Jack Fossett: What do you think of the custom shop firebird V 1964 reissue compared to its gibson usa equivalent? Is the price of the custom shop worth it?
Dear Mr Fossett, President Gibson Firebird Appreciation Organization. I don't have a spotify subscription. Is there any other platform where your music is available? I'm guessing you earn money or some benefit from people listening to your music on spotify and I'm sorry I can't contribute to it. Maybe you have a patreon thing? I'll look:) Michael Boyer Vice President, Gibson Firebird Appreciation Organization
I've always played Fender guitars, I just don't connect with the necks on LPs and SGs. However, Firebird is the best of both worlds. The neck is my dream neck - the sounds are incredible and the darn thing looks cool as any guitar has a right to look.
Same goes for their Thunderbirds. I’ve only had two of the Gibson’s, a ‘64 and a ‘76. Insane tone and rumble sound, the type that gives you goosebumps. Look up Tom Petersson’s T-bird. It’s a similar sound.
Allen Collins of Lynyrd Skynyrd was a fantastic guitarist who used a Firebird, which is why I bought one. I absolutely love it. While the mini-humbuckers might have lower gain than some other hotter pickups, they absolutely scream playing classic rock. The tone controls are very good at dialing in all kinds of tones from clean and clear to rock and roll. I've played it side by side with my LP's, and it definitely holds its own, and doesn't weigh half as much. Comfortable neck too.
I bought a Firebird V just because it looked cool, played it for a couple of weeks and ended up hating it. It was in its case unplayed for 19 years until I saw the case and couldn't remember what it was so took it out and played it again. Went for an audition with a band a few weeks later with the Firebird and since then never played anything else. I now have 5 Firebirds...super guitar and they definitely grow on you. In my case it took a very long time :-)
@@mikeraz594 I'm hardly a Strat guy myself, though the pickups can be improved for bass if you stick those metal base plates on the bottom of the pickups. This doesn't alter the tone much, but they don't feel so much like a tin shed after that mod.
Again Skynard gets overlooked. That 3 guitar attack with the strat,a firebird and a les Paul was magical. The architects of "southern rock" in my opinion.
I been a Les Paul player most of my life. Recently the Firebird took over the number one slot. The Steinberg tuners are amazing accurate and easy to use. I hated the stock pickups and replaced them with some handwound 63 era pups. They are great in the fact that I can have a fuller version of a strat mixed with more clarity than my Les Paul. The access on the neck is really nice!
I bought an Epiphone "inspired by Gibson" Olive Drab Firebird a couple years ago. I really love mine. It sounds like it's own thing. Those Firebird pickups are unique and I love the body shape and the way feels when playing it.
By far the best tutorial video on RU-vid detailing the Firebird perfectly! I absolutely love my Firebird it is a blues machine! Thanks a lot Jack well done
@@JackFossett but I must admit it did take some getting used to! After one month of playing my Firebird everyday I picked up my Strat and my Telly and they felt like toy guitars! I guess the firebird should come with Parental Guidance because it's definitely a big boy toy! 😆I put a set of Johnny Winters Mojo pickups in my Firebird they are incredible!
Best guitar I've ever owned. My playing and technique skyrocketed after using one live for the first time. I'd gone through a strat, SG, tele, vintage LP and even a sheraton - and this blew them all away.
I was told by a friend years back that I should play a Firebird because there isn’t a modern guitar slinger who’s using one. I started using one and loaded it with 90’s & have one being built for me that’s going to be crazy special. Actually a few crazy special Firebird guitars. The problem with them is that they don’t get enough love. They have an amazing sonic delivery that other guitars don’t have & they look so damn cool!
Bro, you remind me of one of my best friends from high-school! Great channel and awesome video. I’ve had my Firebird since like 2016 and as much as I absolutely love it, I have yet to find a spot in my music for it because it’s so damn hot and crispy. I’m never getting rid of it but I gotta find a way to really understand it.
I had the privilege of trying one of these in my local guitar shop today. I thought it was simply fantastic. An incredibly playable neck, a deep, rich tone and 'endless' sustain, plus many other great features. An unusual shape experience, but I soon got used to it.
