FIREFLY FFLPS vs. GIBSON LES PAUL 

Man I’m sorry to hear that you have cancer,I sincerely hope that you get better sooner than later.I had cancer too and I beat it so it’s absolutely horrible that you have it but there’s a light at the end of the tunnel.great content man and again your in my family’s prayers.

Hello 👋 Rog! I can't believe that I haven't come across your channel before. That being said... WOW! First of all, please let me tell you a little bit about myself. I've been a PROFESSIONAL MUSICIAN and PROFESSIONAL AUDIO ENGINEER in Las Vegas for 40 years. I was in an all original Rock-N-Roll band from the early 80's through about 2003 and then an audio engineer from 2003 through about 2013 and then got really sick and am now on SS Disability making in a month, what I used to make in three days! In the two and a half years that it took my SS Disability to get approved, I had to slowly and PAINFULLY sell my 23 guitars and 9 guns among all of my other things to keep a roof over my head because I didn't plan on suddenly being unable to work. My last two clients were Mariah Carey and Prince... I was a HUGE GUITAR SNOB! I had two prized Les Pauls from the Custom Shop worth about six grand a piece among my other various Gibson, Fender, BC Rich, Guild, Ibanez, and Martin guitars. Long story short, once I got my SS Disability approved I HAD TO start from scratch. My first purchase and HUGE SURPRISE was a Sqire Tele! So sure, I had to put some TLC and time into it, including purchasing some Fender Original Tele Pickups, but the neck was not only good, but GREAT, and it turned out to be a total player! My next purchase was an Epiphone 335 and again, I was pleasantly surprised! All I did was a proper setup! Now I have nine guitars including a FireFly LP and a couple of Washburn Acoustics and I'll tell ya what, I'm happy as a pig in slop! Second, DUDE. ROG! I can't express how very impressed I am with both your courage and tenacity. WHAT SPEECH IMPEDIMENT? Man, I lost a bunch of teeth because of the pain meds that I was on for years and I sound way worse than you my friend! LOL! Look man, KEEP THE FAITH AND KEEP FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT MAN! I'll put you in my prayers 🙏. PRAYERS WORK! I almost died 4 times and I'm still here man... God bless and take care... P.S. new sub here bro!

Best of luck on your battle. Hope everything goes your way. Thanks for taking the time to do this video. It’s nice to see a video of this quality done by a guy that really knows his stuff I have both a FFLPS elite and a 2015 Gibson studio love both of them each has its own thing On the Firefly I upgraded the pickups to P-90 type and locking tuners on it It’s a great instrument for the money I have into it it plays and sounds great. It’s a little heavy around 9 pounds and looks more extravagant than my studio.

Good review, awesome playing, great conversation about this budget friendly guitar. I bought a firefly 335 style for my 82 year old dad and he just loves it.

I have a firefly classic and elite models, I giged with classic several times. I've had no issues. Played through tube,solid state and didgital modeling amps and it delivered. No set up, just changed strings. Kind of scary for these high end models but my pockets love it. Going to buy more 😅

Hang tough with the Cancer Man. I went through chemo and radiation last year, and I am coming around, in the gym now, trying to put weight back on. You are a very good guitarist, and know yer stuff. I have just about sold all my expensive guitars, at a loss, and went cheap guitars and added pickups, keys and am happy, no regrets. I was recently at an open mike with my Harley Benton, and some guy was ranting about my cheap, crappy guitar. he had a very nice American Strat. and I smoked him. It comes down to the player's skill and ability. My recent project is a pink Fesley, not much to add. I will be subscribing and checking in on your recovery process. Just read Daniel's comment below, and agree with the light at the end of the tunnel, hopefully never to return.

Prayers for recovery! G-d bless! Great video and great chops!

The jazz chords that you were comping on the FF sounded warmer and juicer than the Gibson, which had a brighter top end. The FF is also more of a looker for 1/10 of what the Gibson goes for. Plus, for a budget guitar, the FF has stainless steel frets, and the Gibby has nickel frets at it's price point? For a gigging guitar, the only added cost of new tuners at some point, and a good setup, makes the FF a better value, in my humble opinion.

This was an amazing review! Thank you for being so thorough!

