Tell me about Firebirds

[57GoldTopAztec]

Such a cool looking fiddle, and kinda a bargain.

Tell me what those mini type buckers sound like, if you please. I'm thinking the two pickup format.

And are they a pain in the butt to play sitting down? They look kinda awkward to handle, but cool as all get out.

Just kind interested in something new.

 

[tooold]

Such a cool looking fiddle, and kinda a bargain.

Tell me what those mini type buckers sound like, if you please. I'm thinking the two pickup format.

And are they a pain in the butt to play sitting down? They look kinda awkward to handle, but cool as all get out.

Just kind interested in something new.

Have you searched? There are a bunch of really good, informative threads in this forum that won't be repeated, often because some of the posters aren't around much any more.

Me, I love Firebirds. I have a V, a III, and a I. They play fine sitting down.

 

[j45]

Vintage Firebirds are a very different sound that modern models. Modern birds have much hotter pickups that arer a different construction and more resemble the traditional Gibson sound of a humbucker (to my ear) than they do an original reverse Firebird. I've owned a bunch and have a real love/hate relationship with them. They vary in tone quite a bit from guitar to guitar, especially at the bridge pickup. A good one is fat and explosive in the same way a great Junior can be. A not-so-good one is razor blades on a chalk board. I've had both. The last two modern birds I had varied as much in a different way. One had a bridge p/u that sounded pretty much like a really good boutique PAF wind, the other like your average cheap guitar tone. Last, Firebirds are simply the best playing Gibson for anyone reasonably tall IMO due to proximities and layout. Wide open, unobstructed soundboard with virtually unequaled access. When I play a Firebird on the gig I feel like I am deep in the business with strings and frets like with no other... it's a total feel control trip.. like driving an Audi R10 at Lemans.

I've posted several clips with some of my better sounding vintage Firebirds featured here.

This one is recorded on bridge pickups with a great sounding 1964 Firebird V compared with a killer '59 Tele. I believe the FB may still belong to Myles?? Or is my memory getting like my eyes?

http://www.soundclick.com/player/single_player.cfm?songid=6633726&q=hi&newref=1


There is a really good sounding 1964 FB I in this clip compared with other Gibsons w/P-90's and PAF's: My sound card is not working but I believe it's the very last guitar:

http://www.soundclick.com/player/single_player.cfm?songid=5421385&q=hi&newref=1


This is with a '64 FB III in the neck position clean compared to other gibsons:

http://www.soundclick.com/player/single_player.cfm?songid=4692947&q=hi&newref=1

This is the same FB III played clean compared with other vintage Gibson models. Heard as seen in pic from Right to Left (backwards)

http://www.soundclick.com/player/single_player.cfm?songid=4692691&q=hi&newref=1

 

[tooold]

it's a total feel control trip.. like driving an Audi R10 at Lemans.

You never did post the video of that, Kerry... :rofl

This one is recorded with a 1964 Firebird V that I believe may still belong to Myles?? Or is my memory getting like my eyes?

It is indeed still mine, and that's a good thing! :dude:

Kerry is a big fan of the Vibrola/TOM that came on V's, but I have to say that the FB III shouldn't be overlooked. I don't use the vibrato on mine (not enough break angle, like the one on an SG Junior or Special), but the cool thing on III's is that you can wrap the strings around the bridge and the playing feel is great with fantastic sustain. With all the new wrap bridges out there, intonation isn't a problem (wasn't much of a problem to begin with) at all.

FB V's command a substantial premium to III's, so look for a good-sounding 'bird first and foremost, then worry about the model.

I'm no help with the new ones, sorry.

 

[Art Werck]

I have an '02 FB VII w/ 3 mini-humbuckers. I had it since '03. The funky lyre/vibrato tailpiece is a tone sucker. Get one with the stud tailpiece like on a Les Paul. Much better tuning stability, tone and sustain. Easily the most accessible neck.
They are quirky guitars but very cool too. I suggest you try a few or as many as you can. I don't know what it's like in your area but none of my local guitar shops stock them - you have to order them specifically.

