Firefly FFMN EVH Multiple Guitar Quality Control Comparison

One guitar just isn't enough to help get a feel for what kind of issues a buyer can expect with low budget guitars, so let's look at a pair!
Get Firefly Guitars here: www.guitarsgarden.com
00:00 Intro
01:42 Cosmetics
3:57 Fretboard & Frets
05:48 Overall Construction Quality
07:14 Electronics Quality
10:25 Pickup Quality & Hardware Quality
11:49 Setup Quality
13:41 Overall Opinion & Neck Description
16:12 Setup & Repair Results
19:30 Who is this guitar for?

[@dmett3828]

Awesome review. I learned some things 👍

[@IracesGarage]

Glad it was helpful!

[@joseedeslongchamps1186]

Thanks for this review 👍.

[@Dirt_Bike_Dave]

I had an OLP tabacco sunbust finish with a clone floyd rose...that thing played and sounded Amazing I think it cost about $400 back in 2007...totally regret selling it.

[@jameswilliford5478]

$159 to $249 price range for a Firefly with nice woods, beautiful finishes...even if you do some mods or have to have a tech set it up it's a no brainer. Also a great price range for someone wanting to learn how to set up or mod their own guitars. I've bought several Fireflys and most haven't really needed anything done.

[@michaeltaylors2456]

A 1000 grit Sanding block will reveal the true slickness of those gritty frets in one pass. It did on my Firefly

[@IracesGarage]

1k or some 0000 steel wool is a quick & dirty way to make a big improvement. If you want them to be really great, start with 600 or 800, work your way up to 2k or 2500, then transition to various grits of micro mesh, then polish with compound. That makes the difference between nice frets and amazing frets.

[@autodidacticprofessor869]

@@IracesGarage Just a tip. I would never, ever use steel wool on a guitar. It may seem crazy but I have personally had to service and have rewound, pickups that were ruined by steel dust from using steel wool. I will literally get sucked into the pickup from the magnets and those particles will permeate the coil wire and potentially short the pickup. I've seen it more than a few times. Dremel with polishing wheel tips and good compound is probably a better solution, IMO.

[@benburnett8109]

@@autodidacticprofessor869 I've used steel wool since 1985 without issue. Simply apply some masking tape to the pickups and problems are solved. Any real luthier would rather use steel wool. Steel wool has polishing properties while "dremels and polishing wheel tips" don't really have the ability to "deep polish" the frets. Plus, the compound will ruin most fretboards. Start using steel wool or stay away from setups because you are not well versed in setups. Pickups don't "suck" steel wool "dust" into the coils. There is a chance if you are a raging fool that some steel wool FIBERS could attach to the pickups but a simple burst of compressed air will fix that. Fools use dremels. Real techs use steel wool.

[@BudgetRC_Channel]

@@autodidacticprofessor869 it's perfectly safe if you take the proper precautions. Whenever I use steel wool, I make sure that I cover the pickups with tape, and roll the tape off to ensure that all of the particles are captured. Usually I prefer to take the sandpaper/micromesh/polish approach, but steel wool gets the job done a whole lot faster, so on budget guitars that owners don't want to pay a ton of money to get worked on, I feel that steel wool is a viable alternative.

[@Snarkyone1965]

@@IracesGarage Use a Dremel to apply the polish or even to do the sanding. Really makes it an easy job to complete, and you know that it is done right.

[@autodidacticprofessor869]

Great review! For the price, it would be totally worth it for me to replace the electronics, pickups and even put a real Gotoh 1996 on there. As with Chibsons, they put 90% of the effort in the aesthetics. I mod most every guitar I own anyway so this would be no exception.

[@qua7771]

I'm considering a Wolfgang copy of A USA model. It seems to me that an actual special model doesn't cost that much more than a Chinese copy after upgrading it. Maybe a few hundred extra for the real deal.

[@timesurfingalien]

Ive seen reviews of expensive Gibson's and fenders with some of the same issues as the budget brands. Just because it cost a lot of money doesn't mean your going to get a perfect guitar

[@IracesGarage]

That's absolutely true. I have a video coming up where I'll be demonstrating exactly that!

