I have myself a 76 firebird bicentennial and that neck pickup kills. Bridge is really bright and chimey too. The bird through a 76 peavey mace is a killer combo.
I have three Les Pauls, a PRS Custon 24, a '64 Strat, and I NEED a Firebird for that Stephen Stills/ Johnny Winter/Clapton Cream tone. Love the cut-through-the-mix of the mini humbuckers in the Firebird.
I bought the Epiphone Firebird Saturday, and I’m extremely impressed. I probably wouldn’t have even considered it but the local shop had one on the wall. The thing looked great, and after plugging it into a blues jr I released it sounds great too. I had to bring it home. I got it for 600 dollars with a Epiphone hard shell case. This thing is hard to beat at that price.
I've had one of these for a few weeks now. I'd been jonesing for a Firebird for years but I couldn't justify the price of the Gibson when it would only get occasional use, so the Epi scratches that itch nicely. It's a terrific guitar, and as an inveterate tinkerer, I'm shocked that I have zero desire to change the pickups.
Thank,Oli -- I love the look of the 2020 Epiphone Firebird, and after listening to you -- I am going to get one ! Also, you are right about the 2020 Epiphone line -- I have the Les Paul Standard 50's -- it is awesome!
I bought the Epi because here in 2023 Gibson doesn't offer a made in USA one, just a Custom Shop. I have not been disappointed, did a bit of string height adjustment and that was really all it needed. At some point I'm going to go in deep on the pickups to see if they are true Firebird pickups or just mini humbuckers but they sound good either way.
Hello Oli, thanks for the review. I actually just ordered me one here via Sweetwater, I chose one that came in at 7.3 pounds which seems to be a nice weight for these, to my surprise I would’ve thought they’d weigh like 9-10 pounds which certainly isn’t the case. Most of the ones I’m seeing are about 8 and 1/2’ish. Looking forward to playing it once it arrives here, thanks again 🤙
Hey man! I've just ordered the epiphone firebird after watching this! The tone in the intro was exactly what I was looking for, but could find anything anywhere with it, so thanks!!
First review ever that someone is mentioning the smell of nitro, I can only agree mate, nitro smells like heaven! I just ordered a new Les Paul Special in TV yellows have you try it? I wasn’t really sure until last moment, I was also in love with these Firebirds
One suggestion! Balance out your audio ! Im turning up the volume to hear your review of the Guitar then when your playing I have to turn down the Volume because its twice as loud as your voice ! Other than that Great review! I hit the like button and subscribed! Aloha !
I thought you were playing the gibson first. It sounds great. No need to put gibson pups in it. I can't stop watching these firebird videos. Pots are easy to change and cheap.
Great job Bro 🤙 You're remarkably balanced considering you're recently out $3+K for the G'Bird... I woulda thought that bias would come through fairly strongly. But no, you stayed impartial - you're a better man than me, then, in that regard! 🤣
Thanks! I need another guitar like I need another hole in my head. But, I just got an Epiphone Firebird Bass for my daughter and I was really impressed. Beautiful and unique. I own a few Gibson guitars and a few more Epiphone guitars. I love them all, and I’ve become really impressed with the quality and the value of the Epiphones. Add another one to the list. 😆
Great information, but the background guitar noise makes it difficult to hear you. Turn that stuff off, you're good at what you do, you don't need theme music.
If that's the Epiphone one coming through at the beginning - it's righteous! The tone is glorious RocknRoll goodness!! I might seriously have to get one! ...I wonder how much of the tone is the guitar and how much is the amp...What amp are you running?
actually laurel is not cheaper than rosewood. simply rosewood is now protected, and used very little, only on hi-end instruments for a matter of history. is a nice wood.
I didn’t know Firebird pups were not just hot mini humbuckers. Also...dead on about that Gibson smell. It’s a thing and it matters. Good info, good demo, I’m new subscriber #151.
