I Bought The Johnny Winter Firebird! | 2021 Gibson Custom Shop Murphy Labs 1964 Firebird V White

🟢Buy on My Website: www.troglysguitarshow.com
🔴Reverb: tidd.ly/4aFiyhC
🔵eBay: ebay.us/R9fACt
⚫Amazon: www.amazon.com/Zither-Wooden-...
🍭Shop Sweetwater + Support the Show ➡️ imp.i114863.net/2ra3zO
🐕 Episode Guide:
0:00 - Intro - Check Links in the Description
0:25 - Unboxing
1:11 - First Impressions
5:44 - Case & Case Candy
7:53 - Inside Look / Specs
19:32 - Tone Demo (Dirty)
22:33 - Tone Demo (Clean)
23:52 - Tone Demo (More Dirty)
25:49 - Final Thoughts
🎞️ Videos Mentioned:
The TRUTH About the New 2020 Epiphone Firebirds! | Full Review + Demo
• The TRUTH About the Ne...
Does It Deserve the Hate? 2017 Gibson Firebird Zero Pelham Blue | Review + Demo
• Does It Deserve the Ha...
The Coolest 60s V You Didn't Know About | 2020 Gibson Hendrix Signature 1969 Flying V Review + Demo
• The Coolest 60s V You ...
I Found The SICKEST Firebird EVER! | 1991 Gibson Custom Shop Original Firebird V Red Snakeskin
• I Found The SICKEST Fi...
Well... I Wasn't Expecting THAT | 2020 Gibson Jimi Hendrix 1967 SG Custom White Review + Demo
• Well... I Wasn't Expec...
❓Private Help Sessions ➡️ troglysguitarshow.com/help-ap...
💰New to Reverb? Get $10 on Me ➡️ reverb.grsm.io/earn10
🍭Shop Sweetwater + Support the Show ➡️ sweetwater.sjv.io/x90ZDO
👕 Merch: www.teepublic.com/stores/trog...
🥇 Patreon ➡️ / trogly
📘 Facebook ➡️ / troglys
📸 Instagram ➡️ / troglys
🟢My Website: www.troglysguitarshow.com
🔥 TikTok: / troglys
🛒 Current Inventory ➡️ reverb.grsm.io/CurrentInventory (also on website)
✉️ Email for Business Inquiries ➡️ [e-mail]
❓Guitar Questions ➡️ troglysguitarshow.com/help-ap...
⚙️ Gear Used to Make the Show: (AFFILIATE LINKS)
Guitar + Recording:
George L's Guitar Lead: ebay - goo.gl/6SjCeG
Shure SM57 (Amp Cab Mic): ebay - goo.gl/JK9bAC
Audio Interface - Roland Duo Capture EX - amazon - amzn.to/2tkIBed
+ Universal Audio Apollo Twin: amazon - amzn.to/2uYeeKN
Headphones: Focal Listen Professional: amazon - amzn.to/2tonXtI
Rode Videomic Go (backup audio): amazon - amzn.to/2vHNzm5
Lens: Lumix 12-35mm : ebay - goo.gl/NP6dQd
Computer: Mac Pro 2013 - amazon - amzn.to/37L9eb4
Editing Software: Final Cut Pro X - ebay - goo.gl/oiU3L2
American DJ Eco UV Bar Plus Blacklight: ebay - goo.gl/1E4ELt
Camera:
Panasonic Lumix GH-4: amazon - amzn.to/2Se3akM
Camera Gimbal: amazon - amzn.to/38KxYk9
Camera Slider: amazon - amzn.to/3bTIXK1
Rode NTG-2 (vocal + room mic): amazon - amzn.to/2UjxmxA
Affiliate Links are found in this description + comments section - clicking and purchasing items from partners will help financially support the show.

