Talk me out of buying a firebird

impmann

Those Slash examples answers the OP's original thread title - there you go *two* good reasons not to buy one. You could end up looking a cnut with one of these. Vile.

However, a non-reverse FB with P90s and a Maestro is a thing of beauty and a joy to behold - if you don't mind half a coffee table strapped around your neck.

OilCityPickups

The problem Firebirds have had over the years is they don't sound like they look. Anyone who has played a 60s original will tell you they have a chewy, spanky sort of Telecaster on steroids sort of tone. The look of the guitar has prompted loads of rockers and metal players to take a punt ... only to be disappointed. These ain't metal guitars ... if anything they are more country and blues.  The Slash guitars are an attempt to make the body shape available to those who want a traditional humbucker tone.. as were several of the reissues and Epi offerings. They aren't and weren't Firebirds ... they are and were firebird shaped ... but sound like traditional Explorers or Flying Vs or whatever.

ICBM

Presumably that's why they fit all the modern Thunderbirds with that horrible black hardware too...

OilCityPickups

ICBM said:

Presumably that's why they fit all the modern Thunderbirds with that horrible black hardware too...

That's gross isn't it?

Exorcist

TheGuitarWeasel said:

The problem Firebirds have had over the years is they don't sound like they look. Anyone who has played a 60s original will tell you they have a chewy, spanky sort of Telecaster on steroids sort of tone. The look of the guitar has prompted loads of rockers and metal players to take a punt ... only to be disappointed. These ain't metal guitars ... if anything they are more country and blues.  The Slash guitars are an attempt to make the body shape available to those who want a traditional humbucker tone.. as were several of the reissues and Epi offerings. They aren't and weren't Firebirds ... they are and were firebird shaped ... but sound like traditional Explorers or Flying Vs or whatever.

This - seriously though, the Klein pickups turned mine back into a glorious 'chewy spanky - tele on steroids' Firebird. I would definately recommend.

OilCityPickups

Exorcist said:

TheGuitarWeasel said:

The problem Firebirds have had over the years is they don't sound like they look. Anyone who has played a 60s original will tell you they have a chewy, spanky sort of Telecaster on steroids sort of tone. The look of the guitar has prompted loads of rockers and metal players to take a punt ... only to be disappointed. These ain't metal guitars ... if anything they are more country and blues.  The Slash guitars are an attempt to make the body shape available to those who want a traditional humbucker tone.. as were several of the reissues and Epi offerings. They aren't and weren't Firebirds ... they are and were firebird shaped ... but sound like traditional Explorers or Flying Vs or whatever.

This - seriously though, the Klein pickups turned mine back into a glorious 'chewy spanky - tele on steroids' Firebird. I would definately recommend.

There are a few makers, mostly small ones doing 'proper' firebird pickups ... sad that Gibson themselves won't even try. 

grungebob

That's How I remember mine, able to sound very glassy when needed but gave a thump with Fuzz. The flatwounds probably helped some too. 

Funkfingers

TheGuitarWeasel said:

The Slash guitars are ... firebird shaped but sound like traditional Explorers or Flying Vs or whatever.

Okay. Can we turn this point around for a moment, please?

Is there a way to get arrive at a guitar that sounds like a first series Firebird but does not look like one? i.e. Something to assist the short of stature and/or reach. 

OilCityPickups

Funkfingers said:

TheGuitarWeasel said:

The Slash guitars are ... firebird shaped but sound like traditional Explorers or Flying Vs or whatever.

Okay. Can we turn this point around for a moment, please?

Is there a way to get arrive at a guitar that sounds like a first series Firebird but does not look like one? i.e. Something to assist the short of stature and/or reach. 

There certainly is but I won't comment on this as it pertains to one of my own products. google: firebird pickups in a humbucker size

paulnb57

Somehow I was drawn to these....

http://www.oilcitypickups.co.uk/firebirdmini.html

BigLicks67

You could get a Non Reverse Firebird.

grungebob

BigLicks67 said:

You could get a Non Reverse Firebird.

I could also cut my penis off ,neither sound appealing 

OilCityPickups

grungebob said:

BigLicks67 said:

You could get a Non Reverse Firebird.

I could also cut my penis off ,neither sound appealing 

Non reverse Firebirds are, for me, one of the ugliest and most cumbersome designs Gibson have come up with ... all the size issues of a 'reverse' with none of the grace of the original.

olafgarten

I don't know anyone with a Firebird, but there is a person I know who owns a Thunderbird and he is almost 7ft!

Lozboy

Anyone mentioned that huge bloody case yet?

OilCityPickups

Lozboy said:

Anyone mentioned that huge bloody case yet?

I treat them not as a large case, but more as a spare guest room :-) 
Clearly designed for the 'trunk' of some huge, gas guzzling 60s 'yank tank' rather than the back of a Ford Focus. 

Skipped

Custom Shop Firebird 1 would be tempting. If you bought one, and didn't like it, you would have 50 people wanting to buy it. Right here. Everybody wants a Firebird 1. Look - everybody is nodding.

The blue one at Wildwood weighs 7.54 lbs and the er.....pink one weighs 7.61 lbs. I am sure I have read that these are not neck heavy.......
What is not to like?
(They don't sound great. Could we get Greg a diferent amp please??)

https://wildwoodguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/150233_lg3.jpg

https://wildwoodguitars.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/160113_lg3.jpg

WezV

Thunder birds are stupidly neck heavy, firebirds can be okay.  The banjo tuners, large headstock and long neck don't help matters, but a firebird with steinberger tuners will usually balance reasonably well.

OilCityPickups

If anyone wants a set of Steinberger tuners ... I have a set in my spares box that have been on a guitar, but only used a half dozen times ... was thinking of sticking them in the classifieds.

WezV

Do they have a round locking nut on top or a T-shaped one?




the round ones can be a little problematic as the high E can jam in the slot.   They still work okay if you are careful when locking the string in place.