Gibson's Weirdest Guitar | What Is The Firebird Sound?
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- čas přidán 29. 06. 2024
- The Gibson Firebird Reverse is one of, if not the weirdest guitars Gibson has ever built. Designed from a ground up by a famous car designer and coach builder, its full of design and ergonomic quirks that make it interesting and fun to play, but they stumbled into something great with the Firebird, what is the firebird sound?
Check out the @fivewattworld short history of the Firebird here
• The Gibson Firebird: A...
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My father worked at the Kalamazoo Gibson factory and told me about working on the prototype of the firebird. He was a fret filer and was brought this prototype to set up. He said there was no finish on it. The higher ups just wanted to try the design out. It's pretty cool to see something my father had a small part in.
Amazing story Eric!!
👍
Ricky Medlock owns maybe that one now. He got it in the early 70's . When he sent it to Gibson a few years ago they called him back and asked if he was sure it was actually a Gibson. After they went through the records They saw that three prototypes were made that had dimensions that were just a little bit off from the production run. So they don't know which one it was but it was one of the three prototypes.
@@russblack443 saw that in a rig rundown interview with him. Very cool
@@dylanperkins1460 yessir Rick Derringer also owned a '58 split headstock Korina explorer that was a prototype he saw in a case at the Gibson factory with a flying v in 58 when his dad took him and Randy Z to Kalamazoo for a factory tour when he was a little kid. They only made 19 explorers in 58-59. There were three known to exist with the v split headstock. Rick Derringer's, Eric Clapton had one and the one that is owned by Rick neilson from cheap trick. Rick bought his for 10,000 from George gruen and later sold it for 100,000 the last time it sold it went for like 2.5 million and is insured for 4 million
Thought he was gonna play breathe in the start lol. Such an iconic chord
Lol, me too. Saw it on the preview
Profile pic checks out
Was really hoping he would, pure ear candy lol
same my dude hahahh
I thought robin trower
Just a FYI: They fit nicely into a Rickenbacker Bass case.
I've been almost exclusively a firebird player for years and I wish I'd seen this way before. I use a rockbag Flying V case (huge trapezoidal shaped one) and it swallows both my reverses and non reverse allright but there's too much space to move around and the cases don't fit my car. Will look for a nice rick bass case and see how it works out.
@@Strongholle hey, have you found it yet? And if so how’s it working out?
The banjos have clearance?
@@dasherf17 Yep!
Which exact case? The new 4000 case?
No props for Allen Collins of Lynyrd Skynyrd? That's a key ingredient of the Skynyrd sound.
That’s exactly what I was thinking! Probably my favorite guitarist is the band (even though Gary and steve are close seconds)
Allen Collins sure does get the shaft sometimes. Allen's feel IS the Skynyrd sound. And he played the Firebird way longer than the Explorer with Skynyrd. You know the August 18th, 2018 Showtime documentary, 'If I Leave Here Tomorrow'? They didn't even have an audio clip of Collins speaking, let alone film footage of him being interviewed.
@@Abored_Angel_ Huge props to Allen, the sound of Skynryd... although NO ONE can hold a candle to Steve Gains
@@Abored_Angel_ Brian jones,eric Clapton and Johnny winter.
Allen's Firebirds had a P-90 in the bridge position.
I'm just going to say it... the Firebird controls are common sense! It makes so much more sense than the "standard" controls found on other Gibsons. As you're looking down at the guitar the neck pickup controls are on the left (like the neck pickup) and the bridge pickup controls are on the right (like, you guessed it). The guitar is just so cool. I've been hunting for a specific Firebird (in color, options, etc.) for years now to complete my dream collection and I'm sure I'll find it eventually.
Agreed, as I'm a 80% fender man, I always found the standard Gibson scheme crap.
And I always hated that Fender put the tele select-switch right up against the knob so you can't sweep it.
@@Cosmic-Spanner Some guys turn that plate around & swap the pots so the switch is on the back.
@@ronaldoago-go5907
Hi, yes I know, thanks. But the switch and knob are still the same distance.
I have a PRS Tremonti and the controls are the same as the Firebird. Makes more sense.
I agree! I had some special wiring work done on my Les Paul and I had them change the configuration to the Firebird approach. Makes more sense. Gibson has a long history of being sort of clueless....
Don't forget Allen Collins of Lynyrd Skynyrd !!!! he played one (actually) three from about "70" to "76" then went to an Explorer.
Thx for not leaving Allen out
@@gregstafford3727 YES SIR, ALLEN COLLINS FOR SURE, COUSIN FIGEL
Billy Gibbons has been photographed back in the old days with a Firebird as well as playing an Explorer. Sonny Landreth's live playing with a Firebiird was mostly relegated to his earliest tours with John Hiatt.
@@goodun2974 yes!! Yes!!! Great players!! I didn’t know Billy Gibbons played one too!!
Is the opening rift to 'That Smell' on a Firebird? Because soon as I read your comment I could hear 'that sound' in my head.
Rhett: "This is so big, it feels like playing a bass."
