• From: Ohio
  • Registered: 2007-09-10
  • Posts: 957

Topic: Gibson SG vs Firebird

Sooooo G.A.S has struck again! What are the major differences between the two? They can be had for right around the same price... I am starting to gravitate towards heavy rock and roll/rock blues of the dirtier variation. Thanks for the help!



Thanks
Logan

Block inlay Gibson ES-335, 50th anniversary American Strat, '61 RI White SG, '62 RI Relic Strat, Replica Korina Flying V, Gold Tone Paul Beard Resonator,  '58 Les Paul RI, American Highway 1 Fender Strat, Breedlove Acoustic, Stonetree Joe Bonamassa Custom, HIWATT Lead 100R, Reeves Custom 30.
  • From: York, PA
  • Registered: 2010-08-27
  • Posts: 1,749

Re: Gibson SG vs Firebird

I only have an SG standard so all I can say would be about that guitar. Not sure if you've played one before or not, but the neck is a tad thick and can seem a bit un proportionate with the thin SG body, but its not top heavy. The SG 61 Reissue has a thinner neck, not sure about pickups in it. Standard's pups are not bad, decent tone. It has more bite than a LP. Overall, I really like the guitar. Easy to play and for some reason works well with a slide.

I too would also like a Firebird someday, but the body style is bigger and from already owning an Explorer I'm not a huge fan having all that wood sticking out everywhere. I wouldn't make it my "main" guitar, but I still think they're cool.

  • From: Ohio
  • Registered: 2007-09-10
  • Posts: 957

Re: Gibson SG vs Firebird

Thanks! I had an SG when I was younger and didnt understand how fragile they are... It took a spill and snapped the neck (OUCH). Now that I know better, I'd take much better care of it. Eventually I want both, just gotta figure out which one first!

Logan

Block inlay Gibson ES-335, 50th anniversary American Strat, '61 RI White SG, '62 RI Relic Strat, Replica Korina Flying V, Gold Tone Paul Beard Resonator,  '58 Les Paul RI, American Highway 1 Fender Strat, Breedlove Acoustic, Stonetree Joe Bonamassa Custom, HIWATT Lead 100R, Reeves Custom 30.

4 Reply by NPB_EST.1979 (edited by NPB_EST.1979 2012-03-13 20:01:23)

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

Re: Gibson SG vs Firebird

both skinny and somewhat light.
My SG suffers from neck dive. you are standing? better hang on to that neck, or it will point at the floor.

Firebirds have a "tummy cut" so I think they're a little more comfy. They have a more unique neck shape and minihumbuckers so you'll get a different sound. VS. SG's have a Les Paul neck basically and regular humbuckers.

SG is a more common guitar if you're looking for something more rare, you might go with the firebird. If you plan to accessorize electronics, there's more you can tamper with in terms of pickups for the SG.

construction-wise, the SG is a set neck-joint, where Firebirds neck goes completely through the guitar to where the snap button gets screwed in. which i think is better construction. wink

I also own and Explorer... and I bought an SG and still have yet to own a Firebird... although I always keep my eyes peeled for a good deal cool

- 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
  • From: Ohio
  • Registered: 2007-09-10
  • Posts: 957

Re: Gibson SG vs Firebird

I think I'm gonna get the firebird first based on a video I just saw (see below)... such rockin' tone. And its just such a COOL guitar. A V from the 90's can be had for about 1200-1400... throw some Lollar pups and a vintage wiring harness, itll be a beast!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yy5jnhc9EMQ

Block inlay Gibson ES-335, 50th anniversary American Strat, '61 RI White SG, '62 RI Relic Strat, Replica Korina Flying V, Gold Tone Paul Beard Resonator,  '58 Les Paul RI, American Highway 1 Fender Strat, Breedlove Acoustic, Stonetree Joe Bonamassa Custom, HIWATT Lead 100R, Reeves Custom 30.
  • From: Ohio
  • Registered: 2007-09-10
  • Posts: 957

Re: Gibson SG vs Firebird

PS does Joe topwrap his firebirds?