One thing guitar reviewers rarely do us crank up the amp and see how much feedback a guitar gives. Also its good to see if a guitar maintains its setup. Those are the biggest problems cheap guitars have and it would be awesome to see the results in every video.

Finally. A guitar tech that can actually play ,without a ungodly amount of distortion. Bless u my brother.

Great to seeing you my friend, enjoy your reviews, especially your music and your honest opinion,I can see and feel the love you have for gear/guitar stuff,God bless you, my friend and your family have a good one.

Great breakdown! Loved the hard panning and both sound amazing! This was the first video of yours that I have seen and I am a fan now! Looking forward to more great showdowns!

Sorry to hear about the cancer--my prayers for your swift recovery. Love the video!

Great video, fantastic playing, even better monologue. You have the right attitude and I wish you the very best! Thanks so much for this info, I might just pick one of the FFLPs.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery! I just got my fflps and am floored with how comfortable it is and how great it sounds.

Top quality comparison here bro! Excellent and in depth. Great playing too! Thank you

I really appreciate videos like this, especially with the play demo part. Quality playing, the same playing on both guitars, very well done. Sounded to me, through my tv speakers, there wasn't an ant-hill worth of difference between the two. That might change if it were gained up to today's metal, over saturated, wall-of-noise levels, but I don't play there. Thanks again for the thorough look at the FFLPS.

Really enjoyed your commentary, insights and playing. All the best!

Best and most detailed guitar comparison I've seen on the tube. Well done and some excellent guitar playing as well.

I love it that you start the video playing and switching between the 2 instruments without talking in between!!!

I have no idea how I never saw this video before. I can honestly say I believe this is the first time I was able to hear a difference between guitars. The Firefly does sound good I'm not taking anything away from that. The Les Paul just sounded more crisp and clean. Thank you for this demonstration. I have subscribe to your channel for a good while and I don't know how this one got past me. I do notice that sometimes no matter what type of material is in the videos that some of them do slip by.

lovely to hear from u mate..!! nice groovy demo

In our prayers. Thank you for your demo and time.

Sorry to hear about Your cancer i'm also recovering cancer patient so much love there, Your video was well done and I appreciate the time you took in the methodology that you used very helpful.For giving stats and then giving a play by play so that we could compare the sound. I myself currently own 5 Firefly guitars so you could say that i'm a fan. I definitely want to have a Gibson guitar at some point for the reasons you mentioned . I believe that Gibsons have a unique tone and look forward to be able to play one. I look forward to more videos in the future and wish you the best of luck

I love how practical your approach is. You have to search pretty far and wide to find somebody who acknowledges (not necessarily preaches) some of the very hard-earned and unpopular lessons regarding what is real vs. felt, how there is potentially a place for all levels of craftsmanship, and how opinions vary in a perfectly acceptable way. I'll be digging into your library! I love my Firefly 338 and check the guitarsgarden website pretty regularly. The only thing that makes me hesitate is that I just wonder exactly how they're able to make those things so affordably. I really hope it's by avoiding gauging and selling direct in bulk, and that it's nothing to do with unfair labor/compensation practices. Either way, that's another, different video. You did a great job here, doing an unbiased and thorough review. Awesome work!

Bless you dude for doing this,I'm a big firefly fan, and I have one elite that is a favorite, although I changed the pickups and tuners,they are a solid les paul,I had to pound down a few frets,I go over every new guitar, round over the fretboard, level and crown and recut a bone nut,I'm sorry I passed on this one,I keep waiting for more traditional colors such as this cobra burst,I've trusted your opinion every since I landed a king offset Tele,your video helped me choose it,keep up the good work,take care.

Great review, super thorough and well performed. You're very comfortable in front of the camera, and it shows 👍Good luck with the health issues, you're a young man and statistically you have a great chance of beating this mother. Prayers to you and your family.

Boy, that was some tasty playing on the bridge pup at the end. Thanks for this, very helpful.

Absolutely amazing review and playing!! Liked and subscribed. Good luck with your treatment

Most enjoyable and informative. Thanks.

