Firefly FFST Heavy Relic Electric Guitar Deep Dive Review

[@smacker360]

I had to change the saddles on my relic, the same guitar you're reviewing. The screws tore up my hand, they were extremely sharp. I also changed the pickups and have an awesome playing/sounding guitar for less than 400.00 total.

[@JediJingleMaker]

Good move, I am not a fan of bent metal saddles. $400 for a dreamer guitar is a bargain, nice work! Check out my vids, I use all the gear i review in my music, and sub if you like it! If you are already subbed, thanks!!! kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKOXcoWYgLpom5Y

[@RaymondLandis]

Excellent video! My FFST Relic is due to arrive next Monday, so I'm really excited to get it. My plan is to modify it to my preference, which includes a repaint of the body! Thanks for bringing this content.

[@JediJingleMaker]

Thanks Ray, I appreciate it. I love that guitar truly, although it is as heavy as a tank heh (all the songs inside it waiting to come out makes it heavy like that). This video was a really fun modifications project and I just finished my second round of mods on that guitar last night, video coming this week with tone demos. I took a risk and replaced all the electronics and pickups with Guitar Fetish stuff, sounds amazing now. I also screwed in the tuners and removed the UMP plates (Hipshot Tuners) to stabilize the tuning more, which also worked. Cool idea, repainting the relic, and now I know what your next FF is, the FFST Relic. I like that mod project idea (Repaint the Relic!) on a philosophical level, super cool IMO.

[@leesbassment6393]

I just got this same guitar. Ridiculously good guitar for the price.

[@JediJingleMaker]

Most excellent, and I totally agree. Kind of cool we both have the same guitar. I started the mods last night, and I know it will be insanely good after that is done. It was already great to start. Are you planning on modifying it? If so, what are the plans?

[@leesbassment6393]

@@JediJingleMaker possibly. I have a few humbuckers from Guitar Madness. I could see dropping one of those into it. Maybe a different bridge. Either that, or just don’t use the wiggle stick

[@JediJingleMaker]

Nice, I think with the ash wood vibrating the whole thing so much, it will be really interesting to see how that effects different pickups.

[@Stork-Fi]

I'm curious. The Ash wood in the video looks super light-colored compared to the model on the Guitars Garden product page. Plus the bridge on it is nickel vs brass on the product page. Thoughts on why this is? Any way to know what I'd get in the mail?

[@bluwng]

How much do they weigh?

[@RGBloke]

great video thank you ... bargain guitar 😉

[@JediJingleMaker]

Thanks for watching @RGBloke! I love making these videos because I would be doing this even if I didn't video it, I enjoy doing it, and this is a great way for me to learn even more from everyone that comments on the vids. I am very happy with this guitar, for $180 it blows my mind. Really my only complaint is that now I am craving the next one everyday, serious GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) on the fire of desire. I have my eye on 2 on the site currently and I also put 2 of my expensive guitars up for sale to fund more fireflies and some gear I want (there is always a list...).

[@ZXZ-im5gn]

Great review!!⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@JediJingleMaker]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@audiomind1677]

@1:32 I thought you said, "Naked swamp ass jumping out at you"..... My first thought was, "Well that's an extremely odd thing to come out of a guitar....." 🤣

[@JediJingleMaker]

Well I think you may have just come up with the title of my next original tune on JJM, heh. I never thought a relic would appeal to me, but this thing is such a solid instrument after my phase 1 mods. That naked swamp ash is hard to resist, however to be fair it is probably Chinese ash, but man is it resonant, a beast of a guitar for sure, hope ya sub!

[@cantstopplayingmusic]

Randomly purchased this little over a week ago and received it Friday. Pretty similar experience with the quality of the guitar. I plan to modify it, but I'll take my time since it better than what I expected. I will definitely follow to see what you do with it. Thanks for sharing!

