Firefly & Grote | Battle Of The Budget SG’s
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- Опубликовано: 21 дек 2024
- In this 127th installment, Jimmy gives a side-by-side comparison of two popular “Budget” SG style guitars from Firefly and Grote. We take a look at similarities and differences in design, build and tone! Both guitars are good, inexpensive “budget” options for those looking for a SG without breaking the bank. The Grote SG was purchased from Amazon (including gig bag) and the Firefly FFLG was supplied to the channel for review from Firebird Music and is available @
www.guitarsgarden.com
I do love me a guitar shootout/comparison. I believe that ALL guitars that come to your door from a warehouse need work, like truss rod adjustments, action adjustments and the like. Usually, due to all the dust and grit in the factory setting, the fretboard needs polishing. May also have to deal with fret sprout. Know something though? For that $200 US guitar you receive many lessons on how to be your own guitar tech without breaking the bank. I love these days of affordable guitars. I wish they had more accessibility shipping wise and left wise. Great fun, Jimmy! They are both worth your while!
Thanks so much Cal B….you are correct!! It’s a wonderful time to have fun with budget guitars, and perhaps some day, the southpaws will rule the planet….🤣
Appreciate your stopping in as always…👍🎸
While too late to be considered for this April video, I'm on pre-order for my SG from Artist Guitar USA called the "Artist AG100". These guitars are hard to acquire in the US over the last year, but sell out quickly when in stock because of their cost and value proposition. They get great reviews in Austraila where they are based. Still available on pre-order. Expected to ship Sept 30th.
Thanks for watching and commenting Stan. I have been looking at Artist recently with a couple of their amps. Will have to take a deeper look into their guitars as well. Thanks for stopping in to the channel and for the heads up as well!!👍🎸
Great new intro ! Love the shootouts and keep ‘em comin’!
Glad you enjoyed it mjvicc1952…truly appreciate you stopping in my friend!! 👍🎸
Firefly has my vote but I like the Grote control layout way better
Thanks for watching and commenting Buck…totally agree! Appreciate your stopping in to the channel! 👍🎸
I bought a firefly sg with a gold paint finish. There's many things that need to be replaced. I really wish I would have seen your video first before I bought it because I would have bought the grote instead. I have two other grote guitars and they are both built better than the firefly. The grote Century copycat and the 338. I had to put a hundred dollars into the firefly to get it up to my standard ( epiphone). Great video and thanks!
Thanks so much for watching and commenting Michael. There are things I prefer with the FF and things I prefer with the Grote. I appreciate your stopping in to the channel and glad you enjoyed the video! 👍🎸
LOL I'm all mixed up - as usual, with these shoot-outs! I like the Grote body better, &probably the Grote fret-board. And the recessed input jack, & simpler controls. But I like the Firefly head-stock better. And I'd say the Firefly is probably a little bit better of a guitar. Agree with Leo on that. On the sound... hard to tell. Similar, but I'd go Grote by a hair. Both solid guitars. Nice job, Jimmy!
Your not confused Jimmy….your more informed!! 😎
Thanks so much for stopping in my friend…👍🎸
I bought this exact guitar today at guitar center. Same matching serial numbers
I can only assume they all have the same numbers…appreciate your stopping into the channel and sharing! 🎸👍
As always Jimmy great review!
Thanks so much Jon…appreciate your stopping in! 👍🎸
Thank goodness you preferred the Firefly, as I already have one of those (among seven Firefly guitars that I have purchased). I really did not want to learn that the Grote was vastly superior . . . I'm running out of room!
That’s hilarious…🤣🤣
Thanks so much for watching and commenting MB…..the Grote has a lot of cool quality’s as well…I do like em both…👍
The Grote Century copycat is amazing and the 338 is as well. In my experience, the Grote guitars are made better with a better design than the firefly. You really should use a 90° input jack with the firefly sg because it is very thin wood with all the routing done in that area. Just an idea. It takes a lot of stress off the body and the output Jack.
