Can A Firefly Stack Up Against an Epiphone? | Firefly Vs. Epiphone Shootout!

Firefly FFLPS Review: • Are These Guitars Bett...
Epiphone Les Paul Modern Review: • Is This The Best Les P...
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Camera: Canon M50mkii
Video Editing Software: Wondershare Filmora 11
Vocal Audio: Shure SM7B
Guitar Signal Path: Firefly FFLPS,
Epiphone Les Paul modern
Focusrite 2i2
Tim Henson Plugin Neural DSP
ML Sounds Amped Roots Fluff Plugin
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[@tiernanfoss]

I have two LPs from firefly. A classic and an elite. They're both really good guitars. I have to say that I no longer consider buying expensive guitars. Maybe I have a tin ear but I can't distinguish enough of a difference. With so many budget guitars available now, even if as you suggested a tuner or pickup upgrade you would still be saving a substantial amount of money. Thanks for another great video. Look forward to future content!

[@genenorris6324]

I'll definitely take the Firefly Les Paul and keep $500 in my pocket

[@vinthegnb3374]

I just recently bought a firefly as a mod guitar. I'm personally not wild about the pickups, but it feels amazing to play and i can throw some of that spare $500 into some bare knuckles and make something special out of it.

[@KyLesCaster]

You can find Epiphone Les Pauls for 300 used. Still better than a Fagfly

[@thomash4447]

Great review....I don't own an Epi....but have a FF and a Leo Jaymz LP. I am impressed with both and both cost me UNDER 200.00

[@edwinstovall3334]

What I find interesting is the fact that I was able to identify the Epi (some of the time!😎) because of its relative brightness. My thought is that the Firefly pickups are wound a touch hotter which has the additional effect of slicing off a bit of high end energy. This makes them a touch darker and warmer. I came to this conclusion through your words and through my own experience with a pair of aftermarket Epiphone Alnico Classics. I installed them in an Ibanez super-Strat that I rescued from a pawn shop. They are the brightest humbuckers I own! They still sound very similar to the other Alnico humbuckers I have, but they have a "slice" that the others don't. I love all of them, though; who needs pickups or guitars that all sound the same? Kinda defeats the purpose! Thanks for the video! The tracks rocked HARD!

[@zeuszoos8386]

I agree with your take and it turns out my guesses were all on target. I knew you had to be flipping them in the blind test. It was fun! Thanks! 😊

[@bigmike9527]

Best firefly demo I've seen yet 🤘,I just bought 2 of them last week,I got the the new matte black Les Paul and the new matte black flying V and they were worth every penny 🤘

[@hooliganstreet]

Just listening and reading through the comments without watching the video, I would've thought you were playing one guitar the entire time. Impressive for the Firefly!

[@mikesmith3200]

Awesome demo! Loved it! Thanks!😎👍👍

[@christopherwimberly5663]

Great job on the review. keep up the good work.

[@Lespaul13100]

I have two FFLPS and many Epi Les Paul's as well. Love them all! I've modified them all as well, I did have some minor issues with the FFLPS, but, was able to fix them.

[@ralphbocchino247]

Firstly, great playing and style. Good comparison and review.

[@leoburton642]

Wow..Firefly is really buildin some good stuff aye! Nice review brother...nice playin too! Each guitar deffinately had their moments..which is saying a whole lot considering the price difference and with Epiphone ' s background!

[@llednop]

Apart from the guitar differences, I've got to say your playing is just awesome! Very creative and precise.

