Mind Blown! - $149 Firefly FFST Strat - Best Budget Guitar 

I am glad you verified that it comes with a full size trem block. That's the very first thing that I change on a cheap Strat. I bought a traditional Tele and the Ghost White John 5 HH Tele with the same specs and I was really impressed with the quality for the price. The SS Frets and quality of the fret work in particular were top notch. It's rare to get a sub $200 guitar that doesn't need some upgrades (tuners) and a fair amount setup out of the box. The only upgrade I did was to install a 4 way switch on the traditional Tele, but that should already be on every Tele IMO.

this is exactly the one i want i love the look of it thank you for the review mark i love this guitar and it is an awesome deal for all of the stuff your getting

I dig the locking vintage tuners I need someone those. That’s a great buy might have to try one

I don't NEED a new guitar but, grrrrrrr, you've really made me want one of these!

Looks great!!

I’ve got the black relic FFST. I love it! I’ve also got a couple American Fenders. Yes, you can tell a difference in feel, but I play the Firefly mostly. I love I don’t concern myself if i bang it around. Honestly the FFST IS a really great guitar as is.

Best guitar building channel on RU-vid.

Very cool guitar. Every time I go there to look at guitars, they are sold out. Bummer. I would love to get one of the strats and modify it. Thanks for sharing with us.

this is crazy, awesome guitar

Wow ..this is a really nice guitar !

When you see all the stuff these low priced guitars it makes you wonder why fender can’t do it for even 3 times the price.

I didn't realize the pick guard was mint green until you mentioned the first time. Great value technically speaking, and the detailed job they do making the guitar look like wear by friction is pretty amazing... I'm considering getting a Firefly telecaster. I'm taking guitar lessons, and honestly, even if I was a pro, I'll consider them as a viable option for a good guitar that doesn't involve selling a kidney to get it.

I got the exact same one 12/23 for $200. Fret work is awesome! The biggest issue I had was the saddle screws being too high and sharp, so I switched them out. Other minor problems were the bridge tone knob didn’t work, and the humbucker is weak. Overall, can’t beat the price! The relic look great and the junction is smooth.

Really nice, Mark. It's crazy how good guitars with a cheap price point are these days.

Dude, just found your channel…love your approach and style…had to sub👍

Mine has a full size trem block too. The only upgrade to consider is a set of pickups.

I bought the same one and made it into a single invader blocked trem setup. I had to change the tuners and the high low e gets weren't pushed in all the way so the high e was getting caught up on the fret until i manually pulled the string off. Not bad still for the money! I love the guitar, it plays great!

I think I saw a Cort with very similar spec. But when I check at the website, it is not available ? Probably Indonesia (where I live) exclusive models, Cort sometimes do local artist's limited one-off models..

Hi, I want to buy one, but if you do me a favor what´s the neck profile with messures if you do not mind. Thank you.

I’m learning on an acoustic guitar, wanting an electric. How does the firefly compare to Sterling cutless?

As of Feb.3, Guitars Garden only offers two FFST models: The Classic Relic Model Ash and the Classic Plus. Their prices have also been bumped up by at least $10. The model in this video is not available.

Hi, Mark. Great find and great video. Thanks. Just wanted to relay that I just looked up the site and the price jumped to $179.91 in a month for the same model you unboxed. Still looks worth it, however. They are apparently hot sellers.

I got the buckethead looking firefly and it plays really great. I like it so much i got some graphtech tuners and some Seymour Duncans for it

What is the Fret board radius?

I got a non relic one a while ago. The body is thinner than a fender, and I stripped the paint and refinished it in rattle can nitro. It was a five piece walnut body. I spent as much on the Yosemite pickups I put in it as the guitar, but the tuners and bridge were both super solid and didn’t need replacement.

Wow. Wish they had these in Europe. Would love to try one out.

I picked up a relic fast last week from Firefly Guitar Garden. The only thing I had to do was tune it. It was set up incredibly well and it also sounds and plays well. There were no sharp edges or high frets.

the song you play is wonderful, it feels like listening to a Slowdive record, congratulations; honest guitar review

Great review Mark. I would be curious to see what it looks like under the pickguard. Was the black paint shielding? Also, what website did you purchase from?

What size are the frets?

I have a double cut dual P90 firefly and a smokey burst les Paul style. They are amazing guitars in my opinion. Full size pots. And the electronics are good also. Don't know how they do it. They obviously cut out the middle man. Which allows them a little more Head room

How did you get the relic job ?.....its not on the site

Cool video. Thank you. All ST style guitars sold out. Bummer.