@@michaelmillican5592
Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts here Michael! Much appreciated! 👍🎸
Just remember, it's NOT "Hoarding" if it's guitars!😁
Great new intro, great informative video Jimmy! I think I give the nod to the Grote, but I'd take either, that's just me! LOL
Thanks Reggie…appreciate your watching and commenting! Both have their pros and cons…thanks again for stopping in! 👍🎸
Nicely done on Who are you, Jimmy. I was singing along, lol
For my money, I'd go with the Firefly as I prefer everything about/on it except for the fretboard not meeting the neck pickup like the Grote does.
I've been a hardened Strat guy for 35-ish years and never really liked Gibson style guitars EXCEPT for SGs. They do go kinda neck divey being neck heavy guitars, but what the Hell! Tony Iommi and Angus, and well err, Robbie Krieger did ok with em for ages, innit
Thanks so much Albie…glad you enjoyed the “SG” insprired samples I was doing!
My take on neck dive is mind over matter…😎
Like you said, Robbie, Angus, Pete, Carlos and countless others including myself have no issues…🤣
Appreciate your stopping in my friend…👍🎸
Both guitars sound great, but, as far as SGs that a "Junior" models, (Meaning one volume and one tone) I think I'll just stick with my faithful Epiphone SG Junior Special model, since it has served me well throughout the years. Also, considering all the money I spent last year on guitars, I need to save a little before I do any more guitar buying, and I'm aiming for the Harley Benton LP gold top and SG Custom models. Love all four Firefly guitars I purchased last year, so I'm happy for now. Great video, and, as a Who fan, I love your choice of demonstration music. Here's hoping that the new year will be good to you.
Thanks so much for watching and commenting nankypooh
Sounds like you have a plan 👍
Appreciate your stopping in to the channel! 🎸👍
@@JimmyStewart1 Jimmy, please deliver the Grote SG to me. Can you reply.
I bought an Epiphone SG Special Satin E1 a few months ago as my very first guitar ever, I got it on sale for $150 at my local Guitar Center. I've loved it so far!
Now I'm starting to want to buy a cheap Les Paul copy as well. Grote's model looks beautiful, and I have seen mostly positive reviews, other than the fiasco where some of these Les Paul models have been found to have single-coil pickups hidden in the humbucker housings and being falsely advertised as humbuckers.... 😖
@SnarlyCharly
Thanks so much for watching and commenting. I have a couple of Grote’s but not their LP model. I have a number of the FF LP models and all have been very good. I would take a look at GuitarsGarden and look at the different Firefly LP (they call them SP models now) as they have Alnico 5 real humbuckers, full size pots, SS frets and gorgeous finishes.
Great review , i was looking forward to it . The two things i wish the Firefly didn't have was the pickguard and 4 knobs , i think the SG's look better without the pg's and i prefer 1 volume and 1 tone knob. I like getting my tone through my pedal board and the less of on the guitar the better , also the pickups sound much more articulate on the Grote IMO. P.S. i can't believe how much crud was in the cavity of your Grote , mine was spotless. I guess that's to be expected with these budget brands...
Glad you enjoyed it Mike…as I said, things about the Grote I prefer, things about the FF I prefer. In the end, a slight edge to the FF for build quality. Thanks so much for watching and commenting! 👍🎸
@@JimmyStewart1 👍✌
I love the new intro Jimmy. You did a great job on it. The Firefly does sound better to me. I would have to go with one without a pickguard. It just doesn't look right to me. I would also love to hear one of these with the P90's. As mentioned in previous posts, I'm in the market for a P90 guitar and the Monoprice 66SB is still on the top of my wishlist. I'll have to do some searching to see if I can find a video or review somewhere on the FF P90. Thanks for the comparison. Your playing was awesome and really showcased what these guitars are capable of.
