Are These Guitars Better Than Gibson? | The Firefly FFLPS Review
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- čas přidán 13. 09. 2024
- Checking out and demoing these incredible and afforable Les Paul style guitars from FireFly. Do they stack up against Gibson?
FireFly Guitars Link: guitarsgarden....
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Firefly FFLPS Guitar
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With the nut on these, Firefly guitars used to come with a strap, a braided ten foot cord, and some picks. In late 2017, the picks, cord, and strap were dropped in favor of a bone nut. This change was made with the FF338 model (similar to the Gibson ES335). Most models since have had bone nuts. The tuners on these guitars are not Grover tuners. These are made by a Chinese company called Jin Ho. Jin Ho is the company that makes tuners for Kaish, Wilkinson, and Musiclily. The tuners on this guitar are 19:1 ratio tuners. I am unsure what company makes the rest of the hardware or the electronics. This is just a touch of Firefly guitar history. In 2017, Firefly first hit the market with several models including copies of the Strat, ES335, Precision bass, and a Les Paul. All of these except the ES335 copy, which later became the FF338 with some body style changes, had bolt on necks. All but the FF338 were shelved. The FF338 was retooled, with a smaller body and longer cutout horns. Toward the end of 2017 came the FFTH, a Telecaster style with a semihollow body. In 2019, Firefly introduced the FFDCD, the FFDCS, and the FFJR in July. In September of 2019, the FFLP was reintroduced with the bolt on neck being traded for a set neck.
I got the gray burst FFLPS with 3 Humbuckers for my birthday in May. Sunland Guitars in Daytona did a set up on it for me .They said the set up was minimal and couldn't believe how much value it was for $233 delivered. I will put a 5 position switch on it and probably put in new pots, but that's probably all. I love it and it screams. Like you said, I honestly believe it plays at least as good as an Epiphone or a Gibson... maybe better than some I've played. AMAZING VALUE!! Can't wait to get their version of the SG. MarkA
Awesome video! I have a Green Bat Firefly. Changed out the gold hardware for black and replaced the pickups with Seymour Duncan satin black SH4 JB and SH2N. It was a decent guitar before but now it absolutely rocks! I still have to replace the nut with a black one and get a truss rod cover made with green lettering to say "The Bat". I cant believe there are not more videos out there about these bat guitars and people modding them.
I am hunting a green bat as we speak,I can pick one up from a private seller for just under $400 shipped but waiting for firefly to restock so that I can get it for a lot cheaper and then spend the extra on the mods.the green bat is a bad ass looking guitar and I think I might just have to have me a red bat that sits next to it 🤘
I have two of their LP's. One which is from their "classic" series, the other "elite". Both required a bit of setup but nothing someone slightly handy couldn't do. You tube videos are invaluable!
Both guitars are fine instruments. Any upgrades you may want to do would still save you loads compared to a Gibson. As well as the Firefly plays and sounds I personally don't see a reason to pay more.
Thanks for posting your video. I look forward to more of your content!
Adore FIREFLY Guitars and any good honest brand who craft greatness at the lowest prices possible
specially the SG are my favorites but the Lps are very beautiful looking as well
specially the Black Beauty
man that is a beautiful Vampiric Blood Red right there 5:40
reminds me a little of my old Red studio Les paul i used to own before i got my Black Double cutaway and my Black SG
Is a beautiful Les paul inspired Guitar
I can't believe I tried to zero in on that 5:40 Mark.
I like that you've purchased more than one and let us know that it is possible to get one that isn't as dreamy as a lot of videos make them out to be. Thanks for your honesty and all of your work.
Love the Red Burst finish!! My favorite by far
I bought an FFLP Classic Gold Top for $159 second hand. I am a DIY guy and decided to get tools to do complete setup as the previous owner had the tail stop over wrapped and I didn't care for that. I did a complete fret check, level check. After an accurate truss rod adjust and action setup it was playing like a champ! I did end up adjusting poke pieces to get the levels even across the strings. It feels like my buddy's Les Paul tgat he paid over $1500.00 for. I don't mind pickups because I am not in a high volume situation. This thing is a joy to play.