Thunderbird players: *YOU KNOW NOTHING JON SNOW*
I kinda felt like he oughta be playing a Thunderbird bass if he was gonna talk about the Firebird. Just seems right!
@@RicCrouch the late-great leon wilkerson from skynyrd knew how to use his. So did ufo/fastway bassist pete way!! RIP to both. To many music hero's leaving us.
Had a T-bird bass back in the early 80s. Too neck-heavy for me.
My bass player had a Thunderbird. I liked it a lot.
In 1982, I bought a 1976 reissue Firebird. Aesthetically, I loved it. Fast neck, but I could never get the sound or tone I was seeking. I wish I'd kept it.
I have to agree with Johnny Winter being a pioneer of the Firebird, but the guitarist that wielded the Firebird that always stood out to me was always Allen Collins of Lynyrd Skynyrd. He shredded the Firebird from the early days of Skynyrd to about 76. 76 and 77 he mainly played the Explorer, but it’s undeniable that he helped pioneer the guitar
. . . and Allen Collins (God rest his soul) was obsequiously aping Eric Clapton with his Firebird I HB purchase. Clapton famously scored his at Music City in Philadelphia for sum'm like, oh, $175., cuz it was this guitar everyone would come in and tinker on but no one would buy. All this right at the zenith of Cream's popularity.
He played it at The Electric Factory, a converted auto repair shop, that night.
You could almost think of that Firebird model as the Firebird EVH, were EVH famous at the time.
Oh yeah. And gave Skynyrd truly a great sound.
Didn't Allen Collins put a p90 in the bridge of his Firebird?
Yup
Oh boy did Allen that firebird good ! He's the only reason I think I'd buy one to be honest
as a non-gibson player, the firebird wiring makes way more sense than the les paul wiring
I agree, and I'm a Gibson guy
Agreed
I agree 100% . It just seems logical the top two would be front & rear volume with the tone below each one.
As a designer, yes I agree, it makes way more sense to match them up to the pickup position rather than perpendicular...but from a player's view the vertical can make sense too since you're reaching down rather than having to reach back.
Also the LP's layout has been so engrained that changing it to what "makes sense" could turn people off to the guitar.
How can you not mention Allen Collins?! Top teir firebird player. Before he got his Clapton explorer the only guitar he used on the first couple Skynyrd albums was a firebird 5.
Johnny Winter should've been cast as the whitewalker Night King and he should've slayed them all with his Ice Firebird. Dude was phenomenal.
I saw Johnny and Edgar at the ELECTRIC RODEO in Wyoming Michigan back in aug 1976. it was a really fabulous show.
Johnnie winter was a beast!
RIP Johnny
Underrated comment
Points to Edgar, too. Just an awesomely talented family.
I'm a drummer and know very little about guitars so take this for what it's worth but the Firebird sound has always been one of my favorite. It sounds like it's growling to me.
Lol everyone talking about how odd it feels to play a firebird, meanwhile I'm sitting here looking at my explorer thinking everything looks perfectly normal 😅
Twins, like Arnold and Danny
I've got a firebird V it sounds amazing and plays like a dream! But youve got to be a contortionist to tune the damn thing with the banjo keys in the middle of the headstock!!!!!! But they sure look super COOL!!!!!
I think the Firebird/Thunderbird, Flying V and the Explorer are three of the coolest things Gibson ever gave us.
Johnny Winter... one the most under appreciated blues players ever
Amen
Jimi Hendrix was once asked how it felt to be the best guitar player in the world and he said "I don't know, ask Johnny Winter" He was a true genius and master of the FIREBIRD
Went to see him every time he came through Detroit, for years. First time was at Olympia stadium, as Johnny Winter And, (opening up for Small Faces with Rod Stewart, and Three Dog Night). My GF at the time had introduced me to Johnny's album, And we were there specifically there to see him. I left there a lifelong fan of J.W., and of the Faces, and of one song of TDN (Chest Fever). That was Fall of '70. Last time was at Masonic Auditorium, with Muddy Waters and James Cotton, supporting Muddy's Album, which featured all three. Good Times! RIP Johnny and Muddy! 😎
My first really big hero.
Agree 1000%
Love the sounds of a Firebird. Can't forget Allen Collins. So many relate the Explorer to Collins, but he didn't use an Explorer until very late.
He always played his explorer except for Free Bird where he played a firebird for years. He played I believe 3 different firebirds at different times over the years on Free Bird until the last few years he played the explorer even on Free Bird.
Great video, sir. Huge fan of Johnny Winter too and so cool to see you pay homage to him while discussing his favorite Gibson. Always wanted one myself seeing footage of him play one when I was a kid, and you threw down some dynamite riffs on here that got me thinking about one again. One of these day lol
the pickups can be so warm and still sparkly but if you ask them to get pissed and snarl they do that just as well...
It’s almost like the best of single coils and humbuckers. Honestly my favorite pickup.
Well put!
@@Fubbernutt Does the pickup translate into other guitars well? I mean..other guitars without the thru-neck?
