Super quick note: The 'blemish' I mentioned on the Firefly was actually a smudge that I was able to polish away. Also. My acoustic pickup wasn't working so I just did 2 lead sections instead with both guitars 🙃 Thanks for watching!
In response to concerns over the firefly arriving damaged, I ordered the firefly lp style that got beat up in the mail. I emailed them and sent pictures of how the neck was cracked. Customer service at firefly was helpful and shipped me one that arrived whole. I am not sure what experience others have had with firefly but mine was very good. I have ordered two guitars from firefly and really like them both.
I really enjoyed your video. Your playing was great and you seemed pretty fair to both. I actually had an Oliver and sold it after a while because the sound was a bit dull and I found it didn't project well for a solid top. I've owned other auditorium sized guitars which were much louder. The one positive was that it was built like a tank and the tuners were great. I'd like to try the Firefly but I'm a bit reluctant as the two Firefly electrics I've owned both had horrible tuners.
That's right! I believe I did call out that the top is solid. The Orangewood also has a solid top. Since then I've been able to confirm the rosewood back and sides are laminate.
All of the affordable Yamaha FG guitars are very solid for the money. It's tough to say. I think with Orangewood you get convenience, with Firefly you get bling and with Yamaha you get the ability to buy it at any local GC or really anywhere. Tone wise they are all probably close.
@@Chupacabramusic I don't doubt it! I haven't played a Yamaha FG in a decade but I recall them having a very full and warm but balanced sound. They were loud and proud, the ones I remember. I'll need to check one of the newer ones to see.
@@RafsGearReviews right.. I'd personally fork the extra 100 for an Alvarez but thats a Sentimental reason. And I think its worth it. But these 2 here man as we said u can't go wrong with either. Neither one is a waste of the price
Great review. One thing to take in to account is that a spruce top and a mahogany top will have a different tone. I have a Firefly DA02-S1 and I am very impressed with how it sounds. They are both a good choice in guitars but I'm a Firefly fan. Thx for putting this out you play great.
Thanks for the compliment and great call out. Spruce tops are bright and more chimey whereas mahogany has more mid range and bass to my ears. I would have loved to do an apples to apples comparison but I was at the mercy of what I was sent. Thanks for watching!
The back and sides are indeed laminate on the FF acoustics. I think you pretty much hit the differences in overall sound…obviously the FF is going to project more due to body size, and characteristics of a spruce top vs mahogany along with top bracing, etc…I think I read in another comment that you restrung both guitars using same strings, as that of course will affect overall sound, tone, brightness and bottom end. The FF should open up a bit as it ages as well. Mine required a good cleaning and setup, but so did just about every guitar I have bought. Thanks for the comparison…👍
Hey cuzin, isn't that firefly 's top solid? I thought I was told they aren't laminated but maybe I misheard that. Also if you don't mind me asking what Guage and brand strings are riding on
Both guitars have solid tops with laminate sides. If I remember correctly I had both guitars strung with Ernie Ball Earthwood strings (Medium gauge - 12-54)
Your acoustic playing is excellent man. I think out of the 2 I liked how the Firefly sounded better but I like the satin Mahogany finish on the Orangewood. Honestly it's tough to pick one so I think the best solution is to get both 😅
I've worked in and owned a recording studio for over 25 yrs now so I'm prob paying attention to things I'm personally more familiar with noticing. The firefly is clearly a louder guitar but the other one has a way broader sonic range. Its not as loud but volume shouldn't be mistaken for any Instruments range capabilities. Bottom line none the less is all of them are pretty great for the cost .. I don't think anyone could really pick the "wrong" one. Even the Yamaha series suits.. for that price range I'd fork the extra 100 for an Alvarez personally but none are the wrong choice... Good show man. Real good show
Spot on! The Orangewood is a more versatile and balanced sounding guitar. Firefly is louder and a bit brighter. I think it really depends on preference. If I wanted to play a loud and bright strumming pattern, I'd probably pick the FF but if I wanted something like an arpeggio or a lead section I'd prob grab the Orangewood. Either way, like you said, you can't go wrong! Thanks for watching!
