Tell me about Firebirds

[Gochaz]

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?

[Searcher]

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.

[willo]

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!

[38thBeatle]

My Nephew had one that he was going to sell. I don't know if he has done yet.

[Skybone]

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...

[Gochaz]

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.

[PhilKing]

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)

[TwilightOdyssey]

Tsk, tsk, Phil ... you're supposed to be in meeting! ;)

[Gochaz]

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?

[Skybone]

P-90's!!! :D

[headtheball]

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.

[Jamieh]

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.