[@ExploreAmerica]

I bought six of those before the EVH brand. The thickness of the black stripes is incorrect and grabs my eyes on the ones you have in the ones I purchased made it really hard to resell and that’s why I bought them.

[@IracesGarage]

I really can't imagine the thickness of the stripe impacting your ability to resell them that much. Maybe you're just asking too much for them?

[@n.s.3812]

The firefly's sell out so fast that they resell of reverb for double the price. I just bought one on a whim for the $260 or whatever it was only because there were already a number of (completed) listings of used ones that sold ones for over $500

[@AnimeAsLeaders998]

can't find it on the website. is it for sale yet?

[@IracesGarage]

It dropped a few weeks ago and they sold out in 3 hours. I'm expecting them to do another drop though.

[@zuperdee]

So YOU are the one who bought out all of Firefly’s stock of this model on their last run! (Just kidding!) 😂 Wonderful review!!!! Your observations on this model AND the IYV IPF-300 seem about in line with what I’ve seen on my IYV IPF-300 and my Firefly FFTL, too. In short: I’d say Firefly is possibly a bit better than IYV in terms of overall fit and finish on the woodwork, but both Firefly and IYV have middling to poor quality electronics and solder work. I absolutely love my Firefly FFTL overall, but the soldering work really does look poor. It works well enough for home practice though, so I’m not planning to upgrade it unless I start gigging with it. The pots and electronic components do seem decent enough, but the solder joints in particular seem VERY sloppy and amateurish, to put it kindly. It’s almost as if they had people with little or no proper training, plus I almost wonder if maybe they used RoHS-compliant solder, but didn’t use a higher temperature soldering iron, which RoHS compliant solder often requires. I absolutely agree with you about those roasted flame maple necks though-they are absolutely AMAZING looking! I am almost tempted to pick one up just for that alone!

[@IracesGarage]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@oldasrocks9121]

Hammer home the fact that buyers need to set these up out of the box before deciding they're "defective." The first 2 numbers of the serial number are the factory where the guitar was built. Factory 60 produces relatively solid instruments. Folks should get rid of all that factory lead free solder when reworking the electrics, solder sucker and braid, clean it all out.

[@IracesGarage]

Although I don't prefer lead free solder for my personal use, it's been in common use for about 20 years now and there are billions of reliable electronics out there with it. That also didn't cause these guitars to be wired wrong or have shorted components

[@oldasrocks9121]

@@IracesGarage Remove it when reworking the electronics: mixing leaded and lead free basically makes cold joints. When mixed you can see the joint go gray and grainy.

[@marcraygun6290]

As someone who use weird old trems like bigsbys burns and jazzmaster(which stays in tune forever) i am bemused at idea of advanced modern locking trem that almost returns to tune

[@IracesGarage]

On a well set up floyd, it'll come back perfectly every time. It's too bad they're such a pain in the ass.

[@Chris-f2y7h]

My buddy has 3different and the neck s are amazing

[@IracesGarage]

Definitely the best part of these!

[@ampedwales]

It's a shame we can't get them here in the UK. I'd love one of these to compare against my USA Peavey Wolfgang.

[@qua7771]

Can't you get Ali Express knockoffs?

[@zeuszoos8386]

Thankd for the review! I just got mine. The Locking Tuners are messed up though (locking mechanism crossthreaded), so I'm going to replace them. Question though? Are there special ones for the Music Man (aside from 4/2)? Because they look like standard Les Paul style tuners. Do you know if I can I just buy the standard 3L/3R package (plus 1)? Also, which side is Left and which is Right (which one is the 4 side/2 side), so I know which one (L or R) to get an extra one of, please? Thank you for your help! 🙂

[@IracesGarage]

You can find 4+2 sets, but not usually with the budget brands. But yeah, there's nothing particularly special about them, so a 3+3 plis an extra will do the job.