Most commercial wood is graded. I think some guitar companies exaggerate about the grading of the wood they use. It's hard to believe they use top grade wood considering what they sell their guitars for. Maybe they have their own people doing the grading.🤔 I do like the tone of the Firefly more but it's a bigger guitar using brighter sounding tone wood. They are both beautiful instruments and seem to be really good considering their cost. Great review! 😊
seems like the orangewood has awful fret buzz when you played high on the neck. i think it has a bad vibration as well, maybe improper glueing on the bracing or the bridge. To me the firefly seems better.
Thanks Raf! I don't have a FF acoustic. I do have an Orangewood (Florence), a Recording King Dirty 30's parlor, and a Jim Dandy parlor. I actually like the RK sound best. The JD is a knock about, and the Orangewood is very quality, but with a mellower sound.
So Firefly sent you a custom set up guitar that you compared to a orange guitar that was setup in California? Would any guitar purchased from firefly have the same wonderful setup?
They did not send me a specially or specific to me set up instrument. It just happened to be perfectly set up. I have seen others comment on low action on the Dreadnought models but I don't think it's a guarantee.
Thank you for the kind words! They sound nice for what they are, affordable acoustics. Nothing in the range of a good Taylor, Martin, high end Yamaha, etc. I've been playing on and off for about 20 years now.
Hey Raf, I saw this $260 guitar on Amazon. It's 41" solid walnut acoustic electric with a mahogany neck, arm cut, & gig bag at Harmonia. It's made by Alston and in the photos the frets & tuning keys look like the EART stuff 🤔
I agree! The FF, to my ears, is more than anything a bit louder and a bit brighter, so 'open' sounds about right. The Orangewood is more balanced, probably a bit more versatile. Thanks!
You made no mention of how the Firefly was packaged for shipping to you. The packaging to everyone else has been a 1 ply box with no protection. Many firefly acoustics arrive damaged. very risky purchase.
I did ask FF about that and they said the issue was being 'resolved'. I'm not sure by when that is though. I will say the Orangewood came inside the gig bag inside the box so better for now in termd of packaging. I think if Firefly managed to include a gig bag or package it like the Firefly Les Pauls there would be liytle to no issues or concerns.
You cannot, or I should say, should not try comparing. Mahogany topped guitar to a spruce topped guitar. The spruce top will most always win. Not a fair comparison. Then you compare an OM body style to a dreadnaught. Again, not a fair comparison in two ways now.
Yeah I totally understand what you mean and I did call it out on the video but unfortunately that is what I had to work with. I did set both guitars up with the same strings to make it as fair as possible. Hopefully in the future I'll have a chance to compare two identically spec'd models 😃
Super quick note: The 'blemish' I mentioned on the Firefly was actually a smudge that I was able to polish away.
Also. My acoustic pickup wasn't working so I just did 2 lead sections instead with both guitars 🙃
Thanks for watching!
In response to concerns over the firefly arriving damaged, I ordered the firefly lp style that got beat up in the mail. I emailed them and sent pictures of how the neck was cracked. Customer service at firefly was helpful and shipped me one that arrived whole. I am not sure what experience others have had with firefly but mine was very good. I have ordered two guitars from firefly and really like them both.
Great review. I have an Orangewood and it's fantastic. The Firefly looks really interesting though, I'll have to check it out.
Thanks!
I really enjoyed your video. Your playing was great and you seemed pretty fair to both. I actually had an Oliver and sold it after a while because the sound was a bit dull and I found it didn't project well for a solid top. I've owned other auditorium sized guitars which were much louder. The one positive was that it was built like a tank and the tuners were great. I'd like to try the Firefly but I'm a bit reluctant as the two Firefly electrics I've owned both had horrible tuners.
The most inexpensive one sounds brighter, and at the same time deeper. You helped me to decide, and I thank you for that. Blessings... ❤️
The firefly had a solid spruce top. It is not laminate. Not sure about the sides and back, though. That could be why it has a better sound.
That's right! I believe I did call out that the top is solid. The Orangewood also has a solid top.
