FIREFLY 338 VS. GIBSON 335! Plus review of the Firefly 

The fact there’s even a discussion about a $200 guitar vs. a Gibson says quite a lot for firefly imho

Thanks for playing mostly CLEAN examples. Many reviewers play mostly (or all) highly distorted examples for comparisons. I understand this is the way they play normally. But heavy distortion conceals rather than reveals tonal differences.

I dont comment much, but i do have to say this is one of the best guitar reviews ive come across in general in my opinion. I really enjoyed the format that you layed out between the two. Great quality, playing, etc. Looking forward to seeing more content. Subcribed!

I have the 338 from a few months ago. Actually no issues. Two buddies have 'em, same thing. Several hundred hours now on mine recording and such. Happy camper. 'Been playing 60+ years, bought hundreds of guitars, big and small money. Today, the differences are subtle and once you use them alot, they sound better than my high end stuff. Just me, of course, others may not see it. Thanks for the straight up review!

Now that my friends is how a review should be done ! Keep on keeping on my man 👍👍

I so appreciate you allowing us to hear what the Firefly actually sounds like, unamplified, and amplified. Most reviewers I've heard on RU-vid, play with so much distortion you can't tell what the instrument sounds like. Not all of us are "Shredders." You provided me with a sound basis on which to make my decision. I Have been playing fifty-plus years, so over time I have acquired, and actually still have some really, really valuable vintage instruments which I'm afraid to take on the road anymore for fear of them being stolen or damaged. Especially since promoters are now selling "premium" tickets which include all-access passes. One never knows if genuine fans are coming backstage or someone with ulterior motives. So I plan to buy a bunch of Firefly's, play one each night, and give that guitar to a member of the audience after the encore.

It's getting more difficult to justify the price Gibson is charging.

Wow the firefly really held its own which is amazing considering the price. It’s a looker too.

I have the same ES 335 and a few 338s, each with different pickups (crazy, I know). The reviewer is spot on in all points, objective and subjective. There are days I will reach for my 335 and days I will grab a 338. Both styles are great fun and I am thrilled to be able to own both reference points. The main upside for me with a 338 is that I can mod the heck out of it, make mistakes and not worry about it too much. As I always say, great guitars for the money and a lot of fun to play if you are prepared to work on them a bit. Good times! 😎

Thank you for the great service you have done for the community. This sort of video takes a Loooooong time to record and produce and master and so is a huge investment in time from you. Much appreciated! Best Regards and Best Wishes!

By far the best review methodology for guitar comparisons let alone any guitar review. And the bonus is you laid down some sickeningly saweeeet grooves at the end. Bravo, you just set the standard for guitar comparison reviews.

The differences are negligible. I actually like the sound of the bridge PU on the Firefly better. The real test will be how the Firefly stands up over time, aging, humidity changes, road bangups, etc

Man, that's the most thorough review / comparison I've seen on any guitar. I will certainly be watching more.

Brilliant review, thank you for your quality commentary and video/audio production.

I enjoy your reviews. both of these guitars sound great. I couldn't believe how good the firefly sounds. Very impressive. Your reviews are excellent. They don't sound like a sales pitch! Very fair and unbiased.

Really enjoyed the review AND your playing😀

I've owned two Gibson ES-335 guitars. One was a Studio and the other was a faded cherry satin finish. My dream guitar. I had each less than a year. While they were both great guitars I ended up selling them. I bought my Sheraton before I ever bought a 335. I've modded it and it's a great guitar. I'm happier with an import guitar in the $500-$1,000 dollar range and doing some mods. The Firefly is a crazy good bargain and is a perfect candidate for mods. It doesn't have the classic rounded shape of a 335 but who cares? You get a killer deal and get to enjoy the nuances of a semi-hollow guitar. Kids these days just starting out are really lucky to have access to so much great equipment at accessible prices.

Best review of this I've seen, thanks!

This is one of the best comparison reviews I've seen in a while

This was the best practical workout I have seen on the FF 338. Realistic comparisons of items that matter most. But still, just to get what you were able to get from it in your closing jam, even accounting for your great hands, for under $200 that's just amazing. I have three of these now. Trans red, blue burst, and awaiting delivery on the spalted maple later this week. I swapped out the pickups in the first two with Tone Emporium PAF-type models (out of Canada), and I dropped in better pots, but I may leave the spalted one stock and just wax pot the pickups. I assume the spalted will need fretwork and a lot of setup like the first two did, but they were worth the effort to get them gig-able. Great review!

Really thanks for the great review (in depth comparison) AND the playing at the end !!!

