talk me into/out of getting a 2015 Gibson firebird over a Gibson SG

jake_xms3_punk

jake_xms3_punk

New member
Gibson firebird V 2015, or SG t standard 2016?
i know the sg would be more versatile and easier to swap pickups etc, but i've wanted a firebird my whole life.
I do generally prefer bigger guitars which is why im gravitating towards the firebird, but im thinking the sg would get used more and for the price is it better to get a work horse or a one trick pony?

i've owned epiphone versions of both and ended up selling the firebird, it was a bolt on ply wood piece of garbage though. the sg custom 3 pickup i still have and use quite often, do i need another SG? albeit a better version of one?

pros and cons of owning a firebird over an sg?
 
Re: talk me into/out of getting a 2015 Gibson firebird over a Gibson SG

Have you played a Gibson Firebird? They're big, heavy, and tend to balance awkwardly on a strap if they're not neck heavy. My SG Standard OTOH is slightly neck-heavy, but much easier to play than a Firebird. Since it weights just over 7 lbs, the extra 12oz or so that a Bigsby / Vibramate adds takes care of the neck-heaviness nicely.

I guess what I'm saying is that the SG is the better bet if you can't play them first. If you can, go with the one that speaks to you or pass on both if neither does.
 
Re: talk me into/out of getting a 2015 Gibson firebird over a Gibson SG

dystrust said:
Have you played a Gibson Firebird? They're big, heavy, and tend to balance awkwardly on a strap if they're not neck heavy. My SG Standard OTOH is slightly neck-heavy, but much easier to play than a Firebird. Since it weights just over 7 lbs, the extra 12oz or so that a Bigsby / Vibramate adds takes care of the neck-heaviness nicely.

I guess what I'm saying is that the SG is the better bet if you can't play them first. If you can, go with the one that speaks to you or pass on both if neither does.
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nope, never played one, don't even think i've ever even seen a gibson firebird in real life haha, which kinda makes me want one even more as you don't see them that often. the SG probably is a safer bet
 
Re: talk me into/out of getting a 2015 Gibson firebird over a Gibson SG

The 2015 might have some weird 2015 features on it; I'm not sure about the Firebirds.

But other than that, I think a Firebird is cooler. I love SGs, but Firebirds feel better in the hands IMO.

I would definitely NOT buy any new Gibson unless I was doing it in person and could inspect the thing closely for poor workmanship.
 
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Re: talk me into/out of getting a 2015 Gibson firebird over a Gibson SG

ItsaBass said:
The 2015 might have some weird 2015 features on it; I'm not sure about the Firebirds.

But other than that, I think a Firebird is cooler. I love SGs, but Firebirds feel better in the hands IMO.

I would definitely NOT buy any new Gibson unless I was doing it in person and could inspect the thing closely for poor workmanship.
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is lack of quality control still an issue at gibson? :/
 
Re: talk me into/out of getting a 2015 Gibson firebird over a Gibson SG

this is simple ma

which one do you want?

just think of a gibson and tell me which one popped into your head. I'll wait.
 
Re: talk me into/out of getting a 2015 Gibson firebird over a Gibson SG

ItsaBass said:
The 2015 might have some weird 2015 features on it; I'm not sure about the Firebirds.

But other than that, I think a Firebird is cooler. I love SGs, but Firebirds feel better in the hands IMO.

I would definitely NOT buy any new Gibson unless I was doing it in person and could inspect the thing closely for poor workmanship.
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NO

STOP

WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?

EVERY COMPANY HAS DUDS

MY 2016 IS FLAWLESS
 
Re: talk me into/out of getting a 2015 Gibson firebird over a Gibson SG

If you already have an SG (albeit an Epi), I'd recommend getting the Firebird. I've played them and they're a lot of fun to use. The 2016 Firebird Traditional (Pre-2014 specs) is $1099 right now.
 
Re: talk me into/out of getting a 2015 Gibson firebird over a Gibson SG

jake_xms3_punk said:
is lack of quality control still an issue at gibson? :/
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IME, absolutely yes. I pick up very few Gibsons that don't have obvious poor workmanship in at least a few areas. IME, every one needs a new (or modified) nut, every one needs fret end dressing, crowning, and polishing, and a very high number of them have finish flaws. IME they tend to have large amounts of CNC router flash in the control cavities, showing that they are rush jobs on the assembly line. Mediocre workmanship is okay in an instrument; the world needs mediocre guitars...but not for Gibson prices. Their pricing is based solely on legend and reputation, not on actual build quality. And it won't get any better, because people keep buying the damned things and ignorantly/naively thinking they are great. If I was going to accept Gibson's current quality as acceptable, then they'd have to cost less than half of what they do, around 2x the Epiphone equivalents. Only at that point would they be appropriately price IMO.

To tell you the truth, if it was me, I would buy neither of those guitars. I would buy a used Firebird from at least 12 years ago (preferably longer ago). Gibson was making on the whole much better made guitars back then. You still have to play the one you buy in order to make sure you get a good one, though.
 
Re: talk me into/out of getting a 2015 Gibson firebird over a Gibson SG

Do you want a Firebird for its sounds or its appearance?
 
Re: talk me into/out of getting a 2015 Gibson firebird over a Gibson SG

For some reason the new Gibsons I've tried out are all the diamonds in the rough...no issues with the ones I've tried in the last year from South Carolina through Texas.

My cousin bought the 2015 Gibson Firebird and absolutely loves it. I think it gets a very cool tone. I would say go with what you want. And I second the Firebird since you already have an SG.
 
