The Gibson Firebird: A Short History, featuring Rhett Shull
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- čas přidán 11. 11. 2020
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Thanks to everyone that's been asking, and waiting, for this one. I don't know what it is about Firebirds that has always fascinated me. Maybe it all just goes back to the story in the intro, the impact that a performance on a specific instrument can have on us. I don't know how anyone that got to see Jimi Hendrix perform in person could ever escape the gravitational pull of the Stratocaster for instance. But for me that's always been Firebirds, though I've never played one...or maybe because I've never played one they are still the myth in my head that keeps playing on a dark stage somewhere.
I'd like to send a SPECIAL THANKS to all the "friends of five watt". Your level of support continues to make the channel possible.
Thanks for watching. Until next time, thanks for being a part of the five watt world.
Keith
***Five watt world participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn commissions by linking to Amazon. In simpler language, this means that whenever you buy something from Amazon from a link on here, I receive a small percentage of its price. - Hudba
Me trying not to buy a firebird.
Keith : resistance is futile!
Get the Bird Robert, get the Bird! You know, " The Birds The Word."
Ha! I know the feeling.
@@fivewattworld man this channel has really gone downhill, I remember when it was about NOT buying too much gear ;)
Buy the bird, Baker. Buy the bird.
Firebirds are cool. FACT
I still have never even played a Firebird! I’m really curious how they play Hypes. I’m going ask Rhett to bring his over so I can try it out. Great video
Yeah Hypes! Let me know what you think.
You should also ask Dave to bring his explorer
My Firebird changed my world because of the easy access to high notes. Because of arthritis and other benefits of getting older, it’s been a pain to play up high, and for sure to play decently up there. With the Firebird there is total easy access and I can play things I only dreamed of before, so easily...and the whole thing plays great...I love it. I always wanted one because of the sound, being inspired by Johnny Winter’s sound. It’s been an incredible bonus to have a guitar that plays so well. Got a used 70’s reissue for $700 at a Guitar Center. Still stoked.
I played a thunderbird which is a firebird bass thunderbirds sound very great and mean
@@BWild82 That's a heck of a deal on the reissue. The Firebirds are uniquely great guitars. Only down side is the neck dive issue on many of them. I got lucky in finding my, well balanced, white 1990 reissue.
finally someone explained the diference between a firebird pick up and a mini humbucker 🤘👍
Right!?!! I never had a clue till now!
The Mini-Humbucker was originally an Epiphone design that happened to fit into P90 routings and led to the creation of the Deluxe.
I had the same thought. I’ve heard a ton of people refer to Firebird pickups as mini humbuckers and even though I like both they sound totally different. The Firebird always reminded me of a really fat Tele pickup. The only thing not mentioned is the odd sidewinder bridge pickup in the Bicentennial models Bill Lawrence designed. They were definitely something unusual.
Allen Collins' tone on Lynyrd Skynryd's appearance in 1975 on Old Grey Whistle Test is what started my obsession with Firebirds. Great to see Collins mentioned in your Explorer short history.
In my opinion, Allen Collin’s solo he played at the end of ‘Needle And The Spoon’ on his Gibson Firebird is one of the best solos ever written. He’s definitely worth a mention.
That is onw hell of a solo, and one thst just wouldn't work on a strat, great example!
Agreed
I like his solo on I Ain't the One! That one kicks butt!
Every time a short history comes out, it’s an event!
Any interest in doing a short history on The Big Muff Pi?
Yes!!! Big muff
How about a history of the Maestro brand and how it led to the ignition of the Oberheim synthesizer company?
Magnatone or Gibson amps 🤤🤤🤤
I second this
You took the words out of my mouth. I was just going to suggest the Big Muff.
I'm surprised Allen Collins of Lynyrd Skynyrd wasn't mentioned. Skynyrd players often get over looked. Not sure why they were all great musicians
Especially Steve Gaines.
True that. ..but we all know he was famous for it nevertheless..
Exactly. I opened this feature specifically to see what they said about Allen Collins and his use of the Gibson Firebird.
BUT NO...
Another slight to one of the GREATEST, hard working bands of that Era. Specifically, 1 of the greatest rock and roll fiddlers to have that skill, PERIOD!!!