[@Trog]

I've got a Reverb Discount code for all my followers: TROGLY10OFF50 ($10 off $50 purchase) - good on all listings (not just mine - but click my link below to credit me the sale!) 🔴Reverb: reverb.com/shop/troglys?_aid=growsumo&gs_partner=Trogly In a guitar-playing slump? Try borrowing some licks from Johnny! kzbin.info/www/bejne/h3qsYoyce7ubhLc&start_radio=1

[@clarkbabin9799]

Didnt some of the early firebirds have a larger pick guard like SGs sometimes do. Or a separate piece of guard on top like the LP you recently showed on your page that has a lefty pick guard as well as a righty.

[@clarkbabin9799]

Do you suppose the most sold signature guitar is the Les Paul? And for that matter is the model as much a signature as it is a model.

[@michaelmoore7975]

Welcome to the world of a skeletal albino with crossed eyes and hair the color of Liquid Paper and the absolute genius of his music. His work in the 70's was vital in a rock context, and everything subsequent to that was particularly valuable in a blues context. He is one of the _Guitarists Who Changed Modern Guitar._ excerpted from _Texas Music_ by Rick Koster

[@jordanfeltcorn1645]

RIP Johnny Winter and Mick Rock!

[@joermnyc]

@@clarkbabin9799 you might be thinking of the later non-reverse bodied Firebird as that has a full pickguard

[@U_ever]

I followed Johnny's career from early 1970 through until he passed away in 2014. I thought the "Johnny Winter And / Live" album was the most amazing thing I had ever heard and is still a favorite. The opening riff on Jumping Jack Flash still does it for me all these year later. I was fortunate enough to get to see him live at least a half a dozen times over the course of his life with the final show being at the State Theater in Northern VA. God bless him, he played the entire show seated and left the stage exhausted and in a wheelchair. Like many others among us, he had a lot of demons and as a fan I often took a ribbing about being a fan of a heroin addict who spent 9-months a year in rehab and the other three touring and falling off the wagon only to wind up back in rehab. The four albums he produced for McKinley Morganfield (a.k.a. Muddy Waters) from 1977-1981 brought a lot of trade and industry recognition for both artists with 3 of the 4 albums winning grammys and all deserving a thorough listen especially "Muddy "Mississippi" Waters - Live" . The one thing I can tell you without a shadow of a doubt is that Gibson Guitar never gave a shit about Johnny Winter.

[@tommorris8205]

Love Johnny Winter - he liked to Sunburst better one of my friends bought one from him and a Fender Twin I saw him in Cape Coral Florida in November 2014 on his last tour the rest of the band carried him out to a chair

[@tommorris8205]

I it had to be February 2014 before he passed

[@MrPnew1]

Yes that's my favourite JW albums by far

[@donaldblock640]

I was there at the Fillmore East when he recorded that album

[@marcob6880]

Exactly in regard to Johnny Winter And Live, it's a full on rock and roll fest of sex drugs and hard nosed rock. He and Derringer threw some tasty riffs back and forth showing off their fretboard wizardry. I saw that band and they sounded better than that album, once you add the high decibel count you go to a higher place. All in all I saw Johnny Winter probably 5 times over the years and he never failed to impress, even while sitting. RIP Johnny you were loved and now well remembered for all you gave.

[@pigxstix]

Great looking guitar but the $8k-$10k prices are insane.

[@dangson1183]

There’s been alot of people in the hall of fame but not Johnny Winter, There’s something wrong with that whole system !!!

[@princequestly2218]

Johnny is one of the most underrated guitar players especially considering he’s up there with any of the “guitar greats”. And blows a lot of the so called “guitar greats” away.

[@aboveaveragebluesenjoyer9953]

@@princequestly2218 I love Johnny Winter

[@TheGreatGadfly]

SRV and Green Day were inducted the same day…. The HOF is shyte

[@discernment8963]

@@princequestly2218 If anything an understatement.

[@ronwilcox7716]

He is Johnny Winter! That’s all he needs to be! More than enough no matter what the HOF says!

