• macg1
  • BONAMETAL
  • Offline
  • From: St. Petersburg, FL
  • Registered: 2010-01-21
  • Posts: 1,020

Topic: How to get my FB VII to the right sonic place?

Hey guys, I have this Gibson FB VII that I love to play... unplugged.  What happens is that when I plug into my rig (guitar> wah> budda phatman> 1966 Fender Bandmaster), I just don't have the sustain that I would normally have with my LP Standard (yeah I know I shouldn't).  When I see people like JB and other players with Firebirds and they sound great it makes me wonder what is wrong with mine and how to "fix it".  I wanted to put a tuneomatic bridge in it but i would have to route the body of the guitar (which I am not excited about).  Any other suggestions?

Amp: Firebird Musical Amplifiers
Guitars:62 LP SG , 02 FB VII, JB FB I, 76 Electra Omega, 64 Firebird V, 73 LPC, 61 Custom Tele, 59 and 60 Melody Maker
Effects: Mythos Chupacabra, Strymon Deco/Flint
  • Registered: 2007-09-30
  • Posts: 556

Re: How to get my FB VII to the right sonic place?

Firebirds are tricky guitars in general, but sound wicked.  Play around with different pickup heights and crank your amp.  The tremelo on it might be part of the problem, but I can't really say because I own a Firebird V and a Custom Shop one like Warren Haynes non-reverse with the "half covered" humbuckers, but mine is Cardinal Red.  Both have stop tails...  You can't really compare it to your LP, they are the king of sustain  tongue  ...

Ben

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: How to get my FB VII to the right sonic place?

new pickups by far. the only difference that separates your acoustic sound from your plugged in sound is your pickups. The more pickups you go through with other guitars and other pickups... the more difference you realize it makes.

here are some seymour duncan choices
http://www.warmoth.com/Firebird-Pickups-C738.aspx

and if you want to experiment without going broke, I'd try GFS guitar fetish pickups.
http://store.guitarfetish.com/minihumbuckers.html

Any guitar that sounds good unplugged should sound GREAT plugged in...no excuses. New pickups should really make it come alive.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool