Gibson Firebird?

[Psykel]

Hello, Duncanites!
I'm sorta planning ahead for my next guitar (gonna get an amp and some pedals and stuff tho, but I love the planning bit) and was (is?) considering a Gibson Explorer.
However, the Gibson Firebird caught my eye (http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Firebird/Gibson-USA/Firebird-V-2010/Specs.aspx).
They're both at around the same price. Key differences are the neck-thru construction, mini humbuckers, Steinberger tuners and neck binding.
Thoughts? How do they compare in the playability department? I'm not a shredder, so a "lightning fast" neck isn't vital to me.

 

[jmh151]

Re: Gibson Firebird?

Hello, Duncanites!
I'm sorta planning ahead for my next guitar (gonna get an amp and some pedals and stuff tho, but I love the planning bit) and was (is?) considering a Gibson Explorer.
However, the Gibson Firebird caught my eye (http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Firebird/Gibson-USA/Firebird-V-2010/Specs.aspx).
They're both at around the same price. Key differences are the neck-thru construction, mini humbuckers, Steinberger tuners and neck binding.
Thoughts? How do they compare in the playability department? I'm not a shredder, so a "lightning fast" neck isn't vital to me.

The pickups are the biggest difference- full size humbuckers vs mini humbuckers- you'd have to see if the minis work for you.

That being said, I think the firebird looks waaaayyy cooler

 

[Powdered Toast Man]

Re: Gibson Firebird?

I played one of the 70's tribute Firebirds in the store and I was blown away by what a tone monster it was! The guitarist in my band decided to order a Dillion Phoenix (Firebird copy) and he's happy with it.

 

[Psykel]

Re: Gibson Firebird?

Ah, coolio. Well, it's the Firebird V I'm looking at vs the Explorer.
I'd most likely mod the explorer with Phat Cats anyway, I'm a P-90 guy. I'm assuming minis are closer to P-90s compared to full sizers?

 

[Powdered Toast Man]

Re: Gibson Firebird?

The minis aren't exactly P90's. And they're not exactly like regular hb's either. They're sort of their own thing. You'd have to try them to find out if you like them. I've got a Seymour Duncan mini-HB in the neck position of one of my Teles and I think it's fantastic.

 

[Psykel]

Re: Gibson Firebird?

Ah, alright. Well, just gotta find a store that's stocking the Firebird V. I recall seeing a Firebird in the one I visited last, but it might've been a 70s tribute.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Gibson Firebird?

Best to visit a store and try both, back to back.

As has already been mentioned, the sounds differ. Both shapes hang kinda funny on a strap. This could be as much of a deciding factor as anything.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Gibson Firebird?

i love me a firebird. its got some fender in there with its gibson

 

[Psykel]

Re: Gibson Firebird?

Best to visit a store and try both, back to back.

As has already been mentioned, the sounds differ. Both shapes hang kinda funny on a strap. This could be as much of a deciding factor as anything.

I did try a friend's Explorer strapped on once. Was really comfortable. There's a shop in Stockholm that got a pretty massive Gibson wall. I'll try and pop in sometime and see if they have one of each.
I know the Firebird is prone to neck diving, but it shouldn't be too horrible with the right strap. My SG neck dives with a woven nylon strap, but not with my leather strap that got a rough texture on the underside. Dunno about the Explorer, but the one I tried felt pretty balanced. Was a non-"glossy" strap there too tho.

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Re: Gibson Firebird?

Hello, Duncanites!
I'm sorta planning ahead for my next guitar (gonna get an amp and some pedals and stuff tho, but I love the planning bit) and was (is?) considering a Gibson Explorer.
However, the Gibson Firebird caught my eye (http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Firebird/Gibson-USA/Firebird-V-2010/Specs.aspx).
They're both at around the same price. Key differences are the neck-thru construction, mini humbuckers, Steinberger tuners and neck binding.
Thoughts? How do they compare in the playability department? I'm not a shredder, so a "lightning fast" neck isn't vital to me.

As much as i love the Firebird, i dislike the Explorer the same amount.
It always make me think of corny 80's metal and early Metalica.
Even though Steve Clark played one is not enough reason for me to like that thing.
I would rather play a DBZ Snakeskin V - in fact, i would love to have one.

But if it was my money, i would most deff go far that classy looking Firebird.