@What Guitars Look, you little bitch, If you were in front of me and said this speech, after you regained consciousness, you would be searching the floor for your missing teeth, asking those near you, "What happened to me?"
If I want your opinion I'll ask you for it.
Be certain, I will not want it.
You are a punk, and lucky I can not locate you. I did try!
Where you got the idea that I wanted your opinion is puzzling.
I can assure you, we come from 2 totally different worlds. Just STFU going forward if you see me commenting. Do you understand me?
If I want any lip from you, I will peel it off my zipper.
Today, you got lucky.
L
Ny uutuuttutju
I saw Johnny Winter play his old Firebird through a stack of Twin Reverbs way back in the day. Loud as f*ck but mind-blowingly amazing guitar playing. He is truly Mr. Firebird like Jimmy Page is Mr. Les Paul, like Jimi Hendrix is Mr. Stratocaster.
Having sold my late old friend, Johnny Winter his sunburst '64, '64 white, as I recall, the '65 Pelham Blue one that turned greenish over the decades, a Frost Blue one that had been stripped by the guy who I bought it from, & at Johnny's request, we sprayed it 1970 Dodge Wild Plum for him, lots of other guitars, an old Thunderbird II & Hagstrom 8 String Bass, & 2 early small cabinet Fender Princeton tweed amps that he used for practicing & band rehearsals at home, I saw him use 6 Twin Reverbs, a wall of Ampegs....the day / night that he bought the first Firebird, the sunburst one on July 31, 1970, & also Marshall 100W. stacks, until he switched to the 4 x 10 Musicman 130w. amps.
All of the 6 Twin Reverbs, an Ampeg Dan Armstrong Model, His huge "Johnny Winter" stage lights, & whatever else, was sold off by the questionable owners of the warehouse where he & Edgar both stored their stage gear. Johnny kept his Firebirds, & other guitars & basses that he used, at home....
Ya yes Jimmy Pages Telecaster sold more Les Pauls then anything else.
Yes! So hyped
The Firebird imo is a Dirty bluesy tele which smokes 2 packs of cigerrates every day!
Ha!
And occasionally smokes a cuban cigar and laughs at how the rest just dont measure up.......
You just helped me figure out exactly where Fender got the idea for all the theme-and-variation Telecasters they manufactured in 1972 that have enjoyed much success on the reissue market.
I've been trying to label the Firebird's sound for years. But Sidiox,you've nailed it right on. Thank you.
Laffing Out Loud!
Allen Collins used a Firebird on the iconic Freebird solo and it was his main guitar for most of his time in Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Note that at some point Collins replaced the bridge pickup in his Firebird with a dogear P-90.
I thought he played solo on an Explorer? Hmmm🤔
@@robertgladstein He did later, (‘76?) but started on the Firebird.
@@robertgladstein You are correct. The majority of the Freebird live performances, you have Collins using the Korina Explorer with the WHAMMY BAR that It appeared like he was attempting to shake it right off of the guitar.
@Robert Gladstein I saw Freebird performed live New Year's Eve of 76 and July Fourth of 77, both in Oakland, California.
Korina Explorer w/Whammy
No mention of Allen Collins of Lynyrd Skynyrd, who played a Firebird for years; including the rhythm and lead tracks on a little song you may have never heard of, entitled: Freebird; using it on both the '73 studio cut, as well as, their '76 multi-platinum double-live album - "just a small side-note" in Firebird history. A-hem !
I just got my first Firebird after playing in bands live since 1981. Bought the Epiphone tobacco sunburst and the minute I started playing it I knew I've finally, after almost 40 years of playing, found the perfect guitar. The fret board is wide, mini humbuckers sound amazing. I'm so impressed with this Epiphone I can't believe how much they have stepped up their game. I don't have to modify anything to this guitar. I'm proud to say I have an Epiphone of this caliber. It's straight up a really great guitar....It stays in tune no matter how hard I play it. Maybe I just got lucky or maybe they're listening to what we've all been wanting.....Great video thanks for the history
I had a similar experience with my olive-drab green Firebird, I really wanted to get the burst but they are back-ordered. Mine plays amazing and I love the tones I am getting, both clean and with distortion, it has such a buttery feel. I did perform a minor tune-up when I got it, polishing the frets, oiling the fretboard, and new strings, I even raised the action just a touch and it played perfectly.