[@zeuszoos8386]

@@IracesGarage Thanks! I'd love to find a set a red ones, but they're tough to find! I want to put red one on the side with 4 and black ones on the side with 2. 🙂 But as to my other question, I have to know which side to get a 4th one for, so is the side with 4 of them considered Left or Right??? Thanks again! 🙂

[@pauls7751]

Do you think a string retainer bar would work better than the string trees?

[@IracesGarage]

Ive seen others add a bar, but I'm not sure how much difference it would make. The strings have enough angle to sit flat at the back of the nut, and they don't get very sharp when I tighten the nut.

[@WalkenDead]

Got a 338 about a week ago. When I got it there were no issues with fret buzz. Now I am having an issue with the B and G string at the 14th fret. Not sure what is going on there, think it may be a relief issue because the frets seem to be level all the way down. If anyone out there has any insight that would be appreciated

[@IracesGarage]

Checking the relief is definitely the first step. It probably just needs a slight adjustment to the truss rod.

[@guitarlife6190]

I just got one, a strat style. The ground wire wasn’t soldered at all. Easy fix, but terrible quality control. Not to bad for a beater to throw around

[@gabedestellano]

It's a silk screened design, the reason it's not exactly the same is because the screen print will stretch and mis-shape over time. There's like four or five screens that they use to get that entire graphic and they won't be placed in exactly the same position every time, which kind of makes it look handmade but it's not, believe me. It would be extremely tedious and labor-intensive to mask that off exactly the same or as close to exact as they are. They're screen printed. Fooled you though didn't it?

[@IracesGarage]

These two are way too different to be a screen print.

[@gabedestellano]

@@IracesGarage Regardless, it's how it's done. They likely have 2 or 3 variations. Do you realize how long it would take to tape each guitar off for every layer?

[@Resistant79]

They look great…but who makes a VH guitar with a floating Floyd?! I woulda bought one if they hadnt blown that detail.

[@IracesGarage]

It's not that hard to block it. I sure wouldn't avoid a guitar just because of that!

[@royw.5739]

So what replacement Floyd will fit with this guitar?

[@IracesGarage]

I'm not a Floyd expert, but I think any of the standard original or licensed models will fit.

[@autodidacticprofessor869]

Yes, they are all a standard size. Get a Gotoh GT1996 bridge. Those are what were on the original MMEVH guitars and are sonically/tonally superior to German or cheap Floyds.

[@CKS64]

Great content. You have a new subscriber.

[@MichaelDouglasSkewes]

the more you put this out! The more the price jumps up! They were about 200 something ,but now they have doubled! So, STOP IT!

[@IracesGarage]

The price from Firefly hasn't changed. It's just the scalpers trying to charge more. Just be patient and I'm sure Firefly will do another drop.

[@MichaelDouglasSkewes]

@@IracesGarage you are probably right,i'll wait and take a look around a bit! Thanks!

[@imjustvibing2018]

lol.

[@iwilrage]

Well...needs a neck reshaping, refret, new wiring harness and pickups, new trem system....what a piece if crap....looks good though

[@IracesGarage]

I guess that's one way to look at it, but definitely not how I do. The neck doesn't need a reshaping at all. The neck is great. Sure, it could have the fretboard edges rolled, but so could my Gibson. I've paid more for necks than I've paid for this whole guitar and they had sharp fretboard edges too. It most definitely doesn't need a refret, and the trem works fine. Pickups are subjective, but there's nothing specifically wrong with these. The wiring and some of the electrical components are really the only glaring problem with this guitar.

[@FrankGrauStudio]

How is it even legal that they’re selling a pirated brand knockoff?

[@IracesGarage]

My guess is the same way every single strat copy, tele copy, Les Paul copy, 335 copy and every other guitar copy is sold... make it just different enough to keep the wolves away.

[@FrankGrauStudio]

@@IracesGarage Your point is well taken, but it still seems like that's just a 'two wrongs make a right' argument.

[@toddprater14]

How ain’t ebmm and evh suing this company? Total axis/evh model copy even the 4/2 headstock, isn’t that patented by musicman? And the stripes ? How ain’t evh sending a cease and desist order?

