1980 gibson SG standard Firebrand
- Thread starter EmiAba
- Start date
BTMN
LifeIsGoodologist
Re: 1980 gibson SG standard Firebrand
Walnut body and neck with an ebony board. Year before the guitar was called "The SG". The headstock logos changed and it became Firebrand SG IIRC. Basic guitar but if all original should be good to play and should sound great. I have it's cousin "The Paul". That guitar is very warm sounding and gets great classic LP type guitar tones when playing Classic Rock. In the hands of others I have heard good Jazz and Country tones as well.
Walnut body and neck with an ebony board. Year before the guitar was called "The SG". The headstock logos changed and it became Firebrand SG IIRC. Basic guitar but if all original should be good to play and should sound great. I have it's cousin "The Paul". That guitar is very warm sounding and gets great classic LP type guitar tones when playing Classic Rock. In the hands of others I have heard good Jazz and Country tones as well.
Last edited:
Re: 1980 gibson SG standard Firebrand
I remember when the ads came out in Guitar Player. They looked like awesome guitars. Never played one, but was very interested, too. Sort of cut-down, rustic versions of LPs, a solidbody 335 and SG. Gibson is branded on the headstock.
I remember when the ads came out in Guitar Player. They looked like awesome guitars. Never played one, but was very interested, too. Sort of cut-down, rustic versions of LPs, a solidbody 335 and SG. Gibson is branded on the headstock.
EmiAba
Active member
Re: 1980 gibson SG standard Firebrand
Thank you. A store not so far from my home has a second hand one. All stock except the bridge pickup. The former owner replaced it with a 59b (but the original pickup comes included). It is in a really good shape. But don 't know if 1400 euros are the right price...
Thank you. A store not so far from my home has a second hand one. All stock except the bridge pickup. The former owner replaced it with a 59b (but the original pickup comes included). It is in a really good shape. But don 't know if 1400 euros are the right price...
BTMN
LifeIsGoodologist
Re: 1980 gibson SG standard Firebrand
2 are on Evilbay at about $1200 USD.
More money on Reverb.com https://reverb.com/marketplace?query=SG+Firebrand
2 are on Evilbay at about $1200 USD.
More money on Reverb.com https://reverb.com/marketplace?query=SG+Firebrand
czarokrates
New member
Re: 1980 gibson SG standard Firebrand
I have experience with two of them. You really need to check them in person before buying. Why ? Walnut seems to be very sensitive to wheather and storing conditions.
One of them had that Angus's sound, the other one was totally muddy.
I have experience with two of them. You really need to check them in person before buying. Why ? Walnut seems to be very sensitive to wheather and storing conditions.
One of them had that Angus's sound, the other one was totally muddy.
Condemnedsoul
Active member
Re: 1980 gibson SG standard Firebrand
Have had mine since 1989 and I paid $400.00 for it at a music store in Washington state. As already stated, play it first. It is an awesome guitar and while it has a SG shape, it is like a long lost brother, similar and familiar, and just a little different.
My stable has four SG's - three are SG Standards and the SG Firebrand. The Firebrand neck is a fraction of an inch fatter than the SG necks. It is unbound and has an ebony fingerboard. The neck is fast and smooth and helps make this a very comfortable guitar to play. Both plugged in and acoustic, the Firebrand seems to have less mids than the Standards.
And the original pickups - just didn't like their tone. She has had a more than a couple of pickup changes and I have no idea where the original pickups are [ maybe I stuck 'em in another guitar that I was selling]. Some years back, I finally settled on the Jazz neck and a 59/Custom combination and both pickups are amazing in this guitar.
This guitar has been with me from Washington state to Wisconsin to Lansing Michigan to the deep South. Other than a couple of neck adjustments over the years and a fret dressing, the only other work it needed was having the jack tightened a couple of times.
The Firebrand is worth a try. And realize that I am not an experienced reviewer so I must preface my closing statement - Just don't expect it to be a SG copy with different attire.
I looked up the guitars on Reverb with the link and I was really surprised at the sellers prices for these guitars. I remember that Gibson made a Firebrand Melody Maker - two single coils and a slide type selector switch. Has anyone ever seen one of these guitars? What are they like?
Have had mine since 1989 and I paid $400.00 for it at a music store in Washington state. As already stated, play it first. It is an awesome guitar and while it has a SG shape, it is like a long lost brother, similar and familiar, and just a little different.
My stable has four SG's - three are SG Standards and the SG Firebrand. The Firebrand neck is a fraction of an inch fatter than the SG necks. It is unbound and has an ebony fingerboard. The neck is fast and smooth and helps make this a very comfortable guitar to play. Both plugged in and acoustic, the Firebrand seems to have less mids than the Standards.
And the original pickups - just didn't like their tone. She has had a more than a couple of pickup changes and I have no idea where the original pickups are [ maybe I stuck 'em in another guitar that I was selling]. Some years back, I finally settled on the Jazz neck and a 59/Custom combination and both pickups are amazing in this guitar.
This guitar has been with me from Washington state to Wisconsin to Lansing Michigan to the deep South. Other than a couple of neck adjustments over the years and a fret dressing, the only other work it needed was having the jack tightened a couple of times.
The Firebrand is worth a try. And realize that I am not an experienced reviewer so I must preface my closing statement - Just don't expect it to be a SG copy with different attire.
I looked up the guitars on Reverb with the link and I was really surprised at the sellers prices for these guitars. I remember that Gibson made a Firebrand Melody Maker - two single coils and a slide type selector switch. Has anyone ever seen one of these guitars? What are they like?
