Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: Gochaz on April 18, 2006, 02:21:19 PM
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Gibson Firebirds, that is. Specifically, the V. I'm selling my Strat, and I thought I could save up a bit and get one of these babys. I played a VII model a while ago, I liked the feel and sound, but hated the look with the gold and three pickups. The whammy doesn't do it for me, either. I prefer Bigsbys, I'd be tempted to stick one of them on a V.
So, are they worth the cash? Any issues? The weight doesn't bother me.
(Posted this on HC as well, I'm after a range of responses.)
Actually, how are the pickups on them? I hear Bare Knuckle make some mini-mules, are they a big improvement of the standard Firebird ceramics?
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I've only played one with the stock pickups in it, but I really liked the feel of the guitar and the sound of the mini humbuckers. They're possibly my favourite Gibson--it's either the Firebird or SG, anyways. I am only a skinny guy, but didn't find the weight a problem, even after playing for quite a while.
The mini humbuckers have a cool, funky sound that's totally unlike the Les Paul's or SG's sounds. I haven't tried it for metal, but for rock, funk and blues it performs very well.
Upgrading the pickups could only improve them! Find a Firebird second hand somewhere and save yourself a wad of cash.
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Yeah, I've got an old Epi firebird, I'm thinking of jazzing it up too. Of course, being an Epi it has numerous concessions to price - the biggest is probably that it doesn't have the neck-through design, it's a bolt on, but this gives it an interesting twangy sound that I'm actually quite partial to!
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My Nephew had one that he was going to sell. I don't know if he has done yet.
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I keep trying to withstand my GAS for one...
So far, I'm winning... :?
They do look good though, and those mini's can be replaced by BKP-90's. Or there's always... :roll: No...
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Cheers for the responses, fellas.
I'm not much of a metal player, so metal capabilities don't bother me. I do occasionally like to crank things up for some really trashy, messy distortion, but most guitars are good at that, so thats ok. The best tone I've found for that was a 30 watt Torque solid state amp cranked up to full so it farted air constantly, but delivered some of the messiest, nastiest distortion ever.
Anyway, I think I'll go for it. Second hand'd probably be the way to go. How much do they generally sell for, second hand? In decent condition, that is.
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Depending on the age, the mini-mules will give you a more open sound than the newer firebird pickups, but they look different (they have polepieces in the mini-mules), and also you would have to specify that they are for a firebird (they come for the LP Deluxe and it uses a totally different finish).
I have a Firebird I and just sold a custom shop 7. I think they are great guitars, but they are a pain to get aound with (very long and the headstock is delicate with the banjo tuners).
I love the sound of the pickups though, and have them in the neck position on 2 other guitars besides the Firebird (Tele and a custom built guitar)
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Tsk, tsk, Phil ... you're supposed to be in meeting! ;)
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Depending on the age, the mini-mules will give you a more open sound than the newer firebird pickups, but they look different (they have polepieces in the mini-mules), and also you would have to specify that they are for a firebird (they come for the LP Deluxe and it uses a totally different finish).
I have a Firebird I and just sold a custom shop 7. I think they are great guitars, but they are a pain to get aound with (very long and the headstock is delicate with the banjo tuners).
I love the sound of the pickups though, and have them in the neck position on 2 other guitars besides the Firebird (Tele and a custom built guitar)
I love the look of the Firebird I, just I can't afford one and I'd lose out on versitality. That's probably something to get when I'm older and richer.
Regarding the pickups, could I not just send in the pickups that come with the Firebird for a modification, so the exterior is the same?
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P-90's!!! :D
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Tokai make a japanese Firebird equivalent which pisses all over any gibson I've tried. it's generally about a hundred quid cheaper too, and is fully neck through construction. Comes in a lovely blue colour as well as standard sunburst.
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Tokai make a japanese Firebird equivalent which pisses all over any gibson I've tried. it's generally about a hundred quid cheaper too, and is fully neck through construction. Comes in a lovely blue colour as well as standard sunburst.
And black I believe.... maybe? Don't rmember actually!!!!!
They are nice though. I am not keen on lighter bodied guitars but the tones you get from the Tokai Firebirds are nice.