[@JediJingleMaker]

Thanks for watching! I am stoked you liked it. I love mine, couldn't resist it, and feel like it will be a rock solid tonal beast when I am done. The modifications and videoing for the mods video 2 is well underway. I am changing tuners, string trees, saddles, pickups, some wiring, shielding/grounding, and a couple other things. However the tuners are going to take 2 weeks to arrive, I will have the video out shortly after that. You should sub and turn on notifications, then you will know when it comes out. Next week's video is the follow up to this one, showing my continuing modifications to the first FFST I bought. That guitar is honestly now a top shelf daily driver at this point, blown away that is possible for the price. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKnZdoVnr66IhpY

[@cantstopplayingmusic]

@@JediJingleMaker can’t wait and I’m now subscribed 😀

[@JediJingleMaker]

Sweet! Welcome aboard!

[@Stork-Fi]

Is the Ash wood on yours as light-colored as in the video or more like the darker wood as seen on the Guitars Garden product page. Also is anything else different like bridge material? Thanks

[@JediJingleMaker]

@@Stork-Fi great questions, yes it is very light colored ash. I just locked down the bridge by making sure the teen claw was pinned as far as it could go. I wanted this one to be a fixed bridge guitar. I don’t know if the term is any good but it works well as a fixed bridge. Hope ya sub and check out my original music on the channel

[@oldasrocks9121]

Loosen the neck screws and raise the neck pickup as much as you can, the pickguard slides in.

[@JediJingleMaker]

Great idea @oldasrocks9121 , why didn't I think of that? heh, I bet that is how they did it at the factory, build the whole body then attach the neck last step. In the video I just sorta went with the whole rotary tool vibe, never modified a pickguard before, but knew I wanted easy pickup changes, so I just did it. I actually like the way it came out, surprised it went well first try. I started the shielding of it (making the mods video coming out next) and now the gold copper shielding shows at the base of the neck, which I like.

[@oldasrocks9121]

Fender Road Worn split shaft tuners are less than $40 from the Amazonian These nuts are fine they just need the string grooves recut and then regularly lubed.

[@JediJingleMaker]

Thanks @oldasrocks9121 that is excellent advice, I appreciate it. I don't have any nut skills at the moment, maybe now is the time to learn, which is one of the main benefits of having $180 guitars, I don't hesitate to try new things. What do you mean by "string grooves recut"? I have never done a nut modification other than "sanding out" the slots with old guitar string slightly to remove any little burs, etc. I think I will need to be able to accurately measure things to do it, if so, what tools would I need or can I just use guitar picks as thickness gauges? If I do it, I will make a video of the attempt... You are motivating me to try it.

[@oldasrocks9121]

@@JediJingleMaker You have to set your strength height at the first fret, the common measurement is 022 to .018 inches, you do so with nut files and feeler gauges. Others will do a fast and dirty job of it filing the nut grooves until the first fret note is no longer sharp on the tuner. As a part of a set up cutting the nut grooves are last, first neck relief, then string height then nut grooves then string height again. All to spec, .012 " neck relief, 4/64" string height, intonation, then .022 at the 1st fret if the note shows in tune, less than that but not less than .018" if the notes sound sharp. Fret Gurus sells a feeler gauge set for set ups. Less expensive nut files can be had from Amazon tho they are 10-46 only, fine for those gauges and 9-42 but obvi not for heavier strings. The claw screw ends definitely should not be in the pickup cavity. Firefly is quite sloppy with the claw screw angle. Shorter screws if you're decking the bridge and blocking it by screwing the claw all the way down to make it like a hard tail. The nut thing is quite fiddly, watch Dave's World of Fun Stuff set ups that include cutting nut slots, don't rely on chuckleheads' videos promising easy shortcuts. A tech won't charge much to recut the nut if the rest of the guitar is set up.