Since then I've been able to confirm the rosewood back and sides are laminate.
That Orangewood looks really nice.
It's a beauty!
Sorry for the late question, do you know the nut width on the Firefly? Interesting guitar and great demo/comparison, too!
Sorry for the super late answer but I believe it is 42mm
Nice vid! I was actually in between these 2 acoustics and a Yamaha FG800. What do you think of the Yamaha and how does it compare to these 2?
All of the affordable Yamaha FG guitars are very solid for the money. It's tough to say. I think with Orangewood you get convenience, with Firefly you get bling and with Yamaha you get the ability to buy it at any local GC or really anywhere. Tone wise they are all probably close.
@@RafsGearReviews I've played the Yamaha FG800 and the Orangewood and for my money the Yamaha sounds much better.
@@RafsGearReviews Yamaha. Fosho... the two in this vid don't sound bad tho..
@@Chupacabramusic I don't doubt it! I haven't played a Yamaha FG in a decade but I recall them having a very full and warm but balanced sound. They were loud and proud, the ones I remember. I'll need to check one of the newer ones to see.
@@RafsGearReviews right.. I'd personally fork the extra 100 for an Alvarez but thats a Sentimental reason. And I think its worth it. But these 2 here man as we said u can't go wrong with either. Neither one is a waste of the price
Great playing! Just recently picked up the Firefly DA01. Great guitar
Thanks! I really liked how this one stacked up in the video. Really nice, warm sound to it.
Great review. One thing to take in to account is that a spruce top and a mahogany top will have a different tone. I have a Firefly DA02-S1 and I am very impressed with how it sounds. They are both a good choice in guitars but I'm a Firefly fan. Thx for putting this out you play great.
Thanks for the compliment and great call out. Spruce tops are bright and more chimey whereas mahogany has more mid range and bass to my ears. I would have loved to do an apples to apples comparison but I was at the mercy of what I was sent. Thanks for watching!
Check out the Idyllwild solid-top from monoprice
@@Group_Anonymous I've heard great things about them! I'll have to check one out at some point.
The back and sides are indeed laminate on the FF acoustics. I think you pretty much hit the differences in overall sound…obviously the FF is going to project more due to body size, and characteristics of a spruce top vs mahogany along with top bracing, etc…I think I read in another comment that you restrung both guitars using same strings, as that of course will affect overall sound, tone, brightness and bottom end. The FF should open up a bit as it ages as well. Mine required a good cleaning and setup, but so did just about every guitar I have bought. Thanks for the comparison…👍
Thanks for watching! I appreciate the feedback Jimmy
Hey cuzin, isn't that firefly 's top solid? I thought I was told they aren't laminated but maybe I misheard that.
Also if you don't mind me asking what Guage and brand strings are riding on
Both guitars have solid tops with laminate sides. If I remember correctly I had both guitars strung with Ernie Ball Earthwood strings (Medium gauge - 12-54)
@@RafsGearReviews thanks cuzin
Your acoustic playing is excellent man. I think out of the 2 I liked how the Firefly sounded better but I like the satin Mahogany finish on the Orangewood. Honestly it's tough to pick one so I think the best solution is to get both 😅
Thanks for the kind words and when talking about guitars going for both is always the right choice 🤣
I did.... The orangewood showed up on my porch in alabama in tune....
I've worked in and owned a recording studio for over 25 yrs now so I'm prob paying attention to things I'm personally more familiar with noticing. The firefly is clearly a louder guitar but the other one has a way broader sonic range. Its not as loud but volume shouldn't be mistaken for any Instruments range capabilities. Bottom line none the less is all of them are pretty great for the cost .. I don't think anyone could really pick the "wrong" one. Even the Yamaha series suits.. for that price range I'd fork the extra 100 for an Alvarez personally but none are the wrong choice...
Good show man.
Real good show
Spot on! The Orangewood is a more versatile and balanced sounding guitar. Firefly is louder and a bit brighter. I think it really depends on preference. If I wanted to play a loud and bright strumming pattern, I'd probably pick the FF but if I wanted something like an arpeggio or a lead section I'd prob grab the Orangewood. Either way, like you said, you can't go wrong!