[@eljefeguapobarbon]

That accompanied my pot of black coffee this morning and got me fired up to start the day........and maybe buy another LP style guitar🤘🏼

[@sheilasimpson7092]

I own Epiphone and Firefly guitars. The main difference to me is first and most obvious the price point. The Epiphones have higher quality tunning knobs. The other differences are a little less noticeable. The pick-ups in the newer (2021-2022) Firefly guitars have improved significantly from the older models. That being said, the playing experience is now much closer to an Epiphone. In my non-professional player opinion… the monetary value for what you get matters. Epiphones are a better value than American Gibson branded due to price and quality for most people who are not playing professionally! Firefly is an awesome value for what you get- a solid instrument that has good quality components, plays well and absolutely looks great! If you want to buy a Maybach get a Gibson. If you want a Mercedes E-class, buy an Epiphone. If you want a good, commuter sedan without the luxury tax, then buy the Firefly. The better the guitarist, the better the guitar plays!

[@christopheraaron8299]

The pickups in a Firefly are still extremely microphonic. I'm about to replace the ones in my FF338 with humbucker size P90s.

[@stonemad35]

Epiphone is no longer a good value compared to Gibson USA anymore in my opinion. Top end Epi's are still import guitars made of import woods, (not real mahogany, wood grain so wide, etc), and entry level Gibson USA all built by musicians, handcrafted, hand wired, plek'd, top quality woods, etc at the same price point. I'd go tribute or studio way before the Epi '59 or Greeny every time. Now I would be very interested in a $200 import guitar that measures up to the higher priced import guitar, and then do some upgrades to that.

[@troyclaerhout2412]

Great video! Liked and subscribed. Keep it up!

[@montereycalifornia]

Great playing, Great review!

[@g.u.959]

Your demo is a dead ringer for something Maiden might make. Wonderful sounds on both guitars!

[@aiapaimei]

Exactly what i was looking for. thank you for this video. Firefly..here I come.

[@jackburton961]

Love the Epiphone ! Better quality and finish. Worth the extra money for me. Thanks.

[@leedouglass9636]

No the guality isn’t better with the epiphone

[@eearts]

These are probably coming out of the exact same factories. Is the Epiphone 3x better? Personally, I don’t think so. That’s me though. I have walked into a guitar store many times thinking I am coming out with an Epiphone but never have. I do have 4 Firefly’s though that cost the same as one upper end Epiphone.

[@primaskateboutique]

Great info keep rawkin!

[@jimhaldemanpossumman7994]

Goo playing son! I couldn't tell any difference in the two. I own a Firefly and did like the sound of the pickups but were microphonic so I changed them and it is a great guitar

[@csj9619]

Awesome comparison!

[@peterbishop9771]

There is NO major difference between the 2 guitars to my ears, especially a $500 dollar difference. Excellent demo.

[@brutus56ful]

Hell yeah brother!

[@jaxplanner7282]

Great job! I see a great channel on the rise! Goodbye day job soon!

[@saarbrandvin7749]

Great playing 🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@jimmyz2098]

Cool video, Bro! And 2 really awesome guitars. I got lucky with this Epiphone. They sell right now for $649 everywhere. But I found a used one for $499. Had to grab it, and traded some stuff to get it done! Gear I wasn't using anyway, and man the guitar I got is like new. Hardly a scratch anywhere on it. It's a KILLER guitar. Love it! But I'll tell you what. That Firefly is a LOT of guitar for a couple hundy. Looks cool, and sounds great. I like the Epiphone a lot better.... but it's a lot more expensive. Anyway - rock on Bro!

[@davidcjupp]

And you're paying the people that actually researched, designed and iterated the guitar in the first place and own the intellectual property. Not encouraging the devaluing of products through exploitation and globalisation. The Epiphone might not play any better but not being part of the problem should make it feel a touch sweeter.

[@thomaschambers33]

Ilove Fire fly guitars, I own three. Great demos. Ready to buy another!!!!

[@alekstan]

Sounds like I could get 2 Fireflies shipped for about the cost of 1 Epiphone. I’m glad I decided together a a Firefly. Thanks for helping me decide. Very helpful video and I enjoyed your music and playing.

[@danielnelmark2373]

Great video. I learned a lot from it.