Could I put a firebird minihum into my SG Special, for example, and expect that sort of sound? Or is the thru-neck so integral to making the Firebird soun, that without it, the "signature tone" is lost..?
@@lueysixty-six7300 I think it does. I’ve seen a few strat and les Paul’ style guitars with firebirds that sound amazing. I will say the bolt on neck makes it a bit snappier, but they’re still not as icepicky as single coils.
@@lueysixty-six7300 I put a firebird pickup in my Gibson sg special and it's now my favorite pickup it's super clear, dynamic and gets rid of the flubby Low-end
Rhett is correct about the variety of great tones from the Firebird. I bought one in 1965 in High School (southside of Chicago) and we were playing Paul Revere, etc., and it was perfect (don't remember which pickup I used). 2 years later I was in a British invasion cover band, and it sounded perfect for all those different tones (esp., through my Vox Beatle amp). 2 years later I was in one of the few integrated soul bands in Chicago, still playing the Firebird, and it again was perfect for those songs. I know I used different pick-ups and combinations for the different sounds, and I was always able to get the right sound, regardless of the amp. The only problem I ever had was it broke strings at the bridge when playing 4+ hours gigs in Chicago nightclubs. Unfortunately all I've got left are the pictures.
Just watched your Firebird video - great stuff, especially the feature breakdown. However, as others have mentioned, Phil Manzanera is the player I most associate with the Firebird. His 1964 cherry red Firebird VII is one of the most iconic guitars in British rock history. (Also worth noting he was a pioneer in the use of guitar effects, in the early 70s he was playing his Firebird through Brian Eno's Moog synthesizer).
Totally agree! Firebird is Roxy Music :)
He's over rated IMO... but still good...
Great video Rhett. I always loved the look of the Firebird. I was first introduced to it through one of the most famous album covers of all time. On the Kiss Alive album cover Paul is playing a black and white 1964 reverse Firebird 1. I think it was the inspiration for his Ibanez Paul Stanley model with the extended "handle" he could grab.
You just knew I had extra money sitting in my account, didn't you?
check out the new epi ones! They are also finally neck thru as well with the correct pickups!
;-)
@@DelScully you mean there is a Firebird made by epi?
@@dimitrisaivaliotis5616 I think he means the 2020 "Gibson Inspired" Epi that plays just about as well as the 2014-2018 Gibson FB's. It's a great guitar for $599 so I picked one up. I'm not certain about the pickups being replicas because mine are fairly bright, but nice - maybe someone will let us know. Epiphone sold out of the cases then the Guitars within a short period of time. I believe that they were trying to raise the bar w/their reputation & they're now selling them in an unfinished version because they probably didn't make a lot of money. It's a real neck-through Guitar that even arrived w/a solid setup. I've also noticed the prices going up on 'em.
@@copetill7896 I think they are replicas, or at least pretty close because like Rhett mentioned, they are the closest thing Gibson has to the Fender sound. To me, Firebirds just scream “JOHNNY WINTER!!” whose sound was always very bright. Rhett also said that the Firebird was basically Ted McCarty’s response to Fender’s sound because they were kinda kicking his ass at the time. Of course, this is all conjecture, those Epi pickups might be all different for all I know. I guess I’ll just have to buy one and find out! 😂
I became interested in Firebirds because of Allen Collins, Eventually I was able to get enough $$ together to buy one. It even looks like Allen's- minus the vibrato. Same burst color. BUT, it has different tuners. Still not standard guitar machine heads, but not banjo tuner, either. So the headstock is considerably lighter, and not so divey. (Gibson also redesigned the hard case so the weight of the guitar isn't resting on the end of the headstock- bonus!) The through part is a sandwich of several types of wood- really gorgeous stripes.
You're so right about the sound and feel, Rhett! It doesn't feel like any other guitar to play. And not just due to the position of everything- that through neck is so resonant, it feels alive under your fingers! I'm going to have to give my SG a break, and pull this one out. It's been so long since I played it...
Funny story- I GOT that SG because I couldn't afford the Firebird I was trying out at the time, lol. The sales guy said "Hang on- I'll be right back!" Then hands me this p90 loaded SG, and steps back with this smile on his face to watch the fun. It was love at first play! They had me set up on a Fender Super Sonic 60, with a gorgeous warm bluesy crunch dialled in. I literally couldn't put it down, and it went home with me that day. STILL my #1. If I'd had the dough, that amp would have been mine, too- and to hell with the neighbors!
When the sales guy gets to know what you like- it's time to hold onto your wallet!
Paul Stanley used a firebird on the alive album. You can definitely hear his rhythm tone when its isolated
dato
Year's ago, I was able to play a vintage '60's sunburst firebird III in the local music shop. 20+ years and still remember it vividly. I was plugged into a hotrod deluxe that lived in the shop. Awesome experience, I've wanted one ever since.
These series along with Keith Williams' short histories are now my favorite things on CZcams. :)
That opening solo is one of the best things you've ever played. Wonderful feel. I sold my white Firebird in 91 for a plane ticket to Los Angeles. I'm still here, but now I really miss that guitar. The best sustain of anything I've ever played.