[@Randy.100]

Hello, I met Johnny Winter and Rick Darringer and his brother Edgar Winter just outside Ann Arbor Mich in 1968 or 1969 at the Ann Arbor free concert they used to have back then where now stands the Ann Arbor Huron High School. I was able to sit on the side of the stage thru the whole concert. After the concert I was astounded, that Johnny took the time to talk to me while he packed up his gear and when I ask for his autograph, he signed a piece of white paper that was laying on his amp and handed it to me. I still have it... I'm sure he knew he was giving a young future Guitar player a thrill I've never forgotten. I remember Johnny Winter as a awesome great person. Yes, I have all his great albums after that day... Randy, Great North Woods Michigan

[@jonathanhudak2059]

Randy Craig you are one lucky man! I got to see Johnny in the mid to late 90s downtown Cleveland. A slower mostly all acoustic set but still a great show and he played his original brown sunburst Firebird. Glad I saw him!

[@Ironworthstriking]

I don't know the precise methods used by the Murphy Lab, but i had a long conversation with Tom Murphy the other day and I do know this: The old "Murphy Aged" guitars were checked using razor blades. This method is no longer used by anyone at Gibson. The Murphy Lab uses specific methods developed and perfected by Tom, which includes actual use of hot and cold to achieve more natural finish checking, among other things.

[@edseelig9465]

Tom has been using very hot & cold for weather checking for decades. He did mention the occasional use of straight edge razor blades too... Buffing attachments for drills have been widely used by most of the aging guys for quite a while.

[@dennisrice1557]

I had the honor of seeing Johnny Winter Play seven times and every time I saw him he left everything on the table he wore me out more than any other guitars ever has and I've seen some of the best John McLaughlin Robert Fripp Steve Vai Satriani but it was only Johnny Winter that every time you saw him you knew that he gave you his best every time a true legend he will be missed

[@austinknowlton1783]

Saw Johnny in Portland, Maine. 2009 I think. Dude was a beast. Literally came in and up to the stage with a walker and an assistant, then proceeded to put on an amazing show. I get a kick out of how you pronounce Edgar.

[@jonathanhudak2059]

Austin Knowlton... Cool! I saw him back in the mid to late 90s and same thing he came out with an aide and a walker and sat through the whole set but still a great show!

[@duanewelsh5611]

Was lucky enough to see Johnny live. Great player. The real deal. Over priced IMHO but very cool guitar. 😎

[@michaelcantinieri7890]

Me too...saw him at the chance in Poughkeepsie...good show

[@simonpark843]

An excellent review - I'm not a Firebird fan but I've been a fan of Johnny Winter since I was sixteen years old; he really is a largely unsung guitar hero.

[@edseelig9465]

He opened the door for ZZ Top to get signed too! Stevie Vaughan was such a big fan that he hired Johnny's old bassist, Tommy Shannon. I have lots of related stories that I can't tell....

[@phillippitts6294]

I saw Johnny Winter , Rick Derringer and Edgar in 76 . Johnny was incredible . You can tell he’s got Texas in his playing.

[@jonathanbaggs4275]

I did too - 1976 rickwood field, birmingham, alabama.

[@phillippitts6294]

@@jonathanbaggs4275 Carolina coliseum in Columbia SC

[@muleblues71]

Well he was born and bred Texan. 🤷‍♂️

[@phillippitts6294]

@@muleblues71 there’s no mistaking that sound , just something about it !

[@jeffharris6374]

he was Texas blues

[@majunior1944]

Trogly, I absolutely love the attention that you’ve been giving Firebird’s lately. Appreciate the time put in to these videos! Would love to see a Firebird VII review sometime!

[@lptomtom]

The plural of Firebird is "Firebirds", not "Firebird's"

[@majunior1944]

@@lptomtom fire’birds?