The Johnny Winter And Live album is absolutely legendary IMHO
I think you missed one of the most famous (and best) Firebird players ever, namely Allen Collins of Lynyrd Skynyrd. I love the sound of Firebird pickups and Allen Collins was the man who first sparked my interest. I had the honour of seeing the band twice, once at the Knebworth Festival in August 1976 and then again in November the same year at the Hammersmith Odeon (today called the O2 Hammersmith) and I was devastated at the news of the plane crash a few months later. "One More from the Road" had been on my turntable for a year before that. In any case, when it comes to guitars my motto is "You can't do your thang if it ain't got that twang" and Firebirds have it in spades.
Lzzy Hale also plays an firebird but Allen Collins is one of the best firebird players
Congrats on seeing them play twice man I consider that an honor.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who sat there waiting for him to mention Allen, maybe Allen got some attention in the explorer episode
Nobody does guitar histories like Keith. What a delight.
I did a Firebrid video and I also got in comment trouble for not mentioning Allen Collins. C'est la vie! Great video as always.
Its strange that you always post these when I am making my morning coffee.........are you watching me, Keith?
Fluff! I emailed you about his because I almost mentioned the RD's and then, of course, I would have mentioned you! But maybe I ended up in the spam folder.
I'm watching you Fluff... Wait... That came out the wrong way.. LOL !!!
Made my Thursday morning!! Between the Klon and now this, y’all have been on point lately. Greetings from North Carolina!!
Greetings from Fayetteville!
NW NC mountains here!
Monroe NC
Weddington
@@chuckcaldwell474 hello neighbor
Scrolling through CZcams, is like panning for gold, every so often you find tiny nuggets in amongst the dross. I love this channel, it has taught me so much in such a concise and enthusiastic way. Thank you.
Thanks Nigel
Firebirds are the Cadillac of guitars!
that makes sense. its my dream guitar and i have two cadillacs XD
My favorite guitar is my 91 firebird V!! Praise the Lord for giving it to me!!🙏🙌
The '90 & '91 Firebirds were very nice guitars, with the frets polished, fingerboards heavily oiled, & the binding very carefully rounded & carefully buffed!
Yes! I love the Short Histories. Not even a minute in but I know it's gonna be a good one.
I'd love to see a history on Dallas Arbiter, either the Fuzz Face or the Rangemaster Treble Booster.
I've been watching quite a few histories on the Treble Booster/Rangemaster/Fuzz Face lately. Does this mean I don't want to see Five Watt World do one too? Hell NO !!! Bring it on! I just love this guy's gentle style and really clear, concise linear approach. Hey, I'd enjoy Five Watt World doing a history of the potato chip!
Back in '72 or '73 I spent a couple cold weeks in St. Paul. Went to the Cow Palace (I think that's what it was called) and saw a new group called REO Speedwagon open for Johnny Winter. Johnny came on with high platform shoes and a stovetop hat. Picture this lanky Winter strutting those platforms and fingerpicking that Firebird. To say that blew my 15-year old mind is an understatement. I'll never forget it.
My little band opened for Johnny Winter at the Palladium in Birmingham Michigan. At that show, Johnny introduced his little brother, who came out and blew sax and everyone's' mind. Sitting down front after our set, Johnny came out sporting that Firebird pictured here. After one blistering bombastic tune, he started cranking the tuners, spun around with his back to the audience and over his shoulder said into the mic, "You never give the good ones away,,," He pulled out a slide and tore the dump down.
Thanks, Punch.
Don’t know of any young players who were around in the 70s that were not blown away by the sights and sounds of Johnny Winter.
Ditto to the 9's Yes! The Firebird was Johnny Winter's favorite go to guitar onstage or in the studio and he talks about that fact in several interviews across his entire career before he passed...I am 68 years young and still gigging here in Colorado up and down the Front and Back Range and Johnny Winter influenced my playing more than any other guitarist probably....Cheers !