Great tip on the tuners, man, thanks. Glad I stumbled across your channel yesterday, its a real pleasure to watch a review from somebody who knows the instrument.

Great comparison! nicely done.

Wow, awesome review my friend. I enjoy taking a shell that has possibility and turning it into a playable instrument that suits my standards. I ordered one yesterday and will certainly make changes (for sure tuners) as I see fit for me. Thanks again

At 6:40, that's a nice trick with lifting and dropping the 3rd of the barre chord. I've never noticed that done, and you show it so clearly. Sounds good! Good review, well-appreciated. If I could find a Firefly for sale, I might buy one; not that I need another guitar, but I don't have an ES, or even a copy.

Your advice at 21 min regarding what your MAIN guitar is, and why the Firefly or another copy might do the job for you is pure GOLD. I 100% agree. Great advice. I own a similar 335 copy, 335 is not my main guitar, I have spent some money on the copy (Gibson 57 Classic Pickups + Fret Levelling) but this compromise serves me perfectly. With the pickup change, my Copy sounds so similar to a real 335 that it irrelevant to me.

Excellent comparison and demo. Cool,playing at the end.

Finally a review with someone that can play without extreme overdrive. Excellent review Sir. We got to hear the true tone of the instrument. I was impressed with 338.

I made my other comment halfway through this vid. Then I listened to the rest...holy crap, dude! That outro playing was over the top! That is some of the nicest picking I have ever heard! Subscribed!

This was a very helpful review. Thank you!

Excellent format dude. Keep up the good work.

I've got two Firefly's. The first one two years ago, It needed tuners and some fret work, Feels good and sounds good. The second one I picked up for my niece, That one was flawless with the exception of a quarter turn truss rod adjustment and the dirty strings they come with. Well worth the money. And their are plenty of guitar set up and repair vids on RU-vid to do the adjustments yourself, If needed.

objective and thorough. my buddy was wanting a 335 i told him to check out a copy guitar and then ended up checking for him. after darrell braun then this i might end up getting one myself! thanks man great video!!!

I just bought a Firefly LP "Elite" model and it has full size pots. I believe most of their guitars do. Also it came with a bone nut and banding top and bottom and around the headstock also. It plays great! I would definately recommend this guitar to anyone looking for a really great budget guitar.

That firefly sounds pretty amazing for the price as long as it plays good I might have to pick one of these up

I've purchased a couple of these a couple years ago. I wax potted the pickups which helped. Great action, they really sing with a proper set up and fret level and Polish.

Great review!! I heard a few Larry Carlton licks near the end there in the noodling section!

Excellent comparison. Plus, great playing. Thanks.

I had to fast forward to the sound check....Daaamn glad I did! Great pickin'!

Fantastic objective review, the way it should be done!

got one of these firefly 2 yrs ago, yes it needed a proper setup out of the box, but after that plays and sounds amazing for the price! thanks for the tuner info , i'll def be doing this upgrade

This was super helpful, thank you! I'm looking at a Firefly on Craigslist right now and now I feel better about not being able to afford a Gibson. Also, you have a great voice.

I have two Fireflys that I bought a few years ago on Amazon for $139.00 a piece. For the money, you can't beat it. I did have to do some fret filing as the frets were rather sharp on the edges. I tweaked the truss rod a little bit and lowered the bridge. These guitars are not bad and are a great starter guitar for a student. Heck, I'd be fine taking one on a gig.

Superb review! Thanks for posting. 👍

Nice video!. The Firefly sound amazing!. Thanks for doing this comparison. Cheers.

I think I stumbled upon your video after watching the one by Darrell Braun on the Firefly 338 (13 nov 2020) Great video, great comparison! And nice playing! :-) Thank you!

Great playing and review. Thanks👍🙏🏻

Great comparison young man. I’ll be tuning in for more 🤐 I really don’t see changing the pups as from what I hear they sound great.

Thank you. I have a blue 338, and the finish is as you described. It plays beautifully, and no issues a little over two years old.

I really like that Firefly!

Excellent review, I have 3 Gibson guitars but I am blown away by the Firefly.

What a great review I learned a hell of a lot

I have that 338. I do love it. You are spot on regarding those tuners. I am replacing them with your recommendation -Guyker. My intonation was off too I just fixed that.

just ordered one excellent review thanks man :)

Great review! I got a 338 a couple months ago...great finish, frets level and dressed well, no intonation issues and it plays well. I don't care for the pickups as to me they sound a little muddy, I'm gonna try a set from GuitarFetish and see what happens. Anyway, I really enjoyed this video, nice job.