[@bluesrockguitaristmikesall2708]

Thanks Trogley ,Johnny Winter did a masterful version of the B.B. King song " It's s My Own Fault",this was on the Johnny Winter And album.He played his white Firebird on this cut. This was during Johnny's rock period, (with Rick Derringer ,and the McCoys backing him up ).."The Progressive Blues Experiment" is a landmark album,a and a difinitive study for novice blues rock guitarists .Johnny stated in a Guitar Player interview in the 70's that he used Firebirds to get a Fender kind of tone,with a Gibson neck.Johnny had an exacting stylistic integrity,with no deviations.None of the "cutesy stuff" that other bands of his era where prone to.Just hard core Blues Rock. I was honored to work with him a couple of times in Pittsburgh.For the viewers that can't afford the cost of the Gibson Firebirds,the Epiphone neck thru Firebirds are about as good imho.I have a Johnny Winter guitar lesson on my channel,it's from his appearance with B.B. King on The CBS morning news from about 1984. It's the complete first chorus.Thanks again

[@jackkay4310]

When I found out that the Firebird came with the photos signed by Mick Rock, I thought "Wow, this must have been in the making for a while now" because as with Johnny, Mick is no longer with us either, having passed away in November this year.

[@BrentAdams]

Johnny Winter ....... an absolutely Amazing Artist....very grateful for the musical legacy he has left for us.

[@edseelig9465]

....and an incredibly nice guy too!

[@daviddenison3442]

Great show Trogly Johnny Winters and his brother Edger were definitely my generation. I saw all these great rockers come into there own. Clapton was a baby, Hendrix too. No doubt a great time to be alive. That will give away my age. I would not trade anything for all the great memories. I’ve played guitar since the age of 13 my first guitar was a Fender strat sun burst. Played it until it was a heap of dust. 10 years later got my first Gibson les Paul. All my heroes had Gibsons. Billy Gibbons ZZ Top. Played his pearly Gates 59 he found under the bed of an abandoned house in Texas. What an amazing guitar. Trogly thanks for all you do. I know it’s so Time consuming putting these shows together. Quit beating yourself up over your guitar playing. You just don’t have enough time on your meter yet. You’ll come into your own before you know it. You have the patience and compassion to be a guitar great Thank you Troglodytes.

[@crucem_sanctam5579]

Myself being a troglys and firebird fan, this last uploades have been amazing! Thank you so much to give us some firebird content!

[@Trog]

working on getting another cool one!

[@hkguitar1984]

DITTO

[@wesleyalan9179]

Right on! I've always wanted a Fbrd too! They look so cool! 😄

[@ciggy_]

@@Trog now all we need is some non reverse firebirds my friend! 😁

[@destianpatrianagara1119]

@@Trog Dave Mustaine flying v just came out 😏

[@princequestly2218]

Johnny is easily one of the greatest blues players.

[@dbvetter7485]

Johnny and Edgar Winter - Some of the best Blues/Rock music ever created!

[@michaelheller8841]

When you think of the Blues or a Rocker, Johnny Winter is up there with the best of them. He had that tone and style that any Blues/Rocker wants. His slide playing was amazing and his phrasing with killer chainsaw-like runs. He didn't sound like every other Blues player. I've seen him live many times and had great times each show. If I had 9k to spare, I would get that guitar without thinking twice. I've seen so many great live shows all around, and Johnny Winter's live shows? I remember them all. Just food for thought, he did jam a bunch with Hendrix. Someone on here mentioned Johnny should be in the Rock&Roll Hall of Fame? without question. Great channel, I like how you go into detail about each guitar you show, much appreciated.

[@TechNWRO]

About a Zillion years ago I went to the Stone Pony to see Johnnie & Edger playing a show. After about 20 minutes this little Dude asked if he could sit at our table. We said Ya Man grab a chair. A few minutes after that Johnny introduced Bruce Springsteen and the little Dude jumped up from our table and joined in. I was never a Springsteen fan, but the three of them had a good set and it was well worth the visit that night.

[@doctoribanez]

For 9 grand I would want that thing absolutely perfect with zero aging

[@ryanfulldark2775]

It would be more like 7 grand in that case.

[@graftongodofmemes]

Relicing guitars will be looked upon, in the future, as a prime example of our stupidity. Goes to show how music has become more about the visuals than the audio.