[@garywebb5058]

Very good review. Absolutely can’t beat the Firefly FFLP for the price. The Epiphone is certainly not worth the difference in price between the Firefly and Epiphone. No way. And if someone wants to upgrade the pickups and locking tuners, it smokes the Epiphone IMO.

[@phillipholt6005]

Yes but you have to modify to come close to the Epiphone. How much does that cost for parts plus time and labor? I'm not just talking about the Epiphone modern. How would it stand up to my LP Muse that cost me 450 dollars.

[@garywebb5058]

​ @Phillip Holt The Firefly in this review comparison with the Epiphone Modern was a stock Firefly I thought? It more than held its own. Without throwing money at it. No money for labor or parts. So, in my opinion, the $200 Firefly is better the $500 Muse or $700 Modern. Just my opinion. Doesn’t really matter if someone is happy with whatever they have.

[@benjimusicandgamimg9773]

@@garywebb5058 You aren’t changing anything on the epiphone though to get it to be as good as the epiphone.

[@MrDalegray]

No it does not. Epiphones are way better. Play one then see if you have to same opinion.

[@blakjack3053]

Yeah I bought one cause my broke black ass couldn't afford anythin else. I returned it soon after cause wasn't working.

[@JohnKenneymusic]

Nice playing !

[@andrewjames7493]

That's how to do a comparison. Back to back with awesome playing. When you're bobbing your head with the guitar player on screen, they are doing something right. Got a like from me.

[@ccgsales]

Dee epiFONE, wit da rhythm TONE!

[@bradstockton4126]

Damn dude you can play. Great content.

[@peteuthai]

Phenomenal playing

[@randywarren6925]

Great video. I'm looking at the fflps p90. Which neck did you prefer and how big were they? Again great video dude 😎.

[@zanshelby03]

Well done, great playing. I had the cleans 100% but lost it with the distortion, you fooled me.

[@Delta_Dave_UK-]

Great purchase , go for it Tubers

[@bradleyclosson5042]

Nice review.

[@vanburen391]

Awesome video very helpful

[@m7walk]

great job bro thinking of buying one myself

[@Incaensio]

Love the red bat sound

[@kevin-sr41p]

Rrealy grate sound on songs good job

[@bobmanners8624]

I was finding all of these Firefly guitar reviews a bit unbelievable. How is all of this possible!? So, on a whim I pushed the button on Guitar Garden. I just got the newest offering of the FF338 in Chameleon Green. Absolutely wild color changes in the light from a beautiful green to blue to purple to an almost eggplant shade. Not just the top, but the back, sides, and neck. This looks like a very high end paint job. The body and "f" hole bindings are crisp and clean. It has locking tuners, a bone nut, stainless steel frets with hemispherical ends, alnico 5 pickup magnets, a small pin ABR style bridge, and full size pots. Right out of the box the set up was great (high E: 1/16", low E: 3/32". The neck had a smidge of relief and the intonation was spot on) - just tune and play. I plugged it into my Bartel Roseland and was very impressed. I don’t have to do anything to this guitar. Wow. Well, I've seen it, so now I believe it. But for $180, I don't know how it's all possible

[@davidcjupp]

Simple. They spend nothing on research and design because they steal the blueprints from Gibson, ESP, Fender etc and just tweak them a TINY bit. They then pay desperate people absolute peanuts in China to make it for you. You then get a dirt cheap knock off of your favourite guitar brand and they get a few dollars profit on each guitar and produce at huge scale to maximise. Globalisation 101. TLDR exploitation.