It comes down to my ears, I like the 338 more. A guitar is it’s own thing to me, so trying to copy a tone is a priority. Every player has his own tone through his fingers. The one compliment I get is that I make the guitar sound good. Not being a very technically flashy player, that makes me happy even if it’s a consolation compliment .

You took us out in style. Thank you for that.

Great playing and review👍🙏🏻

I've got one of the LP Jr style, sparkly gold finish and one dog-ear P-90 style pickup. I got it used, everything is pretty great - no fret problems, etc. Except the tuners! One or two of them are particularly maddening. But they are really the only thing I feel I really need to change on it. Well done video - this is the first of yours I've seen, I think I'll be sticking around...

Got one recently I love that everyone I've seen on RU-vid has a different pattern beautiful guitars mine is different than that one they're all beautiful stays in tune plays great love it

Thanks for the review... I have an FF338 spalted just like that, and I love it!

second comparison i have watched, good video, thanks

Excellent review !! I have a Gibson 335 and this seems like a reasonable backup guitar to use for some gigs where the Gibson could be banged up in close quarters etc. appreciate the comprehensive review. New sub. Thank you.

Dude your playing is insane I see you got those jazzy/ Gospel chops 🔥

fantastic review. I bought one of these way back for 139 loved it modded and gave it way. I loved but someone needed a guitar. I did it again with another one. You make this guitar sound great. I think the feel of the guitar is where it falls a little if you play a quality built instrument you can feel the difference more than hear. Great stuff man

...Great review,my Brother!!!...GREAT playing,Sir!!!(...made me subscribe!!!)...Different pickups & "she's a keeper"!!!...Peace...

I have this guitar. It is a bone nut. At least on mine. Very happy with guitar. Tone is really good. A good run for the money if you don't want to pay the price for Gibson or Epiphone. the tuner upgrade you did sounds solid. Thanks for the tip

Hey man, That first bend that you did @26:47 sounded just like Carlton's tone to my ears. The rest of the noodling at the end was some sweet jazz sounds, that Spalted is Beautiful.

Great comparison... thanks. Really happy you did the unplugged comparison. The Firefly is close enough to the Gibson to make me wonder if you lowered the pickups on the Firefly it would "mellow" out the tone and be a closer match. But in the end your comments were what I expected to hear... close but you will have to pay for the last bit of high-end playability.

As with all your reviews, you are my favorite reviewer and becoming my favorite player -- as I love your playing. I love all the bluesy, jazzy, funky stuff you play -- although I also play quite a bit raunchier sounds as well. I bought a 338 in the last month (along with 2 Firely FFLPs) and am happy with all although I have changed the pickups on the 338 and one of the FFLPs (and will update the pickups/tunners/bridge/tailpiece and upgrade with push-pull switches on the remaining FFLP later today). I just ordered the Guyker tuners you identified while watching this video. Keep up the great work! (By the way I also love your singing and watched a worship video you only sang on -- and appreciated that. Although I am an atheist now I have an extensive Christian background both in faith, CCM music and worship music -- so well done!) I would also appreciate a review on the Helix -- as I have just begun to investigate it -- as I love your sounds. I realize it sounds like I love everything -- but normally I don't. I ordered an Epiphone 335 some months ago and ironically received it the same day as the 338 and one of the FFLPs. I like it and will keep it. Unlike most players I enjoy variety of instruments and feels and I note the Epiphone 335 feels quite different than the 338. In the 1970s-1980s I owned a Gibson ES-335 12 string -- which I would take off 6 strings and was a cool guitar (and still regret selling it).

great review , good job, fire fly warmer tone , nice look !!!!!

For $189 the firefly might be my next purchase.

I put a set of Guyker locking tuners and a Harley Benton PRS clone, and I was very pleased with them. Excellent tuning machines for the bucks. Excellent review by the way, great playing and I also like the use of clean tones!

Great vid man ! Great guitars.

I had a 1972 walnut ES335 and it had the best neck of any guitar I’ve ever owned, mostly Gibsons and Epiphones. That being said, I think the tone of the Firefly was sweeter and fuller. As far as volume, the 7k to 11k is about 25% difference and to be twice as loud the signal has to be 10 times higher, so I’m not surprised the volume difference was small. Thanks for the review!

I like the elegant way your fingers glide over the fretboard!

Gotta say, I'm pretty impressed with that Firefly after you fixed it up there. Incidentally, I own an Epiphone Riviera P93T, which is basically a 335 with 3 Gibson USA P90 pickups and a Bigsby. Retail is $599, I got mine for $350 used. I have done absolutely nothing to it but change the strings, it plays better than some of the new Gibsons out there and sounds amazing. The one thing I will eventually change is putting a roller bridge on there so it goes back in tune better when using the Bigsby. I would HIGHLY recommend one of the nicer Epiphones.