@@oldeshoppebluzboy2298 As good an influence as there is!
I'll forgive the Allen Collins omission simply because an otherwise great video of the coolest, yet most underrated guitar on the planet (reverse body version), is always very much appreciated!
It'd be super interesting to see a Short Story video of the Roland Jazz Chorus.
Amidst all VOXes and Fenders and Marshalls, there was another contender with very different colours, and it remains iconic to this day.
Allen Collins rocked it also on a Firebird
ooooo does this guitar even exist: Alpine White Triple pickup Firebird VII "Custom" with the ebony board, gold hardware, and pearl blocks. No crappy sideways vibrato!!!
I'll bet it could if you have have enough money.
Gibson Custom M2M. You can get whatever you want.
@@rw2806 you never mentioned Allen Collins. One of the most underrated guitarist that played a thunderbird
@@waynebiasini1039 that's right!!! I feel bad now, as I didn't think of him either, but you're absolutely right
@@waynebiasini1039 thunderbird is a bass, right? The Mad Hatter in Skynyrd played one sometimes, though. Collins played Firebirds (outro solo in the studio version of freebird for instance; the slide was Gary Rossington with a Gibson SG), Explorers, and Strats mostly
“The body was something like an upside down jazzmaster”***
I always enjoy these and will never forget watching Johnny Winter tearing up his Firebird at several clubs here in NC. When I think of the Firebird, I think of Johnny.
The Epiphone Firebird V designer series are basically a Gibson for $599.00. They feature Neck Thru construction,Mini Humbuckers,and Grover Tuners. The only variations from Gibson is a metric bridge,and an Indian Laurel fretboard.Tone wise they are every bit a Gibson,minus the microphonics.You can hear one on my CZcams show "The Reach Around".The only other Neck Thru Epiphone Firebirds ( aside from Joe Bonamassa's) are the 300,and 500 models which where made in the eighties.They came equipped with a Kahler trem ,which tend to bend at the posts.They also have a Richlite fretboard ( Polymer). Generally they are not too pricey $400.00 range.Anyway,thanks for a great show Keith !
There is nobody else on the internet that explains things better than Keith.
Just got to walk the sausages...but I'll be back with a coffee, Keith!!
Best looking axe ever! Johnny Winter knew how to make them sing!
A well done history. Notably the early 63 Firebirds and especially the Firebird 1 had huge baseball necks and were very top heavy. The top heavy design led to many broken headstocks. Also noted, the firebird also came in a rare cherry finish similar to the SG that was never officially advertised. I happen to have a cherry '64 firebird V. Lastly Steve Windwood played an inverness green non reverse firebird on the "Low Spark of High Heeled Boys" tour.
Absolutely correct about the '63s having Louisville Slugger necks on them. 2 piece center sections, & no Firebird logos, & a big round heel where the neck morphed into the body, on any of the the '63s that I sold to touring bands, including the white '63 Firebird VII that Stephen Stills bought from me in Kansas City in July of 1974 the afternoon before a packed C,S,N,& Y, Beach Boys, Jesse Colin Young Show in one of the stadiums there.
Thanks for the fun comment. I was a college roadie at the University of Virginia and set up Steven Stills guitars for a show in 1976. He used to tour with 25 vintage guitars. I got to play the white firebrid VII. He had his action on all of his electrics set really high. I still buy and sell guitars and own a store in Colorado called Monkton Guitars.@@edseelig9465
This quickly became one of my favorite channels. I got into guitar from much newer rock and heavy metal music and I'm really getting into older styles and learning the history of guitar and the genres it was heavily involved in. Thanks for stuff like this, I feel like I really know my stuff.
The gift that keeps on giving. Thank you, Keith.
Thanks, Keith & the 5 Watt team! As a lifelong Firebird devotee, I hope I can add to the story.
While the plausable reasons of difficulty in manufacturing the reverse's neck-thru design prompted Gibson's move to the set-neck, slab-body non-reverse are true:
A common complaint, even amongst those of us who love the Bird was the neck-heavy imbalance of the reverse model. Those weighty banjo-tuners, used mainly for their visual disappearance when viewing the guitar from the front, tuners pointing straight back from the head, were the culprit, along with the lengthy head itself. On the "2010" re-issue, the Steinberger "straight-through" gearless tuners were a welcome improvement, if 47 years in the making.