I actually won a Firebird from Planet Rock Radio, thats was way back in 2008, I don't play guitar but am about to learn. My firebires has locking tunners and the are Round nobbs, She Looks Beaytiful and lives in her Hardcase that came with it. I can recomed a young Player I saw a while back, Arron Keylock, He played Gibson Firebirs and played a lot of ole Pete Green Blues, it was a great night, he supported The Answer in the Borderline. So Check him out, I think he has his own band now called Keylock, How Original Take care all and I will be one of you all sone, I hope so I have 6 Gutars now 2 PRS " Fenders Strat & Tele, and Gibson LP DC that one is my Pension money, and the Firebird So I can't wait to start, Just got to get my health up a bit
Wonderful review there! Can’t decide if I’m going for another Gibson SG or DC. Or go Epiphone Firebird. Thanks for the sound demos sounds like the Gibson is fuller more body while the Epiphone is really open. I also agree Nitro smells great especially when I’m playing my SG for long hours hahah probably bad for the lungs fumes but hey incense to the rock gods haha
It does eventually gas off all the way, but you can smell it,- usually along with cigarette tar, - in many vintage instrument shops. I am by no means a cork sniffer, but the nitro is far better looking and feeling, - all arguments about sound set aside. Poly was one of the worst things that ever happened to the guitar industry. The pickups in this version of the Epi FB are what make it sound truly unique.Not your standard mini, - which are unique & great in themselves.
I don't know why Gibson started adding spacers under the pickup surrounds and I'm sure you can just remove them to avoid knocking your hand. Older Firebirds don't have them and look better. I can't get used to seeing a Firebird without banjo or Steinberger tuners. Still, a great pair of guitars and a good video… just needs your voice to the fore a little more.
Yup, CTS pots. ✅ Plus: nice Orange Drop caps, too. 👍 Crappy little (laptop-style) white plastic (quick-connect) plugs connecting the pups into the wiring cavity, though. 🥴👎 NB: Gibson, and all other nitro smell fades, over time, as the volatile solvents evaporate out of the finish. Specs say Graphtec nut on the current (2020) Gibsons as well.
Very hard to understand you. Background music is way too loud. You need to have a voice mic closer to you... esp with those walls. Just mud woofing around. Great FBs though!
Is it possible to swap out the tuners on the Epiphone for the classic "banjo" tuners that are mounted behind the headstock? Cheers for such an in depth video - best one on youtube!
@Tiny Cottage Fretwork yeah it's a much more authentic look. Not sure if its doable in the first place as you said, they're mounted closer in and have extra wood to be attached to. Will need to look into this. Thanks for the reply!
@Tiny Cottage Fretwork hope you love it! Would you mind maybe giving me an update how it got on with you? Just want to see general QC and stuff. Much appreciated!
@Tiny Cottage Fretwork thanks for the in depth feedback mate I really appreciate it. Sounds typical of an Epi - few blemishes here and there but its alk fixable. Hope you enjoy it!
I got one toki a first real guitar looking at getting a second amd I'm struggling to think of that to get, sg or les paul, already gets near enough, don't really want a tele again, great sound but not what I want, looking at an ibanez for a hss combo
I was just browsing through Firebird videos when I came across this and I was like wait a minute.. I know this guy… what a sick tour and awesome times we had on Deadspace / Psychonaut 4 tour! Wish you all the best buddy. Love Shoko
If I wanted to switch the tuners out for locking tuners, which kind would work best for the Gibson? I've got Hipshot open locking tuners on another guitar that I love. Would they fit or would you have to buy Grover locking tuners?
@@OliRoyer I would give you 50 bucks plus the original Hotter ceramic Firebird pickups Out of my 1990 Firebird If you care to do a Deal They will drop in no ProblemThe gibsons are Fatter & Hotter Nowhere close to being as bright. But for my style that's what I want Epi pickups.
You sound very far away when talking…you might want to have the camera/phone closer when talking and/or invest in a a good podcast microphone like Rhode blue yeti.
Didn't find it particularly interesting...although I was eating a chicken tikka at the time...anyway Epiphone rules and Gibson's are for yanks who have more money than sense. In my summary I would just say...fixed bridge is cool but Maestro bridge gives more jangle for your bucks.. maybe they should have introduced a maestro model like the SG. Nice finish on that one 👍
The whole intro, go watch another review then. But he’s talking a lot so people know what thier buying. It’s actually pretty helpful if you actually listen.