Scott Holiday from Rival Sons uses this guitar's "mini humbuckered", surfer, fuzzy tone to blend perfectly with the high-tone, smooth gravel of Jay Buchannan's voice. It is a tone pairing that very few have attempted and I think it owes so much to the choice of the Firebird.
Aesthetically, they are beautiful things. Love the sounds here. I really liked the history you detailed and your reflection on that early sixties music, which often did sound like much more ornery, louder evolutions of fifties classics. I think the mid - late sixties was when rock audio recording started to reveal the more detailed, high resolution fidelity we have become more accustomed to today. Interesting about the centre plank and the banjo tuners. Thanks. Great playing, natch.
*Every guitar video*
Rhett - "This is probably one of my favorite pickups ever"
Lol... love this video series man, keep it up!!
🤪 Rhett is consistently consistent!
"... of all time!"
Those pick ups are among my top 5 pick ups as well...of all time.... :P
he is trying to match Josh Scott and his "this is my favourite pedal" 😂😂
I’m afraid I’m on the way to the music store right now to look at Firebirds
Good luck
Lucky you, guitar shops still closed over here
I saw an Epiphone Firebird at our local store for around $AU800. But a Gibson? Get ready ...
An Epiphone Firebird is “the one that got away” for me! Bright red with white trim and plastics and three pickups with gold hardware. I had just bought a Les Paul and couldn’t swing both. Hardest decision in my guitar playing life.
I got mine through Reverb from a store in Alberta. The US/Canada exchange rate sealed the deal. I wanted the Classic White, and they are hard to find here in the US and command top dollar when you do,. Love it, it's a beast of a guitar.
Just got my Epiphone Firebird this week. I absolutely love it! As a mandolin player, I’m comfortable with the right hand position being shifted so far to the left. Your connection to Firebirds is so clear- it seems to suit your playing so well. Listening to you is motivating me to play the Firebird more- thanks for the inspiration, Rhett!
Interesting. I've never played one but I have an SG. Someone said they didn't like SGs because of the right hand going too far left. To me, it just feels right. Maybe I should try a firebird 🤔
Great video and I totally agree that without the banjo tuners it’s not a Firebird! I had the opportunity to play one briefly in a music shop as I absolutely adored them but had never played one before. It didn’t exactly drop into my hands and the head went south at an alarming speed. But I still love them …
Thank you, Rhett! My wife the CEO, the one who does the financial maneuvering in the relationship just said, "I can see having more than one guitar for different sounds." Your video made sense to her. Now I might be able to replace those old memories with different guitars for new memories and to forget the regrets of selling loved guitars. Thanks again!
I aspire to have wife like you, lucky guy.
@@aryasenaputra3226 Either that or no wife at all.
They wouldn't want you to tell them "you can have just one pair of shoes, they all have the same purpose, walking".
Howlin' Wolf is the only person i've seen play a firebird who made it look small lol, he was an enormous person
Three hundred pounds of heavenly joy.
Strat looked like a baby guitar in his hands!
Looked like a tie clip on him.
He was a vocal giant as well. The power of his voice was truly magnificent. He is a very underrated artist, imo.
I've heard live recordings of Howling Wolf and he got really nasty to other musicians and singers. I remember he was saying. "Bo Diddly can't sing! I'm the king of this shit!" He was downing others too. Chuck Berry was another one I remember.
I bought one of those when they first came out in 1963, wish I still had it. The "shift of everything to the left" as you describe took some getting used to but still loved playing it. Sold it when I got drafted into the military in 1965, really didn't think I'd be around to play it again.🥺
The second jam sounds blissful! You should make this a full album main guitar, you sound inspired.
The coolest firebird sound. Dave Mason, "only you know and I know". Update: almost forgot, Allen Collins of Lynyrd Skynyrd played those super cool double leads with Gary Rossington on a Firebird.
Thanks for mentioning Johnny Winter. I feel like a lot of people forget and just mention clapton or some other big star. Some might say they were more impactful, but my father and his friends saw Johnny way more times than those other guys. I heard he was more willing to go to those smaller shows, and being in a fly over state that hits a lot of people around here more than clapton
Ian B. I saw Johnny Winter in the mid-1990s at a smaller venue. He was great! Even though he played a slowed down somewhat accoustic blues set but when one of the Roadies brought out his old battered Firebird the whole place cheered literally at the top of their lungs! it was awesome. Johnny Winter use the firebird a lot longer than Eric Clapton did. Eric Clapton only used one for the end of Cream and maybe a little bit with Blind Faith but that was about it whereas Johnny used Firebirds for a lot longer and really put everything into them with so much gusto and skill and talent etc... Amazing!
Really enjoyed this series. Really hope to see a “telecaster” sound video. With your knowledge and gear, I’m sure you can inspire us all. Thank you!
You and I are on the same wavelength lately my friend! Just snagged a recent Firebird III, AND a deco! Sounding killer as always
I actually have an SG that came stock with firebird pickups and i love the sound of it.