I was really wanting a firebird and your video helped me pull the trigger. Quickly has become my go to after years of being a strat guy. Don’t get me wrong, still love my strats, but like others have said, there is something magical and mystical about a firebird
I played an American Strat for years and recently bought a Firebird. It is hands down the best guitar I have ever played. Neck is thinner and faster than the Strat, all frets are easily accessible and the sound is just excellent. P.S I’ve also played a Gibson Les Paul and Epiphone ES and I still rate my Firebird as the best :D
Just bought a 2018 USA Firebird today because of this video. And I am IN love with it. So much fun to play and the setup and action is great. Low with no fretbuzz ❤️ Thanks for this video. Never selling mine ❤️🤩
Awesome! Love to hear when a video has brought someone to a new guitar that they love. Firebirds are superb guitars that will be your friend for a long long time. Happy playing 🎸
@@JackFossett By the way. I see that you have your strings wrapped around the stoptail bridge. And in pictures the string just simply pass through it. Is there any reason why you do it that way? Thanks for the reply :D
Its a Bonamassa trick - supposedly it decreases tension and slightly increases sustain. Honestly I just like the way it looks - kind of an ode to the original Gibson wraptail bridges. If there really are any differences, they're super subtle at best.
When I first got mine (bought out of "curiosity" after decades of playing strats, tele's, and SG's), I thought... "Mmmm...what's going on here?!" I couldn't work out where it "sat" at all. But slowly it dawned on me... Its THE sound of "Classic Rock"...but with a very "acoustically" clear edge. Each note it very defined. Now I love it. I'm not sure you would want to play a whole gig with one, but for CERTAIN songs....nothing else will do.
Bought my '76 firebird in '78 from Guitar Center in San Francisco. Cannot tell you how many times I told people "no its not for sale at any price". Some day it will be my sons. But for now it's mine.
I have a 2016 Firebird V on which I installed a vibrola, a 2017 SG Special with a Bigsby B7, and a Epiphone ES-339 Pro, I find them to be the perfect mix of guitars for any sound. I mostly play blues and classic rock.
4 years ago! My goodness. Just got my Epiphone last week. Having owned a '76 Bicentennial Gibson, this hutar simply blew me away! Epiphone has improved many aspecs, fixing neck dive with perfect, 18:1 kidney's. Very comfortable to play sitting down. You are correct. It is a metal monster. Rock monster, Free Bird, dude, lol. It is slim and 60's tv modelesque. Not really fancy, just absolutely beautiful, comfortable, and the pickups ar absolut fantastic guitar, a blem , which I cant find anywhere, for &549..00. All the Firebird Ill ever need. Proving that you are the best and coolest channel for 4 years now. 12:48
Thanks for your explanation - I totally agree that it is like a tele on steroids more than a strat. I have a heritage cherry firebird and absolutely love it. It is the perfect fit for me and I think it rides the line between Fender and Gibson tone and feel and is amazing for blues.
I'm so with you on the bridge pickup being the "front" pickup and the neck being the "back". It's so much more intuitive. Absolutely nothing about the bridge pickup suggests "back" to me either and its somehow even more wrong calling the neck pickup the "front'".
great video. i just got my 1st Firebird 6 mos ago. used 2015 mint. I didnt expect it but it has become my main guitar. great on classic rock songs . plug into a JCM2000 with good tubes in it and Smile!
When I see a firebird I either think of Brian Jones or Elliott Smith's second guitarist, during that live video where he had the green shirt with the massive sleeves lol
It definitely has something 'Tele' like about, but I would also add almost an acoustic like vibe too, a totally unique tone within my collection. It's the guitar I reach for first when I need a sound that I can't get from my Fenders or my other Gibsons. I've had mine for over ten years now. Classic white '09, the last year of the banjo tuners on the standard production models. I know they're ridiculous and some people have trouble with them but I love them. Mine are actually really stable now but it took a couple of years of constant attention early on. I love what you said about playing differently on different instruments. One of the things I enjoy about owning various different guitars is how they make me play differently, almost as if I'm not really in control of it. In addition to the different sonic qualities, I would add that they feel completely different and this affects the way you play too. A Firebird sits in your lap and hangs off your shoulders in a different position than a Les Paul or a Strat or an ES335, and it puts your hands in a different position. Nothing looks cooler either, I'll never get rid of mine.