I have a bunch of slightly older Firefly guitars (335 style, LP style, thinline style, doublecut jr style), and they all punch way above their price point. That said, it looks like they're getting even better as time goes on. The first thing I changed on all of them are the tuners, but looks like these have even addressed that! Great review!

Hi Mark, good to see you again. I have EART strat that I bought for 199$, it plays great and it too has stainless steel frets and the fret ends look exactly the same. Question, how do you think these fret ends are being done. Machine? Hand made? I'm of the opinion that their must be a machiine cranking out these frets, what do you think?

Shouldnt the back plate be mint green like the pick guard? I know most people just remove it, but still.

Too many incredibles man, less is sometimes more 😎

Nice music. Does this guitar stay in tune?

can't find anything like that one made by firefly?

I got a Fojil one like this. It was also reliced. Was maple body and roasted maple neck. Sounds really cool for $99 bucks. They really are outdoing themselves these days. If your a beat maker you can get some unique Guitars to create some cool riffs ti sample.

Do you happen to know if the neck joint is the same size/screw spacing as Fender's? If I bought one of these and wanted to put a fender neck on it could I? edit: for the non-contoured options

That looks fab, health to enjoy. Such a creative demo, additionally.

Only thing missing is 24 frets. That makes so much sense on a guitar as Octave. 24 frets are so much more understandable. 22 is like an octave and not all of the second. Not this companies fault, probably Gibson & Fender during the early years. 24 frets = 2 Octaves per string, this should be the norm in 2024.

Beautiful musical guitar performance! Bravo! Oh and nice guitar... 🤓🎸

Beautiful relic job, you can really see the Bamboo showing through.

I have one of these and I was blown away, too! It's scary that a $149 guitar can be this good! Especially the neck, it really plays as well out of the box as I've ever seen and I have had dozens of guitars. I didn't like the tuning keys, though. I put some Hipshots on it.

Hey Mark, how long from the time you ordered this did it arrive to your doorstep? I am wanting to pick one up for myself!! Amazing value for sure!!!

Can’t find them for sale on guitar garden

These are amazing! And great job jumping on it they’re sold out!

How much does it weigh?

Is there any way to test that the materials are as advertised? (metals, wood, lead-free paint, etc).

Really beating myself up about not pulling the trigger on this one as a Frusciante fan, was eyeing it for weeks until they sold out. Feel like I got my lick back with the most recent drop, a 3 P90 LP style that I believe was 1 of 1 since it was removed from the website minutes after checking out. It was so random, I kid you not every time I refreshed the website more and more guitars were getting released. I was up until 5am that night lol.

how much does it weigh?

Is the Paine lead?

Looking at putting in the EMG Lukather set in

Where do I look on the Internet for a firefly stratocaster can you tell me please.

Looks like they don’t have any more left? Link to the site doesn’t show any products

What Delay unit are you using? Sounds Fantastic!!

If you remove the pure series text, you can get very close to a Strat shape, which I've done. I've done the same with the FFTL (Tele).

Will this model ever be back? It sold out shortly after this video, I’m sure.

Really, does show you the huge profit involved in high-end guitars

I just got the relic hss ffst at $159. Great features and setup. Mine is a little heavy at just under 9 pounds. Unfortunately, the tone pots are non functional on any of the pickups. Sent a note to guitarsgarden but have not heard back yet. Likely a wiring issue but unfortunate qc issue on what could be a great guitar.

I wish we could get Firefly's in the UK - Look awesome! Love your playing btw 😎👍 What's the neck profile/shape?

My 4k MusicMan has stainless frets, bone nut, same truss rod adjustment, locking tuners…man for $150 if this plays well at all , what a great deal

So a mick mars guiatr ?

Leo Jaymes and IYV are putting out some fine equipment too. Honestly, i don't get the "relicing" thing. That seems it dhould be done naturally through use.

What is the neck profile like? I might consider getting one of these, but I gotta know the neck profile first.

Where can I buy them in Europe?Spain.

I really like the current headstock shape. Just my opinion. Why do you think these are so cheap and can you CONSISTENTLY get a good product from them?

I guess I need one more guitar😁

I just looked a day after you posted this video and there are only 2 options. I also like the one you liked but didnt get. Too much relic'd is not to my liking. Amazing deals! Thanks for sharing!

Great looking and sounding guitar, unfortunately Firefly guitars are not available to us non USA residents as Guitar Garden only ship within the USA.