I do exactly as you had suggested, I buy the guitar hoping it’s in pretty good shape, mostly for the colors in the style and then I swap out the pick ups and take it to my luthier
I was worried about it being a scam when buying my Firefly blueberry burst as my first guitar but I was ecstatic when it got here. The guitar was flawless, the finish was stunning and it sounded fantastic. I would highly recommend the FFSP. I would change out the strings though. I agree with you about the squealing, mine also has this issue. I find if I'm careful with my fingering placement and pressure it rarely happens. I'll occasionally get lazy when playing fast and it happens. lol
Great honest review! Thank you for putting these reviews on CZcams.
Great video I wax potted the pickups on my firefly lp to help with the feedback used bees wax and paraffin wax mix
Love your amp tone bro.
What a great review and collection but most of all I enjoyed your insane shredding. I subscribed and rang the bell and am looking forward to me. Thanks for sharing. I haven't played one yet but I would have to agree with you on a big Yes to the question in your title. Being able to enjoy a quality guitar at a reasonable price has got to be the goal and they look and sound amazing. You mentioned they were not all great out of the box but you were able to remedy that. That may also be true for some expensive guitars but I guess consistency is something to consider. Never heard of these guitars so thanks for introducing me to them. Most of all it is your playing that will keep me coming back. Thanks again.
I bought a Firefly LP Jr and replaced the p90's with mini humbuckers (GFS) and I get cats that don't know the firefly name that think it is a guitar worth over a grand. The playability of these guitars is awesome but the electronics is where they lack and that is the easiest thing to upgrade. I'm bidding on a Gold Tot FPPS Classic on Ebay. When I get it I am putting a set of GFS 57 Humbuckers in it and it will scream. I'm also replacing the wiring harnesses in both with upgraded wire and pots.
I did all of this to stop taking my Gretsch and my Gibson Deluxe Anniversary model (1999) into bars. I broke the three position switch on the Jr about 6 weeks into gigging. Laughed it off because it is a Firefly.
Wouldn't have been laughing if it was the Gibson.
Best money I've ever spent.
Maybe someday someone will give a demonstration of what the guitar sounds like and not the collection of "shit it up" circuitry, but I have my doubts. I have a Grote LP on the way, but for a wallhangar to compliment my Epi Les Paul Ultra, (New in 2008 and still unplayed more than to decide it's just a wallhanger. DUde, I could care less what your amp can turn to crap, I'd rather know what the guitar sounds like. Clean means clean, not with reverb so it isn't dead.
I don’t care about pikups, they are replaceable. Its the quality of these firefly’s. Every bit as good as a gibson as far as playability
How does the neck feel on the "bats" like a 60's or 50's neck? Great review!
Great video demo. No one ever asks this question:
Is it good enough to make a living with?
The guitar world is like guys who buy hammers and saws but very few actually use them to pay rent and buy groceries.
I've been using some Grotes at gigs for the last 3 years and I love em.
My cousin plays too and he ribs me saying, why don't you play your good stuff at gigs?" For me I just enjoy using a practical instrument at a 100$ per man gig.
i am so proud of you 👏
Are they better than Gibson? No way. However, with upgrades (pickups, nut, setup, etc), they can compare with an Epiphone or similar. I have two that I upgraded, and they are both keepers.
Makes me laugh at how biased people are, especially with the Gibson brand name. They love to sh!t on them and say the import brands are equal or better.