Hey man, , you own three? - well even the greatest guitar players can only manage one at a time, , I’m thinking maybe you’re trying too hard, , , perhaps you should just keep to your favourite one, practice hard on that, and “loan me “ the other two , - you can thank me later!
Great video. Love my firebird. I have fiber saddles under the HE,B, and G strings that takes out the tele twang and leaves a more strat like high end. Now I have a great HB low end (not as hot as full size humbuckers) and a piercing but not overly shrill high end.
Good explanation of these somewhat quirky guitars. One thing you didn't mention that I hear a lot from other players - the ergonomics can be weird. Personally, my Firebird is very comfortable for me to play, but others have issues with "everything sitting forward towards the headstock". I find the sound to be really versatile. Amazing twang and bite but still gets fat with the tone rolled a bit. I've been playing mine with crunch and boosted crunch (early Sabbath-ish) and it sounds stellar. The brightness helps fight the compression of a saturated power amp.
Clapton used the Fbird on the Goodbye Cream album, which featured three brilliant live jams..I'm So Glad, Politician and Sitting On Top of the World...
@@JackFossett I guess he used the SG in the studio recording. His technique in those days squeezed the tone juice out of any guitar he played. I play LPs currently.. I think I would have trouble adjusting to the stretch to the lower frets. All the best and thanks for the reply.
My first electric was a new Firebird III I bought in '63 for about $280. It had the small Meastro trem. Nice to play and I loved the sound. Our highschool garage group played 50s and 60s hits and I especially liked the rhythm sound with both pickups on. It is very long and flat and a bit neck heavy; I used to joke it was like playing a door. A friend owns it now and it must be worth 20-30 times what I paid for it.
I tried out a Firebird the other day at Andertons. I was wowed by the clean tones both from the neck pickup on its' own, and from both pickups together. I was playing this through a Supro Delta King 12 Combo Amp - which is a great amp, one I thoroughly recommend. Needless to say, I am seriously considering getting one in the foreseeable future. *However, I do feel this is a guitar with pros and cons, as follows:* *PROS:* 1) THE TONE. The clean tones are full, rich, and sonorous. I am a fingerstyle guitarist who plays jazz and jazz-influenced music. I only ever use clean tones clean tones, and I cannot fault the clarity and richness of the sound from the lowest notes to the highest. 2) THE NECK. The neck was super-comfortable and seems to suit my playing style to a 'T.' 3) POWERFUL LOWER NOTES. The reverse headstock means that the 6th string is longer than normal (here I'm including both the speaking and non-speaking parts of the string) which helps to give a powerful tone for lower notes, because the string is under greater tension than on a conventional guitar. 4) LIGHT WEIGHT. The body weight is surprisingly light - nowhere NEAR as heavy as a Les Paul, or a Yamaha Revstar. *CONS:* 1) BODY SHAPE. The body has a very odd shape is large, and is somewht awkward to play when sitting down. This is not a deal-breaker for me, but it is a factor to be considered. 2) NECK-DIVE. The guitar suffers from 'neck dive.' *For me, this is of no relevance whatsoever, because I have a shoelace around the headstock just after the nut, tied onto my guitar strap.* But I realize that for many people this might be less than desirable. 3) IMAGE. The image of the Firebird is as an instrument used exclusively for heavy rock, with overdriven/distortion set to the max. And this is NOT what I play. In theory, I should be playing a 335 - however, I have tendonitis in my right shoulder, and the lower bout of a 335 is around 16 inches, which is simply too big for me. I realise that as a substitue for a 335 the Firebird might seem an insane choice - but for anyone who like me plays jazz, and fingerstyle guitar using clean tones, this guitar sings like few others.
Awesome video! Great playing btw! It's been my dream guitar for years. I'd love to get one someday. One thing I didn't like was that Gibson stopped using the banjo tuners on the standard line of Firebirds around 2009 I believe? You have to buy a custom shop Firebird to get it with the banjo tuners. I love the tone because I'm a Johnny Winter fan. Just an amazing sounding guitar especially when cranked through an old Marshall or Fender, but I totally agree with you, it's not meant to be a high gain guitar. I can't stand super hi gain anyway, I think so many players today use WAY too much gain. You lose all the clarity with too much gain. It also covers up bad playing. It's basically a crutch. Ok, I'm off my soapbox now lol. Time for me to find a used Firebird 3 or 5 with banjo tuners.