Thanks for watching!
@@RafsGearReviews very good cuzin. Very good.. good show
Most commercial wood is graded. I think some guitar companies exaggerate about the grading of the wood they use. It's hard to believe they use top grade wood considering what they sell their guitars for. Maybe they have their own people doing the grading.🤔
I do like the tone of the Firefly more but it's a bigger guitar using brighter sounding tone wood. They are both beautiful instruments and seem to be really good considering their cost.
Great review! 😊
seems like the orangewood has awful fret buzz when you played high on the neck. i think it has a bad vibration as well, maybe improper glueing on the bracing or the bridge. To me the firefly seems better.
Grading on Spruce tops relates to the straightness and consistency of the grain. Not sure the firefly is really AAA top, but its nice.
Thanks Raf! I don't have a FF acoustic. I do have an Orangewood (Florence), a Recording King Dirty 30's parlor, and a Jim Dandy parlor. I actually like the RK sound best. The JD is a knock about, and the Orangewood is very quality, but with a mellower sound.
Guys like that can make any guitar sound good !
So Firefly sent you a custom set up guitar that you compared to a orange guitar that was setup in California? Would any guitar purchased from firefly have the same wonderful setup?
They did not send me a specially or specific to me set up instrument. It just happened to be perfectly set up. I have seen others comment on low action on the Dreadnought models but I don't think it's a guarantee.
They sound okay. Wow your a great player. How long you been playing?
Thank you for the kind words! They sound nice for what they are, affordable acoustics. Nothing in the range of a good Taylor, Martin, high end Yamaha, etc.
I've been playing on and off for about 20 years now.
Hey Raf,
I saw this $260 guitar on Amazon. It's 41" solid walnut acoustic electric with a mahogany neck, arm cut, & gig bag at Harmonia. It's made by Alston and in the photos the frets & tuning keys look like the EART stuff 🤔
Great find! I looked it up and it's interesting. The frets don't look too polished though bit interesting top and features.
The Xaviere rich tone wood looks interesting too.
Thanks for the videos featuring the lower cost guitars. They help me get the best value.
Out of curiosity, were they each strung with fresh new strings of the same Guage and/or brand?
Yeap. Should have called it out on the video but both have Ernie Ball Phosphor Bronze Medium Light.
FF= brighter more "open". The Orangewood sounds better overall with a more even, listenable tone. Great playing BTW.
I agree! The FF, to my ears, is more than anything a bit louder and a bit brighter, so 'open' sounds about right. The Orangewood is more balanced, probably a bit more versatile.
Thanks!
harley benton has some cheap guitars too have you reviewed them?
I've checked a few out but not in a while. This is the last one I reviewed; ruclips.net/video/H-uX3xupqE4/видео.html
Where can we buy orange wood guitar
orangewoodguitars.com/
This is their website where you can get one. Thanks for watching!
🎸 🔥
Mahogany is always more mellow than spruce.
You made no mention of how the Firefly was packaged for shipping to you. The packaging to everyone else has been a 1 ply box with no protection. Many firefly acoustics arrive damaged. very risky purchase.
13:30
Wait nvm I reread your comment. Mine was singleboxed with the foam bag as everyone else's.
I did ask FF about that and they said the issue was being 'resolved'. I'm not sure by when that is though. I will say the Orangewood came inside the gig bag inside the box so better for now in termd of packaging. I think if Firefly managed to include a gig bag or package it like the Firefly Les Pauls there would be liytle to no issues or concerns.
You cannot, or I should say, should not try comparing. Mahogany topped guitar to a spruce topped guitar. The spruce top will most always win. Not a fair comparison. Then you compare an OM body style to a dreadnaught. Again, not a fair comparison in two ways now.
Yeah I totally understand what you mean and I did call it out on the video but unfortunately that is what I had to work with. I did set both guitars up with the same strings to make it as fair as possible. Hopefully in the future I'll have a chance to compare two identically spec'd models 😃
That couldn't be real abalone. I think they are plastic.