I dunno man. I am a Gibson fan and have had many of them, currently have 4 of them. I've had some pretty bad Gibson's in the $1000-$2000 price range, sharp fret ends, tuning issues, fret problems, chips in fingerboards brand new OOTB. I'll nver buy another tribute or studio unless I play it first, and traditionals can be hit and miss too. All of my high end reissues have been stellar guitars, but at the time they were $3000-$6000 and now they are twice that. And vintage is a whole different animal. On Epi's, I've had a couple of good ones, but I've also sat in CG going through six different ones to find a good one, two of them didn't even work, ie no sound. Gibson's are great if you want to spend $3K or more, but they cannot compete in these low price points, even for what is now 5-10x the price. @@presmasterflash7555
"NO!" in answer to your question. The top is a Quilted VENEER. I have a Red and a Blue Bat myself. Unbeatable at the price point BUT they need upgrades; PUPS, Bridge, Tuners (?), Input Jack and Toggle Switch. Add another $200-300 and you get a very good quality instrument so you're into the $500-600 range. Not too shabby I'd say however they are not even close to a Gibson...BUT they ARE better than an Epiphone once upgraded. :)
I hear that some of them 9 pounds just like a good old Gibson should but not to many videos talk about how much they weigh.i personally love a good heavy guitar 🤘
Man what are your settings for your clean tone. It was amazing. 👍👌
Hey, the guitar is pretty sick! Sounds cool! Did you mod it in any way? Change the pickups, or change the electronics?
Back in the day I had a Gibson SG. It was an OK guitar but was not overly impressed with the quality. I recent ordered an AIO les Paul, it’s in the mail so I will see how it compares to the SG I used to have.
I noticed the pick ups are not the best metal too. What resistance should I be looking for if I want to upgrade?
I have 5 Fireflys 3 Les Pauls style and 2 Explorer style ones those have stainless steel frets. All 5 the finish was great, the frets were great and all 5 needed a complete setup and new pickups. With the Les Paul style I installed EMG active pickups and a new EMG switch. The Les Pauls have enough room in the volume/ tone cavity to accommodate a battery the Explorer styles do not and I installed EMG passive pickups in those. I have your guitar your playing in the video I'm starting on it now. It's getting EMG Glenn Tipton Active pickups, Graphtech bridge and Graphtech ratio tuning machines. I have a Gibson Explorer and a Ibanez Destroyer to compare them to. After I am done with them they are as good or better than a expensive Gibson for a fraction of the price. And I have a old 70's Explorer and the Destroyer was made in 1981 and I have owned it since 1983. I think a Explorer right now is around 2300.00. I love them. Great video man thank you.
Great review. Thank you 🤘🏽
Where are they made my friend?
I bought this exact guitar and it just arrived today but it isn’t as shiny as the one in your video or even the ones in the photo of guitars garden website. Is it a trick of your camera and there stock photos or is it just me?
those humbuckers are my only problem especially when you plug in in a highend seldano head with 4x12 marshall cab.. they feedback a lot.. like a freaking lot..
I’ve gotten a couple of nice ones, a train wreck or two, and a few in between. FF is for gamblers.
What pickups do you recommend I get? I play alot of classic rock, AC/DC, Zepp, Beatles, Greenday, that kind of stuff.
I just ordered a blue one. Then I saw this video and was glad I pulled the trigger.
how was it?
@@inee107 It was playable out of the box, sounds really nice and is beautiful. My only complaint is like with all Les Pauls and copies it is heavy. It doesn't sit well in my lap and is hard on my shoulder....but I am A 5'5" woman.....so.....it may be a lot different for you.
i ordered one. im a 5”5 man so will have the same issue
@@inee107 Check back when you get it and tell me what you think.
i cant find the firefly anywhere for sale? how do i acquire one?
Hey how to the Fireflies compare to the AIO Wolf guitars?
Hey man it’s alex from Lowe’s. Just figured I’d let you know even though this video was mostly gibberish for me it’s a quality video man. Keep this up because you definitely have what it takes to be a successful youtuber. My only personal critique would be to shorten the intro a tad bit and look into a crispier mic. Other than that the footage is on par with people who have millions of subscribers. Rock on man 🤘🏻
Yes Sir, i think some Luthiers will call it a "fret stoning" and they don't charge much.......$25
i know that FF saddles CAN sometimes be dodgy..........buzzing for sure.......
anyway, FFLP's are about 5 times cheaper than a LES PAUL STUDIO but are the exact same quality if not better.