You sure it wasn’t an sg deluxe from the 70’s. They had mini humbuckers stock. Firebird pickups are different than mini humbuckers
@@Otis-Isom these dont have the screws for the pole pieces. They are both bar magnets
I love those oddball Gibsons. They've really played around on the theme over the years.
@@Otis-Isom The 2018 SG Special had mini humbuckers too
@@jacobarmstrong5308 I had one of those it was hot garbage and the pickups were microphonic. I really wanted to like it because of be never owned an SG before. The worst fretwork I have ever seen on any usa made guitar. Was a cool guitar for a good price but the one I had was not good.
I'd really love to see "The Supro Sound" next, it's such an iconic sound, and a pretty interesting amp brand that I don't know much about
I agree!
Great content, Rhett! Immensely informative!
I have an Epiphone '63 Firebird VII that I use for recording often. In all honesty... I would recommend taking a look at these models as an excellent entry point into great quality instruments!
played in what is now considered a proto-punk band in the early 1970s and our lead had one and it was absolutely the perfect set up for the sound we wanted!!! hot, loud, and open to whatever dynamics the songs demanded.
Scott Holiday of Rival sons is a Firebird player. Both Gibson and bespoke designs. He gets a huge sound. He is The Fuzz Lord.
Lol
I love my Firebird. The new Epiphone Firebird’s are fantastic too. You should get one on the channel
Nice Rhet, always enjoy your playing and insights. They seem to have an almost compressed snap to their sound, very distinctive, and they just look so cool, particularly the V, with the cool tailpiece and inlays. I like the flat neck too, it’s its own thing. The pickups may be single cil, but to me the sound like a compressed, brighter humbucker, super midrangey, Take pedals well too. Johnny Winter playing Jumpin’ Jack Flash on the Midnight Special maybe?, don’t recall exactly, Randy Jo Hobbs with the Ushanka hat, just crushes it.
This kind of inspired me and I’m currently building a custom firebird that is routed for tele pickups/electronics. And in a nod to you I painted and finished it burgundy mist with a gold guard.
What's the point in doing this? I'm genuinely curious what you think. I'm pretty certain that you're just gonna end up with a firebird that sounds like a tele. Seems like heresy to me.
Maybe the fact that the firebird is a longer scale might make a slight difference. But I'd be surprised if its immediately noticeable or even worth the trouble. I'd think it would make more sense to just have a tele and a firebird and leave them as is.
Was just wondering if it could be like stratocaster. I assume for right amount of money, you could get the look of Firebird, but make it more user friendly for short fat guy such as myself.
@@bobjob140I guess the point is that that's what he wanted
I'd love to see a 'What is the Gold Foil Sound' video
God yes- a "supro sound" video would also be rad. Whether it's about their guitars, pickups, or even the amps
Yes please
The sound of rubber magnets! I'd love to see that too, such a unique sound
Yep, first electric, an Audition 'offset' with gold foils, $12.00 in '73.
Good guitar to learn on (yes, it was work).
I have a Supro Silverwood. The gold foil pickups in it sound fantastic.
I'm fairly certain the banjo tuners were an aesthetic choice to keep the headstock uncluttered and clean when viewed from the front. I _love_ how the headstock looks!
They also help to balance it out too but yeah they look cool as hell too!
On the Victory models they had a similar headstock wih regular tuners. looks great too though.
Martin S... What were the Victory models?
Banjo tuners in combination with the Firebird headstock design allow for straight string pull....that might be the reason Gibson used them.
Nelson v h.... That's a very good point thanks 👍
Heard Johnny Winter's Firebird several times in the late 60s, early 70s. The loudest concert I ever attended was seeing Johnny at the Boston Tea Party on Lansdowne Street, next to Fenway Park. Not a big concert club, but very famous for the time. He had four Fender Super Sixes all tied in to each other -- and cranked. Look those up. My ears rang for days afterwards....but it was worth it. I can still hear that Firebird sound to this day. And yes, it's the most distinctive rock guitar sound ever!
Just started recording with one and quickly falling in love with it. You're 100% right it's super weird to play at first--like an ironing board. But the thing sounds killer. I want one.
My favorite Firebird player has always been Phil Manzanera of Roxy Music.
Somebody who knows what is what (on this thread)
Allen Collins and Warren Hayes slay the world when they wielded firebirds
Allen Collins. Fuck yeah.
Eric Clapton played a
Gibson Firebird during his time with Cream.
Stephen Stills played
a Firebird.
Johnny Winter!
Most people think the
Firebird as a car.
I plaid a custom shop firebird in a boutique shop in Miami that had vintage guitars and vintage cars, a wild place. The sales guy hooked me up in a large amp room, plugged in the guitar straight into a Marshall head and cranked it up to what I thought was an unreasonably loud volume. It is by far the most overwhelming guitar experience I’ve had in my life and since that day it is the tone I am chasing constantly. I don’t yet but i will own a Firebird at some point in the future.
The sound and the looks of that thing are gorgeous! Cool intro song too Rhett! Amazing playing, very tasty, we need moar!
