Sean when playing the subject guitar could you do one part with no pedals or reverb to hear the guitar sound first then add what you use and tell us what pedals you use so we can buy what you use.
I think it’s worth to mention that maybe historically these Epis pickups are more accurate. They are not mini humbuckers like Gibs but more true to the firebirds pickups: “Neither the original Mini Humbuckers, nor the Firebirds, were very likely to be wax potted, which gives them a slightly more microphonic sound, but several modern versions of a wax-potted style of these pickups are available.”
This guitar looks gorgeous!! As primarily a Les Paul player, instead of 2 grand for the new Gibson version, I would be more than happy with this. Couldn’t be more in love with my 1959 dark burst that I just got from Epiphone.
I have one and love everything about it. It's an awesome deal I can't believe they can make it at this price now even...got mine when it was $599.99 and it's awesome deal at the price they sell it for. I got the Epiphone Korina Explorer for $599.99 too was going to get the matching Korina flying V....I wish I did. I love my explorer fantastic deal also 😊
Two things 1965 - 1967 Firebirds did not all have banjo tuner's. And the biggest thing is the pick ups. When Gibson designed the Firebird they just purchased Epiphone. They decided to use the Epiphone mini pickup the pickup was unique in that the magnet was in the core of the coil. Were humbuckers used pole pieces with the magnet below. The Epiphone Firebird includes the original Firebird style pickup's with magnetic cores. Were the new Gibson Firebirds include mini humbuckers just like their full-size humbuckers.
I just picked one of these up mint condition with that killer case which is unbelievable Epiphone case made for the guitar for 375 bucks all I head to do was tune it up and I was ripping I was really shocked I thought it was probably going to need a setup and this and that xcetera matthys little humbuckers have a really cool sound Strat tele humbucker all mixed in between and the intonation was spot-on from top to the last fret I was actually blown away I couldn't believe it bought it at pawn shop on layaway if it didn't have the case I might not have bought it because the case on this thing is unbelievable it's huge looks like a case for a bass guitar anyway yeah got to give double thumbs up on this bad boy for sure
I own both and 4 epi Firebirds. One 2017 firebird 5. My epi IBG 2020 was the best buy of all. Most played at the moment.2008 worn cherry studio will hold it's own as well.
Apparently, it's an Alnico II pickup with the usual DC resistance of a 'PAF". The inductance is a bit bigger, so I would expect it to be a bit louder, less top end maybe. Alnico II"s are typically to be said to have less bass and less high end, a 'sweet' sound.
Gibson USA ditched the banjo tuners years ago in favor of Steinberger tuners. Then they ditched the Steinbergers for mini-Grovers for their latest iteration of the Gibson USA Firebird. I have a 2013 Gibson USA Firebird IV, and just got the Epiphone Firebird today. The Epiphone is pretty darn good! I haven't compared it to my Gibson yet, but the Gibson has hotter ceramic pickups. The Epi has alnico 5. I usually prefer alnico magnet pickups over ceramic, so we'll have to see which one I think sounds best.
I got lucky and scooped up one when others were waiting 4 months already. An outstanding guitar!!! It took me about 6 months to get a case, also always out of stock, and got lucky one day. I wanted one FOREVER!!! Years even.... I even tried to buy a local Gibson, which fell through. It is a forever keeper. I will possibly upgrade the pickups, and might even do a full rewire with PIO caps, Lollars etc... I will also sand the ridges out of the frets and polish them up, to get the butter smooth. Some Indian Laurel looks just bad, Kind of grey and sometimes a greenish tint.. Epiphone does much better than most, but they have no shine. I have found using 800 grit on the frets and fretboard, polish the frets with #0000 steel wool. and it makes them shine like chrome. It makes you wonder why they don't do it. To improve the color I use red mahogany stain. It seems to add to the sheen as well. But anyway, a stellar guitar. Get one before they stop making them. The last batch from Korea was approaching $1000 to buy one used!... Epiphone came along and one upped the old ones with the full neck through, for $400 less.
I was looking for that high end chime from the pickups, and I was able to get it by dialing in the height. If you get that right, the neck pickup really comes into its own.
@@koryb.1112 I’m pretty sure I set them both around 3/32” and then backed off the neck pickup to what I wanted to hear. The bass side was a little lower than the treble, I didn’t think to measure where I ended up.
Oh I didn't mention my fret ends are smooth as silk and this thing is super shiny so I just left the comment on the rest of the guitar a couple of comments be playing her again tonight
I bought the Epi. I gift from family.... where's that Todd tune, I just want to bang on the drum all day,,,,' Would work for the Epi FireBird. I love it. edit, i was care taker of a Gibson CR from '76 in the mid '80s.. I dig my Epi more.