They are excellent value and FF now have about 13 different models of guitar. They are all very very nice instruments indeed.
i joined the FF Facebook group (don't know if you are in it) but they were unfriendly (to say the least) when i started asking about who makes FF guitars and where.
i can understand maybe "stone walled" silence........but not just being unfriendly when my only interest is in guitars. They thought i was a GUITAR LEGALS COP...
......they were embarrassing and didn't actually KNOW the answers to my questions anyway........... i just reported the group left it. All they ever do is post photo's of drooling Firefly's and don't actually seem to know much about guitars.
upon researching i can tell you that to build something like a FFLP and get it to your door from a MOUSE CLICK..... is over 250 processes at the factory and ship....it's quite incredible
There are 26 processes ALONE just for the WOOD entering the factory...... before anything like A guitar body or neck is even seen.
To think they are made and shipped global for $229 is incredible really........when you know the cost of factory machines, laser engravers, CNC, software....the man hours involved.....
best wishes.
V
Ps they are made in a couple of factory's in china........Shandong province which is filled with guitar factory's.......i DID find the actual name of the Chinese company that make them.
FIREFLY is a brand name owned by FIREBIRD MUSIC CORP and JSN........there are then another couple of company's BEFORE you get to the final company name that makes the guitars. They do this for legal reasons. (it's a Chinese trading company)
FireFly's will be supplied under several brand names to many global outlets. FIREFLY is just the current brand known about.......
They're not better but they're 80% as good if you swap pickups.
my epi les paul has unbranded grover
cant get them in canada,,,, can you help Anthony?
Amazon just got stock of the Yellow Bat, hope you get a notification before they are out of stock. I ordered one🤩
Great review. Too bad they don't ship to US territories.
Yes they do.
Of course not. Are they good for what they are? Of course they are. No hyperbole required.
Tuners are made by Jin-Ho
Doesn't Schecter use Jin Ho locking tuners, 19:1 ratio I think I saw vs Grover 18:1.
I don't know if they are better, but they are prettier than most Gibson's.
I've heard enough stories that I would never gamble on a Firefly. Spend a few extra hundred dollars for a known quantity like Epiphone, Squier, SGR, LTD, etc and get a guitar that will be guaranteed better than a Firefly backed by superior warranties and customer service.
Great playing in your intro, BTW.
Human bone nut
Awesome! I knew I smelled Hot Pockets
Very good playing, but no, the FF is NOT anywhere near a Gibson, not even close to an Epiphone. FF's are great values, and are fantastic for $230. But they are NOT in the same boat as Gibson, Epiphone.
Would have bought one but since they only take PayPal no thanks
okay, the term "incredible" for firefly guitars is pretty ridiculous.
I don't know if they are any better but Gibson can suck it
The Grover tuners that don’t have the Grover name on them are NOT Grover’s lmao
NO
Yeah they're only better than a genuine Gibson LP at price point but everything else like resale value, fit, finish, electronics, woods, frets etc they lose...but I will say that broke ass guitar players have the ability to buy something they can actually use to gig without much problem.
Quality guitars? Firefly? Don't believe the hype, I bought two Firefly's one was the elite, the elite was the worst, dents, scratches. And the pick-ups are average at best.
Uhhh,that's why he says to swap out the pickups Einstein
@@joebloggs8636 I got your Einstein, Between your MO$ legs! smart @@@
Your mo@ told me your insecure cause u have a small we we,lol!
I really like your Mu$, shes so good in Be!
How's your MO& this morning? O wait she's lying next to me.
I don't need to watch this video to know that no they do not stack up to a gibson at all. Gibsons are definitely overpriced for what they are you can probably find something close in quality for about 70% of the price of an average gibson but make no mistake there is a reason people will pay gibson prices for a gibson because there is nothing else like them anywhere. If you want a Gibson les paul sound the only way to get it is to buy a gibson les paul. Now if your looking for a starter guitar these are probably great if you get a setup done on them but comparing them to a gibson is stupid they can't compete at all. I am also pretty sure they are photo tops on these as there is no movement in the flame and the spalted version looks off.
And yet you did watch ...
Jin ho makes the tuners . They are decent for costing next to nothing.