That custom hardshell case Gibson offered on the initial production run was not quite deep enough for the 14-degree angle-back headstock. It is estimated that 300 of the reverse Birds were broken at the head during shipping, my first Firebird V included: Addicted to Firebirds following the Stones appearance with two Firebird VIIs on TV in 1965, I begged my poor Dad for one, until he succumbed and mail-ordered a brand-new early '65 F-Bird V.
As the salesman opened the case, seeing my new Bird with the head broken off brought tears to this 14 year-old, but the promise to re-order assuaged heartbreak, until: The replacement was a non-reverse Firebird V, with no notice from Gibson that the re-shipment was not the same instrument.
Part of the Firebird magic are those wonderful low-gain single-coil pickups --- non-matching model numbers, on the neck pickup vs the bridge: The mis-matching produces a huge bluesy fatness at the neck, and a Telecaster-type "slap" at the bridge. Combining the two creates a third sonic animal. There's nothing else like it.
Firebird VII owners may want to educate us as to what the 3rd middle pickup model is? But this begs an opinion:
The later Studio models and other variants with double-coil humbucks and/or slab bodies cut in the reverse shape are really not the same breed as the original neck-through single-coil monster. As the fawning owner of several Birds, including the single-pickup Joe Bonamassa Epi "Treasure" (with original banjo pegs), reverse & non-reverse Vs and an Epi reverse "Mando-Bird" mandolin version, I can only sing praises of a Bird that sings back to you! Thanks guys...
What a take, Keith! My fave Gibson design with all the details. Fantastic work, loved it so much. Blessings!
Thanks Michal. Yeah, as I said, I've always Jones'd for one of these.
@@fivewattworld LOL! myself I don't know, to be honest. The Gibsons have never been my thing feel-wise, but I will tell you that I have always admired the bold designs like the FB, and the Explorer. Plus the FB has its unique sonic footprint thanks to thee innovative pickup design - arguably the closest thing to a single-coil but with hum cancelling. I know Tom Bukovac has the red non-reverse FB, a 1965 or 1967) and it's his best guitar ever, I think. Sounds glorious! Thanks for all your work, I am genuinely impressed, as always.
I'm not a Gibson fan by any stretch of the imagination but I just picked up a legitimate made in Japan ESP Phoenix. It's their version of a Firebird but with a standard Fender scale length. I've only played super strats up until now but there really is something about this body shape that carries so much mojo, I absolutely love it
Does it have the exact Gibson reverse firebird body or the later ESP modified body? Does it have the Jackson-lawsuit headstock and is it very, very heavy?
Steve Winwood's Kerry green 1960's non reverse Firebird is a beauty.
I should have said was a beauty...some idiot stole it I believe.
I used to hang out at Silver Strings in the 90's and 2000's, Ed is a great guy with a lot of of info about music back in the day coming through St. Louis, I bet he be a great interview.
Correct!
Very enjoyable video. Allen Collins is where I discovered the firebird from back in the day, then Johnny Winter came next. Collins freebird solo on the pronounced record is all firebird, along with Winters slide playing on his firebird What a unique sounding guitar.
I see Five Watt World and I click. Thank you for the new video!!
Great video! I first became aware of the unique sound of the Firebird when I was watching a CS&N concert video and Stills was tearing it up on a Firebird. I always thought of them as mostly an acoustic band, but I realized how good a player Stills is watching that concert. I'm also a big Neil Young fan but never knew the back PU was from a Firebird! Thanks!
I sold Stills his Firebird I, sunburst, mine, not store stock, & the log neck '63 white Firebird VII, both of which were used extensively after he bought them back between '71...the FBI, as I recall, & absolutely, July of '74 for the FB VII, since I have a photocopy of the check from that sale to Stills & on a different check for 2 tweed Fender Amps to Neil Young, the same afternoon. Fun being in the middle of the motorcade across town into the backstage area of whichever stadium that was....
