NGD: Gibson Firebird 2019 update + pics

TINMAN82

Took the plunge and have ordered online in sunburst. It’s the transitional 2019 one which can be had for a few hundred quid less than the re-released one.

As far as I can tell the only spec difference between the two is cream binding and potentially slightly higher frets on the newer, Gibson Originals one.

I know the new headstock and tuners divides opinion. Being honest I possibly prefer the look of the older one too but I can see why the design had to change to accommodate the regular style Grover tuners. Hopefully they’ll work as well.

Plan is to consider 11s and have the action just high enough for slide, JW style!

pics to follow...

tony99

Well I'd like to say which look I'd prefer but I can't thanks to "no pics"

seriously people?

TINMAN82

tony99 said:

Well I'd like to say which look I'd prefer but I can't thanks to "no pics"

seriously people?

Afraid it’s incoming rather than in
the door. Possibly jumped the gun, I guess interested to hear any opinions on the current firebirds.

Kittyfrisk

TINMAN82 said:

tony99 said:

Well I'd like to say which look I'd prefer but I can't thanks to "no pics"

seriously people?

Afraid it’s incoming rather than in
the door. Possibly jumped the gun, I guess interested to hear any opinions on the current firebirds.

You made that perfectly clear in your post title.
By the way, is it with mini humbuckers or full sized?
Please say mini  

rivercider

TINMAN82 said:

Took the plunge and have ordered online in sunburst. It’s the transitional 2019 one which can be had for a few hundred quid less than the re-released one.

As far as I can tell the only spec difference between the two is cream binding and potentially slightly higher frets on the newer, Gibson Originals one.

I know the new headstock and tuners divides opinion. Being honest I possibly prefer the look of the older one too but I can see why the design had to change to accommodate the regular style Grover tuners. Hopefully they’ll work as well.

Plan is to consider 11s and have the action just high enough for slide, JW style!

pics to follow...

Is this the same one Richtone are showing at 1199? Was tempted, myself....

Henrytwang

Mini Humbuckers I hope.

TINMAN82

rivercider said:

TINMAN82 said:

Took the plunge and have ordered online in sunburst. It’s the transitional 2019 one which can be had for a few hundred quid less than the re-released one.

As far as I can tell the only spec difference between the two is cream binding and potentially slightly higher frets on the newer, Gibson Originals one.

I know the new headstock and tuners divides opinion. Being honest I possibly prefer the look of the older one too but I can see why the design had to change to accommodate the regular style Grover tuners. Hopefully they’ll work as well.

Plan is to consider 11s and have the action just high enough for slide, JW style!

pics to follow...

Is this the same one Richtone are showing at 1199? Was tempted, myself....

I used that as a price match

TINMAN82

Henrytwang said:

Mini Humbuckers I hope.

Yeah it’s the standard with Firebird Mini Humbuckers. Will keep an open mind about them. Plenty of choice for 3rd party vintage style pickups if needed, but hopefully not.

TINMAN82

Arrived today:

https://imgur.com/gallery/DpxEwk8

Will spare the gushing honeymoon period description.

Fit and finish spot on save for some minor file marks on the binding.

Nice weight, doesn’t neck dive on the strap, sounds good. Still tinkering with the tones, different from my strat/LP/tele.

Its very much mine now that I’ve changed the strings (10s instead of factory 9s) and dinged the headstock with a string winder in the process! Those mini Grover pegs are much closer to the nitro than I’m used to. A guitar with a weird shape like this is gonna pick up dings so hey ho.

Will be a great alternative guitar and the aim is to raise the action and learn slide on it- I wanted to make sure it would set up as I like it without issues first.

Now to tell the wife...

TINMAN82

Ps if there’s an easy way to embed from imgur in the post let me know! 

rivercider

And if there's an easy way to tell the wife.......please tell us all.
HNGD

Teyeplayer

Great guitars, I even quite like the pickups. Enjoy! 

Fuengi

Such great looking guitars, nice score and worth a night or two in the spare room. 

gringopig

.

Kittyfrisk

'Now to tell the wife...'

Tell her ....how beautiful she looks when the warm reflections from the guitar shine on her.
You bought it as it reminds you of the exact shade of her eyes/hair.
It's a surprise birthday/anniversary gift for her.
I've been a very naughty boy & I'll do anything (anything) to make it up to you.
The devil made me do it!
A big lad did it then ran away...

gringopig

.

NelsonP

"I'm just looking after it for a friend"

TINMAN82

Fuengi said:

Such great looking guitars, nice score and worth a night or two in the spare room. 

I like the vintage vibe they give off. Neck is slimmer than my preference but adds some contrast to the collection. Feels very slinky even with 10s, in fact 11s might suit it. Body shape and the "position" of the neck in space takes some getting used to but that's ok. With the hardcase for £1199 seems a reasonable deal. 

gringopig said:

Excellent work, thanks! How do I perform this magical feat in future?

skullfunkerry

I think Firebirds are *gorgeous* guitars, congrats!

gringopig

.