What caught my attention to this guitar was watching Allen Collins play it. Beautiful sounding guitar
In the mid 2000s I was at a Guitar Center and they had a blonde Firebird that I was demoing through a Fender and it sounded fabulous on the neck pickup playing jazz chord melody style. I thought I had to be wrong about how good this guitar sounded until one of the salesman was going by and stopped for a minute and said "that is a very special guitar." I don't think he was BS-ing me because he was already helping someone else and kept on moving. It sounded beautiful but was an ergonomic nightmare.
My 1964 Firebird VII doesn’t look the best anymore, but still plays like a dream. Rhett’s description of the sound and balance (lack of it), is spot on!
Thx Rhett. I love these series of guitar videos. Strats, Les Pauls & now Firebird. Not mention you championing P90s. I'm a Tele player but have been intrigued by these videos, so much so I'm looking into some of what you've thrown down. I have to admit that Gretch is another favorite of mine, as well, but I find myself liking the double cut chambered types, Jets. Oh well, again thanks 😊. I have to say in closing I'm 60 but when I grow up I want to be like you. I can't believe I said that, your my oldest son's age, ha.
Johnny Winter and Allen Collins are why I love Firebirds.
That's exactly why I got mine.....huge fan of both!
Thanks. You do something few do - you describe the historical context. Too often people see something through present-focused eyes. You help us see what the past was like and how it affected the musical objects we love.
Hey Rhett, cool vid. I've played around with the firebird at the guitar shop and was immediately struck by the experience, both sound and feel. I'm a fan for sure!
Saw Johnny Winter play one on German TV in the eighties and instantly fell in love with it. Twentyfive years later I got into guitar building and built one myself. I agree on every single statement about the guitar in this video - except I have no experience with the pickups, because mine features Gretsch Filtertrons. Also a great combination. Thanks for the video!
Everyone talks about Allen Collin’s tone on Freebird but Allen took the bridge humbucker out and replaced them with a dog ear P-90. Totally different tone! Fatter and deeper. Now listen to Johnny Winter use the bridge pickup on a Firebird; that can cut glass!
First time I saw a firebird PJ Harvey was playing it at a concert in Sydney in 2003 , it was amazing , fell in love with PJ, fell in love with the look and sound of the fire bird but I just can’t get past how the feel, it’s like someone is pulling the guitar out of my hands and I have to reach for the next chord.
I love the neck on my Firebird... it is wider - but very easy to be precise with notes. I also added Johnny Winter signature pickups to get as close to his sound as I can possibly play. Fun to play.
That control layout is what I would expect from looking at those dials. The "normal" one is so counter-intuitive. It makes more sense to have the two neck pickup pots closer to the neck, and the two bridge pickup pots together "down" from that. (down if you're holding the guitar vertical)
Neil Young has a Firebird humbucker in the bridge of his legendary Les Paul 'Old Black' and a P90 in the neck. Think of all the classic songs that he wrote and played with that Firebird pickup from the grungiest grunge to classic rock to folky clean sounds. What a great pickup!
Totally agree.
that's so crazy with your control layout, I just picked up my 2014 Gibson Firebirds V to confirm and mine is the same layout as a Les Paul, first are the two volumes on top of one another and then the tones to the right of them, wonder when they changed that up.. BTW love that poly heather.. such a cool color!
Thanks for this cool review. You touched on the quintessential qualities that makes the Firebird my guitar of choice. I brought my Firebird in '92 when Gibson did the reissue of their unique models - Futura, Flying V, Explorer etc. I was inspired by the Lynyrd Skynyrd guitar bouquet. It's the '64 sunburst style with the banjo tuners but it has the Les Paul wiring. I was 22 at the time and the only other guitar I ever brought was one my friend made. I played an SG for a time when my headstock was being reattached (not the first Firebird to suffer that). I'm not a fancy player but the tones of the Firebird still sound the best to me. I play most days and it still has first time feels to me. I enjoy playing LP, SG, Strats and Teles but they all feel temporary because there's a tone (on the neck pickup) that draws me to the Firebird and the open G chord totally accentuates the glassy resonance that I don't hear from any other guitar. That's enough gushing :) thanks again.
I was a schoolkid in London late 60's and early 70's and spent a lot of time trawling the music shops in Shaftesbury Avenue and Charing Cross Road. I saw a Firebird in the window, they were a very rare sight and I had to try it. The neck dive was wild, on a slippy strap the neck would drop like a stone. However, it was the best guitar I had ever played, damn thing virtually played itself it was so alive. I still remember that day so many decades later. The idea of ever owning a Fender or a Gibson in those days was pure fantasy, but that particular instrument has been forever in my dreams.
Firebirds are definitely underappreciated. Great vid. I'll have to get my Cardinal Red Firebird out this afternoon.
Rhett: "It's an original design and you can really see the automobile designer's influence."
The Designer: *grabs a lefthanded Jazzmaster and holds it righthanded* "That'll do."
Lmaoo 😂😂😂
Love this comment!