Decision made. I already decided to buy this guitar. It's my favorite body style out of all the Gibson models. I'm no where even close to being a guitar player Worthy of professionalism, and would be completely pointless for me to pay triple the money for a name. The only thing about buying this is the fact it comes from and made in the cheap china. Thank you for the demo! Already made the decision to buy, but your review sealed the deal.
@@timjoseph887 sure did! And I love it! I wanted the olive green, because seems like most people always buy the fireburst, and the place I got it only had one green one left in stock. So I got lucky on that part. It's everything I thought it would be! Wouldn't take nothing for it!
@@gregorydavidson177 that’s great! I don’t want to risk buying in off sweetwater and then having to return it . I heard the workmanship isn’t great like the fret job and stuff so I don’t know yet…
@@timjoseph887 well, I wouldn't want to say as far as stuff like that goes. I am pretty new at guitar, so I wouldn't know a bad frett job from a good one, but I have read the exact same thing about them. But for me, that's just a minor thing. I am definitely happy with what I have, but an experienced guitarist, may say otherwise. I bought mine through zzounds, I've never dealt with sweetwater, but I'm sure it wouldn't be any difference as far as where it comes from.
I am so pissed right now! How did you get one before me? Wahhhhnnnn 😢 Just kidding Killer review, Bravo!! If you really wanted better p/up’s and could spend say $3-400 what would they be? Let’s face it out of an electric guitar, the sound comes from the pickups. What say ye?
Good review, but you haven't done your homework when it comes to the banjo tuners on the Gibson Firebird, as the recent Gibson Firebirds come also with the Grover tuners ....
Well, i have this guitar and i can say that it's not nessesary to buy Lollars. The Epi Pickups are very good. Way better as the ceramic Gibsons...i changed the stopbar posts and bridge with Faber parts.
Yeah I think I might throw a set of Lawler pickups in this I'm using voice Google girl doesn't know how to spell and this guitar would kill for sure please pick up some pretty decent yeah I'd say probably about 7 to 8 on a scale of 10 but with the lollar pickups oh she got it right that time I'm serious this bird would sing but mint 385 with case yo that's why I did 20% down I do have to have this thing regardless didn't play it through an amp just did some Straumann I told the girl at the store this thing looks brand new does it have a case she looked at the tag said yeah you have it can I see it sure enough this case is as big as a bass guitar case super nice these cases got to cost over two hundred bucks for sure so anyway I'm really happy with the price and the guitar actually after having this I wouldn't mind paying more but got to love it when you get a super deal I do have a couple of other Epis 1 is the gold top 59 reissue that came out in I think 2019 that thing is just as sweet as my real Gibson's or pretty doggone close about that one brand new think it was around 600 something no case though Guitar Center but had to set it up think I spent 120 bucks to get it right on but the firebird didn't have to do nothing so I guess I made up for the gold top with the extra $120 plus no case anyway keep your eyes open they're out there!
@@SeanZetterlund I think one of my biggest issues is the statements made by a lot of RUclips guitar from lks is that the "inspired by Gibson" era is equal to Gibson etc. I'm just not seeing it. The body work is fantastic. The pick-up situation may get slightly better with boutique shit. However, fretwork is where these I need to see care.
I couldn’t see paying 3 times as much to have Gibson on the headstock. So I paid $30 for a Gibson logo truss rod cover and slapped it on my Epiphone Firebird. Shh. Don’t tell anyone. 😂
I watched the video. Before the actual demo, everything seemed ok. The reviewer seemed to know his stuff. Then he played. I really don't think that first year, remedial, entry-level guitarists have any business whatsoever doing reviews. Seriously. Very, very bad.
Demo at 8:04 !!!
Sean when playing the subject guitar could you do one part with no pedals or reverb to hear the guitar sound first then add what you use and tell us what pedals you use so we can buy what you use.
great review and awesome playing!
I bought this last year 2021 and i love the firebird!
it sure is quirky and unique.
I think it’s worth to mention that maybe historically these Epis pickups are more accurate. They are not mini humbuckers like Gibs but more true to the firebirds pickups: “Neither the original Mini Humbuckers, nor the Firebirds, were very likely to be wax potted, which gives them a slightly more microphonic sound, but several modern versions of a wax-potted style of these pickups are available.”
This guitar looks gorgeous!! As primarily a Les Paul player, instead of 2 grand for the new Gibson version, I would be more than happy with this. Couldn’t be more in love with my 1959 dark burst that I just got from Epiphone.
