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Bonamassa Signature Firebird I?

bizzwriter

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Oct 23, 2002
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975
Excited to check out Joe's upcoming signature Firebird I (Epiphone). I've got a real soft spot for one-pickup Gibsons (Les Paul and SG Juniors especially), and this Firebird I definitely has my attention. Anyone got the inside scoop on what kind of neck carve it's going to have (fat I hope!).

CpEu_BiUIAIo8Qy.jpg
 

kharrison

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May 18, 2006
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4,225
I bought the gold one in this picture from Joe for Charity. The guitar is amazing and the quality and sound is there. It plays and sounds like a vintage bird. Has nickle parts and a nice beefy neck. It will not disappoint.
 

JBLPplayer

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Sep 29, 2010
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Thank you for your generous donation King! All the money goes to the homeless. The guitars blew me away when I tried them. Enjoy!! I owe you one!!
 

kharrison

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May 18, 2006
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Joe, I took it to band practice yesterday and played it through a brown Deluxe and a few pedals. I got the nod from the rest of the guys. It's a keeper. Very impressed with the probucker FB pickup and the guitar rings like a bell. It's every bit like a vintage bird! Well done.
 

garywright

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Aug 17, 2002
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so what's the scoop on these ..big neck, great sound, charity proceeds ? ...sign me up for a trans cherry :salude
 

kharrison

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so what's the scoop on these ..big neck, great sound, charity proceeds ? ...sign me up for a trans cherry :salude

Joe auctioned off the gold one. They are Epiphone Firebird 1's in two colors, the traditional sunburst and the gold. The one I have is Joe's artist proof and I think they are slated to hit the stores in October. The guitar is an excellent example, has a nice beefy neck, not a baseball bat but a little thicker than a 59 profile. The guitar has nickle parts and Epiphones version of the Burstbucker. I am blown away by the guitar. I have had a few of the originals and this one sounds and plays like a broken in vintage guitar. The fit and finish is custom shop material. My ONLY complain are the small dot fret markers. I wished they used the larger ones like Gibson. I didn't weigh the guitar but it is not heavy at all and no neck dive with the big banjo tuners. Not sure what the price will be but I am sure it will be a bargain. Mine came in a huge nice Gibson Firebird case. I will try and post some pics later on.
 

kharrison

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May 18, 2006
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Here are some pics of the bird.....





This was a Gibson custom color I think called Polymist Gold. It is applied well with a nice coat of Nitro Lacquer. The board is a one piece rosewood with pearl dots. I am sure Joe had it set up but out of the box it plays great. It has a nice Firebird snap to it and it also cleans up well. I would be happy to answer anymore questions. It's a lovely guitar and it was a great thing that Joe offered his example to auction off for the Midnight Mission for the homeless in LA.
 

bizzwriter

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Joined
Oct 23, 2002
Messages
975
I bought the gold one in this picture from Joe for Charity. The guitar is amazing and the quality and sound is there. It plays and sounds like a vintage bird. Has nickle parts and a nice beefy neck. It will not disappoint.

Wow, wow, wow! I am SO in on one of these. Can't wait to get my hands on one. Thanks for the report kharrison! (And kudos for picking up Joe's prototype for the charity auction!)
 

garywright

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Aug 17, 2002
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15,552
Here are some pics of the bird.....


sounds like it may be a cool low dollar guitar to own especially having a lacquer finish ..judging by that tree you may want to watch out for a wild woodpecker attack :hee
 

bizzwriter

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Oct 23, 2002
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so what's the scoop on these ..big neck, great sound, charity proceeds ? ...sign me up for a trans cherry :salude

I'm going to start with the sunburst -- if there's a trans cherry (or cardinal red or pelham blue) in future runs, then I'm going to end up with more than one of these!
 

garywright

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Aug 17, 2002
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yeah ..a translucent cherry would be great ...the few recent Gibson fb1s that I've seen are 3k + ..that was what I meant by a low(er) dollar guitar ..not meaning or implying cheaply built :salude
 

Stephens

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Dec 30, 2001
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438
I just did a quick search on this guitar. It looks amazing! Epiphone hit a homerun with this one. Can't wait to check this one out when it hits the streets!
 
Last edited:

Dan Silverman

New member
Joined
Jun 20, 2011
Messages
394
I JUST got the Sunburst one! THANK YOU JOE!!!!!!!!!!! I really love it, great neck, light weight, very nice fit and finish. Like I said, I just got it, just tuned it and waiting for her to settle in a bit before I play her. I think she's going to be a good one. I'll plug her into TREASURE's old amp, the Gibsonette and see how she sounds. Thank you again my friend!
 

JJ Blair

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Jan 9, 2011
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yeah ..a translucent cherry would be great ...the few recent Gibson fb1s that I've seen are 3k + ..that was what I meant by a low(er) dollar guitar ..not meaning or implying cheaply built :salude

You could easily do burgundy mist over the gold. You just spray cherry over the existing finish.
 

kharrison

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May 18, 2006
Messages
4,225
I JUST got the Sunburst one! THANK YOU JOE!!!!!!!!!!! I really love it, great neck, light weight, very nice fit and finish. Like I said, I just got it, just tuned it and waiting for her to settle in a bit before I play her. I think she's going to be a good one. I'll plug her into TREASURE's old amp, the Gibsonette and see how she sounds. Thank you again my friend!

Yes, they did a great job. How do you think the frets were applied?
 
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