I totally agree. The steinbergers are pretty awful. I’ve casually looked into replacing them with banjo tuners but it seems pretty difficult if even possible
it's so nice to see a video like this on the firebird. I find it also to be the overlook guitar. You see a lot of reviews for the let's even say that he had 2019 lineup and it's like they mention the firebird nothing about the specs or anything sometimes a disparaging remark on the color of something and then just passed it by. The firebird has always been my favorite guitar from any brand. I think they sound like a Firebird I don't even compare it to anything else it's unique. And it was Johnny Winter that got me spyzie you know what when it comes to this guitar. I remember the album cover for still alive and well and he's got that katara right there next to him. I've seen him so many times playing that guitar and it was because I wanted. I own a Firebird v finally I love it it's beautiful it's unique got its own sounds. And you're right about that stuff bridge pickup it could be a little bit shop or whatever the time you want to use. Although I think some 2013 maybe they change the pick up to very high output pickups the pickups on my guitar are very high output and they are the dreaded word when it comes to pickups ceramic! The boogeyman ceramics. they sound great anyway I'm so glad to see this video I love Gibson Firebird I love Gibson. And it's nice to see people doing Gibson guitars that are a Les Paul. I also own an FJ love that also sick my next purchase will be the a hollow body or semi hollow-body maybe a 3:35 and then I think I'm done with the Gibson I really want. Thanks for your video I'd like to end this this please excuse any typos misspelled words that's not lie lack of punctuation I'm not illiterate I'm not even at that cipher I'm just legally blind mr. Magoo was like super eyes compared to me and I use speech to text and it also has a mind of its
Jack -- just after watching your videos I noticed a bunch of videos showing the new Epiphone Firebird and I loved the look of it... I jumped on it and got one --- I have a new favorite guitar! The tones are awesome and the neck... the best neck ever! thanks again
great channel. keep up the good work. I got my Firebird about 4 years ago. The Steinberger tuners rule. Recent Firebirds have different tuners and no large black placard on the headstock. They are still cool. rock on and be safe my brother.
Ahhhh yeah, now THAT'S the classic sound of the good old US of A right there as far as I'm concerned! This is one electric guitar that truly speaks to me on a deeper level (Fender Blacktop Baritone Telecaster, Rickenbacker 330, and the Gretsch Falcon all get honorable mentions in that category as well). Would love to see Derek Trucks rock out on a Firebird for a change, especially with a slide...
Okay, as a diehard Fender guy, I went to a local shop and played this guitar today and absolutely loved the sound! I do have to say if you only play Fender, try it out first because the neck past the 10th fret is A LOT different. I'd say it's like combining a Telecaster, a Telecaster Deluxe, and a Stratocaster in one. That sound in an elite stile Fender neck would be a do-it-all guitar.
Jack -- Thank you for this video. I have fought with myself over the Firebird because it is one awesome design but I didn't know where it fit in guitar world. Looks like a sure winner to me....
It definitely is a winner in my book. I would both love to see more Firebirds around and love to not, so that I can keep feeling like I have a unique perspective 😃
When I saw Cream in Denver on October 6th, 1968, I remember being surprised that Clapton was playing a Firebird rather than his custom painted SG, "The Fool!"
Thats awesome! I've seen Clapton but never Cream. I first heard it on Cream Live (Vol II I think) where they play White Room and I had no idea what he was playing. I actually pictured a Telecaster in my mind.
@@JackFossett When he was briefly in Cream, I think he was mainly into Gibsons. In fact, with the help of Jim Marshall's amps that you could push into overdrive, and the volume knobs, as a joke, went up to "11", Clapton pioneered that "Bluesbreakers" tone. He didn't love Fender Strats until later. Of course, one of my other favorite bluesmen, Johnny Winter, could often be seen with a Firebird!
@@JackFossett If you relisten to Live Cream vol 2..Steppin Out and Sunshine in particular, it will be obvious to you that he's using the SG. You're thinking of the 3 live tracks on Goodbye Cream.. Firebird sounding awesome. All the best..