[@oldasrocks9121]

@@JediJingleMakerUh, tools, not picks and pocket change. Wrote a lengthy reply but it seems to be gone. Watch a few DWOFS videos here with set ups that include cutting nut slots. Fret Guru sells a set of set-up feeler gauges. I prefer a Mechanic's ruler to a typical string height gauge . Setting neck relief and bridge string height to spec and intonation are the primary things to do b4 tackling string height at the first fret. Typically, after a set up, you check nut depth roughly by checking your 1st fret notes on your tuner, as an indication: if they're sharp the nut slots need to be filed/cut lower. It's tricky, a tech might let you observe in person.

[@doug7086]

Great review. I’m considering the non-relic version. Another reviewer had the same issue with the output jack. The only thing I don’t really like is the headstock shape. But it looks like a good upgrade platform. Was the regular version without the relic still heavy? I think those are mahogany versus the ash body. 9 lbs seems heavy for an S-style guitar.

[@JediJingleMaker]

Hey! The output jack was an easy fix. It has been an amazing mod platform, I released a phase 1 mod vid and I am working on phase 2 mods. It is incredibly solid, keep in mind I locked down the tremelo. I had really great success with inexpensive Amazon pickups as well. I have both ash and mahogany fireflies and the ash is heavy. All of my ash fireflies are in the 9 pound range~, but well worth it IMO. On the ash FFSTs, the body is SUPER resonant, which makes the whole thing vibrate more, which definitely translates to the pickups. A super solid mod platform for sure. I have lots of mod videos on the channel, check em out and sub! kzbin.info/www/bejne/eKrFdGqHatyMp5o

[@doug7086]

@@JediJingleMaker Thanks! I ordered one this weekend. Really excited to get it. I've subscribed. Look forward to more of your videos.

[@JediJingleMaker]

Stoked for you! I purchased 1, my "Alpha Fly", then I purchased the one in this video, then a Super FFST, all with ash wood bodies. I love all 3 of them, all required a little mod work/setup (which I love to do) and now those 3 guitars are some of my favorite guitars and it is hard to resist buying more. The LP style FF I got had issues, but they gave me a $30 refund to make up for it, so all good. Let me know how you like yours. Also, check out my mods video on this to see my phase 1 modifications. The guitar is so solid now.

[@bluwng]

@@JediJingleMakerare the mahogany models heavy?

[@BazonBlades]

First off.....I'm glad to find someone that does extended length content. I get a ton of complaints on my channel, but how are we supposed to talk about the things we love in ten minutes. I bought the burst finish three trip version ST from this last drop. My example has one significantly high fret I need to take care of, and the tuners are junk as you observed. I am surprised the tuner holes are vintage dia. But this just reinforces my thoughts on the "vintage" locking tuners. These are not modern locking tuners made to look vintage. These are vintage tuners modified to lock. They have all the faults of similar Gibson tuners I have that date late 70's. I am eager to see what bridge saddles you drop in. I don't mind the stock saddles themselves, but most of my height adj screws are too long. So it's a little uncomfortable. I thought about ordering a couple of different length shorter screws just to keep the "vintage" saddle look. I will wait to see what you grabbed and let you test fit.

[@oldasrocks9121]

Check out Highwood saddles if you want to keep the bent steel but want to forgo getting bit by the adjustment screws.

[@JediJingleMaker]

My dude, nice comment and greatly appreciated. I missed the burst finish, can you send a pic? BTW, the tuner holes (I just discovered were drilled with a step bit, but not consistently. It is 8.5 on one side of the headstock, 8 on the other. My video will show me working through this weird issue. Interesting info about the tuners, they will go great with my trash can. Super stoked you are curious about the saddles, best $15 bucks I have spent in a while. The factory height screws are all palm chewers, I cannot have that. Again, great comment, really hope you sub and keep commenting. BTW, I just bought my 3rd firefly.... video coming.

[@BazonBlades]

@JediJingleMaker , I own three FF's right now. I have an earlier FFLP Classic with nickle frets, one of the recent FFLP's with the set-through neck joint and belly cut and the relic FFST. I also just did a setup on a buddies Mad Cat Tele from the last drop. I am currently waiting on the next drop of the FFLX so I can add an "Explorer" to my FF collection. I really like these guitars for filling classic model slots in my collection without spending a crap ton of money. I don't want an Explorer enough to spend $2k, but I will spend $250.00 on an FF version.

