Did you notice the lack of Original Collection Firebird Vs? 🟢Buy on My Website: www.troglysguitarshow.com 🔴View on Reverb: reverb.com/shop/troglys?_aid=growsumo&gs_partner=Trogly ❓Private Help Sessions: troglysguitarshow.com/help-appraisals/
You don’t know what you got till it’s gone. When they were available nobody wanted them. Now that Firebirds are discontinued, everyone wishes they had one. They will increase in value.
@@rdanalytics9197 Thats because there were so few of them made, and only in 1959 😂🤣. There have been thousands and thousands of Firebirds made throughout the years. Plus, most people's heroes played '59 Les Pauls. Not too many guitar gods play 'Birds
I have a 90's Firebird V and the new Epiphone with the simplified headstock. I actually prefer the sound of the Epi pickups. Sure, they're not quite as bright as the Gibson's, but I like it that way. They sound a bit more like a standard mini humbucker and a P90 mix. Purely subjective, I know. Anyway, Firebirds are great guitars.
If I were going to get myself a Firebird, I probably would aim for the non-reverse rendition with three pickups. That rendition is Gibson edging Fender designs.
I have a 2011 Firebird V in tobacco sunburst. Still has that sweet lacquer smell. The Steinberger tuners are one of the smoothest and most accurate tuners I've come across on a guitar. It's a different beast for sure and will take a little getting used to the extra reach when playing.
Hey man, I don't know if you're gonna read this or not. But I just want to say I really appreciate your videos and the great character you present. Lately, life has been pretty rough for me and a lot on my mind. But your videos help me escape all that. I have to admit that when i first found your channel, I would just have your videos playing as background noise, but the last year, I have been actually sitting down and observing with your videos. I appreciate how you breakdown each guitar with great enthusiasm and always being positive. You make me want to be positive, Thank you and please never change 🤘
As someone who is currently going through a rough time, keep your head up as much as possible. I may not know your situation or the severity of it, but there is a light at the end of every tunnel. As corny as that sounds, I’ve found that to be true throughout my life. Hang in there!
A few points: Not having banjo tuners is a great upgrade. When Gibson brought back the model in the early 90s, the pickups were wider on the long side. They also were quite different than the 60s FB minis. Llke more output and less Firebird.
Outlaw country isn't the most popular genre nowadays. The tones firebirds are predominantly known for, just aren't in high demand. Southern bikers might dig one?
Crazy timing, I bought a 2019 Firebird just like this last week. In NOS condition for a LOT less than the original new price. Loving it so far and agree how it sounds between an SG and Tele.
Trog Dude! What about the Firebird VII? Both Keith Richards and Bryan Jones had one, think "19th Nervous Breakdown" and "Get Off My Cloud." Those guys always got what's new, and back then there was nothing newer than a Firebird, so why not the three pickup, ebony fretboard gold hardware beauty? Huh? Give me a I, Give me a III, Give me a V, but really, I want a VII! Oh, no banjo tuners, no Firebird. That's what broke so many necks, the early cases were too shallow.
The late Steve Clark.... he was the coolest Firebird player .... he had a 1976.... and had a Kahler trem fitted to it. What amazing sounds he created with it live.
The Firebird is my favorite guitar ever! But I’ve never played one??strat/les Paul is all I have!! A Firebird by epiphone is one I might get! They look like they’re a great built guitar!! Great job troglodyte!!
Agreed in my opinion one of the coolest Gibson guitar designs ever, so unique. Kind of bridges the gap between a Gibson guitar and a Stratocaster or Telecaster. To this day I still don't own a Les Paul but I do own several Firebirds. The last one I bought was a brand new Epiphone model and I highly recommend it. Check one out and for $650 it's a steal. True neck through construction just like the Gibson and less than a third of the cost
I have a 50th anniversary gold firebird. Love it. When I was looking for a 2019 I couldn't find what I wanted so I decided to shop for an Epiphone. I had a dealer make me a deal on a new one at about $550.00. Other than having to have the guitar setup, fret leveling and polishing this Epiphone is amazing. If you changed the truss rod cover out I think you would be hard pressed to tell the Gibson from the Epiphone. I am still looking for a 2019 firebird in the cherry red but as far as playing and value the Epiphone is hard to beat. I highly recommend it.
Agreed, its like the body and playing area are shifted outwards and away from the normal position. I've tried a couple myself and never really warmed up to them. They are still cool, its just that I don't feel the desire to have one anymore. I can see why Players who are famous for using them stick with them, after a while normal guitars would feel strange to a Firebird Player.
@@hkguitar1984 greetings HK.... well you've obviously try them and know what you're talking about. I myself really like them and it's nothing you can't get used to. I own three Firebirds and to this day still do not own a Les Paul but that's just me. Firebirds and SGs.all day long, don't mind a nice Strat either
@@jonathanhudak2059 Understood. I really like the Firebird, the way it is constructed, its look and even the Firebird pickups, all very much my cup of tea. That is why I was kind of shocked when the few I tried just didn't fit me. I still love the way the Firebird looks. If I could get along with them better I'd own one too. Maybe some day. One of my goals is to own a LP Jr., an Esquire and a Firebird I. Maybe someday.