Says the "Fender Guy" just seconds before trying a Firebird and shortly thereafter complaining how their shoulder hurts. It's funny how acoustics never get this type of treatment. Auto design considered, you see many similarities back and forth between brands (cars and instruments both) competing for a merging market at that time. From build philosophy you couldn't be further from the truth. That said, the same type of underhanded commentary could be said about any guitar manufacturer over the last 50+ years after the Strat and Les Paul cemented their legacy. Somehow though, the guitar diversity is very noticeable. So let's not discount something so easily.
Beside both being offset there really isn't a comparison. Neck thru construction, model specific pickups, Fender headstock...... wait we'll just redact that part. I like them both, great guitars are like great cars, you can be a brand junkie or just love them all.
I don't really see the comparison at all. I know it's a meme in the guitar community but their constructions couldn't be further apart. Yeah, offset, but that's 90% of guitar designs, and if they wanted to copy it they should have picked a higher selling model. The jazz sold pretty modestly compared to fenders other lineup. Albeit still well.
Awesome. Thank you. I've just watched this and your "Sound of P-90s" video several times.
I'd love to see/hear a shootout /comparison of Firebird and P-90 pickups.
I think they sound sort of similar, despite the differences in appearance and construction.
There are many videos comparing Firebird vs. Mini Humbuckers, Mini Humbucker vs. P-90, and all the above vs. PAF, but few compare Firebird/P-90.
YES! THIS! Only Johan does a comparison. I'd love to hear more. I'm building a Tele deluxe and I'm so torn over what to load it with
Great vid, such a great story. What an amazing sounding instrument. When is part II coming out. All playing, no talking : )
That five watt world video and seeing a Firebird in your other videos is why I ended up trying one out and buying one.
I love Firebird pickups. Just added a Firebird neck pickup to a Tele. It sounds great and works well with the Tele bridge pickup too. You should do a FrankenTele episode Rhett.
Hi! Thank you for the video. It was your video that made me buy a Firebird. As far as I understand the pickups design was changed on the Firebird in the 80´s. So mine was loaded with some high output ceramic pickups (it’s a 2019model), neck was about 18Kohm and bridge about 28Kohm… it was not low outputs pickups at all! 😂 I swapped those for vintage Firebird pickups replica made by Dreamsong Pickups and now it sounds like it should… it transformed my guitar which now sounds fantastic and match the description of the typical Firebird sounds you described in your video. It became one of my favorite guitar (over 10) in a few days ! 😊
That intro riff is awesome, immediately made me run to my guitar and play
Same!
Me too
Allen Collins , Stephan Stills , Joe Bonamassa , Scott Holiday ( Rival Sons) can be added to the special people who choose to wield and strap on to the Fire Bird guitar playing it as it sings in the wind and dances on rainbows and , of course you Rhett.
Cheers .
Phil Manzenera (Roxy Music) and Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, both notable and devoted Firebird players.
Love Phil’s playing! He got such an explosive sound out of the Firebird.
Gate is most often coupled with his non-reverse Firebird with P90 pickups.
I was wondering when someone would mention Manzanera. He never seems to get enough credit.
Absolutely !!!! Phil and Roxy never get the credit they deserve!!!! And Phil's firebird on Diamond Head is one of the most beautiful tones ever captured!!!!
This one will be on my guitar bucket list in the future. I already have a Gibson Les Paul Classic Worn Sunburst and just by watching I can definitely hear the difference between a Les Paul Classic vs a FireBird instantly. I can see the Lincoln esthetic influence on that. Good stuff 👍👍
Phil Manzanera played a Firebird and the lead singer was named Bryan. That was all it took for me to fall hard for Roxy Music.
Phil Manzanera is who I think of when I think of Firebirds. I own a Hanson Firenze II with three Firebird pickups. Definitely my favorite pickups and what I always go back to over my teles and p-90s and certainly over regular humbuckers. There is just something perfect about the neck position in particular. Clarity + warmth. Also, Roxy Music kick ass!
Yep...obviously a cultural divide here....Johnny Winter in the States and Phil Manzanera from Roxy Music for Britons and who they most associate the Firebird with. I"m' pretty sure he had it custom painted that red colour. I could never afford one like that but I did pick up a Tokai copy...a bit like an SG where the next seems shunted over to the left only with the Firebird neck it seems even more extended. Takes some getting used to.
@@DroomSpook and then Eno put it thru his synth and took it too 11
Waited until 15:46 to hear the name Johnny Winter! Guy was phenomenal, his brother too.
A few decades ago , as a fan of Johnny Winter , I had a Firebird V 63 sunburst , a truly beautiful guitar
Very good video. Thank you. Rhett.
I bought a Custom Shop Firebird I a few years back. When I play out with it or have visitors in my music room it always gets the most attention, especially amongst non-guitar playing folks. It is definitely the coolest looking guitar I own.
When Gibson made mine they installed a high output mini-humbucker in it. It sounded horrible. I immediately found a pickup maker that built exact replicas of the original, swapped it out, and found out why these guitars are so revered.
Like you, I love playing mine. Glad to hear that Gibson wised up and started putting the proper pickups in the reissues.
There's a great video of Steve Winwood and traffic at Santa Monica College in 72. Steve is playing a non reverse Firebird and rocking "Dear Mr. Fantasy."