Block inlay Gibson ES-335, 50th anniversary American Strat, '61 RI White SG, '62 RI Relic Strat, Replica Korina Flying V, Gold Tone Paul Beard Resonator,  '58 Les Paul RI, American Highway 1 Fender Strat, Breedlove Acoustic, Stonetree Joe Bonamassa Custom, HIWATT Lead 100R, Reeves Custom 30.

7 Reply by macg1 (edited by macg1 2012-03-13 22:17:42)

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

Re: Gibson SG vs Firebird

Firebird user checking in!  Had a SG and quite enjoyed it.  Great tone.  Took me forever to find one with a neck that I liked, and when I did it was a rather affordable faded mahogany one.  Anyhow, the SG is long gone, and now I have a Gibson Firebird VII and a Greco Firebird V (from 1974!).  The Firebirds in tone are like souped hot Teles.  My favorite guitars.  They are not light and are neck heavy due to 1.5 lbs of banjo tuners.  If you get one without the steinberger tuners the new ones come with, I definitely recommend them and the weight should bring it to a nice comfortable 8-9 lbs depending on which you have.  Firebirds are my favorite guitars of all time.

It doesn't hurt that Johnny Winter is my favorite American guit slinger, and I got a chance to meet him, hop in the tour bus, he played my guitar AND autographed.  A true legend and super kind and nice guy!

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
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Gibson SG vs Firebird

I had/have a SG Standard and I think that guitar speaks to me.  It's light, and has tone for days.  I've also had a Flying V which was a very fun guitar but my problem with those guitars is they are so much longer then Les Pauls and SG's or Fender products that I was always bumping into things or people.  I've come very close on several ocasions to buy a Firebird I think as far as standards go they are the best guitar being built in Gibson USA right now.  They are like a 7 ply neck so your not going to have to worry about the neck warping like other guitar do.  Con would be banjo tention tuners or what ever the hell those things are.  My advice is either one would serve you well but try the Firebird before you buy it.  I know after an hour or so set Les pauls can start to wear backs and shoulders out.  SG's you can strap them on from Start to finish and feel fine.  Firebird is pretty heavy imho compaired to a SG.

AD3THREE's Website

  • Registered: 2006-06-30
  • Posts: 2,835

Re: Gibson SG vs Firebird

Mini humbuckers in the Firebird...vs full size ones in the Sg ......Tone from the Sg should be fuller even though the Sg is a lighter guitar in weight..........there are a lot of different necks on the Sg over the years from baseball size type that can still be found on the Sg reissues to a very very thin type on a lot of the mid 70's versions.....I like Sg's  myself.....Frank Zappa...R.I.P

And so castles made of sand melts into the sea, eventually.........
  • macg1
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  • From: St. Petersburg, FL
  • Registered: 2010-01-21
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Re: Gibson SG vs Firebird

both guitars are fragile.  I loose sleep at night about the headstocks on my FB's...

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
  • From: Ohio
  • Registered: 2007-09-10
  • Posts: 957

Re: Gibson SG vs Firebird

thanks for the input everyone... weight isn't really an issue, im a pretty big boy haha. It just sucks that both are so fragile.

Block inlay Gibson ES-335, 50th anniversary American Strat, '61 RI White SG, '62 RI Relic Strat, Replica Korina Flying V, Gold Tone Paul Beard Resonator,  '58 Les Paul RI, American Highway 1 Fender Strat, Breedlove Acoustic, Stonetree Joe Bonamassa Custom, HIWATT Lead 100R, Reeves Custom 30.
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Gibson SG vs Firebird

Nice video posted.... although I was waiting for a "clean" example. the guy can obviously shred. hmm

- 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
  • macg1
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  • From: St. Petersburg, FL
  • Registered: 2010-01-21
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Re: Gibson SG vs Firebird

totally missed that video.  really great tone!  yeah unfortunately I have not been happy with the stock gibson FB PUP's.  My VII has all vintage Shaw era FB hot PUP's on it now and the FB V i had before had the seymour duncan replacements.  I also have used a Seymourized FB pickup from Duncan.  The Greco of course has vintage pickups and kiick like a drunken mule in heat!  The lollars I have played before and rather loved them.

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