[@leedouglass9636]

I have a first gen blue bat,and it’s plays and sounds just as good as any Gibson I’ve ever played

[@jessiejames2155]

Way cool, buddy . 🤨👍🏻 I love Guitars . I just bought the Firefly 338 . Its' way crisp sounding ! 🤯👍🏻

[@EC-ol8nz]

1) Firefly 2) Firefly 3) Epiphone 4) Firefly 5) Epiphone 6) Epiphone 😄 Sound is not the problem it is if the guitar frets don't buzz and stays in tune. Other than that I don't care! Just play :)

[@jedfiekel9809]

If the epiphone sounds a little thin and tinny, replace the tailpiece with an Aluminum gotoh one, and replace the bridge with a gotoh bridge. It made a huge difference on mine. And if you're considering better pickups, the JB/Jazz set is the best out of 10 different sets ive tried in mine

[@user-wf4fv4oc1h]

I would replace the guitar.

[@kierajavino]

THATS MY BROTHA 💓💓

[@jimmyz2098]

Your Brother knows his way around a fret board. The Cat can rock!

[@janichmondieu6505]

That should awaken players that don't plan on actually performing that aN FF is plenty of guitar for learning to improve your skills. Plus you can buy a few to have backup.

[@DD-uf2uo]

To me, when I heard riff 1, I was thinking A has a Cleaner crisp sound so it must be the Epiphone (more $$$$). I was Truly surprised it was the Firefly and sounded better to me. Not much difference in sound at all. And with a $500 difference between the two 🎸 s, you can easily upgrade the Firefly with the extra $$$$. My Opinion. I bought my FF338 back in 2018. With tax it was $152.00 then. For general playing or small time gigs, why would you pay more for a guitar? A second Firefly can easily make a backup guitar too. Great video. .

[@FutureSuperstars5761]

I just got a new FFST classic series strat in Olympic white and it's an ass kicker. I also have a green bat fflp that is smooth as butter.

[@JRoss-zxzx]

The epi looks nice, sounds nice. But for the price difference, i'd buy the firefly, a set of gibson pickups, and another firefly.

[@NofreedomofspeechonYouTube]

On high gain there's huge differences between pickups , Even Epiphone pickups sustainability is higher than Firefly but i like firefly on clean riffs they're more darker and more bass , Epiphone is good for high gains and even on Crunch I like firefly better it's just pleasing to my ears .

[@Brykk]

Thanks, this video helps prove two points to me. Firefly appears to put out a good budget priced guitar, and epiphone is not worth the extra money they want for their guitars.

[@chucklee347]

I love firefly also. I don't have but 2 a double cut dual P90's and a fflp smokey burst. I preferred the fflp with the clean especially. Nonthing wrong with the pots or pickups in them today.

[@Byers5150]

I have the blue bat with aftermarket Grovers and Gibson 490 and 496's and it sounds and plays just as good as any Gibson Studio Ive ever owned. I've got a little over $300 in it and cant complain at all.

[@GothicXlightning]

i totally prefer my Black SG Firefly versus any other Epi i have seen or played and i truly meant it

[@joebloggs8636]

Holy Sh*t ,this guy can play!

[@jkapp76]

I like the different angle of the horn that the Firefly has. I own an Epi, but I'd be just as happy with a Firefly. I'm not sure how I feel about the colored binding though.

[@ROKSTAR830]

bout to get one of them firefly

[@southerncross936]

Question where'd you get that color in the firefly?.all they have is the black 3 pick up one like that.not my fave.but that red one is just devious looking.gotta keep my eye out for one

[@Omardottcom]

That’s crazy 😮

[@Hubcapdiamondstarhalo]

I was actually extremely surprised when I played my firefly for the first time. I was expecting it to sound like a pos. It definitely does not sound like a pos. I also think, some people who prefer the epiphone here, not everyone, may be a little upset about that lol. Firefly some really good stuff and they're fairly new on the scene. If you want to stick around in a highly competitive business, you're gonna wanna put out a decent product and get your name out there. Firefly has done that thus far. And while buying a guitar online, having never even touched it before, is a huge risk, this is 200 dollars lol. I've spent more on pickups and other mods to my guitars. If you're alright with the above, I'd say pull the trigger. You might just be surprised in a good way. I know I was and I own a Gibson the Paul les Paul, Jackson's, epi's, and have owned fenders. My guitar can sound like a fender clean and still give me that crunchy thickness I like for my dirty playing. Btw, I dropped less then 200 dollars for the firefly black beauty 3 pup guitar. Even if it didn't sound as good as it actually does, the thing is a looker. It definitely gets peoples attention. The fact that it sounds so good, and I haven't even modded this one yet, is just a plus plus. I'd say grab one. All depends on what you like and what you're looking for.

