Firebird GAS, how's the Epi version?

Nightburst

New member
Just as I was saving up for something else I saw this great deal on an Epi firebird LE.

Yay or nay?

I used to have an Epi Les Paul custom that I really liked but sold it mainly because I hated the ugly headstock and needed money. Quality wise the guitar was great, played well and sounded good. This Firebird is considerably cheaper in price, does that mean it might be something else than Mahogany?
 
Re: Firebird GAS, how's the Epi version?

I can't speak for that model. But I have an Epi Firebird V RI (stop tailpiece). I like mine a lot, but it was extremely well set up when I bought it. That being said I'd definately replace the bridge, pickups and all the electronics on it.

As for the wood, I'm not 100% sure, but I suspect that it's some sort of cheap variant of mahogany.
 
Re: Firebird GAS, how's the Epi version?

I'm a big fan of Epiphones personally, but a lot of people feel the need to replace every single piece of hardware and electronics on it to make them play and "sound" better. The bodies are usually mahogany on the middle and upper lines, probably not some exotic species of mahogany found on Gibsons though.

In my experience, pickups and bridge are probably the only things you'll "have" to change because they are subpar (you may find that the bridge is more than suitable, I did). As for the pots and all that other crap, they are fine. They have full sized pots and the switches are good enough to not have to replace till it breaks or something. The tuners are usually Grovers so no worries there either (although I think those have different ones).

/rant

I played one the other day and really liked it. Like I said, pickups would probably have to go, but other than that I thought it was dope.
 
Re: Firebird GAS, how's the Epi version?

Looks like I'm having a NGD soon ;), thanks for the input guys!
I've got a C5/Jazz ready for it, and I'm rewiring it to 50's style so my only concern is the wood really since it's such a cheap guitar.

No tokai's for me, the good one's are up in price and the newer one's are made out of alder and maple. The ESP is way out of my price range, it looks nice though!
 
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Re: Firebird GAS, how's the Epi version?

I'm a big fan of Epiphones personally, but a lot of people feel the need to replace every single piece of hardware and electronics on it to make them play and "sound" better. The bodies are usually mahogany on the middle and upper lines, probably not some exotic species of mahogany found on Gibsons though.

In my experience, pickups and bridge are probably the only things you'll "have" to change because they are subpar (you may find that the bridge is more than suitable, I did). As for the pots and all that other crap, they are fine. They have full sized pots and the switches are good enough to not have to replace till it breaks or something. The tuners are usually Grovers so no worries there either (although I think those have different ones).

I played one the other day and really liked it. Like I said, pickups would probably have to go, but other than that I thought it was dope.

+1. Their set-neck models are nice. I upgrade the PU's on mine, and only change pots to put 250K's on the bridge. Everything else stays as is. They sound pretty good like that.
 
Re: Firebird GAS, how's the Epi version?

+1. Their set-neck models are nice. I upgrade the PU's on mine, and only change pots to put 250K's on the bridge. Everything else stays as is. They sound pretty good like that.

Like you I also tend to lean towards a darker guitar sound but 250K might be pushing it. I've tried it before and went back to 500K. We'll see how the guitar takes it. Definitely going to try an UOA5 in the C5!
 
Re: Firebird GAS, how's the Epi version?

A 2007 Firebird Studio w/bag in (Excellent +) for $850.00 at
The Guitar Attic Daytona's Home For Vintage and Used Guitars.
1672 1/2 Ridgewood Ave - Holly Hill, FL 32117
(386)676-2211
I met this guy at the Guitar Expo, small shop, qualitiy gear and seems like good deals to check out the website

http://www.guitarattic.com/

Gibson_FirebirdStudio.jpg
 
Re: Firebird GAS, how's the Epi version?

Mannn, that is a beautiful guitar! It's got class.
Unfortunately I can't afford anything like that, otherwise I would have been all over it. Thats a great deal right there even if they would ship it all the way to europe, it would still be good.
Shops like that are rare over here and most USA stuff is quite expensive.
 
Re: Firebird GAS, how's the Epi version?

That's a great deal on that Firebird Studio that BassMedic posted.
 
Re: Firebird GAS, how's the Epi version?

Got a deal on a Epi Bird (Gibson truss cover optional:27:) I ordered a custom (expensive) black guard as I had a pic of Jorma K with a sweet all black Bird I totally loved. I put in a AP2 neck and I think a 59B...my thoughts was it looked freakin kool! The neck felt a tad wider than I'm used to, good shape, and it was a tad neck heavy. I moved the top strap button behind close to the neck heel. It balanced much better...it had a great tone, I think it was a mahogany body. The body off-set made the neck 'feel' like it stuck out too much...I don't look at my neck much when I play, and I kept playing the wrong fret:evil:..I tried to love it, but I sold it...LP for me now. It is a good guitar if you can get a good price and some of those issues are'nt a biggie to ya. The Stein tunas are great, once ya learn how to string 'em....good luck. The one thing about the Gibby Studio is that it has a really rounded radiused edge....FB's need that Tele-flat edge to be kool!
dsc00459ss.jpg
 
Re: Firebird GAS, how's the Epi version?

i hope u didnt buy this guitAR I GOT A BRAND NEW ONE AT SAM ASH FOR 300 DOLLARS
 
Re: Firebird GAS, how's the Epi version?

The Epihone Firebird and V's I am pretty sure are a laminated bodies. I had a buddy that had a V and it had a very mild crack in the body. You could see the laminate and how they applied it. Now his guitar was an older model so they may have improved the build quality in recent years.
 
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