One neat thing about the body and wings is the connection. It is a V-shape allowing for more surface-surface area contact. Before I started collecting Firebirds, I remembered how they just resonated more than any other guitar I played. They a number on the back.
I know that.. a neat detail indeed.. likely one more reason (other than multi-ply neck) why the production was reportedly too costly - so they had abandoned this model...
Thanks Keith for another great video. One of my all time fav solo's is EC's Live Cream version of
"Sitting On Top Of The World" played on his Firebird 1 man what tone (and playing).
I saw Clapton use his sunburst Firebird I here in St. L. at Kiel Opera House, with Cream, tearing the house down in April 1968. I heard years later that he had the refinished all cherry "Lucy" '57 Les Paul Standard backstage as his backup guitar.
It was pretty cool to sell Eric a mint '91 Cardinal Red Firebird V reissue, which he kept for 10 years. Never heard whether or not he played it live, or at home for fun....
These short histories are amazingly informative and just fun to watch and learn. I've been waiting for Keith to do the Gibson firebird! Right on! Keep doing what you're doing!!
You forgot to mention Alan Collins from Lynyrd Skynyrd. He played a reverse. Not sure what number but I know it was a two pickup model. You can see him playing it on footage from "one more from the road" live album tour .
I love hearing the history of everything that it takes to bring my only love outside of family & faith MY LOVE OF MUSIC 🎶🎼🎵, and I can’t say I have one style any music that catches my ears and touches something inside of me and I am lost in it and now my time is mine, and it’s all I do !!! Music , My best friends 🐾🐾🐾 , Nature 🥰 So thanks to all of you talented musicians who do the work and share your gifts with this Super Fan and I love this channel it makes me appreciate the great history,somehow knowing the story makes the melodies and rhythms behind great solo , just makes everything seem so PERFECT in my old soul 🥰
Man, Keith, you're a great storyteller! Even if this short history in question wouldn't be my favorite in terms of gear since I find firebirds really uncomfortable, you always manage to get my interest. Every time. I always end up learning something knew. And at the end of the day, having knowledge about a lot of different gear is usually more useful that just owning lots of gear. Your channel is unique and very much appreciated by many. Keep it up!
I had no idea their was so much history to such an (arguably) strange guitar. Thank you so much for enlightening me to this guitar and really making me consider get one. Your videos alway amaze me with all the hard work and truly amazing information that goes into them and really makes me love the guitar more then I already do.
I literally came here looking for a “history of the firebird” video and to my surprise it was just released today! Sweet!
I love my 2013 Lefty Firebird , satin black finish, sits well on me, lovely instrument 🥰
Best one so far! Amazing stories, and most important. THE FIREBIRD!
Liked how you included the 2020 inflation adjusted pricing. ..
"he didn't like to travel with it due to the weak headstock" so even the 'car guy designer' couldn't break Gibson's habit.
Interesting to see how many players pictured with Firebirds have swapped in other pickup types.
Set against the actual price gouging Gibson has been invoked with since this decade began, the inflation adjustment is far more affordable, if Gibson would adhere to it. Chances are good, they would do far better business if their best gear wasn’t blown out of the water at boutique prices.
Been waiting for this one, too damn curious about the bird
I watched this with my 2015 Big Bird 5, and we had a grand time. " The Birds The Word." Thank you.
Me too! Those tuners are dandy. Oh that tone and feel. Do other guitars feel small now? My LP feels like a parlor electric after adjusting to the Bird. Enjoy.
I have a 2016 Gibson Firebird V. It's a work of fine art!
Johnny Winter had a bunch of those. A band buddy of mine and I were working at a deli on East 85th St. in NYC. Just around the corner was Johnny's brownstone. He used to come into the deli for stuff and my buddy and I got to know him well. We were invited to jam with him at his pad. He had an 8 level shelf built into the lower level of his pad. Right into the brick. On each of those shelves were Reverse Firebirds in cases. He had at least 8 of them. We jammed one afternoon for 2 or 3 hours. Then a bunch of our friends joined us and we partied all night long. Wow, 1973 was a long time ago.