[@JediJingleMaker]

We are almost tied, I have 2 and 1 on the way. When you realize the way they play, for me it is all over but the crying...

[@HomenetAV]

Decent cheap guitar! Thx. Looks like they put the pickguard assembly on before the neck! Weird! But still might have to take another look at this brand.

[@JediJingleMaker]

For sure, it was weird. I just went to town with the rotary tool so I didn't need to take the neck off. I have 2 from FF so far, both were great. I can confidently say, the first one I bought (vid on JJM) is right up there with my Schecter NJ. I ordered a 3rd one, BB King Lucille Guitar style, now I will see if the trend continues. Either way I will make a video of it and post it on JJM, hope ya sub!

[@FJB74]

This is actually a knock off relic job of the Charvel signature model of Henrik Danhage (whoever that is). Seems like everyone has an artist model nowadays. But Charvel has a superstrat that this is based off of but they have 1 single coil and a humbucker and of course a Floyd Rose and it's more of a cream color body with a maple fretboard/neck. But the Relic job is almost identical. Also about 3 weeks ago I pulled the trigger on a white FFST Relic that has three single coils. It's The Relic job where it is painted Sunburst and then painted white over that and then worn in certain areas. Long story short I love it, I absolutely love it. I purchased mine for $149 on the website with $27 shipping. Still can't believe I got a guitar delivered for $176 that I'm in love with. Cheers

[@JediJingleMaker]

Great comment, thanks! That is so interesting to learn, I appreciate you taking the time to point it out. After reading it, I looked at the "Charvel Super-Stock SC1 Artist Signature Limited-edition Henrik Danhage Electric Guitar" on Sweetwater and you are exactly right, it is a knock off of that guitar. I looked at the specs for that guitar to compare what you get for $1700 and then what you get for $180 and it is simply nuts (Charvel is 9X more expensive). To be honest, it is hard to believe it is possible when you feel how well the Firefly plays after some simple setup and mods. I am going to make a video on the comparison topic for the channel, comparing the 2 for grins and giggles. The Charvel lacks stainless frets and the roasted neck, but has the Floyd 1000, both are ash bodies, etc. Funny thing is, I have a zebra humbucker I am installing in that guitar this morning, that makes it look even more like the original, not planned. I also already installed hipshot tuners that look much more like the ones on the Charvel. Unintentionally, I have been moving the guitar more towards a copy of the original, bizarre. I am almost done with the mods on the FF in this video and will be releasing that video this week if you are interested in seeing what I did to mine. I really liked the single coil version also (oddly enough, since prior I had a negative view of relics), and I almost got that one also but thought I should show some self control, heh. That idea gave way to more Fireflies a week later. So odd to be able to buy a handful of guitars and still not pay half as much as the original, mind boggling and a game changer for me as a mod platform. Even if I get some "duds" it is worth it, however the 2 I have are both very solid. Number 3 is on the way, a FF338 Lucille style, so we will see if the trend continues. Either way I will post vids on it here, hope ya sub!

[@FJB74]

