• From: Santa Barbara, CA
  • Registered: 2011-09-02
  • Posts: 110

Topic: Epiphone Firebird

Anyone have one? I'm looking at one for Christmas and they look and sound really cool on the demos. I need some opinions on it.

  • From: Edwardsville, IL
  • Registered: 2010-05-17
  • Posts: 656

Re: Epiphone Firebird

I haven't played on personally, but I have an Epiphone Dot hollowbody and I really like the feel of it. I swapped out the pickups and it sounds really good.

my guitar playing. http://www.youtube.com/user/09ncowan?feature=mhee
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Epiphone Firebird

I think the Firebird Studio is one of the best Epiphones for the money you can buy.  Its got great hardware and the Tuners on them are killer.  For what they are asking for one even if they don't sound good pickup wise you could still have money in the bank to put a nice set of humbuckers in it.  I say go for it!  I've tried them and they are pretty darn good.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: The Gates of Delerium
  • Registered: 2008-05-07
  • Posts: 1,412

Re: Epiphone Firebird

I got mine used for $279 in new condition. The original owner returned it for some reason. I'm happy with it for what it cost. It's the "worn cherry" finish.
I have it in open tuning for those Johnny Winter moments when I need to play around with a slide.
Please note that the Epiphone Firebirds have a set neck - they are not a neck-thru-body design like Gibsons. This may affect the sustain to a certain degree. They are "neck heavy" due to the placement of the strap pin on the upper bout.

Major Tom to ground control...
  • From: Santa Barbara, CA
  • Registered: 2011-09-02
  • Posts: 110

Re: Epiphone Firebird

Thanks. If i do get one i will put a Seymour Duncan '59 in the bridge and a SD Billy Gibbons in the neck. I know Seymour and he can hook it up. But thanks!!! this seems like a good guitar for me.

  • From: Raleigh, NC USA
  • Registered: 2010-07-23
  • Posts: 18

Re: Epiphone Firebird

I have one in sunburst. I upgraded the pots which required drilling out the holes and buying new knobs.
Also the neck dive was so bad I had to drill into the neck plate and move the strap button there.
now I am quite happy with it. nice sustain and a bright overall tone.

  • From: Santa Barbara, CA
  • Registered: 2011-09-02
  • Posts: 110

Re: Epiphone Firebird

nbcswjb wrote:

I have one in sunburst. I upgraded the pots which required drilling out the holes and buying new knobs.
Also the neck dive was so bad I had to drill into the neck plate and move the strap button there.
now I am quite happy with it. nice sustain and a bright overall tone.

Nice! Could this guitar get close to the tone of a Les Paul? Maybe rolling back the tone pot?

  • From: Raleigh, NC USA
  • Registered: 2010-07-23
  • Posts: 18

Re: Epiphone Firebird

^
I don't know. I've never played a real les paul : (
But the firebird has mini humbuckers so I'll guess that makes a difference.
For me, I roll the tone back a little on the bridge pickup, but I play almost always on the neck pickup.

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

Re: Epiphone Firebird

The Les Paul Deluxe has the mini-humbuckers in them, so it'd probably be closest to that. If it's the epi firebird studio, it will have humbuckers though. I think it might be able to the Les Paul sound you want, as many LP players also use firebirds pretty comfortably without a large notice in change of tone.

- 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