Wanted one since I saw Allen Collins playing one in a Skynyrd video.
On my bucket list for sure.
Allen was actually the first one I thought of when I saw that guitar
@@jrockofages5413 ya I'm surprised he didn't get a mention
@@jrockofages5413 Johnny Winter & Allen Collins for sure. The thing I loved about Skynyrd was the guitarists were self-conscious about playing guitar with different pick-ups to create a separation of sound. Collins with the Firebird mini-humbuckers (although I've seen him rock an Explorer as well), Rossington would play PAFs usually in a Les Paul and then Ed King (and even, if I remember correctly, Steve Gaines) would be on a SSS Stratocaster.
@@anabidingdude8079 absolutely they all had their unique tonal fingerprint and you could hear them speaking to each other. I was wondering if the name Firebird may have been an inspiration to the title Freebird
@@jrockofages5413 same
Rhett, thank you very much for your videos!
Very interesting!
Hi Rhett, I really loved this video, I was born in 1959. Cars were cheap and my Dad had a different car all the time. Probably from gambling, he was a maniac. LOL
1960's Car Design is all over this guitar. The overall size (Bigger), the ash tray, fins were still around although becoming smaller (The section with the Firebird Logo is a fin) and also the color of the guitar in your video. Pastel colors were going away and "silvery" colors were everywhere. Whatever the color, some sort of silver was added which toned down the sharpness/brightness of the colors. The Jet Age. Jets were silver and their influence was all over cars of this time.
When we finally have a "flying saucer" in the Smithsonian, maybe we'll have another Re-Design... lol
Godspeed everyone.
Always loved how the Firebird looks like the main weapon of an anime or JRPG character
When he started talking about the guys who made the Firebird famous, I was thinking he better talk about the great Johnny Winter. I’m glad I wasn’t disappointed.
I recently purchased the EPIPHONE version, mostly because I was a huge Johnny Winter fan , and Allen Collins too. The EPIPHONE version doesn't come with the 2 strap button option. Your breakdown and love of the history was FANTASTIC!!! Especially your take on the 60s in general, imho things really didn't get cooking until like 67 or later. People want to equate Woodstock as the picture of the 60s, but there was so much more to that time frame before Woodstock and still living in the innocence of the Good ol USA. My Epiphone has the traditional two volume two tone configuration like the LPs. Which im thankful for, but you brought out tons of insight to the Firebird, The Head dive is definitely something that you need to contend with. I find bringing my my strap from the bottom over the front of the guitar s rear upper bout helps a lil, and I think looks cool too showcasing some of the strap. I thought about trading it back in, but decided to really give it a chance and as you stated so clearly, there is a serious acclimation to playing the guitar standing up or sitting down. But I'll say I love the way mine sounds and looks.
I had a Epiphone Thunderbird bass in high school. When I graduated college and started looking into getting myself my adult electric guitar I started really missing that thunderbird. I ended up getting a 2017 firebird T with the Steinberger gearless tuners. I absolutely love this guitar, especially coming from a bass background. I think that is why the neck has always felt so comfortable to me because it is pushed away from the player.
They do have a unique sound. One that as a newer guitar player has been a bit of a challenge. Especially when trying to find the tone that I like and getting advice from other players who use more "standardized" guitar rigs. All my bass guitars are through neck design, which is another reason I was drawn to these in the first place and I agree that there is a tonal difference when you are talking about bolt on vs. neck through. Always go for a neck through design if I get the chance.
Regardless I liked your video and it made me enjoy my firebird more than I had. I didn't know about the automobile background when it came to the design of these instruments. Growing up my dad was always tearing apart old cars and is a big car nut. Would make sense that with my childhood, I would be drawn to an automobile inspired guitar. I also like things that are a little different and this guitar fits the bill nicely.
Unwieldy? IDK I played upright bass in college so IDK I guess thats up to your own interpretations.
Regardless, great video. Just wanted share some of my viewpoints on this with someone who has experience. Hope you liked the comment.
A firebird pickup, using a mini-humbucker surround will fit directly into an SG special. Almost the Firebird tone without the unwieldiness.
First time I played s Firebird, it took me like 15 minutes to just understand the weird neck relativity and adjust myself to the unusual placement of the 12 fret. I love it so much though, it sparkles and chunks at the same time like no other guitar
Well said! It does have a different orientation to it but yeah nothing you can't adjust to and once you're used to it it just becomes more natural
Nice video, thanks. I played one once in a famous vintage guitar shop in downtown San Francisco - forget the name. What strikes me was the length and the accessibility of the higher range frets such as 15 through 20 and above. Like the cool shape.
The intro jam (don't know if it's original or paraphrasing a well known song) was your most tasteful playing I've heard so far. Thanks.
“Dave Mason toured with his own band and he always played a Firebird. One of the few major concerts I got up close and personal to you in Houston. Sounded fantastic all along the watch tower, only you know and I know, feeling all right. All those good old song sound great on a Firebird thank you Rhett for doing this it’s a great video