Modern Firebird Pickup Most Like the Originals

H

Hyperborea

New member
I've been doing a bit of looking at the Firebird pickups lately as I'm thinking about getting that old school Firebird sound. I'm looking for tone like Kal David's Firebird tone - http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...kal+david&aq=f If I buy a new(er) Gibson Firebird then I'll need to change the pickups. The new ones are nothing like the old ones - way too hot. Any recommendations on which of the currently available ones are closest to the originals?

Some of the possible options out there are: 1) Duncan Antiquities; 2) Lollars; 3) Kent Armstrong. Are there others? Has anybody compared these against the originals?

On the Duncan Antiquities what's the cost to get them with non-aged covers and 4 conductor wire (for coil tap)? Is that a shop floor custom?
 
Re: Modern Firebird Pickup Most Like the Originals

Hi Hyperborea, I actually have a weird (new) guitar that's an Eastwood Wandre, which is a 3Xmini hum. I tried a Duncan Antiquity(N) and thought it was too lifeless, although it had a nice sound. It sounded like they "aged" the life out of it. I exchanged it for an SM3 (neck version) and like it much more. I have no idea whether it sounds like an original Firebird, 'cause I like just finding a tone that inspires me instead of trying to duplicate a classic tone. So I don't know how it compares, sorry. I do know that I really like the SM3. It's a pretty thick sound, though so that might not be vintage correct- good luck.
 
Re: Modern Firebird Pickup Most Like the Originals

i like the sm1 neck and bridge and sm3 bridge for the normal duncan models.

i didnt love the kent armstrong firebird looking mini all that much, kinda weak and bright and not all that firebird like. never tried the lollars but he makes good pups, usually not my thing, but nice pups none the less.

i used to have a firebird V re-issue that was really nice and before i got rid of it (cause it was neck heavy and i hated those silly banjo tuners) i put a set of antiquitys in it an i thought it sounded better but very similar to a friend of mines 1976 firebird V

i also picked up a lp deluxe style antiquity mini hum from wymore as he was closing and that pup is really nice too!
 
Re: Modern Firebird Pickup Most Like the Originals

I've heard that some of the GFS minis are really good. I haven't personally tried them so I can't speak from experience. My Firebird V is only three years old and I happen to love those pups. Can't see any reason to change 'em.
 
Re: Modern Firebird Pickup Most Like the Originals

There is a guy in The Trading Post forum area listing a pair of SD FB Antiquity pickups. (No. It isn't me!)
 
Re: Modern Firebird Pickup Most Like the Originals

Hey thanks for all the feedback. Sorry it's taken a while to respond but hey life happens sometimes.


KRKBAB: I know, I'm not looking for "vintage" just because it's "vintage". I'm looking for the awesome tone that Kal David gets out of his Firebird. I took a workshop with him last summer and ever since then I've wanted that tone. I know that his Sunburst 'bird is pretty much original with old original early 60's pups.

To add some more info of my own, I've found a Firebird forum though it's pretty low traffic and it has some discussion of new pups that give the old Firebird sound. http://firebirdplayersforum.freeforums.org/ There is some love there for the SM-1 but I would really, really have to change the cover either as a custom order (and then why not just buy stock antiquities) or as a DIY (somebody on the Firebird forum has done it a number of times).

I've listened to the demos that Lollar has on his site of his Firebird pickups and they do sound good and I think very close to the old original pups. It would be great if there were demos of the Duncans available as well to compare them. As for the Kents, it seems that reviews are mixed and those who like them only like them in the neck position.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top