The firebird is a cool guitar! I want one but have never pulled the trigger on one just yet. I agree with a lot of the classic players who have used them like Johnny Winter and Albert Collins Etc but also check out Scott Holiday of Rival Sons. He uses a couple of different ones and is a a big fan of them. I cannot help but to be further impressed with all the positive comments the firebird has gotten. I've always thought it was a cool looking guitar I like how it had its own specific pickups. Also the neck through Construction and cool looking headstock with those banjo style tuners are also big pluses for me. The only question is classic white or the traditional sunburst??
I played the newest Epiphone version and it sounded great but the balance of the guitar is weird -it’s as though all the weight is in the neck and sitting with it the guitar wants to head south going neck first ! Guy in the store agreed and said the Gibson is exactly the same . Years ago I played a vintage Firebird through a Fender Super Twin and it’s been a holy grail sound for me but was out of my price range ... then and now !!
I think my very unpopular opinion is that the Firebird is a guitar that many people play more so because it looks very cool and less because they enjoy its tone. Firebirds have always had trouble distinguishing themselves tonally in the world of guitars. Like you said, they're kind of like Tele's on steroids. But not many necessarily want or need tele tones like that. Most people are fine with either using single coils or humbucker tones. P90s have always kind of filled that space that mini humbuckers are supposed to in terms of being a middle ground between humbuckers and single coils. While I'm sure most people do actually enjoy the tones of firebirds, I still a lot of people appreciate the looks of a firebird much more than it's tone. I still love the firebird, but more so for its looks. It's kind of like what you said with Eric Clapton's use of a firebird live. Clapton tried to use Firebirds for the purpose of playing a high gain performance and it just didn't work out.
I wouldn't disagree that the looks are a big part of it. I do think the tone is cool and unique though. Maybe doesn't fill a need so much as is a nice option to have. But it also depends on how they're played, which is part of why I shot this. I do see alot of people, lets say "misusing" Firebirds, if there is such an admittedly judgmental way to look at it.
FIREBIRD PICKUPS ARE NOT MINI HUMBUCKERS. A mini humbucker has a dark, less powerful sound because they're like a squished humbucker - one bobbin has 6 steel rods, one for each string, and the top bobbin has 6 steel screws. The magnet is *underneath* the coil. A firebird pickup is the same size as a mini humbucker, but they are _totally_ different. A Firebird has a Alnico 2 bar magnet at the center of *both* bobbins, so the sound is clearer and more powerful, and no pole pieces or magnets under the bobbins. I LOVE the way they sound.
I'd like to leave another comment. I think it was again in 2013 Johnny went they needed his pickups we wound and he took him to mojo electronics. They found his pickups to his specifications Johnny like them so much that he eventually went back and have them do a signature pickups for him so mojo sells those pickups they still sell them the Johnny Winter pickups for the Firebirds and they're actually really reasonable very reasonable sore and I was thinking of maybe trying those just for a different sound anyway so I thought that might be interesting to some people who love Johnny Winter and like his sound
Hi Jack, I own a FBI, JB,VSB. I allway’s loved the bluesy sound of an FB. And the shape is so cool! It has to bee the most beautifull guitar that’s ever made. Loved your video and your info.
Does it count if your (I mean my) Firebird has full sized humbuckers and normal tuners? Have the Studio HP version. Go figure I have the SG Special version with mini humbuckers. 🤔
I’ve had mine for a few months and I’m still a little on the fence with it. There is a certain stiffness with it when it comes to bending the strings. I’m much more likely to just pick up my LP standard. I am going to try some 9s on it and maybe swap the bridge pickup before I let it go though. The necks on these are very wide and flat but one interesting thing about these is it gives you extra access to the lower strings above the 12th fret.
