Firebird pickups

[Montana O.G.]

Everyone please give your opinion- thinking of replacing the pickups in my Gibson Firebird, just don't know which direction to go- I play blues & rock from the '60's & 70's

 

[Teleplayer]

Sm-1 are often said to be strat-like, or maybe more tele-like. I think its partly true, but the SM-1 has a bit more in the upper mids. They are still bright to me, but it will depend on your guitar. I have not tried SM-3.

 

[elelpe]

You'll be fine with SM-1 set.
I currently use SM-1n in the bridge position of my LP Special style guitar. Very pleasing.

 

[ICTGoober]

Do you have the small humbucking Firebird pickups, regular sized humbucking pickups, or P-90's?

 

[GuitarDoc]

Which pups do you currently have in your Firebird and what do you not like about them? What would you LIKE to accomplish tonewise that is different from what you've got?

 

[alex1fly]

I find it helpful to lay out your entire signal chain (from plectrum to strings to pedals to amp to cabinet to room to your ears) and identify what exactly you want to change. Also identify what the unplugged sound is like - the tone, the EQ, the response. It isn't glamorous but sometimes just trying a new string set or even a different thickness of pick can make as much difference as a $250 set of new pickups (and a second $250 set, and a third $250 set, etc). Swapping pickups is exciting but you're kind of flying blind without a clear vision of the problem to be solved.

 

[chadd]

My Kauer Banshee came with Lollars, they sound like big single coils and get some great tones. For a rock project I ended up throwing a Rio Grande Baby BBQ in the bridge for more aggressive tones.

 

[GuitarDoc]

I find it helpful to lay out your entire signal chain (from plectrum to strings to pedals to amp to cabinet to room to your ears) and identify what exactly you want to change. Also identify what the unplugged sound is like - the tone, the EQ, the response. It isn't glamorous but sometimes just trying a new string set or even a different thickness of pick can make as much difference as a $250 set of new pickups (and a second $250 set, and a third $250 set, etc). Swapping pickups is exciting but you're kind of flying blind without a clear vision of the problem to be solved.

Perfectly said.

 

[GuitarDoc]

We'd like to help you, Montana O.G. We're here for you.

Any further input from you could be helpful.

 

[Mincer]

All of the Firebird models fromSD including Custom Shop ones are exceptional. Pick the EQ that your guitar needs and match it up with the right model.

 

[beaubrummels]

Blues and rock from 60's and 70's? I'd use Antiquities.

 

[formula73]

Idk what’s wrong with what you’ve already got.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Obviously he isn't that serious about his quest.

 

[Lucy Diamond]

Try an EQ pedal first.

 

[beaubrummels]

Obviously he isn't that serious about his quest.

The lack of response here is because it appears the conversation went to PMs to some for further opinions.

 

[jeremy]

many of gibsons modern fb pups are kinda hot and dont sound much like the vintage models. i love the antiquity II fb pups i have in my guitars

 

[treyhaislip]

What's missing or not hitting right with your current set? Gemini Pickups make some killer Firebird/Mini-Humbuckers.