Zal Cleminson of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band played a non-reverse Firebird, and I'm surprised that no one has
mentioned Arthur "Killer" Kane of the New York Dolls, who played a Thunderbird bass.
Great video! Thanks so much for doing this. I own two 2016 (Bonamossa models) Epiphone Firebird I's .. one polymist gold and one vintage sunburst.. and I absolutely love them!
I started playing the guitar at age 31 after first hearing Live Cream and Live Cream, Vol. II. Eventually I learned that what I was hearing was Clapton's Firebird I
I've run out of superlatives to describe your channel, Keith. You just keep knockin' them out of the park. Never cared for Firebirds that much, but I knew that once I watched this segment, I'd feel differently and I do. I may not run out and buy a Firebird, but I now have a new level of appreciation for this model thanks you to.
I’ve always had a love of Firebirds thanks to guys like Allen Collins, Johnny Winter and Brian Jones, those guitars just sound amazing and play incredible
and Eric Clapton, among lots of others!
I really love how you intertwine your history with the history of the gear your highlighting. Makes for a really fun video to watch!
Edit: I think you meant .022uf capacitors.
I caught that as well :\
Always a wealth of knowledge and always presented masterfully. Thanks!
The details in this video are amazing. But the fact they are narrated by a live human is well double amazing. I am humble before you. Subbed!
Devo's song was "Working in the Coal Mine," a cover of the Allen Toussaint penned 1966 hit for Lee Dorsey.
It was The Police who wrote "Canary in a Coalmine."
Which song did you mean, sir?
Yeah, I'm terrible with tune names (obviously). I mashed them together. Or as another commenter said to me, "well you were working in a bar..."
So true, glad you pointed it out. Someone had to.Hahaha.👍🎸
@@fivewattworld Okay, what band put out "Massage In A Brothel"?
Thanks, I was like huh?
I love both bands so mixing up their song titles is a lot of fun!!
I purchased a Firebird years ago without knowing a lot about them and fell in love. In addition to the players that you listed, I discovered that Terry Kath, Gary Moore, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Kim Thayil, Eric Johnson, and Billy Gibbons have all played Firebirds during their careers.
I'm sure a lot of players have played them at one time or another, that doesn't mean much other than they played one.
The video lists Steve Jones of the Pistols, Steve had one but he said it wouldn't stay in tune. He bought it (if I remember right) on the American tour. You can see him playing it in the videos from that tour and it does sound terrible.
As far as I know that was the only one Steve owned and he didn't seem to like it much. I wouldn't call him a Firebird player, he just seems to have bought one and played it a few times in public.
I mean plenty of guitar players play loaner guitars or try out guitars. Johnny Ramone played a Strat but I don't think anyone thinks of him as a "strat player".
Stevie Ray Vaughn?!? Wow.
Paul Chapman and Paul Raymond of UFO/Waysted played non-reverse Gibson Firebirds, too.
@@edwhite7475 Firebirds are really cool looking and I’m not saying they aren’t good guitars, just saying Jones very briefly played in public, not sure if that qualifies him as a “firebird fan” or “player”.
He of course loves LP Customs but lately he seems to play a Flying V custom a lot too. He’s also expanded into a Strat, Gibson acoustics and an SG but I’ve never seen him playing a Strat live, he probably has at some point though, he’s been
Playing shows for 45 years.
@@edwhite7475 what are you even talking about? You can hear and see him playing it first off...second none of that has anything to do with what I said?
Who cares if you don’t like Steve Jones lol? More power to you I guess but I don’t care and certainly didn’t ask.
I love this series so much. Could listen to Keith talk about guitars all day.
Excellent work Keith, as always! Thank you for your time and dedication!
Keith, if you can get you a Firebird. There's nothing like it, they are like a Tele an SG and a rock n roll goddess all in one.
I must have missed the part where you talked about Allen Collins...
Omg! Thank you! Every video in this series is amazing!
You and this channel are a gift to humanity! Thank you so much for what you do and please don't stop!
1:30 I love hearing the history of these guitars and gear, but your storytelling is amazing. "I knew their setlist and drink order better than my hometown" idk if that's considered poetry but it gave me some feels.
Don't forget Pete Way of UFO and his ever present Thunderbird Bass!