Great work! Firefly is doing some great things for guitarists! I have a Firefly "338" and a Gibson 338. Difference? You bet! $4,000 difference? Nope. I'm no longer touring or gigging, (73 and sitting at home, playing with myself. 😮), but I love all my babies, regardless of their parentage. 😂

I think this was my first visit I sure injoyed the video really good demo I've played a 1957 black beauty for 25 years and it got a lot of miles on it. I wish I could find one that feels like and sounds as good. That burst guitar you are playing sounds really good never heard of that company anywho great demo glad I stopped by. Peace out. 2thumbs up .....

What a great video! Thanks

Thanks for an awesome review.

Fantastic Review! Thank You!

Great video and info. Some sweet playing as well. Thanks

Dude, I am very sorry to hear about your cancer. We’re all going to pray very hard for you my friend and keep up the great videos and that course were subscribed. God bless you my friend. God bless you.

Since they started having the really nice rounded fret ends on their guitars, my FF flying V is sweeeet! You are a really great player as well!!

First time for everything (1st time viewer) and I'm two-minutes in and had to drop you a line. I really enjoyed your licks in these first minutes and now just heard you say you were fighting cancer. Like many, I too, have had my bouts. Skin, colon and liver cancer. But I'm good. Remember Brother, don't admit or confess aloud that you have it. Do not speak "Life" into it. I've been blessed. It hasn't returned in the last three years. I leave you with what my surgeon told me. "What the Mind can believe...the Body can achieve." God bless ya. Now back to your video.

Best Firefly review (maybe the best guitar review period). All good information and really good playing too. I want to know data about the instrument, not just opinions and you provide really good data.

Nice jazz licks! Loving the review just for the content of the playing.

Really good comparison, and great playing! Both guitars sound excellent to my ears. I already own way too many guitars, but if I was looking for a Les Paul style guitar I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Firefly like this one. I know it's been the case for quite some time now (and younger players have of course never experienced things any other way), but it still amazes me how much guitar you can get for very little money today. Sure, a Firefly is obviously never going to be at the top of the food chain, but diminishing returns quickly come into play when looking at more established brands. Things sure have come a long way since I bought my first electric guitar (a Westone strat copy) back in 1988. It wasn't terrible by any means, but the same money, especially when adjusted for inflation, will get you a far superior instrument today, and if we compare today's inexpensive amps and amp sims (good sounding, with tons of built in effects) to my first 15 watt solid state Roland amp that didn't even have a reverb.... Things sure have improved a lot since then. 😄

Nice comparisons. I like the tone on the FireFly better. I have The FF338 and the only thing it needs is a better bridge. Stay strong brother!

So glad I ran across this video. Intelligent, thoughtful conversation and lovely playing (also intelligent and thoughtful)! Thank you! Your health is in my thoughts. Be well, friend!

Hi Raj, If it was your intention to make an in depth review, I would say, "mission accomplished". Your hard work didn't go unnoticed. Great video...Godspeed

Great comparison video. To me the Gibson sounded a bit warmer, but I can't say that I preferred it in every scenario. It's hard to believe how good of a guitar you can get for the price of a pair of running shoes these days.

First time watching, sorry to hear about cancer. I am in the process of getting a prognosis that might include that. I really like your whole review, your knowledge, opinions, your playing, your personality and communication skills. Great job Sir 😊

Great review, great playing. The Gibson’s pickups sound a little better on my old iPad. Thanks brother. Subscribed! Also, might take a look at the Rene Caisse story. Blessing’s, love and laughter. ~M

My Wife has had 2 bouts with cancer and so I know what you are up against brother.. I subscribed to your channel and how it helps. I too have a RU-vid channel but lost the ambition to upload more than 3 videos. Eventually I’ll get off my ass and continue. God bless you bro.

Congratulations on getting monetized on RU-vid 🎉 🍾 Great video really enjoyed watching your channel 👍😎🎸🤘

Got recommended this video by the algorithm. Not disappointed. You're funny. Hope everything goes well for you, and you keep making a lot of noise.

Great video!!👏🎸 Greetings from a fellow musician in Norway!🇳🇴🇺🇸

first time visiting the channel and new subscriber, great video man. wishing you the best

Nice video. Nice overview. Best wishes on your battle against cancer, man. So sad to read that. Hope you get better soon and continue delighting us qith these type of videos.

Great video! Fight the good fight brother!!

