near as good. Rolled fingerboard, stainless frets, solid tuning stability, sculpted body, THAT neck, all very easy to take for granted.

I was planning on replacing the pickups since this is 'only' a relatively cheap guitar but within seconds of plugging it in I cancelled that idea - these pickups are amazing. Clear as a bell on the front, pure Rick Parfitt on the back and creamy in the middle. Pull out the tone knob for series mode and it gets beefed up considerably. Four distinct sounds and all of them good.

I doubt anyone will buy one of these to play metal but, my brothers and sisters, yes this chugs. Through a metal setting it's surprisingly quiet for a single-coil guitar. No noticeable hum when near monitors that normally make my Strat near unrecordable (unless held at a funny angle).

Fit and finish is flawless. Roasted maple neck isn't as dark as the photos suggest (although, weirdly, mine looks darker in photos too). Headstock actually looks pretty good irl.

One thing to note: this did NOT come with an anodised pick guard that Larry Carlton Guitars used to advertise - maybe they discontinued that?

Changes I made already:

Firstly, I removed the stock 'Dragon Skin' coated strings. Sounded good but the feel of coated strings give me the ice, and 10s aren't my thing. New set of 9-46 and we're shredding.

Secondly, I removed the scratch plate and took a black sharpie to the white pinstripe before taking the cellophane off. And thirdly, I put it back on using black screws. It now looks 800% better! Not sure why LCG don't offer them with all-black pickguards as it now looks classy as heck and really. sets off the beautiful green-to-black body.

Closest equivalent would be a Fender Am Ultra II, but that still doesn't come with locking tuners or (I believe) stainless frets.

To summarise, this is the best sounding, best feeling and certainly best looking Tele I've ever played and I've play a ton of them. Only downside with this guitar is it's SO hard to put down!