I have a 2011 Firebird V and it was/is my dream guitar. I paid $1800 (Australian) from the original owner. My only gripe with them is the red paint on the pickguard Firebird logo tends to smudge/rub off. These pickguards a ridiculously expensive to purchase as replacements!
New Gibsons are great and the Chinese Epiphones have taken a step up in quality. I have two Epi Crestwoods. One is the Coral colored one with USA mini humbuckers. I’d already had a white one with the Chinese pickups. Sounded okay until AB’d and the Chinese sounded soso uninspiring. I installed Lollar Firebird pickups and it’s an incredible sounding mod. No cuts required, drop in fit. Makes a nice guitar into a great one. My point is the Epiphone quality increased with the new owner change.
Idk I don’t think a set neck is really any less labor intensive than the neck through. If it’s all cnc cut you just have to glue the wings on compared to cuttting a perfect fitting neck joint and tennon then fitting gluing and making sure the angle isn’t whacky. Maybe gluing the layers to make the neck section is worse but shouldn’t be much
Just bought a 2023 Epiphone, because you can get one. The price is right, pots are good and I like the pickups. It is also neck thru which is a Firebird to me. Set neck, bolt on neck and regular humbuckers. I like the mini Grover’s too, and $649 is a better price than a Custom Shop Gibson.
Firebird have a blade magnet in each bobbin. A mini humbucker has one big magnet laying flat under the bobbins. The Firebird magnetic pick up the strings about the same as 6 slug shaped magnetics in a Strat. Hence they are very bright.
Man, you did a great job polishing that one up! Gorgeous! I've got a slab-top, satin one, and I love it. The neck is pretty chunky, but the mini humbucker pickups sound great and it's very nice to play.
TROGSTER - I love the spec. reviews and the detail that you put in your videos. BUT ... your playing (sorry being honest) is so limited that we never get the true feel for the SOUND! Let someone else play ... at least some of the time!
Thank you so much for explaining what the lines on the center piece are, the 9 layers. I have a white lefty Firebird and have had many sunburst ones and have wondered for actual years how they accomplished that.
From my peeps at Gibson “those guitars (Firebirds) are hard to make”. The workers despise making runs of them because even things like sanding the neck requires more work than any other set neck guitar just due to the size. I have a couple CS models, and the last one I waited almost a year for it to be completed. Cost vs benefit is low on the FB’s unfortunately. But I do love mine.
I love that Cherry colored one. I love Firebirds. I only have a 2018 studio, which was one of the only years they didn't have the reverse headstock, so I would love to have a real one with the banjo tuners, etc..love the look, and style of them.
@@rider132 I just rewatched the purple Firebird video to torture myself, and noticed that at the very beginning there's a blink-and-you'll-miss-it image of a matching purple Thunderbird bass, which... godDAMN 🤣
The first time I saw a Firebird was the back cover of Kiss's 1975 "Alive" album. Paul Stanley is playing one, and it took me several years before I found out what that thang was!😂 No really, it was closer to '80, but yeah!
I think that was the cover with all of them playing Gibsons, Paul with a Firebird I, Ace with the 3-pickup cherry burst LP, and Gene with a G3 Grabber (I think?). Used to have a weird 3-D plastic poster of that cover, the kind you'd win at a carnival in the late 70s, wish I still had it! (Or that Firebird I!) Cheers 😊
I had a 2015, with the weird brass nut/zero fret (that needed to be replaced with a titanium one because the brass nut failed on a bunch of guitars). It’s also got a slightly wider nut width, the Steinberger tuners, titanium bridge saddles and they put the output jack on the side. Oh, and that GIANT gold plastic molded case. (It was bigger than a bass case I had!) I was kind of in need of some money, and I actually wound up selling it for a lot more than I paid, so I guess these not being available was why.
I own a 2017 Gibson USA Firebird V T in Pelham Blue and a black Gibson Custom Shop Firebird Custom with the 490R and 498T PUs. I prefer the Firebird V over the Custom, as the V has the original quirky specs, as Neck Through, 3D Headstock, Steinberger Tuners, FB Pickups. The Custom is a nice guitar, but has nothing in common with a true Firebird (except for the cool silhouette). It's more like a blinked up Firebird Studio.
Got me the 2019 Firebird in Cardinal Red last summer, love it, great color scheme. Made me want more so bought a screaming sister: the Lzzy Hale Explorer Explorerbird, also in Cardinal red and a Firebird headstock :)
I want to build one. The Custom Shop price is steep. These are one of Gibson's best and most unique sounding designs. Sad they aren't as popular as they should be.
In 1982 I bought a Firebird III basically because Allen Collins from Lynyrd Skynyrd played one and I thought it was cool. Hated it from the first time I took it to rehearsal! Swapped it for an 81 Les Paul Standard within a month!
Now that they have stopped making them and the used prices are ridiculous, many will turn to the Chinese made replicas that they can get in any style and color and replace the hardware and electronics . . . at $300 - $500 total. And still have a great looking and sounding Bird! Good job, Gibson!