 

[j45]

Well, we're obviously all different. I still haven't heard a vintage FB III that could hold a candle to FB V's. Mine have all been consistently better sounding than my III's (with vibrola attached) and except for one, better all of my FB I's in the bridge position. Could be luck of the draw but I've had quite a few draws. The ABR-1 seems to offer better transfer than the big lightening bolt which is also not held in place horizontally by anything but down pressure on the III's. I had one FB I with wrap that sounded as good as my V's, though. My single best best V ever was a '63 and I wonder if the windings correspond with changes made in late 1964 with humbuckers and some FB p/u were wound with poly wire.

 

[straightblues]

I might be the only guy that really likes the new high output pickups. After doing lots of reading here and other forums, I thought the only way to go was vintage correct low output pikcups. I had a set wound by a very respected winder and I ended up pulling them and going back to the stock high output pickups. I really like the tone.

I love my Firebird but man do I hate the huge case it comes in. I love it everytime I am on stage with it, but that darn case. It bothers me.

 

[Bruce R]

J45. That is some mighty fine playing!

 

[j45]

I might be the only guy that really likes the new high output pickups. After doing lots of reading here and other forums, I thought the only way to go was vintage correct low output pikcups. I had a set wound by a very respected winder and I ended up pulling them and going back to the stock high output pickups. I really like the tone.

I love my Firebird but man do I hate the huge case it comes in. I love it everytime I am on stage with it, but that darn case. It bothers me.

I loved the bridge pickup in one of my new RI's. It just wasn't "Firebird" sounding in the tradition of my originals. A great tone nonetheless, more like a big fat humbucking sound and definitely better for gainy rock sounds. The case size does really suck.

 

[j45]

Got my sound card working. For better reference, here are the times the Firebirds are heard with the comparisons with other Gibsons:

(from previous post)
I've posted several clips with some of my better sounding vintage Firebirds featured here.

This one is recorded on bridge pickups with a great sounding 1964 Firebird V compared with a killer '59 Tele. I believe the FB may still belong to Myles?? Or is my memory getting like my eyes?

Firebird V from 0:00 to 0:50
http://www.soundclick.com/player/single_player.cfm?songid=6633726&q=hi&newref=1


There is a really good sounding 1964 FB I in this clip compared with other Gibsons w/P-90's and PAF's: My sound card is not working but I believe it's the very last guitar:

Firebird I at 3:11
http://www.soundclick.com/player/single_player.cfm?songid=5421385&q=hi&newref=1


This is with a '64 FB III in the neck position clean compared to other gibsons:

Firebird III at 0:29
http://www.soundclick.com/player/single_player.cfm?songid=4692947&q=hi&newref=1

This is the same FB III played clean compared with other vintage Gibson models. Heard as seen in pic from Right to Left (backwards)

Firebird III at 2:17
http://www.soundclick.com/player/single_player.cfm?songid=4692691&q=hi&newref=1

 

[Chucklesbarry]

Got my sound card working. For better reference, here are the times the Firebirds are heard with the comparisons with other Gibsons:

(from previous post)
I've posted several clips with some of my better sounding vintage Firebirds featured here.

This one is recorded on bridge pickups with a great sounding 1964 Firebird V compared with a killer '59 Tele. I believe the FB may still belong to Myles?? Or is my memory getting like my eyes?

Firebird V from 0:00 to 0:50
http://www.soundclick.com/player/single_player.cfm?songid=6633726&q=hi&newref=1


There is a really good sounding 1964 FB I in this clip compared with other Gibsons w/P-90's and PAF's: My sound card is not working but I believe it's the very last guitar:

Firebird I at 3:11
http://www.soundclick.com/player/single_player.cfm?songid=5421385&q=hi&newref=1


This is with a '64 FB III in the neck position clean compared to other gibsons:

Firebird III at 0:29
http://www.soundclick.com/player/single_player.cfm?songid=4692947&q=hi&newref=1

This is the same FB III played clean compared with other vintage Gibson models. Heard as seen in pic from Right to Left (backwards)

Firebird III at 2:17
http://www.soundclick.com/player/single_player.cfm?songid=4692691&q=hi&newref=1

I don't think I've ever heard a bird sing so nice. Now I'll be on the hunt.
btw...what was the git in the neck p.u. sample from .09 - .15
Thanks for sharing those clips and for taking the time to do all the work.
Great playing and tone.