You rock. Great review.

Great review. I have an FF338 and being an extreme novice, it is perfect for me. I only found the fret edges to be a bit sharp but that went away with play. I hope you make a full recovery.

Awesome video! In the market for a guitar and this helps! Subscribed to your channel

Nice!🤘 love good build platforms! 😊

Excellent review and playing.

Liked , shared and subscribed. ❤ great video . God bless. Both sound great ❤

Wonderful video. Very well done

So sorry to hear about your cancer, I lost my Dad to Acute Myleoid Leukemia. My prayers to you for. Speedy recovery!

Thank you for this video. I bought a FFLPS 2 years ago and I love it. The first thing I did was to have it all checked out, intonation was good, frets and action was also good, for the price you can't beat it. The last tune that you played both guitars, was that Angel of Mercy ? You gave me goose bumps, thank you. My thoughts & prayers are with you and your battle, I am going through similar issues and may God Bless You !

This is such a great video! Your playing is super tasty, definitely looking forward to more of your vids. Thanks for sharing.

Keep up the fight! Fantastic review and playing! I'm going on my sixth FF, a couple of them took a lot of work and a couple were great out of the box but I took it upon myself to mod the hell out of all of them. My Spalted 338 and my FFJA are my favorites.

As others have said, great review and playing!

Wow great job comparing the firefly & gibson studio. This is the first time I've seen you on you tube and im amazed. Especially at your wall of guitars you made ! You did the firefly justice. I'll be waiting for your next video , hope you are well , cancer is not pleasant, best wishes & prayers your way Thanks for your time .

Bless you, brother! Keep playing. It'll help heal you. Vibrations will help cure you. Thanks for doing what you do. Best Regards from Deleware! Robert

Some nice playin' at the end there. All the best with your treatment, kick it's ass!!!

Nice Playing Great review

Enjoyed your video . I think the test will be time . My older Gibsons other than fret wear , switches keep getting better , if the FF does the same you have a winner .

bless you sir

Cool video, great tasteful chops too. 🙏for your health💯

Very cool audio & visual splits @ the end, nice touch! And hey, that cursed cell thing man. First time viewer, subscribed, etc Jesus help you fight. Thx, SS from Michigan✝️

Gorgeous guitar and great sound. Get well soon!

You do fantastic reviews. I own 2 Fireflys ,(a gold top LP and a ES 338) I've modded both,(pickups,tuners,roller bridges) and set both up for play ability. They both sound and play pretty dam close to their more expensive counterparts and def do the job.......great copies ! Oh and I'm a bassist by trade.......when the hell will Firefly come out with some decent basses ?

Excellent comparison.

Hope you are doing well Rog. Still listening to Mingo on the daily!

Just bought my first FireFly t-style. I’m amazed how great it is!! Fenders lucky they have brand recognition!!

Nice work! I’m only listening on a tablet but I think in looks and sound the Firefly beats the Gibson’s ass. Obviously I can’t comment on the playability, but you seem to get along with both guitars just fine. I’m sorry to hear you’ve been ill but I’m glad to know you’re still playing and really enjoying it. After left wrist and thumb surgery three years ago I struggled badly and almost lost my desire for playing. I was on the brink of selling my guitars but I took a month off playing and made a fresh start. I’m still struggling a bit but I just got my first nylon string guitar and I’m really excited about it. I hope you are well and I’m really glad to hear that you’re going to be getting a little money from your channel. Hang in there and don’t work too hard if you’re not feeling well from time to time. Good luck and God bless!

Great video. First time here & now subscribed and contributing to your dozens of dollars yearly.

An alternative approach to a low fret is to replace it with a taller fret, then bring it down to flush with the others. It requires pulling a fret and fashioning another but keeps you from having to bring all the rest down and shortening the life of the frets overall.

I love your video opening! I have three single cut, sub $500 Gretsches and I love them! I get compliments on the growl of the neck pick up on one. I get compliments on the chimey tone of the bridge humbucker. If you have the money, spend it. If funds are limited, there are so many great options at a great, affordable price.