[@normanlindquist4139]

Johnny Winter "Captured Live" has gotta be a must listen if you've never heard JW! just great guitar work all through! The photo of that album is on the picture and the COA.

[@rbarker1706]

Great live lp! Floyd Radford on dual lead with Johnny sounds great!

[@jonathanhudak2059]

Gotta have Still Alive and Well also! Killer album and killer sound!

[@edseelig9465]

This group & his later one with Jon Paris & Bobby Torello were his last exceptional bands! I was fortunate enough to vacation w/ Johnny, Susan, & the band w/Randy, Floyd, & Richard, & Sarah Hobbs, & Floyd's wife. the rehearsals were in a 1920s 3 story, Tudor style mansion on 12 acres in the Weston / Westport, Conn. area. that was Johnny's rented rehearsal house in late May, June, etc. of 1975. that band was incredible! Last that I heard, Floyd was working for NASA!

[@jamestsmith2873]

I recently scored a white Firebird V, and they are unique guitars. They probably don't fit everyone's tase, but they have tone and feel characteristics that some will love-I do.

[@evrgreen_69]

Was lucky to see Johnny live and it’s a great memory! Loving everything about that axe!! Awesome playing Trogly you made Johnny proud 💯✌️

[@MikeE-]

Side note: I know this isn’t really an amp channel at all, but thought I’d share that I got a fender blues jr combo for $650 retail and it’s worth every penny. I needed to downsize from a fender twin and this thing is incredible. The tone actually sounds better out of the celestion a-type 12”speaker they tossed in there. And on top of that the thing was barely made last month. I highly recommend these amps if your looking for a perfect blues tube amp or to downsize from a heavier clean combo.

[@voornaam3191]

Your looking? Why don't ye all forget you're and write yor every time ye say yor? Even shorter than your! Who on earth is saying that U anyway? Do and you are darn similar, huh? It is YOR language, so YO change it!

[@jonathanhudak2059]

Noah Lange LMAO!! Good one! 🤣

[@edseelig9465]

Da free-quint Miss Spellings drive me nuts too, but I frequently respond to guitar or political comments in the middle of the night, w/ decades of diminished eyesight, & some of the typos are pretty awful! I usually catch them later.... you, you are, you're, your, pretty damn easy to get that correct.... We had a waitress ask us once "What are yerin' gonna eat?

[@john564holloway]

Austin, don't underestimate yourself. You do exactly what the axes need you to do-demo them justice. Great vid! Being I was born in '64, this would be a gift of a lifetime!...RIP, Johnny...Thanks for the awsum work, Austin. Merry Xmas to the family!

[@kemdo123]

I met Johnny in 2014 after a show and sat with him in his tour bus and he signed a load of posters and gave me his pic he used that night! He was a little bit shy, but not very awkward. I asked him for some tips on playing and he gave me a lot of good advice, he also told me a couple of stories about him and Jimi when then jammed and was just overall a cool guy.

[@5egf]

This sound demo has by far the best tone and playing amongst all of your videos. Keep it up!

[@waynecribb4922]

I know I'm weird in this category, I will not pay big bucks for a "replica relic or whatever you to call it. " I like shiny pristine guitars. I realize I'm different than collector's , I just can't get past it. An excellent review . Thanks for sharing.

[@joejones9520]

Same. I know it means Im "not with it" but I cant help it; the idea of an artificially beat up guitar depresses me.

[@frankscassi4960]

I'm with you. Give me the same specs, but on a new guitar, it's not that hard!

[@edseelig9465]

Johnny's sunburst '64 was dead MINT, w/ less than 20 hours playing time on it, mostly in my hands! None of his guitars were beaten into oblivion until he had played them for years. He broke the headstocks on all of the Firebirds & I dismayed to see that he had also broken the md '60s Thunderbird II Bass. I am surprised that they have not offered NOS versions of them, including lower retail list prices.....