 

[j45]

I don't think I've ever heard a bird sing so nice. Now I'll be on the hunt.
btw...what was the git in the neck p.u. sample from .09 - .15
Thanks for sharing those clips and for taking the time to do all the work.
Great playing and tone.

That's the Explorer conversion all the way from 0 - 15 secs, it sounds like it changes but its the same lick and guitar still at 9 secs., I think I must have moved the pick position and sounds like it changed guitars a bit. I had long magnet 1950's PAF's in it at the time.

 

[Chucklesbarry]

That's the Explorer conversion all the way from 0 - 15 secs, it sounds like it changes but its the same lick and guitar still at 9 secs., I think I must have moved the pick position and sounds like it changed guitars a bit. I had long magnet 1950's PAF's in it at the time.

If you know of anyone selling a good F.B. pls. email me. It's in my profile.
thanks.
I hope you kept that Explorer. That's pure magic.
I know 90% of it is in your fingers though.

 

[Karloff]

All I know is I want one

 

[Chucklesbarry]

Well, we're obviously all different. I still haven't heard a vintage FB III that could hold a candle to FB V's. Mine have all been consistently better sounding than my III's (with vibrola attached) and except for one, better all of my FB I's in the bridge position. Could be luck of the draw but I've had quite a few draws. The ABR-1 seems to offer better transfer than the big lightening bolt which is also not held in place horizontally by anything but down pressure on the III's. I had one FB I with wrap that sounded as good as my V's, though. My single best best V ever was a '63 and I wonder if the windings correspond with changes made in late 1964 with humbuckers and some FB p/u were wound with poly wire.

For those of us who can't afford a vintage V, would converting a lll lightning bolt to an ABR, using conversion bushings or custom dowels be a good option ?

 

[57GoldTopAztec]

Wow. Great playing. Dang, I'm not that tall. 5'9''.

But Johnny Winter managed one and he's tiny.

 

[Litcrit]

For those of us who can't afford a vintage V, would converting a lll lightning bolt to an ABR, using conversion bushings or custom dowels be a good option ?

There aren't that many clean ones around..remember the vintage run was only 3 years, so rather than alter a vintage one, I'd recommend finding one already altered (or otherwise messed up). Firebirds really are the "different" Gibson, they have their own tonality. In Kerry's clip, you can hear how "Strat-ty" the bird sounds compared to the other Gibsons

"This is with a '64 FB III in the neck position clean compared to other gibsons:
Firebird III at 0:29

http://www.soundclick.com/player/sin...&q=hi&newref=1

 

[Chucklesbarry]

There aren't that many clean ones around..remember the vintage run was only 3 years, so rather than alter a vintage one, I'd recommend finding one already altered (or otherwise messed up). Firebirds really are the "different" Gibson, they have their own tonality. In Kerry's clip, you can hear how "Strat-ty" the bird sounds compared to the other Gibsons

"This is with a '64 FB III in the neck position clean compared to other gibsons:
Firebird III at 0:29
http://www.soundclick.com/player/sin...&q=hi&newref=1

Bad link...pls repost.
It's the bridge pos. on his bird that I like. Fat and tight. The neck pos. like you say is Strat like. I can take that or leave it, but why can't a lll be wrapped around the lightning bolt? I don't see the diff between a lll and say an SG Special or Melody maker wraptail.
Maybe I'll start a new thread about it.

 

[Litcrit]

Who said a III can't be wrap-tailed?

 

[Chucklesbarry]

Who said a III can't be wrap-tailed?

Are the posts leaning ?