I have one and love everything about it. It's an awesome deal I can't believe they can make it at this price now even...got mine when it was $599.99 and it's awesome deal at the price they sell it for. I got the Epiphone Korina Explorer for $599.99 too was going to get the matching Korina flying V....I wish I did. I love my explorer fantastic deal also 😊
Two things 1965 - 1967 Firebirds did not all have banjo tuner's. And the biggest thing is the pick ups. When Gibson designed the Firebird they just purchased Epiphone. They decided to use the Epiphone mini pickup the pickup was unique in that the magnet was in the core of the coil. Were humbuckers used pole pieces with the magnet below. The Epiphone Firebird includes the original Firebird style pickup's with magnetic cores. Were the new Gibson Firebirds include mini humbuckers just like their full-size humbuckers.
Great playing Sean!
I just picked one of these up mint condition with that killer case which is unbelievable Epiphone case made for the guitar for 375 bucks all I head to do was tune it up and I was ripping I was really shocked I thought it was probably going to need a setup and this and that xcetera matthys little humbuckers have a really cool sound Strat tele humbucker all mixed in between and the intonation was spot-on from top to the last fret I was actually blown away I couldn't believe it bought it at pawn shop on layaway if it didn't have the case I might not have bought it because the case on this thing is unbelievable it's huge looks like a case for a bass guitar anyway yeah got to give double thumbs up on this bad boy for sure
Great review!
Nice review! Not quite sure but some current years Gibson firebird also uses Grover tuners than banjo tuners (cost consideration? I am not sure).
Hey nice demo review. Do you still have the guitar? Did you change the pickups to lollar Pups? Thank you for posting this.
I own both and 4 epi Firebirds. One 2017 firebird 5. My epi IBG 2020 was the best buy of all. Most played at the moment.2008 worn cherry studio will hold it's own as well.
I absolutely love my Epiphone inspired by G firebird too
Apparently, it's an Alnico II pickup with the usual DC resistance of a 'PAF". The inductance is a bit bigger, so I would expect it to be a bit louder, less top end maybe. Alnico II"s are typically to be said to have less bass and less high end, a 'sweet' sound.
Modern Gibson Firebirds don't come with banjo tuners either! They tried Steinbergers for a while and now they also fit them with Grovers.
Gibson USA ditched the banjo tuners years ago in favor of Steinberger tuners. Then they ditched the Steinbergers for mini-Grovers for their latest iteration of the Gibson USA Firebird. I have a 2013 Gibson USA Firebird IV, and just got the Epiphone Firebird today. The Epiphone is pretty darn good! I haven't compared it to my Gibson yet, but the Gibson has hotter ceramic pickups. The Epi has alnico 5. I usually prefer alnico magnet pickups over ceramic, so we'll have to see which one I think sounds best.
I got lucky and scooped up one when others were waiting 4 months already. An outstanding guitar!!! It took me about 6 months to get a case, also always out of stock, and got lucky one day. I wanted one FOREVER!!! Years even.... I even tried to buy a local Gibson, which fell through. It is a forever keeper. I will possibly upgrade the pickups, and might even do a full rewire with PIO caps, Lollars etc... I will also sand the ridges out of the frets and polish them up, to get the butter smooth. Some Indian Laurel looks just bad, Kind of grey and sometimes a greenish tint.. Epiphone does much better than most, but they have no shine. I have found using 800 grit on the frets and fretboard, polish the frets with #0000 steel wool. and it makes them shine like chrome. It makes you wonder why they don't do it. To improve the color I use red mahogany stain. It seems to add to the sheen as well. But anyway, a stellar guitar. Get one before they stop making them. The last batch from Korea was approaching $1000 to buy one used!... Epiphone came along and one upped the old ones with the full neck through, for $400 less.
Definitely need mo guitar videos mate
Anyone know or can recommend the pickup height for this guitar? Epiphone Probucker pickups that is. Cant find em anywhere. Cheers!
u definitely sold me on one. i instantly went to see what the monthly would be on zzsounds lol
Do you think Banjo or Steinberger tuners would fit properly on this guitar?
Sounds great to me
Forgot to ask, are the Pickups Alnico 5 or Ceramic?
EPI Firebird pickups sound awesome
They come in white too as saw one somewhere?
I was looking for that high end chime from the pickups, and I was able to get it by dialing in the height. If you get that right, the neck pickup really comes into its own.
At what height do you hear a difference?
@@koryb.1112 I’m pretty sure I set them both around 3/32” and then backed off the neck pickup to what I wanted to hear. The bass side was a little lower than the treble, I didn’t think to measure where I ended up.
Oh I didn't mention my fret ends are smooth as silk and this thing is super shiny so I just left the comment on the rest of the guitar a couple of comments be playing her again tonight
I bought the Epi. I gift from family....
where's that Todd tune, I just want to bang on the drum all day,,,,'
Would work for the Epi FireBird.
I love it.
edit, i was care taker of a Gibson CR from '76 in the mid '80s.. I dig my Epi more.