[@briankillebrew]

@@toddprater14because he’s dead ?

[@toddprater14]

@@briankillebrew wolfie runs evh now , then stripes pattern is patented by Ed, I guarantee there will be cease and desist on these real soon.. I’m sure Ernie ball is gonna nail them too, there’s no way they’re getting away with that headstock.

[@DS-id6lk]

People like you kill me buy two of the same guitar so nobody else gets any lmao😂

[@IracesGarage]

One was for my buddy. It's not like I'm hoarding them or reselling on Reverb.

[@DS-id6lk]

@@IracesGarage just joking brother, I’m glad you bought two and did this video because I would’ve bought one the next time I seen it in stock but I’m glad I came across your video before I made a mistake of buying one

[@funnyassguitarguy69]

Can't find 'em anywhere 🤷

[@IracesGarage]

Nope. They sold out in 3 hours. I'm sure they'll be getting more though.

[@rabokarabekian409]

HIARIOIUS! EVH butchered up his OG Frank like he was on drugs, and now quality control is a worry?

[@IracesGarage]

EVH tweaked the guitar to make it do what he wanted it to, which most of us do to some extent or another. It's still nice to know what you're getting into before you take the plunge though!

[@FrankGrauStudio]

Honestly, they look cool, but I can’t bring myself to buy a Chinese knock-off of an American brand guitar. They’re constantly stealing our IP and technology and buying their junk just encourages them to rip us off.

[@IracesGarage]

I hear you, but 99% of the guitars out there are some derivative of a Strat, Tele, Les Paul or 335 or some other preexisting design, and with prices on American guitars just completely out of reach for so many people, these guitars fill a gap that Fender and Gibson won't or can't fill. And honestly, I don't think that guitars like this are stealing sales from the American brands anyway. Nobody decided to buy a $200 Firefly instead of a Gibson or US Fender.

[@FrankGrauStudio]

@@IracesGarage While I'm certain there are some who would otherwise not have purchased the American brand, it's not at all clear that these guitars are not stealing some sales from American brands. In any case, it's a complex issue of economics and I didn't mean to open any can of worms. I guess it just bothers me that in this age of IP piracy, where everyone robs everyone online, it's getting to where it doesn't pay to be creative if others are simply going to come along and rip you off.

[@joesmoe282000]

Eddies Van Halen blocked his trem so there’s that

[@autodidacticprofessor869]

He just had it placed on the body and didn't float it. Blocked means it doesn't work at all and a piece of wood is wedged in so the bridge is non-functional.

[@rcoplien]

Too bad Firefly has been out of these for quite some time

[@IracesGarage]

Yeah, they sold out in about 3 hours. I'm sure they'll be back.

[@davidchapman4308]

You’re delusional, you expect a firefly to be perfect?

[@IracesGarage]

Where did I say that? I had no such expectations. I've had enough of these to know exactly what to expect. I'm not sure what made you think otherwise.

[@AnonYmous-jp8uu]

they look cheap and awful. definitely not hand made. it's so obvious

[@iwilrage]

Damn... everything is garbage with this guitar

[@IracesGarage]

oh.

[@avgmaster1]

Junk

[@IracesGarage]

thanks for that incredibly insightful feedback!

[@Matt_tenny92]

Bro you talk to much 🙄

[@IracesGarage]

Make better videos and be sure to post a link!

[@theariesexperiment4642]

So how does that USA Crate 15 treating you???

[@IracesGarage]

I really like it. It was actually my first tube amp. I like the way the overdrive sounds, and it's got a good sounding reverb tank. The stock speaker was a bit of an ice pick, but I swapped in a new transformer with 3 impedance taps on the output, and that makes it easier for me to swap speakers or use external cabs now. Currently it's got a Weber 12F150 in it and I like it. I may try a Greenback too, because I'd like to get a more marshally sort of sound out of it.

[@theariesexperiment4642]

@@IracesGarage Very cool. Thanks for the response and info.