[@richardfinney3179]

I've never lost money on an epiphone !, I've owned 6 there good sounding and well made but only time will tell if firefly will stand up to the test

[@daryllmroberts7958]

own a blue elite,,new pickup and nut/setup made it a great 217 dollar guitar--have a red bat comin now,,,cant wait

[@leereyno]

It is my understanding that the audio from youtube is highly compresses, making any comparisons difficult. That being said, I was able to hear a difference between these in the clean sections.

[@DSTINSON70]

I have the Red Bat FFLP and want to up grade the pickups. That being said what would you suggest as a pickup setup for this guitar?

[@kennywally]

I think a lot of the comparison has to do with the player. This guy is a great player and obviously great amp and overdrive/effects pedals to make both of these guitar sound awesome. I've watched a lot of reviews on firefly guitars where they take the guitar apart and point out crappy craftsmanship or inferior parts. Sometimes you don't have to look that deeply just enjoy the sound it makes. For $200 I don't expect perfection. But heck in this video both of his guitar sound fantastic and all of that has to do with the player

[@John_Doe657]

I think the Epi has more bottom end and slightly better note definition but to be honest the differences a subtle. I’d choose the Firefly because it looks cooler.

[@leocatz]

Amazing how close they are considering the price difference. If price a significant consideration, it's hard to argue for the Epi over a FF +$150 for mods if you want them. You'd still have $350 left to buy another FF model + mods. I don't know how the long standing major brands will be able to continue. To the extent there are differences, they are becoming more and more nuanced and vast majority of players don't need them

[@jettschenker]

Nice compare

[@jameswilliford5478]

I definitely like the finish on the fireflys...and the feel. I have had several epiphones in the past and switched over to firefly. The only firefly I haven't really liked as much is the FFTL. The look and playability of the fireflys right out of the box (except for the FFTL that definitely needed some tweaking) is crazy for the price. I just ordered the aerosonic 12 string.... I just have to have that ugly ass inlay going up the neck!...lol...can't wait to see what it looks like in person.

[@MrBlurpBlurp-hg3dj]

or better still get a Firefly guitar, problem solved.

[@jameswubbolt7787]

Firefly all the way. Great job.

[@yoganut01]

Surprisingly, i picked the Firefly every time.

[@leodanryan966]

We review guitars as well, and we've done quite a few Firefly guitars, and Epiphone guitars. Usually the Epiphone wins out by a tiny bit, I truly can't tell the difference between these two guitars. So, the Firefly FFLPS wins because it is much prettier.

[@bernardo9202]

A shame that Firefly does not sale outside of the US

[@chillvill1646]

That Epi is awsome....could use the fly for practice and save the beast for better days

[@rokuteam]

I once tested the Gibson against the Epiphone and found there was a difference in the presence of the sound which made me justify why the Gibson was more expensive (but not necessarily how much more expensive). Now that I hear the Firefly compared to the Epiphone, I think the Firefly is closer to the Gibson sound than the Epiphone. Given that Gibsons and Epiphones are part of the same company, I can see why they have to differentiate. Firefly is not subject to that, so in my mind, Firefly is the wat to go.

[@rokuteam]

Same observation.

