Bonamassa Signature Firebird I?

[bizzwriter]

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!).

[kharrison]

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]

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]

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]

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

[kharrison]

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

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]

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]

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]

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

[bizzwriter]

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

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]

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

[Stephens]

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!

[Dan Silverman]

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]

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

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

[JJ Blair]

In fact ... I might do that myself!

[garywright]

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

thanks JJ but I'm cravin some cherry bird with grain not a solid color

[JJ Blair]

But it's wahfer thin!

[garywright]

well ...burgundy mist is an awesome color

[kharrison]

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?

[kharrison]

[Elliot Easton]

well ...burgundy mist is an awesome color

In Gibsonland it's called Heather Poly, lol!

[garywright]

In Gibsonland it's called Heather Poly, lol!

we're talkin Epi anyway

[Frutiger]

Glad to hear all the positive comments about these, I pre-ordered one last week and should get it at the beginning of November.

Seems like a cheap way to get into a Firebird I. And if it's nitro finished and has nickel parts then all the better!

Are the production models definitely going to be nitro?

[Elliot Easton]

we're talkin Epi anyway

Do Epi use Fender colors?

[Frutiger]

Are you gents talking about cherry red over gold as a custom colour?

In Gibson land that's Sparkling Burgundy.

[garywright]

Do Epi use Fender colors?

no ..but that ain't saying a Gibson or Epi can't be painted as such

[bizzwriter]

Just pre-ordered one of these in sunburst. NEVER thought I would EVER buy an Epiphone newer than 1965, but this one looks like a remarkable value. And -- as Joe's recent videos prove -- it sounds remarkably good to boot. Can't wait!

[indravayu]

First Epiphone that I have been interested in for a while now. Might have to pick one up!

[Kutt]

Are these Made in China?

[Kris Ford]

I'd love to have one with a Super Distortion in it!

[garywright]

I'd love to have one with a Super Distortion in it!

you and them got-damn Super Distortions !

[Kris Ford]

you and them got-damn Super Distortions !

Tellin ya, it's a match made in heaven with my JMP Super Bass!

[Stevie C.]

Glad to hear all the positive comments about these, I pre-ordered one last week and should get it at the beginning of November.

Seems like a cheap way to get into a Firebird I. And if it's nitro finished and has nickel parts then all the better!

Are the production models definitely going to be nitro?

Pre-ordered mine too! I'd really like to know if they are Nitro too?? If they are nitro and nickel already, I'm going to be soooo psyched!!

[Cliff Gress]

Do we know if this is a limited run? I am very interested, but it's not first in line for my GAS and I wouldn't want to miss out.

???

[Stevie C.]

Do we know if this is a limited run? I am very interested, but it's not first in line for my GAS and I wouldn't want to miss out.

???

On Joe's site, it says the gold ones are limited to 1000 and the sunburst are only 600..
Well, I just went back to the email I got about these and can't find where it said 600 on the tobacco burst, but I know I saw it...

[TM1]

I have a sunburst one on order! Looking forward to it.

[Stevie C.]

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!!

Joe, do you know if the production FB1's will be Nitro?
Hope you don't mind me asking!?

[kharrison]

Sure looks and smells like Nitro.

[Stevie C.]

Sure looks and smells like Nitro.

I don't doubt you at all. I was just wondering if the prototypes might be different than the production models..
thanks for responding!

[TM1]

I had an Epi FB VII about 12 years ago that was amazing. I upgraded it with some better parts and a set of Seymour Antiquity's. I then found a Gibson FB VII in Coppermist and sold the Epi. But.. in some ways the Epi was a better guitar..