Decision made. I already decided to buy this guitar. It's my favorite body style out of all the Gibson models. I'm no where even close to being a guitar player Worthy of professionalism, and would be completely pointless for me to pay triple the money for a name. The only thing about buying this is the fact it comes from and made in the cheap china. Thank you for the demo! Already made the decision to buy, but your review sealed the deal.
Did you buy it?
@@timjoseph887 sure did! And I love it! I wanted the olive green, because seems like most people always buy the fireburst, and the place I got it only had one green one left in stock. So I got lucky on that part. It's everything I thought it would be! Wouldn't take nothing for it!
I would never pay a massive amount of money for a guitar, but when or if I ever get the money, I will buy a Gibson.
@@gregorydavidson177 that’s great! I don’t want to risk buying in off sweetwater and then having to return it . I heard the workmanship isn’t great like the fret job and stuff so I don’t know yet…
@@timjoseph887 well, I wouldn't want to say as far as stuff like that goes. I am pretty new at guitar, so I wouldn't know a bad frett job from a good one, but I have read the exact same thing about them. But for me, that's just a minor thing. I am definitely happy with what I have, but an experienced guitarist, may say otherwise. I bought mine through zzounds, I've never dealt with sweetwater, but I'm sure it wouldn't be any difference as far as where it comes from.
I am so pissed right now! How did you get one before me? Wahhhhnnnn 😢 Just kidding
Killer review, Bravo!! If you really wanted better p/up’s and could spend say $3-400 what would they be? Let’s face it out of an electric guitar, the sound comes from the pickups. What say ye?
It’s a great guitar.
Good review, but you haven't done your homework when it comes to the banjo tuners on the Gibson Firebird, as the recent Gibson Firebirds come also with the Grover tuners ....
I think the tuners on this one make the headstock look better.
Well, i have this guitar and i can say that it's not nessesary to buy Lollars. The Epi Pickups are very good. Way better as the ceramic Gibsons...i changed the stopbar posts and bridge with Faber parts.
Nice vibrato
Hmmmm that headstock is different than a Gibson. And the tuners are spaced too far apart. But otherwise seems like a great deal!
Really
Yeah I think I might throw a set of Lawler pickups in this I'm using voice Google girl doesn't know how to spell and this guitar would kill for sure please pick up some pretty decent yeah I'd say probably about 7 to 8 on a scale of 10 but with the lollar pickups oh she got it right that time I'm serious this bird would sing but mint 385 with case yo that's why I did 20% down I do have to have this thing regardless didn't play it through an amp just did some Straumann I told the girl at the store this thing looks brand new does it have a case she looked at the tag said yeah you have it can I see it sure enough this case is as big as a bass guitar case super nice these cases got to cost over two hundred bucks for sure so anyway I'm really happy with the price and the guitar actually after having this I wouldn't mind paying more but got to love it when you get a super deal I do have a couple of other Epis 1 is the gold top 59 reissue that came out in I think 2019 that thing is just as sweet as my real Gibson's or pretty doggone close about that one brand new think it was around 600 something no case though Guitar Center but had to set it up think I spent 120 bucks to get it right on but the firebird didn't have to do nothing so I guess I made up for the gold top with the extra $120 plus no case anyway keep your eyes open they're out there!
Gibson's since 2018 have grovers not steinbergers or banjo tuners.
Every guitar RUclips video- is a cheap guitar better than a Gibson? Click, click, click.
From a cost standpoint? Probably. However...I just purchased one and have to say that the fretwork on this guitar is utter trash.
that's a bummer. its possible i just got lucky with the fretwork on this one then
@@SeanZetterlund there's no telling. I have a casino that has good fretwork on it. The nut is not great, but it's playable
@@SeanZetterlund I think one of my biggest issues is the statements made by a lot of RUclips guitar from lks is that the "inspired by Gibson" era is equal to Gibson etc. I'm just not seeing it. The body work is fantastic. The pick-up situation may get slightly better with boutique shit. However, fretwork is where these I need to see care.
@@jasonconerty2214 tbf they could just be going for Norlen Era/10 years ago Gibsons.
I have one and it’s flawless.
Fuck banjo tuners
Rather have mini grovers
I couldn’t see paying 3 times as much to have Gibson on the headstock. So I paid $30 for a Gibson logo truss rod cover and slapped it on my Epiphone Firebird. Shh. Don’t tell anyone. 😂
I watched the video.
Before the actual demo, everything seemed ok. The reviewer seemed to know his stuff.
Then he played.
I really don't think that first year, remedial, entry-level guitarists have any business whatsoever doing reviews.
Seriously.
Very, very bad.
you are a tool
you are a tool
you are a tool
you are a tool
you are a tool