And also don't forget Paul Raymond of UFO playing a Non Reverse firebird!!
Thank you for this one, Keith. The Thunderbird has always been my favorite bass. Mine's a mess, modded to hell and back, after one I saw a girl playing back in the mid 90's. So much love for this one.
Thanks Keith! As always , this is excellent. We are all the beneficiaries of your hard work .
How could you miss Allen Collins? You know the free bird solo? Leon Wilkenson also played a Thunderbird bass.
Crazy idea but, I would love to see a short history on EVH Frankenstrat, or just EVH guitar songs general. Maybe as a tribute or something, it would such a cool video. awesome video as always!!
Love my Firebird, clumsy as hell but sounds fantastic and the string to winders reverse length after the nut makes things feel very different.
Thanks, Keith! So much fun to learn about the history of these legendary guitars and the geniuses who played them!
Link Wray also played a Firebird.
McCartney's Firebird seems to have been a manufactured lefty. Look at the location of the bird, the tuners, and the knobs at 19:14. Compare with the righty 'Bird at 13:44. Also, you missed Steve Winwood's Non-reverse from his Traffic era. A list of songs that featured it might make an interesting appendix to this highly-informative video.
As always.... the week is 1000x better with a new video from Five Watt World 👍👍
Thank you for all the hard work in creating these excellent videos. It's much appreciated.
Yea! Just found this two hrs after posting! So LOVE these “Short Histories”
You mentioned the Phoenix. Today, the LTD version of the Firebird is called "Phoenix." I had one of those for years.
I sold it to mentally cut ties with a toxic band. I just didn't want that visual reminder.
OK I Googled this and I'm still out of the loop, what's the deal with LTD?
I am talking about the guitar company, ESP. LTD is their Asian-made lines. E-II is their Japanese-made line, and ESP is the American custom shop.
As for the Phoenix, that is the LTD copy of the Firebird.
@@ThatBaritoneGuitarGuy I think he misread your comment and thought you said "cut ties with a toxic BRAND."
@@nsiderultimaseth Ah yes. I had not considered that possibility. Just to clear up any confusion on that matter, I do love ESP/LTD. They have never done me wrong.
The band was the problem. I didn't want reminders of that band.
@@ThatBaritoneGuitarGuy ah thanks
.022 microfarad caps. A 22 uF cap would remove all useable sound from the guitar!
That red one is the balls! It really does look like a hot car.
Thank You Keith
Your Short Histories are the Best.
17:18 is that Hendrix playing a bass?
You're right. I didn't notice until I saw your comment, but went back and it definitely is.
Good catch!
A righthanded J-Bass, upside down, without changing the order of the strings - now that’s where Mono Neon got his inspiration from!
Pretty sure it's Tommy Shannon's (from SRV's Double Trouble) white jazz bass from when he played with Johnny around 1969
I recently bought a cardinal red 2019 model. Love it. Wish you has spend a little time on the tuners and moving to a non sculpted headstock. I heard a gibson rep tell me they switched to mini grovers because people hated the original banjo, then steinberger ones and that the non scooped out neck is stronger. Is that true>
I don’t know why the other neck shape would be stronger but I’m no guitar builder.
Your history vids are as always complete and very well produced!!
Thanks for your dedication to detail and accuracy!!
Firebirds are my favourite guitars idk why but THEY LOOK SO COOL especially red ones
I hate to pile on because this video is a 9 out of 10 for the information alone, but it would be a perfect 10 if Allen Collins would have been included.
Yeah man most of the young rockers don't know Lzzy Hale plays an firebird but Allen Collins plays the firebird better than Lzzy I prefer Old school Rock and Metal over new school because everyone is so weak and want to play extended range guitars and basses my next bass purchase is an Epiphone thunderbird IV next year for my 18th birthday I love my 1986 Ibanez roadstar ii bass I play whom the bell tolls intro solo to prove my bass playing skills to my dad who loves salsa and Rock love songs especially from Styx
Who voted this down? How can you dislike anything by 5WW?
Another great history lesson! My daughter and I love the videos she says they are relaxing, I agree Thanks Keith!
Great video,thank you,Keith