I've got Classic White V I love it but it was a bitch for about for the first 5 years to keep in tune, as it got older and settled some it now stays in tune great and sounds KILLER
Omg, I managed to get second hand 2015 Firebird V in UK. Cannot even find it anywhere anymore! Even if it's listed somewhere, it's about £1000 more than I paid for it back in 2016. Crazy.
I fell in love with the look of the Firebird but the minihums just don't do it for me. I've still got one but it's going to be a collector's item that I strum here and there.
My 2018 Firebird came with Ned Steinberger tuners. A perfect replacement for the old banjo tuners. Why did they stop using the Steinberger pickups? (Cost)
The output jack in that Firebird clearly reads "CHINA" rather than "Switchcraft". Is it replaced? Or just a spec of that particular guitar? It looks kinda cheap of a jack to be honest. For me it doesn't look like a Switchcraft.
Sharp Eye Lauti, a very sharp eye. (9:48) I think you are correct, the phenolic insulation material used on this Firebird's Jack isn't the amber/tan that is used on the Switchcraft, also, the word "CHINA" is clearly visible! On every one of my guitars I've installed the Pure Tone 1/4" Jack, I recommend everyone use them.
@@hkguitar1984 That's what I thought. It looks cheap. As you said, Switchcraft insulation is closer to brown in color, and that looks closer to yellow. Looking at the solder points, I'd say it's stock, but is hard to tell. It would be a let down from Gibson, tbh.
@@lauleavil Yeah, compare the color of the phenolic insulation wafers to the color of that used on the potentiometes. It could have been replaced by the previous owner, difficult to say.
Tim Patten... nice acquisitions! I have a white Gibson 120th anniversary model in classic white, love it! That and two Epiphone models a VII and a brand new one. The 50th Anniversary 2013 model and gold metallic is a super cool guitar!
I got a 2016 model from Sweetwater on closeout for $1100. It has all the original specs including flat metal pickup rings and headstock veneer. No banjo tuners but steinbergers instead. Gibson must have switch the style in this video right after.
I have this guitar. It's really nice! I put a vibromate and bigsby on mine. I heard that the 2019 pickups were different than in the past in some way, but I'm not sure how. I might buy a set of Johnny Winter pickups some time down the road for it. Very cool.
I've wanted a firebird for years but never could afford it. Now that I worked and saved, they just don't make the one I wanted, with steinberger tuners and headstock. And the used market has inflated prices..
I have 2013 MK-V in near mint condition and I'm scared to play it much for fear I'm going to give it its first ding! The case is monster sized due to the neck angle and tuners being just a couple inches shy in of my MK-IV bass case in length.
I own one of these in the cherry red finish and it’s hands down my favourite guitar and one of the best I’ve ever played. It is a shame they didn’t have the correct headstock & tuners, but hey-ho…
In May 2020 AMS started blowing out Gibson Exclusive Firebird I in Silver Mist Tobacco burst and Skye Blue yes it had an extra e at the end bro get this 3,333.99 then they went to 1,119.00 got a silver mist.✌️🤸🎸
Great guitar! I’ve got one with the steinberg hi ration tuners. Some folk love them and others hate them , the tuners I mean. I quite like them. The whole guitar is a beast !! Love it . I’m about to replace the pick ups with Duncan’s for shits and giggles. I think mine is an 07/08, somewhere around there.
Trogly I love your videos, but you have to stop making the mistake of referring to how "hot" a pickup is by its ohms (DCR). The DC resistance of a pickup don't have anything to do with how hot it is, that is totally related to the magnets. The resistance is related on hay may turns and the width of the wire. Take a look to the last Tone Talk video if you don't believe me
It's not true to say the resistance (impedance) is totally unrelated to the output. Ceterus paribus, a firebird pickup with a bridge impedance of, say 23.8k, _will_ be hotter than the same pickup design in another firebird that shows 23.0k. If they are both at the same temp, the difference would be on account of more windings and this will therefore create a slightly stronger magnetic field for the pickups.
So now I learned this really cool riff from Trogly at 13:35... But what song is it? Also, I owned an Epiphone Firebird for 25 yrs and always felt it had that certain thing, that twang, that sound in between single coils and humbuckers. Some of it comes from the bodyshape, but it's the pickups that do the work. They're also quite large and impractical to transport, one of the reasons to sell it and make room. Still one of the nicest looking Guitars out there.
@@Trog The mystery deepens. I would say I heard this somewhere before, it is a real song and you nailed it in such a way that it rang a bell. Thanks for the reply, love your show!
Wasn’t there a special custom shop run of original models in 1996? I seem to remember having a Korina explorer some years ago from that year that I bought for recording specifically because it was very close to a true to original re-issue.
I dunno maybe they are stopping but every vendor still trying to get inventory back from the huge covid surge. Fender high end ultra been out for long time. The super odd ones the Tele ultra an strat ultra floyd they announced at namm 2020 still waiting. PRS so many people still waiting on cores. PRS Barritone still listed everywhere but not seen in stores since 2020. Ibanez, ESP all have missing guitars since 2020.