Im in love with my Firebird. I’ve always been a Les Paul guy. Currently have 4. And a couple of SGs. I hear they are also Les Pauls? I’d been vaguely aware that the Firebird existed, and then 10ish years ago I saw Tim Bluhm playing a Firebird with his band, the Mother Hips, in Springdale, Utah, instead of the vintage ES-335 that he ALWAYS plays. Totally put the Firebird on my radar. Then late last year, my daughter Olive, a longtime guitar player, expressed interest in owning a bass guitar. Did a bit of internet research and came across a great article that described several good value bass guitars. I was struck by the Epiphone Thunderbird bass, essentially the bass version of the Firebird. I sent her the article and she replied, “That Thunderbird looks cool”. Deal done, it was her Christmas gift. And then, of course, I’m obsessed with Firebirds, cause that’s just how I am. And now I own this thing of beauty: Ah, shit. I can’t figure out how to put a picture into a comment on a RU-vid video. Anyway, its a beautiful Firebird. 🤷♂️
Gibson Firebirds are perhaps the most underrated and one of the best guitars ever created. They were originally designed to compete with Fenders, most likely, the Jazzmaster, and the originals have a very bell-like pickup tone, but with more bottom end than a Fender. When you strap on one of these, you KNOW you are attached to a real guitar. I had an early III, which I was forced to sell and have always regretted losing.
Years later now, but Epiphone knocked it out of the park with their new version of the original Firebird, which is close to original spec - especially pickups!! I already have Lollar Firebird pickups in a Shijie TLV classic P-90 (great P-90 pickups, but I have another one already). I have Firebird pickups in humbucking sized mounts for a Gibson LP Special (I have another one with humbuckers, SDpickups version - Dave is a crazy genius!). Since I obviously love Firebird pickups, after reading all the rave reviews I decided to buy one new $649USD shipped. Sweetwater keeps running-out as fast as they get them, so I went to ZZounds again, they have a warehouse in Nevada which ships to me in Portland within a couple days, already got an Epi Flying V and Explorer from them, $599USD each shipped?! This year they have the inspired by Gibson versions with hsc and burstbucker pickups, but they cost twice as much. I see people flipping these on Reverb for almost $1K now, they are that good, mine weigh 6lbs 6oz (one oz more on X), are very resonant, mostly two piece korina body and one piece korina neck, solid hardware and electronics, 1958 spec including medium frets (I like them this time) that have enough meat for bending. But I digress...? Thanks Jack, you'll likely never see this, but you helped me decide I had to get a Firebird, and these new Epiphone versions are spec-on, getting rave reviews, people keep saying they are better than the Gibson versions they used to have.......................cheers bro!
“Where does the Firebird sit in the sonic spectrum?” - at the top , , , , Where does the Firebird sit in the looks department?~ at the top , , , , Where in your list of “cool” do you place the Firebird? - at the top , , , , I could go on and on and on and on , , , I SOOOO WANT THAT GUITAR.
Love mine, but I think Gibson is making a big mistake not offering these with more vintage sounding pickups stock. That, and bringing back the gold knobs instead of the black. I see you have corrected both of these oversights, and so do most Firebird players. Gibson could have a truly different guitar in its fleet with a Firebird that has that tele on steroids sound. Instead, the stock pickups are muddy and too hot. I swapped the stock for Mojotone Johnny Winters and I have never looked back. Such a fun guitar to play.
I totally agree with you. I also think they need to go back to the banjo tuners. In the early 2000s they did this and it was a better guitar, at least stock.
I was thinking about getting a SG for my next guitar purchase but after hearing the firebird i am definitely reconsidering. So far i have LP, Tele and Strat.
Alexander Declercq Firebird definitely gives you a different tone. I’ll never persuade anyone to not get an SG, but realistically SGs and Les Pauls are very close in tone
H Jack, Thanx for the vid- we r on the same page- Dark Cherry 2007 Firebird with SD Antiquitys- it was a Maserati, now an F! Ferrari- sadly not using it in the rockabilly/ rock n roll show here in Brisbane- the Rickenbacker 360 does the job- the Moonbeams sound delicious- you r right- I found the Bird a cross between a Tele and a Gibson Standard. Maybe will give it a run at a gig- certainly has hot rod style!! Have owned an Explorer, Standard, Special- none come close to this Firebird. Vale Johnny Winter
I find it amazing that the SG is more popular than this guitar. The firebird is stunningly gorgeous especially when it's got the banjo tuners and straight string pull. The headstock design is so cool. Then you look at the SG, it's like a little toy guitar. The only thing I can think of is the guitar is shifted to the left...for a righty. When you play one, both of your hands are shifted to the left. But slightly. And you get used to it fast. All I know is in buying one! Gonna bite the bullet and use it love of the firebird to by my first Gibson guitar!
