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NGD - USA Firebird. It has wings and followed me home, what was I supposed to do?

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ewhip17

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Sep 21, 2016
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First firebird I've owned and only the second one I've played. First one was a Pelham Blue version that looked great but didn't play or sound as nice as this one. Fun guitar. Slightly awkward but once I've been on it for a few minutes it sorts itself out. Unique sound and feel. The case is enormous though... sheesh...

 
J T

J T

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Oct 20, 2005
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10,505
Yeah birds are cool guitars. I have one. Nice sound that you just can't get anywhere else. You have to get used to that long head stock reaching way out into space. Careful swinging around. :) It has monster tuners in back for some reason.

That case is as big as a bass case.

But once I start playing that guitar, it just sings. Neck feels great. Way down neck fret access.

You will get comments from people. "Cool guitar", "Awesome".:jim

Congrats!:salude
 
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ewhip17

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Sep 21, 2016
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Thanks guys. Seriously, what a cool guitar. It has a really unique sound. It doesn't sound like anything I've ever played. I had the usual thought, you know: "hmmmm, wonder if I should change the pickups...." and quickly dismissed that. It's so unique the way it is that I don't want to mess it up. It kind of sits between my LPs and Teles. I had it cranked up through a Fender Deluxe Reverb and the Friedman PT-20 yesterday and it was putting a big smile on my face. That's what counts.
 
Grog

Grog

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Apr 7, 2012
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J T said:
That case is as big as a bass case.


!:salude
Click to expand...

I just happened to have posted this photo on another board last week. The (4) rectangular cases, left to right; Gibson EB 5 string bass, Gibson EB 4 string bass, Gibson Firebird & Gibson Thunderbird bass. The Firebird case is a bit thicker, but identical to the EB Bass cases in length.

 
rockabilly69

rockabilly69

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Jul 29, 2001
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2,875
Great score! I love Firebirds! If you get sick of lugging that ridiculously heavy Firebird case. Buy a MONO vertigo soft case for basses they fit Firebirds great and not only protect the guitar good they protect the car you carry it around in! Doug Kauer who builds killer Firebird style guitars called Banshees hipped me to this!
 
E

ewhip17

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Sep 21, 2016
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Ha yeah, the case is insane. I didn't even realize how big it is until I got it home and set it next to the other "regular" cases. I can see why they tried to sell it with just a gig bag in the past.

I'm really liking the neck though, which is kind of odd because generally I prefer larger necks. I definitely wouldn't call this one beefy, but the thing I'm finding with Gibson's thin necks is that they still have some shoulder, which makes them really playable for me. That's what makes online neck measurements such a challenge sometimes - they really don't give an accurate representation of the shape.
 
rockabilly69

rockabilly69

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ewhip17 said:
Ha yeah, the case is insane. I didn't even realize how big it is until I got it home and set it next to the other "regular" cases. I can see why they tried to sell it with just a gig bag in the past.

I'm really liking the neck though, which is kind of odd because generally I prefer larger necks. I definitely wouldn't call this one beefy, but the thing I'm finding with Gibson's thin necks is that they still have some shoulder, which makes them really playable for me. That's what makes online neck measurements such a challenge sometimes - they really don't give an accurate representation of the shape.
Click to expand...
I like the neck shape too!
 
wmachine

wmachine

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Mar 17, 2016
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Nice! FBs are sooo cool! A must for a Gibson collection. My 2015 FB V comes in the gold Anniversary case. That case is a good 10 inches longer than the LP gold cases. Virtually the same size case used for the Dean Razorbacks.

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TM1

TM1

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Does your Bird have the way too hot mini's? They run 12K and 15K.. with ceramic magnets. No way to get a vintage sound out of it...
I have a 2003 FB VII with 3 old Gibson/Silvertone mini's with offset poles. They run about 5.7k each. Very clear, op[en and warm sounding pickups!
 
AA00475Bassman

AA00475Bassman

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TM1 said:
Does your Bird have the way too hot mini's? They run 12K and 15K.. with ceramic magnets. No way to get a vintage sound out of it...
I have a 2003 FB VII with 3 old Gibson/Silvertone mini's with offset poles. They run about 5.7k each. Very clear, op[en and warm sounding pickups!
Click to expand...

I have not touched my Historic Firebird III the pickups are not what I would call hot , my other Historic Firebirds have alnico's & some have Ceramic & Alnico . I would be very surprised if you will ever obtain good tone with a Firebird VII .
 
Triplet

Triplet

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Mar 13, 2006
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I ended up putting a pair of early '70s mini hums in my VII. Rewired for 1 & 3 pups only. Really woody and sweet sounding.
 
Triplet

Triplet

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Mar 13, 2006
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Nope. Chopped the arm and kept the rest. Just like a Dereck Trucks SG (but 10 years before his was done that way).:peace2

D'oh, forgot to mention it was made into a stoptail by prev owner. Worth the effort if you're up to it.
 
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