[@RambleTone]

Awesome guitar! I’m a big fan of JW and of Firebirds, glad to hear you excited about the music and the guitar😃🎸 Yes, different guitars are going to bring out different things in your playing, also different amps, pedals ect. I love the sustain on Firebirds with that neck through design👍 And my latest one seems so easy no fast to play.

[@hkguitar1984]

Austin, You don't have to be Lance Armstrong to enjoy riding a bicycle, and you don't have to be Johnny Winter to enjoy playing guitar. Glad to see you inspired in your playing, twice this week no less! And its only Tuesday!

[@umbertoyltp]

O, yeah you meant the other Armstrong, not the Louis and not the one who hiked on a sandy landscape, far far away. ;-)

[@ronwilcox7716]

Never saw Johnny live but he lives in my heart, just like Jimi.

[@oscardelatorre]

used to see him live all the timein the 70's!!! Firebird thru 2 marshalls!!! then saw him with Muddy and James Cotton..He was a total Badass!

[@James-hr4fu]

I had two nightclubs that Johnny winter played in. And my best friend worked as his road manager. Johnny played a 64' firebird burst and a Lazer that he fell in love with in his later years. Fun fact, he would only sign 64' firebirds if he would sign anything at all.❤ He at one time signed the biggest record contract ever! Played with a thumb pick. He was the best in blues and Muddy and him were super tight!❤❤❤

[@simbanks8218]

I so happy I did my guitar collecting years ago as I'm now 60 and a lefty, prices now are crazy! Got to see Johnny in the 80s at a small venue....Fantastic show and he played all kind of covers!

[@BluesJammer69]

Thanks for this...Johnny was the reason i started playing the blues...loved his raw texas blues!

[@hkguitar1984]

Great tone Austin. Nice bright low output Firebird pickups, awesome. Great looking guitar.

[@maxpuppy96]

The White Firebird was Johnny's rock and roll guitar, he played it from around 72 to 79. The sunburst was more of his blues and slide guitar which he had most of his career.

[@umbertoyltp]

YAAS, YAAS, YAAS! Wow, definitely a surprise to me. My first and favourite Johnny Winter album was Second Winter, which had quirkyness all over it, a two disc vinyl with side four as a blank side. This is more of a rock album than blues, but that's how I like my Winter, with stereo pingpong, badass wah and recognizable slide style. The guitar definitely has that solid as a rock sound, and got me into liking the Firebird pickups so much. Honestly probably not as quick selliing as the Hendrix SG but certainly i a decent tribute to one of the flag bearers of the Firebird. Thank you so much for aiming the spotlight at this beauty!

[@bluetopguitar1104]

I had a 76 firebird with gold hardware I was renting to own. I also had a truck payment. I'm embarrassed to say I couldn't afford both so gave the guitar back. This was in the early 1980s. The guitar was around 760 bucks. I was a young idiot,should have come up with the cash somehow. Young and foolish. Oh well, I still have my 74 blue sparkle Les Paul Deluxe. The firebird has a unique sound. Saw Johnny back in the 80s. Omg he was fast. Saw him near the end of his career. He always had a lot of soul. See if you can find a video of him playing on Don Kirshners rock concert. You will see the greatness

[@rexshirtz9574]

The Johnny Winter in a nutshell is " Mean Town Blues" featured on the " Johnny Winter And live.." album. The raunchy tone ,yodel vocals ,and interplay between him and Rick Derringer is hands down the most frenetic,in the moment performance PERIOD!

[@shawnerwin9290]

Love some Johnny Winter! Fantastic guitarist. He was from Beaumont, Texas, which is my home town. Absolutely an amazing artist. Beautiful guitar! Out of my price range, but it is gorgeous.

[@edseelig9465]

I think that Johnny had told me back around '71 that he had been born in Leland, Miss., & they moved to Beaumont when he was a little kid. My ex-wife's long time choir director's late wife went to high school w/ Johnny, & was in his class too. Patti had some funny stories from back then!