I'm buying a 17 Gibson Firebird T Pelham blue I just bought a 17 Fender USA Eric Johnson signature stratocaster I miss my Telecaster and I love the look of the firebird and the way it plays I'm 5ft8 and yeah its a big guitar but it's a nice guitar to play awesome tone
i'm getting one next week. Recently got into Johnny WInter, that tone is so unique. Jack, do you think that bridge P/U necessarily needs swapped out, or can you just roll the treble back like on a Tele? Honestly i roll the treble pickup tone control back to 4-6 on any guitar, Les Paul or SG. And what amp do you think pairs well with one? I have a Marshall Origin and a Fender Tweed Deluxe. Thanks for your vid, good stuff.
Thanks! So I swap out most pickups, not necessarily because the stock ones are "bad" but because these smaller company ones are so much better. As far as amps, I think Firebirds pair best with Fenders although I've been pleasantly surprised with how they sound into Vox amps too. I've never really cared for birds into Marshalls - too much of that strident edgy upper midrange.
Unlike modern Les Pauls SG's the Firebirds construction is exactly as it was since 1963, you don't need a custom shop model, all u may wanna change p/ups hardware etc etc the woods & construction are the same.. yet to achieve a real 50s les paul tone u need the long neck tennon which means a Custom shop model.. Firebirds are fantastic value considering..
Cool! You wont be disappointed - not sure if they have them on the website yet, but if not they're available if you email them. The ceramic pickups that have come stock in them for a while have been subpar, but the guitars themselves are really great.
I dropped a pair of Lollar Firebird pickups on a Chinese made Epiphone Crestline.. it completely changed an ok guitar into a real keeper. It’s a drop in mod. There is something special about the sound they reproduce.
Shelled out $7,000 for my Gibson Custom Shop1965 Firebird VII Reissue in classic "Pelham Blue" (my avatar pic) and never looked back. When you hear that epic vintage tone, you never think about the price. It was worth every penny and every guitar that leaves the master luthiers at the Gibson Custom Shop is made with love and the knowledge of generations.... A lot of demos I see of it are always blues and I love Johnny Winter and the others. But let me just say, I love the epic 70s / 80s classic rock and it sounds AMAZING on those kinds of high-gain / distortion tracks. This guitar single-handedly turned me onto rhythm guitar playing and how sweet it is! Like the muscle-car of the guitar world \m/ \m/
My cousin here in finland was a world class professional player and he wanted to have original firebird but it was impossible because of the resale value of the vintage firebird was uncertain. So he had pre-cbs strat as his main guitar.
Hi Jack, I don't use any social media so I hope you get this. Played an Epiphone Slash version Firebird and absolutely loved it! I have a small collection of bargain, shall we say, guitars. I really am not a good enough player and certainly don't have a good enough ear to be able to distinguish between a $5000 instrument and a $100 instrument..some day I will! Instead of dropping $800 on that, I bought the kit for $160 and will be building my Firebird! I love working on guitars almost as much as playing them, but I'm much better at working on them than playing them. I'll be able to get exactly what I want like the banjo tuners, which the Slash guitar had. My goodness they work so well..you can tune down from above or up from below with perfect resolution with those tuners. I'll be able to choose the pickguard, and the headstock style where the finish matches the body. It arrives October 1st and I'll be making a build video, will post when build is done. Thank you for your dedication to the Firebird, you helped light my Firebird fire! You're ahead of the curve in terms of your appreciation of that instrument. I did find the whole playing experience shifted to the left a bit, but I love the looks of that guitar so much I'm sure I'll get used to it just fine. Thanks again! Big Fan Mike Almost forgot to ask you something. I never really need two tone controls so I want to use a momentary push switch as a kill switch and put it in one of the tone control locations, with a tone knob on it. So you'll never know it's a kill switch! Thoughts?
Thats an interesting idea regarding the kill switch - I only have a basic knowledge when it comes to guitar wiring so I don't know if I can impart any good wisdom on that, but if its something you can use, definitely try it out. Worst case scenario is you don't care for it and then can change it back after.
Nice review of the firebird I have one it's a keeper for sure but what kind of strings do you use I have a set of 11-50 vintage reissue waiting to put them on??
I've actually not had a problem with this one being neck heavy, due to the Steinberger tuners I believe. Much lighter than the original banjo style tuners.