@@JediJingleMaker awesome! Very interesting reply. I just subscribed 👍🏼 That would be great if you do a comparison video with the charvel! It would be super interesting and I will bet you 90% of people that have this guitar probably don't realize it is based off of the charvel.... at least the relicing. I would like to see a maple neck/ freboard on a strat style Firefly. I do love the feel of my roasted Maple neck and there is just something about the whole guitar neck in general that I just cannot stop playing her! I agree with what you're saying about budget guitars. Total Game Changer and I'm rethinking everything I ever thought. Also , very good observation regarding the tuners when you are tuning them. Mine are the same. I have a couple of really stiff ones. Then I have a couple of normal ones and then I have a couple that move too easily however, I don't know if you already changed the tuners but if you haven't just sit with it a while. I have to say that despite the easy or hard to turn tuners she stays in tune incredibly well then again I had just switched over from Les Paul's which suck for tuning so I may be a little green behind the ears when it comes to Strat tuning and stability. My Firefly has three single coils and I lowered the middle one flush with the pickguard and that was a game changer for me... because I am so used to Les Pauls with two humbuckers and strumming in the middle of them. I am currently looking for the other Relic Strat that is just like mine only in Black but with a humbucker and two single coils. It's painted black over a Sunburst and then worn/reliced. Then I will replace the humbucker and have a sister and brother with two different tonal personalities. They are hard to find though. It seems people do not get rid of the strats FF's. Good luck on the 338/ 335. They make some really beautiful finishes in those and I have seen the reviews on KZbin and people talk very highly of those. Cheers!

[@vince8081]

Seems china is killing the game. Great review.

[@JediJingleMaker]

The guitar in this video is now one of my all time favorite guitars after about a $150 parts investment. I am having so much fun building shred machines now, these guitars are allowing me to learn how to work on guitars, I now have 5 and still the cost is less than or equal to the typical guitars I have purchased in the past. This week I perform my first fret gluing, last week I learned how to use a fret hammer, next week I move on to nut work. Hope ya sub, and here is a track I recorded with my other FFST (with SD Omega pups). kzbin.info/www/bejne/rH-5gISDeK2tnKs

[@Yovelinf]

Hey! How much is the shipping average for Guitars Garden??

[@oldasrocks9121]

$28 flat rate no sales tax

[@JediJingleMaker]

It was $28 for me. The guitar and the shipping was $183. The way the only release them in spurts, with certain ones rarely released, and they are gems, you end up being "bitten by the Firefly bug" as they say in the Facebook Firefly Groups. It really is addicting, once you get a taste of the quality, of course there is no way to know if the next one will be an unplayable a horror show, but I can take the risk for 180. Hope ya sub!

[@frossbog]

How much does yours weigh? Mine is one of the heaviest strats I've ever seen. It comes in at a hair over 9 lbs.

[@JediJingleMaker]

Mine is close to 9, if not over... They are definitely heavy guitars, and certainly the heaviest strat style guitars I have played. That being said, with better pickups they honestly are some of my favorite guitars. The ash wood, likely the chinese ash tree variety used widely for furniture in china, is so resonant I am willing to put up with the weight issue. I am glad the ash in mine wasn't made into a cheap end table, heh. Hope ya sub, and here is a track I recorded with my other FFST (with SD Omega pups). kzbin.info/www/bejne/rH-5gISDeK2tnKs

[@timesurfingalien]

Just dont understand why any one would want an artificially reliced guitar. Thats like buying a S.O.A. vest and calling yourself a biker . Just my opinion.

[@JediJingleMaker]

I see your point. They never appealed to me until I saw this one and the swamp ash showing. I thought it was worth a try and I really like it so far. The philosophical concept of wabi sabi is why I bought mine. I agree that if you are doing it for some ego reason, you are clearly confused. Hope ya sub!

[@FJB74]

I used to feel that way as well a while back and slowly have changed my opinion. I have a distressed leather couch that was purchased brand new that way. I think it's beautiful also I don't freak out when a little scratch from my dog's nails happens. Also a lot of times if people want to buy a jean jacket for example, they don't usually want brand new denim. Usually the denim is washed or stonewashed. Also with jeans a lot of people buy jeans that are severely worn out and or even have holes in them to begin with. Of course it's a matter of preference but I completely understand why some people like shiny brand new guitars of course, but over the years I have also gone to the other side.😊

[@revtimewest]

Kinda like buying a guitar and calling yourself a musician. Get over it. Its a finish option.

[@polacoau06]

That relic job looks fake AF.

[@JediJingleMaker]

Hehe, It might be ugly but it sure sounds pretty.