Thank you for your music and stuff. Nice finger picking tecnique.I wanted a 335 for 50 years L O L i just may get a 335 + 3 after your demo. Keep trucking my friend!

Great review!

Great review. My experience with Firefly is that the hollowbody arrived with a damaged neck -most likely from the factory so it went back to Amazon. I also bought a LPJr which had no major problems but needs a solid setup and fret level. Sounds great. Recommended for the knowledgeable enthusiast or those who want to try luthierie but not on an expensive guitar.

I bought that same Firefly model in October and like it a lot. It's extraordinarily good value for money. I would have preferred the classic red, but that wasn't available at the time. The spalted looks great but when I sell that one I'll get a red one.

Great review. Subscribed.

I am usually a gear snob, but that Firefly was DAMN GOOD! I hear good things about them also. Even getting one and upgrading the hardware and pickups would be far less than an actual 335 and would sound good enough to record and play live with. Pickups are a weak point from what I hear on the guitars as I hear they are microphonic. But nonetheless, a stellar guitar, and a real looker too! Thanks for your review and taking the time to do this. Also, thank you for doing the review in clean. Distortion to me means nothing as I run pedals. So clean is everything to me.

I got mine and the day before it got here, i severely injured my shoulder and upper arm, so i can't really play much. I did set it up which was simple because it came pretty good. I think between my Grote 335 copy and the Firefly i like the Grote better even though the Firefly is very good too for a cheap guitar. It's amazing what you get for less than 200 bucks. I am an older man and i wish we had guitars like these when i was starting out. I would have been a better player i think. Thanks for the video. You do a great and thorough review.

Is it strange that I prefer the Firefly almost all around? Thanks for the comparison - All the best!

Really thorough review brother. I had a Sheraton that I loved but I think I have to give the firefly a shot because of this review.

Bridge pickup on the firefly seemed warmer. I liked that

Awesome video!

Still trying to pick my jaw up off the floor : ) Mine arrives Monday 23rd......beautiful playing btw !

I just bought a spalted ruby red 338, can't wait for it to arrive.

I bought one of these, and I guess I won the lottery a bit, because it went straight into tune, stays in tune(not perfectly) very well for non branded and it does have the cheapest strings I think I've ever played on(I need to put new stings on, but haven't yet and these cheap bastards are cheap). The PU's do squeal quite a bit when to close to the amp, but most times just turning away solves that problem. Enjoy playing on it, and DAMN, it looks great.

🤞mine has no issues. just ordered from their website.. great review and comparison

A 338 is an actual Gibson model and is smaller than the 335. I just purchased this guitar in the "Nature Burl" finish. We reviewed the Firefly FFLPS Sunburst Burl XG yesterday. The premise behind our channel is "Can you play it right out of the box ". We generally purchase 4 guitars per month on my dime, and I'm not a tech guy so although I have done a couple of kits for the channel we don't ever modify the guitars. I really enjoyed your very informative review (much better than we do) but we are not in a competition. My brother and I just do this to reconnect with each other in our later years. You have a new subscriber.

Great review, love all the details especially the weight comparison.

the firefly sounds way better acoustically and electrically. After owning a number of 'vintage' Gibson's over the years, there are a lot of manufacturers making quality stuff for reasonable prices

Excellent review...thankyou.I actually assumed the gibson was the one with the trapezoid fretboard markers for the first few minutes and was thinking how much i preferred the "gibson"(firefly)tone !

Love the firefly, a different array of tones, but sounds are professional, and the weaker parts can be changed for a modest rebuild.👍

That is insane, I've just looked up the price of the Firefly and it's roughly 375 UK pounds Gibson should be very worried. I knew when you first played this guitar unplugged it sounded much better. The weight difference is probably the wiring and pickups, I know this as I fitted all Gibson parts into my Korean Washburn J6 and it dramatically change the weight of the guitar. How does it sound 'beautiful' but for off the shelf this Firefly is a bargain if someone is wanting a nice 335 style guitar.

I got mine a few days ago and the pick guard is cleanly cut. The only finishing flaws I found were a couple of off level inlays and one inlay that had been overnotched and filled in with epoxy. But even those are not immediately noticeable, I found them because I was looking for flaws. I have an $1,100 Lag acoustic that doesn't play as easily as the 338. I love it.

Beautiful jamming, love those jazz chords. Sanding the back of the neck with a 2000 or greater sandpaper, then polish it, will make it super slick with no friction. You also want some relief in the neck approx 6000.