I just received the single coil version of this exact guitar and she is incredible. 176 bucks delivered, no tax online. I can't stop playing the guitar and with the playability and even the stock pickups along with the beautiful Relic job they did there is no way I could ever justify buying a ridiculous $5,000 Custom Shop fender

I don't see them available anywhere or through link

You sold one! Relic, ash body, rosewood board. I figure for the price, why not

It's a good job that in the 30 seconds worth of actual playing of the guitar you resisted the temptation bury the sound of the actual guitar in effects.

We live crazy times...

Followed the link nothing available??

Nice review and an impressive instrument. However, you broke them! As of 2/13/24 they only have one style of their FFST on the website. It sells at little higher price point, $170. However, considering the instrument comes with locking tuners, and a bone nut, this is still a good price. Their stock in other styles is not great either. They do seem to have a good selection of their Les Paul copies, the FFSP.

Can't even find it to buy, already. Too bad, that would have been a fun one.

I can't find these guitars.

Actually just noticed that the relic style you bought has been switched from an HSS to an SSS. The HSS configuration is now on the other white relic model for $189.91. A little twilight zonesque, perhaps? Hmm...🤔🤭

This is Nice Thank You for this Video 😎🤘👍 can you please help me where to buy this kind of model of Firefly Relic Strat .. Thank's Bro 🤝

Similar to the Jet Strats , I have no idea how they are making a profit ? as the big trem block is like £50 alone here in the UK where i live , then to roast the maple neck is an extra process then to do relic job is another few hours time and stainless steel frets and locking tuners , They must be losing money on these surely?

is it all sold out?

Great vid. Just subbed. Sell me that guitar. Lol. 😂🎉

Muy buen precio , nada más necesita una buena lijada y pintada y va a quedar magnífica! Te la compro en $100.00 pesos gabachos, yo la pinto y la arreglo y te ago un video para que veas cómo va a quedar de suave!

The headstock is almost identical to a John Page Ashburn 😉

Hello Mark, I wanna ask you how can this be possible? I guess you know the brand Harley Benton by Thomann in Germany (I only live about 60 km from the Thomann music store). And almost everybody I know was very stunned, wenn you look on the Harley Benton guitars when it comes to builting quality, the sound and price of this guitar by that little money you have to pay. But when I look at the firefly guitar that you have shown in your video I'm so mindblowing! For 149 $ that is so incredible. Locking Tuners, Stainless steel frets, realistic Heavy Relic, Access heel joint, Roasted marple neck, the cool finish white over sunburst like from the Fender Custom Shop, etc.). How ist that possible to sell a guitar like that for that little money? What is your personal think? With lovely greetigs from Germany Matthias

Holy SHIT thank you for making this, this is exactly what i've been looking for. China numbah ONE !!! ☝ 😎

Paul Reed Smith out of Indonesia, comes out of the same court factory, as court, classic vibes by squire and my classic vibe had the worst fret a job

And now....out-of-stock on nearly every model. Whew! That big trem block is like the 70's Ibanez Silver Series strat copies

That’s a better relic job than fender does on $4K custom shop models.

是的，现在很多中国工厂都有足够的能力做好的吉他。由于市场上g和f的知名度最高，所以不得不用模仿的方式吸引大家的注意，后期很多中国品牌会陆续登场。

Just bought the 1800 dallor sparrowhawk ltd in vintage sunburst and there was so many qc issues. 😢 i love the look but the guitar arrived unplayable.

I paid 300 just for a neck from Warmoth,wow has the game changed.

This is why there's a guitar in the background of every YT video regardless of the topic. I'd be willing to bet that half of those people can't even play guitar.

That body wood looks a LOT more like Mahogany (probably Nyatoh) than it does Ash.

Would love to see the mod to the headstock

Yep..i got the Jet js 300 a couple of months back and its almost the same thing...gorgeous roasted maple neck,bone nut, full big block but no SS frets( i installed them myself later) or spoke wheel truss rod or locking tuners and it was a tad more expensive too...still for someone who wants ridiculous value and knows how to do guitar work and setting up an instrument i consider it a crime to pay hundreds for the fenders of the world that are way pricier with more inferior base.... What i dont agree is that china ll get designers and presents us with super high quality new design guitars..not that they cant do it...they can do it right now but cause they arent japan and will never gonna be like that.....their objective is screaming deals at the lowest prices possible to flood and dominate the marker and that excuses them from any real quality control or enter the boutique guitar building world.... Iam willing to get 5( or more) of those firefly(or similar) guitars in different colours for example and mod them with with slightly different specs or aftermarket parts but i would never get one high quality relatively expensive guitar from china and i think most people would agree....