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Joe B Firebird I/Treasure. What's everyone think?

TM1

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Jun 27, 2003
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8,349
I've had mine a bit over a month now. I really like it. I have done some mods.
Just wondering what all you other LPF guys here think? And if anyone else has modded theirs?
Cheers!
 

latkagravas

Member
Joined
Mar 8, 2015
Messages
86
yeah, it is the best epi I have ever played coming from china. I have been critical of epis lacking quality concerning their fretboards and the fretwork..i am happy to say this one is flawless !!

probably gonna mod the guitar

:)
 

Big Al

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Joined
Apr 24, 2002
Messages
14,537
Hard to fault. Way better than other Epi's. Great sounding but very weak pickup. My stock Melody Makers are louder. Tailpiece/bridge intonates perfect. Pots and cap gotta go.
 

TM1

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Jun 27, 2003
Messages
8,349
Hard to fault. Way better than other Epi's. Great sounding but very weak pickup. My stock Melody Makers are louder. Tailpiece/bridge intonates perfect. Pots and cap gotta go.

Al; The problem, as I see it, is that the pickup angle in the surround/ring doesn't lay at the same angle as the strings passing over it. I usually take some foam and shim the underside of the pickup so the pickup is on the same axis as the strings. Made a big difference. I did, however, replace the pickup with a Klein and I'm going to try out an RC. He uses Alnico IV. He had an original magnet destroyed and analyzed and it was A-4! But I think if you got the pickup on the same axis as the string you'd have more output. I was able to adjust mine up really close without getting any "wolftones". I still use a Duncan "Pickup Booster" on my guitars with mini's and single coils. It evens out the volume differences between my L.P.'s & ES-335's vs. the FB & Melody Makers(a `60 & `61)

Mods: Bridge=ABM bell brass wrapover(compensated), 1.20" steel bushings, 1961 Centralab 500K(volume) & 250k(tone), Sprague 160P .022 cap. Swapped out the pickguard for one that doesn't have a Firebird on it like was used in `63 & a Gibson TRC. I did get a set of those plastic tuner buttons from WD Music. Balances out very nicely now.
 

Stephens

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Joined
Dec 30, 2001
Messages
438
Really enjoying mine! It's on par as with the other higher price point Epiphone's (61 Casino and 62 Sheraton reissues which I also own). While I've modified several of my other guitars,I haven't modified this one and don't really plan to. After hearing Joe play these on the promo videos, I learned I just gotta play the damn thing. I've modified less and less on my axes of the years.

Here's sort of a rundown on the my overall impressions:

Overall tone sort of reminds me if you could combine a Telecaster and Les Paul.

The single pickup is killer! Love exploring the tonal options with it. Can go from clean to fat leads quite easily.

Tuners are a bit stiff but the guitar does stay in tune very well.

Fretwork is simply perfect and the rosewood used on this particular guitar is fantastic- very deep and rich color.

Gold finish was applied very well.

Body routes along the belly cut could have been better. Looks a bit crooked at the end of the cut.

It's a very vibrant and live sounding guitar. The wraparound bridge really allows the guitar to sing acoustically.

IMO it's a keeper šŸ¤˜
 

TM1

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 27, 2003
Messages
8,349
Really enjoying mine! It's on par as with the other higher price point Epiphone's (61 Casino and 62 Sheraton reissues which I also own). While I've modified several of my other guitars,I haven't modified this one and don't really plan to. After hearing Joe play these on the promo videos, I learned I just gotta play the damn thing. I've modified less and less on my axes of the years.

Here's sort of a rundown on the my overall impressions:

Overall tone sort of reminds me if you could combine a Telecaster and Les Paul.

The single pickup is killer! Love exploring the tonal options with it. Can go from clean to fat leads quite easily.

Tuners are a bit stiff but the guitar does stay in tune very well.

Fretwork is simply perfect and the rosewood used on this particular guitar is fantastic- very deep and rich color.

Gold finish was applied very well.

Body routes along the belly cut could have been better. Looks a bit crooked at the end of the cut.

It's a very vibrant and live sounding guitar. The wraparound bridge really allows the guitar to sing acoustically.

IMO it's a keeper ��


Belly cut is pretty much like the originals. They're sort of like 1/2 done, but that's how they did them..
Tuners: you can loosen the screw that hold the button on and that will make the tuners smoother. I know the folks that own Kluson, WD Music went to great lengths to make these even better than the ones they offered about 12 years ago. They wanted the shape to be exact, but the insides are of a higher quality.
 

Stephens

Active member
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Dec 30, 2001
Messages
438
Belly cut is pretty much like the originals. They're sort of like 1/2 done, but that's how they did them..
Tuners: you can loosen the screw that hold the button on and that will make the tuners smoother. I know the folks that own Kluson, WD Music went to great lengths to make these even better than the ones they offered about 12 years ago. They wanted the shape to be exact, but the insides are of a higher quality.

Nice, thanks for the tip Don!
 

Stevie C.

Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2011
Messages
126
Finally got my sunburst FB1 yesterday, and so far I'm absolutely loving it!
Easily the nicest Epi I've ever played.
Frets and finish are excellent.
Very comfortable neck.
A little neck heavy, but not too bad. Goes with the territory on these..
I'm sure I'll swap out the pots/cap at some point with vintage type stuff... Just my constant tweaking..
Haven't had much chance to crank it up to check out the pickup yet, but so far everything is awesome!! :dude:<strike></strike>
 

TM1

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 27, 2003
Messages
8,349
Not that the stock pickup sounded terrible, but I wanted something that was just a bit more like I remember the old ones sounding. I got a really wonderful Firebird pickup from RC Pickups that sounds more vintage than the Klein or the Ant. to my memory:
http://www.rcpickups.com/humbucking.html
BTW, really nice guy to deal with too!
 

burstman59

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Joined
Mar 10, 2002
Messages
1,753
I love mine so far. No complaints but do wish the back color would have been darker but one of these days a refin might be in order. It is what it is. Ive always wanted a Firebird I but didn't want to spend 3 or 4 grand on a CS reissue. The finish and fit on mine is on par with what you would see on a regular USA Firebird. The board on mine looks good with the exception of the cheap plastic inlays but those should be easy to replace.
 

becks bolero

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Joined
Jul 15, 2001
Messages
1,810
I tried one out in a local shop, I really dug it!!

it was the gold version. I think I prefer the burst though

it's the coolest new guitar they have come out with IMO
 
Last edited:

gmann

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May 26, 2003
Messages
6,147
Are the bushing/studs standard or metric on these?
 

gmann

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May 26, 2003
Messages
6,147
Be fast, only 600 ex. were made.

I bought one in Japan Saturday and they mailed it to Okinawa on Sunday. I should have it in hand on Tues. $725. out the door with the exchange rate. They shipped it free too!
 

Lenny

Member
Joined
Jul 23, 2002
Messages
967
It's hard to believe how well these guitars play and sound coming out of a Chinese factory. Mine delivers as well as any Custom Shop guitar. The pots work really well so I get all kinds of tones out of it, plugged straight into whatever amp is at rehearsals. It's light and looks badass. I really like how these mini-humbuckers sit between a P-90 and a humbucker. Clarity but still fat. You'd be mad not to get one.
 

becks bolero

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Jul 15, 2001
Messages
1,810
really? they only made 600?

is that both finishes?

I was hoping to order one without the belly cut.

the belly cut on a firebird just makes the body stick into my gut more, as the centerline where it hangs is right at the "bulge", rather than where the belly cut is
 
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