Sorry about the cancer. We have a ton of advances in treatment so I might suggest to always be flexible about treatment if Drs start to say “nothing we can do”. They did that to me and gave me less than 6 months, took things into our own hands & 2 yrs later feeling really decent with much higher energy/concentration. We went foreign surgical option for tumors in the liver. I read fenbendiazole has been working for other types of cancer. Stay positive it’s a tough journey.

Don't know if your still checking these comments but I SURELY missed your content ! Down since the first Slick Guitar review, didn't know where you'd gone. I assumed it just got too time sucking for too little return and you're a smart guy. I signed into YT I was so excited. Praying for your Health man... Don't worry though, you're looking great and you still sound like Bryan the Dog from Family Guy !!!

This was a great watch. There are so many people reviewing guitars and so many of them should watch this video on how to do it. Opinions mean so much more when they're coming from someone who knows what they're doing, as it's plain you do-- and it's backed up with specs, measurements , and relevant and thoughful sound comparisons. I have 5 Fireflies with 2 of them being LPs and both are amazing. In your tests, I gave the sound edge to the Gibson simply because it clearly has more articulate pickups and I like that clarity / attack. What would be interesting to see is that Firefly LP with a 490/498 combo wired in and compared to the Studio again.

I've got to say I thought y'all were just "drinking the Kool Aid" on the Firefly guitars but recently picked up a thinline tele style used at a local store. The store had a Nashville-style tele that needed some fret work to make it right so I chose the tobacco burst. It plays very well for the price-point and needs minimal personalization. Thank you for the very detailed review.

Good crisp review

Sounds great and wonderful playing. What amp sim / amp did you use?

I'm glad algorithm sent you My way. Great playing man. But you said what I was kinda expecting. Everyone that I've noticed that has been honest with no bias says the fireflies are compatible to a 600-1000 Epiphone. I have two firefly guitars a double cut P90 when they first came out and about 3 months ago I bought a Les Paul style Smokey burst. They are amazing instruments I've never been able to play a Gibson but I want one so bad. Until then a 219.00 dollar fflp will suffice.

Awesome review and playing man. Also nice silver 414 EB. Does it have the C12 capsule? HA. I have 2 of them... only 1 has the C12 capsule. Sound difference is slight. Anyway, best to you man. Keep up the fight.

I just ordered my third FFLPS today, an orange bat. I have 2 yellow bats as well. You're absolutely right, pickups and machine heads can be replaced but don't necessarily have to be, just depends on what you want out of the pickups. I want an explorer type and a V too. I'd also pick up a tele type with two humbuckers and the switch up top.

great video! question. is the size of the body the same for both? or the Gibson is a bit bigger body? thanks!!

I have 3 FFLP (Elite) style guitars and I'm keeping them all. I plan on buying more whenever I get a few extra bucks. I believe one day they will be worth much more than when I bought them. At some point Firefly will raise their prices and the older ones will be worth a small fortune! JMHO My firefly's all have the locking tuners and better pick-ups. They also have the stainless-steel frets and bone nuts which are a plus. These upgrades haven't always been the case when Firefly first started. The improvements came about as a result of these videos. "They" are listening which is a great thing folks!

Good luck bro stay strong

Well first off prayers for you and your continued fight to beat this evil bastard cancer I wish nothing but the best. Secondly I want to say that has to be one of the most comprehensive and informative reviews of the Firefly versus the Les Paul that I've ever seen on RU-vid so kudos on that

One of the other reasons to choose the LP over the Firefly.....resale. I've been playing guitar for 58 years and if you're like me you might be in search of the next best thing.....all the time. So being a working musician and sound man I can't come up with the $1500-$2000 if I see something that I can't live without so by owning more expensive models I can sell and buy without too much damage. Not so with the Firefly. Back in the summer I sold a Prs S2 and bought a very nice wine red Studio. Then I went out and bought a G&L Comanche. Both guitars I love to death and bring to my gigs 3-4 times a week. But if I get that itch I can always flip the LP because the name and value are there. Great video, prayers on your treatment.

I like your take on "good guitar vs. expensive guitar". I once had the guitar player from a very well known band try my Korean-made Schecter C-1 neck-through with USA electronics (paid $700 new on sale). He said it was "the best guitar he's ever played", but would never own one because it didn't say Gibson on the headstock. To each their own... I prefer the best guitar I've ever played regardless of the logo.