[@briand563]

I picked the firefly in all of the blind riffs. Except the high gain gave them a tie. Couldn't decide

[@EvilMerlin]

Firefly NOW is doing great stuff. Just a year ago? The pickups were so microphonic across ALL the models, it was horrible. I just picked up the FFLX (Explorer) 2 weeks ago. And its a TOTALLY different beast. Fret board (even though a bit dry) is well done, smooth as a baby's butt. Didn't need much adjustment on the neck at all. Intonation was decent, but most importantly the pickups are LOADS better. Not Epiphone Burst Bucker quality... but still good. Especially considering I paid 270 bucks SHIPPED. To Hawaii. I got the new satin black one with the red highlights... and it looks GREAT.

[@say_when5988]

Firefly hands down 👍🏾

[@indiedavecomix3882]

For the clean tones I preferred the Firefly on both, but just barely. I didn't really notice a difference on the distorted tones. If build quality is good, I don't see any reason to purchase an Epiphone over the Firefly (and I am a happy Epiphone owner). And even if some of the parts aren't as good on the lower price, they could probably be upgraded and still come in under the Epi price.

[@Quinton-zu6hy]

I agree, keep 5 hundred in ur pocket

[@janichmondieu6505]

The FF holds its own and what a price. But it's my belief that if you put them through some equal time gigging around town the FF may cry out for some upgrades. While the Epi will still be in a giving you a well-played-in improvements. But I would love to be wrong about this.

[@TomLilletveit]

I thought the epiphone sounded quite much better, its the small differences that. The epi is clearer and more defined, makes the notes stick out more.

[@kevinbillingsley8256]

Before I watch the video, I'm going to guess that the Firefly pickups are more powerful and have a cleaner signal. This should be expected since the Epiphones will try to mimic PAF pickups which are characteristically weak (compared to other humbuckers) and have always produced a pretty dirty signal. Cleaner and more powerful does NOT always mean better. Those original PAFs produced the sounds of Led Zeppelin, Judas Priest and countless other staples of heavy guitar.

[@NamikazeNC]

i cant find the firefly anywhere for sale? how do i acquire one?

[@dumdubbs2427]

The Epiphone has more "thump" to it, more low end to it. The Firefly sounds somewhat eq'd, but it's still a beautiful guitar

[@Marcelo_B_159]

is the body on the firefly slightly smaller than the Epiphone?

[@antonelang9118]

Are the Firefly's pickup microphonic?

[@christopheraaron8299]

With the right pickups, the Firefly would do much better. The stock humbuckers on all Firefly guitars are extremely microphonic, so they pick up sounds that the Epiphone's pickups wouldn't (like your pick scraping the strings or your fingers sliding on the strings on the fretboard.) I have a FF338 and I'm about to replace the microphonic pickups with a set of humbucker sized P90s. I have a set in my Epiphone LP Special and they sound fantastic.

[@2dazetake]

I'm a big firefly fan, but I hate to say it, that epiphone just looks ten times better,beautiful finish and sound, not a fan of the binding on the firefly,even though I thought it held up nicely against the epi,the eip wins.

[@allighast9714]

New York or New Jersey?

[@matthewdeheus3124]

If it sounds better than the Epiphone, I am not sure why the conclusion is you would need to upgrade the Firefly pickups. Is buttery not good enough?

[@MrDalegray]

What this video didn't cover was the feel of the neck, the playability, if the pickups are microphonic or not, of the bridge rattles,bifbthe tuners suck, if you have to do upgrades to make it playable. The Epiphone beats a Firefly in every aspect. Epiphones Might cost more but totally worth it. If you don't play gigs or you are a beginner and don't care about any of the comparisons I mentioned then buy a Firefly. I have bought 4 Firefly's and had to do work and spend money on improvements on every single one.

[@markadams3047]

Firefly guitars you get stainless steel frets rosewood fingerboard locking tuners I don't know how they can make any money off these guitars and they are good guitars!!!

[@stonemad35]

Either guitar, I'd be swapping out pups, pots, and switches, so my real question is how do they play. If the Epi plays $500 better, it's worth it because that takes a lot more time and technique to solve that how it sounds. They both sound like budget import guitars to me, so sound isn't motivating the purchase.