Gibson Firebird
- Thread starter James2244
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Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: Gibson Firebird
I think what you may be looking for is a Firebird with humbuckers, rather than the more rootsy sounding Firebird/Minihums.
If you like that shape, seek out a discontinued Gibson Firebird Studio for around $900, or a current Epiphone Firebird Studio version for around $400.
I think what you may be looking for is a Firebird with humbuckers, rather than the more rootsy sounding Firebird/Minihums.
If you like that shape, seek out a discontinued Gibson Firebird Studio for around $900, or a current Epiphone Firebird Studio version for around $400.
beaubrummels
Well-known member
Re: Gibson Firebird
I own one and play it, occasionally. It's like a weak sounding Gibson, almost has a slight single-coil twang to it, actually. I would not consider it versatile. It is very comfortable, though headstock-heavy, which has 2 side effects: neck dive when you let go, and brief intonation issues if you move around while playing it. It's good for 60's - 70's roots/rock. I can't see using it for heavy metal. It does sound pretty good tone-wise when de-tuned but it doesn't have tight definition in the bottom end or notes/chords. (Hard to explain in text. Have to hear it.)
Below is a decent example I can think of that's close (this is a tough example because there are 2-3 other guitar layers that come in. Sorry.). I've performed this particular song before with a cover band and matched these tones. The left channel rhythm guitar is what my Firebird sounds like de-tuned. It's brighter on the top end than the Les Paul/SG sound on the right, but it's sustain and distortion gives out (starting at 0:19 and again at 0:31) slightly earlier than the darker more distorted Gibson sound on the right. (Basically sounds like a Firebird left and a Les Paul right, which does make a nice stereo image, but I would consider a Firebird as a reinforcement rhythm guitar, not a main guitar.) The amp and cabinet you match it with will make a difference also. An amp/cab with real tight bottom end will certainly help it along. For example, using an Orange that is really sloppy on the bottom end will turn it into mud.
Edit: also note that recent issue Firebirds have way overwound mini-humbuckers that sound closer to Les Paul type 490 sound. Real Firebirds have lower output mini-humbuckers that have brighter top end and a slight twang to them.
I own one and play it, occasionally. It's like a weak sounding Gibson, almost has a slight single-coil twang to it, actually. I would not consider it versatile. It is very comfortable, though headstock-heavy, which has 2 side effects: neck dive when you let go, and brief intonation issues if you move around while playing it. It's good for 60's - 70's roots/rock. I can't see using it for heavy metal. It does sound pretty good tone-wise when de-tuned but it doesn't have tight definition in the bottom end or notes/chords. (Hard to explain in text. Have to hear it.)
Below is a decent example I can think of that's close (this is a tough example because there are 2-3 other guitar layers that come in. Sorry.). I've performed this particular song before with a cover band and matched these tones. The left channel rhythm guitar is what my Firebird sounds like de-tuned. It's brighter on the top end than the Les Paul/SG sound on the right, but it's sustain and distortion gives out (starting at 0:19 and again at 0:31) slightly earlier than the darker more distorted Gibson sound on the right. (Basically sounds like a Firebird left and a Les Paul right, which does make a nice stereo image, but I would consider a Firebird as a reinforcement rhythm guitar, not a main guitar.) The amp and cabinet you match it with will make a difference also. An amp/cab with real tight bottom end will certainly help it along. For example, using an Orange that is really sloppy on the bottom end will turn it into mud.
Edit: also note that recent issue Firebirds have way overwound mini-humbuckers that sound closer to Les Paul type 490 sound. Real Firebirds have lower output mini-humbuckers that have brighter top end and a slight twang to them.