Re: talk me into/out of getting a 2015 Gibson firebird over a Gibson SG

ItsaBass said:
IME, absolutely yes. I pick up very few Gibsons that don't have obvious poor workmanship in at least a few areas. IME, every one needs a new (or modified) nut, every one needs fret end dressing, crowning, and polishing, and a very high number of them have finish flaws. IME they tend to have large amounts of CNC router flash in the control cavities, showing that they are rush jobs on the assembly line. Mediocre workmanship is okay in an instrument; the world needs mediocre guitars...but not for Gibson prices. Their pricing is based solely on legend and reputation, not on actual build quality. And it won't get any better, because people keep buying the damned things and ignorantly/naively thinking they are great. If I was going to accept Gibson's current quality as acceptable, then they'd have to cost less than half of what they do, around 2x the Epiphone equivalents. Only at that point would they be appropriately price IMO.

To tell you the truth, if it was me, I would buy neither of those guitars. I would buy a used Firebird from at least 12 years ago (preferably longer ago). Gibson was making on the whole much better made guitars back then. You still have to play the one you buy in order to make sure you get a good one, though.
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Look up the Made In America episode from a few years ago (with the guy who played Cliff Claven from Cheers) where they take the Gibson tour in Memphis, where Les Pauls are made. They use a giant CNC that routes and carves 3 bodies at once, and they have a lot of unskilled labor doing things like final buffing of the finish. You'll see why there are so many cosmetic flaws.

Then go look up the How It's Made episode featuring electric guitars, where they show the Godin factory. Frets are done entirely by machines, from cutting the board slots to pressing the wire to trimming and polishing the ends. I've not seen a bad review of a Godin.
They do a ton of work using machines, which saves labor costs, which translates to a lower retail price, and yet turn out a consistent product.
 
Re: talk me into/out of getting a 2015 Gibson firebird over a Gibson SG

my 2011 LP 60's tribute definitely has a more rushed and sloppy feel to it compared to my 2006 Lp special DC with similar specs, which feels rock solid just a better build in general. I can't imagine production changing that much in 5 years, seems more like luck of the draw.
both of those are lower end gibsons so I don't know how the quality inconsistency compares with higher priced models.

TBH id love both, but the firebird is calling out to me more than an sg, but i think i'd use a guitar with full sized humbuckers more in general.
maybe i should hold off until i can play them both.

sorry guys, i hate "which guitar should i buy" threads as much as the next guy, im just really indecisive lol
 
Re: talk me into/out of getting a 2015 Gibson firebird over a Gibson SG

Split the difference. Find a pre-owned or New Old Stock Gibson Firebird Studio. FB looks, regular 'buckers.
 
Re: talk me into/out of getting a 2015 Gibson firebird over a Gibson SG

For me, an SG Std is a necessity, whereas a Firebird is a more of a novelty.
 
Re: talk me into/out of getting a 2015 Gibson firebird over a Gibson SG

good call funkfingers, if i can find one, i'd definitely try one. totally agree blueman, but most of my guitars are necessities: strats, 335's etc like i said, its choosing between a good work horse or a one trick pony in a sense.

edit, seeing as my only two gibsons have p90's and deluxe style mini hums, I probably would be better off getting a decent, solid guitar (excuse the lame pun) with humbuckers.
 
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Re: talk me into/out of getting a 2015 Gibson firebird over a Gibson SG

I have so many guitars right now, but I have been jonesing for a Firebird and an SG, too. I love the shapes, the cachet, of the 'Bird and the SG, but neither is practical for me. I'm a big guy, the SG looks like a toy on me. I don't like the ergonomics of the Firebird; the controls just feel weird. I'd love to have them in my collection, but they wouldn't get played very much.

This also goes for the Vee and the Explorer, to a lesser extent. Slap some Ants or Seths in these slabs and you can get some great classic rock and blues tones. There are some other companies making clones of these that are great guitars too. If I ever find a good deal on a Hamer Sunburst Standard, it will be mine.

So when I grab a 2HB over one of my G&L Legacy-bodies, it's a Les Paul, an Ibanez Ghostrider, my ASAT Deluxe or a 335. I have three beautiful 335s, and a MIK Ibanez Artstar AS-120TR that is just as good as the Gibsons. Nothing really needs to said about the Pauls...they are great guitars and everybody knows what they can do.

But lately I've been playing my 335s...A LOT. They are so sweet and versatile; unless you are playing "pointy guitar music", there's not a genre that a 335 can't excel at. It doesn't need to be a full-size model either, the smaller 339/359 do quite well. A friend of mine is doing gigs with nothing but a 339 these days and loving it. Lots of companies doing 335s clones in all price ranges, so finding something cool should not be a problem.

If the Firebird and the SG aren't quite right for you, you do have some other options. One of those sbould be a good 335.

Bill
 
Re: talk me into/out of getting a 2015 Gibson firebird over a Gibson SG

Boogie Bill said:
lately I've been playing my 335s...A LOT. They are so sweet and versatile; unless you are playing "pointy guitar music", there's not a genre that a 335 can't excel at... Lots of companies doing 335s clones in all price ranges, so finding something cool should not be a problem.

If the Firebird and the SG aren't quite right for you, you do have some other options. One of those sbould be a good 335.
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+1. I wouldn't even think about a Firebird until I had a 335, or two.
 
Re: talk me into/out of getting a 2015 Gibson firebird over a Gibson SG

If you went used, you could come pretty close to getting both for the price of one new, give or take a couple hundred. Especially if you went a little cheaper on the SG side, maybe a faded.
 
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