Thanks Tim…much appreciated! 👍🎸
I've got the green Firefly SG with P-90 pick ups. It's very nice, and good for the money. If you're looking for the Monoprice SB 66 DLX gold top with P-90s they've been out of stock for a while, which is a crying shame, since I would highly recommend them, but they still have the black ones with P-90 pick ups, so there's that. A bit on the heavy side, weight wise, but sounds great, and plays like a dream. Next time Monoprice gets them back in stock, don't hesitate to purchase it. I haven't seen anybody make any video reviews on the Firefly SG with P-90s, but about a year ago, somebody did make a video review of their Les Paul gold top with P-90s, which convinced me to purchase one. They're still in stock, and they have two separate models: One with two P-90 pick ups, and one with THREE P-90pick ups. Both sound great.
I like the FF better....I like the pointy horns and the 2 vol 2 tone configuration, plus the build quality is alot better on the FF.
Appreciate your stopping in and sharing your thoughts Tracy!! Much appreciated! 👍🎸
Hey great video. Do you still have the guitars? Did you mod them? How would you compare the firefly to Epiphone guitars? Thank you for posting this.
Thanks for watching and commenting Angel…yes, I still have both guitars. No mods at all on them…completely stock on both. I don’t own a Epiphone SG so can’t really say, but I did own some other Epiphone’s (LP and acoustic) and the FFLP’S certainly hold their own against the Epiphone. Appreciate your stopping in to the channel! 🎸👍
@@JimmyStewart1 Okay, thank you for responding. I check out the firefly to see how it compares to my Gibson '61 SG Re-issue. I am in need of getting a budget SG. I know of course that the Firefly iis not going to be as good as the Gibson. We'll see, 90% of the time I am always on the Bridge Pickup. Thank you again.
@@AngelMartinez-qs3cf
My pleasure…either of these SG clones are worth the buy for sure. The Firefly has more finish choices. The Grote comes with a gig bag as I recall. Pricing was comparable. Good luck and be sure to let me know what you think once you decide and receive yours! Thanks again for stopping in!
The Firefly sounded much better but both beautiful 🎉
Hi eearts….thanks so much for watching and commenting. Truly appreciate your stopping into the channel and sharing your thoughts! 🎸👍
@@JimmyStewart1 My pleasure! Really appreciate and enjoy your content! I have a Firefly Strat I prefer to my Fender.
Nice!! I have one of the new “relic” Strats…it’s really an amazing guitar….🎸👍
Jim iv played singles for 45 yrs just got into humbuckers I just don't see any difference in sg.lp.335 and so on but singles has a wide range or is it just my ears ? I do like both the flyp is more aesthetic looking
Hi Tom…thanks for watching and commenting! I am a fan of single coils myself (especially P90’s) but humbuckers do have their place from time to time…after all, they really are a pair of singles wired together after all…😎
Obviously, they are not as “spanky” as singles, and tend to be a bit more “mid” sounding with the advantage of having less “hum” (thus the name). Just like single coils, they have a variety of different tones, depending on wiring, magnets, tone pots and capacitor used, ect…ect…
Tone is truly subjective, and everyone’s opinion on this is valid in some way! Thanks again for stopping in to the channel and sharing your thoughts…much appreciated! 👍🎸
@@JimmyStewart1 thanks Jim
@@tomritter493
My pleasure…👍🎸
Jimmy great video. Not a SG fan more of a Telecaster fan. Love the Color on the Grote. I like single volume and tone controls. Didn’t like the Firefly with distortion on. Sounded weird. The knock on FF are the pickups are too mircophonic. How are these?
Bob
Thanks for watching and commenting. I was leaving the current patches the same for both guitars, and actually you should adjust per each guitars pickup characteristics for best results. I prefer the ascetics of the Grote, but the better build is the FF…the pickups are good…of course at this price point, they are not the best, but more PAF humbucker characteristics in them. Truly appreciate your stopping in to the channel…thanks so much!! 👍🎸
Yup, the Firefly FFLPS is a better guitar. Grote guitars usually need some setting up before they are even playable. Firefly guitars can usually be played right out of the box in my humble opinion.
Thanks for watching and commenting Leo….there is things about both that I really like…wish I could mash those things together in one guitar, but more fun having both! Appreciate your stopping in and sharing pardner…👍🎸
I had a grote tele. Finish was good (purple quilt veneer), but the fretwork was terrible. It was playable, but really needed a full level, crown, polish. Sold it for close to what I paid so not a big loss for me.
great shootout bro!
id have to go with the grote on this one...it had that "angus young vibe" more than the firefly....thats just me tho!
i had a squier affinity strat with a humbucker in bridge position that had the same angus young tone but decided to change everything over to a thicker body strat...big mistake...it lost that acdc vibe!
ill get another one going in the future and get that acdc tone back woooo!!
Thanks so much for watching and commenting! I like them both, but in the end had to give the edge to the FF for over all build. I do like the sound of the Grote, and prefer the no pickguard look and single controls too. Thanks again for stopping in Mike…👍🎸
The Who! I like the Firefly a little better too. My Grote had some wiring issues, but is better now.
Thanks for watching and commenting Greg….just a better build overall, but a lot of things I prefer in the Grote too! Appreciate your stopping in…👍🎸
How do these compare to an epi sg? You can get one new for $200.
I would say they are compatible…but I don’t currently own the EPI SG
Thanks so much for watching and commenting! 👍🎸
Awesome JS🎸《☆》Nice Jamz & Comparo👍✔Only a mother could love the Groate. It's a bit on the ugly side with a bad name😁Take care Brother🖖🤓🏈
We love ‘em all…😎
Thanks so much for watching and commenting BDOG….👍🎸
The grote seems to have a warmer sound
Hi Becky…thanks for watching and commenting! Yep…the Grote pups are a bit more articulate. Truly appreciate your stopping in to the channel and sharing your thoughts! 🎸👍
I got one last monday and now my neck pick ups are screwed up and now I can't even play it now
Erin…I saw your other posts! Setup is pretty easy…do the initial setup 1st then adjust the pup height to your preference.
I like the Grout, I thought it had more bite and I don't care about the flame maple I'm so over that. I hate horrid ugly cheap pick guards screwed on on with big ugly screws and I don't like unnecessary " horns" on guitars !!!! That's why I like Tele and LP body styles that's just me!
I hear ya John…lots of things I like about the Grote too, as I mention. I am a big “offset” and Tele guy myself…truly appreciate your stopping in to the channel! 👍🎸
Grote looks like Redid sg
Hi Mike…well from what I understand, Grote makes the Redid brand as well so that would make sense. 🎸👍
Not simularities it is rather similarities
Ha!! Thanks for watching and commenting…it’s a Boston thing..
It’s from the Bostonian English Dictionary…😎
Appreciate your stopping in…🎸👍
@@JimmyStewart1 Just busting your chops man, fine guitars you have there. I have Grote and Firefly guitars love them both equally but they are both 338 shaped the Firefly is a gorgeous purple flame top whereas the Grote is a natural wood no gloss. I have Wilkinson noiseless P90's in the Grote which sounds superb and the Firefly I put in Dragonfire Screamers the only thing that needs to change on these guitars is the pickups, I am a bit of a pickups snob (not necessarily expensive but hey need to sound good and the ones that come are typically microphonic or flat sounding.🎸
@@zarlodious1
Hey..it’s all good man! Glad to see you stop by the channel! One thing I have found is I like the P90’s from both Grote and Firefly…the humbuckers on the Firefly’s are a bit inconsistent (as you would expect) but my 338 pups sound pretty good. Have yet to change any of them! Once again, appreciate your stopping into the channel! 🎸👍
GROTE is not GROUT...
Sure it is….🤣🤣
Thanks for watching Doug….much appreciated! 👍