[@texasplumr]

He was from the Beaumont / Port Arthur area of Texas just like Janice Joplin. When it comes to his style, that says it all for me! Then again, I'm from Austin and am partial to all Texas musicians. RIP Johnny! Texas blues and he was true to his roots.

[@michaellittlewood3032]

I can't get enough of the Firebird episodes. Home Run. Thank you.

[@theuglytruth886]

26:24 I LOVE your playing demos! You give us the tones and that's all that matters. Much better than just showing off your guitar whanking shred ballocks like some do!!!

[@doogallas]

Same. The thing people complain about most here seems to be his playing, but I really don't want to hear a professional musician play a guitar to decide if it's good. If a guitar has too many effects and polish on the sound, you can't really compare it to others.

[@calebbrown4187]

Awesome! Johnny Winter is one of my all time favorites growing up as a kid in Texas. If I could afford one of those things, I would have one.

[@timothypotter2137]

Johnny is amazing. Saw him in concert and it was a life event.

[@brianfurry9542]

Absolutely beautiful!!Besides Johnny, the late Robbin Crosby of Ratt is remembered for playing these beauties. Glad you have an interest in these. Thanks for the share

[@hughjarrse]

Wasn't Crosby's a Jackson?

[@brianfurry9542]

@@hughjarrse He had a few made by Jackson but he also used a Gibson 3 pickup model and the one we just saw. Yes Jackson made both V's and Firebirds for him.

[@hughjarrse]

@@brianfurry9542 I know he had Jackson lefty made with the controls flipped for right playing (a bit like a non reverse) because I nearly bought it to play lefty. On a related note Robin seems to be the forgotten man of rock which is rather sad.

[@brianfurry9542]

@@hughjarrse so true, people focus on his drug use that overshadows his awesome playing. I saw one of his non reverse white Jackson with the dragon on it several years ago on eBay, surprisingly they weren't asking all that much for it

[@hughjarrse]

@@brianfurry9542 That was the one I was thinking of buying it was in Germany "Music-outlet-shop" was the seller

[@evrgreen_69]

One of the best live shows I’ve ever seen..Johnny was the real deal 💯..Thanks Trogly 🤙

[@svt4001]

The reason for the hole in the front: Johhny was born in Texas. He was drilling for oil in his guitar! =)

[@markusferguson2985]

No, you don't have to ream the peghead to swap Steinberger's with Kluson Banjos... it's a straight forward swap, with some basic drilling for the 2 screw holes, but special attention to make sure the diagonally positioned 'new' tuning machines are all in the same alignment; 6mm wide StewMac fret masking tape works perfect for the job. Excellent review btw !

[@ericolson326]

I've had a simmering interest in Firebirds for a while, but this video has raised it to a mild boil. 😄 That first crunchy bridge tone you got would be perfect for a song I've had kicking around for a couple years.

[@gabrielcallizaya7412]

Love "You done lost your good thing now" live at woodstock. Great licks and feeling!! Tone is on point too.

[@Hamerguy68]

I really love the looks of the Gibson Firebird guitar (and the T-bird basses too, since I am mostly a bassplayer now). I like Johnny Winter's early 70's stuff, that's when he used the Firebird. I remember seeing him playing the white Firebird on the german Beat Club show (Jumping Jack Flash) on TV. The guitar always sounded great. I had an attempt to buy one a few times already. But I still don't have. I love the gold hardware and ebony board on the VII, but I hate that vibrola unit. I like the recent Firebird Elite from 2018, but I should have bought one when they were on the market, they're hard to find now. A white Firebird V reissue from 2016 would be cool too. I have an old Hamer Firebird, also a nice guitar, but it only has the body shape of a Firebird. It's more of a two humbucker/FR trem rocker, at least it's white. To me, the Firebird reminds me of my childhood, when we were watching the movies with the muscle cars and I was buying those toy "matchbox" muscle cars, that music (Johnny Winter)... and a guitar designed by a car designer (no, not the Music Man Bongo Bass)

[@erikrasmussen7953]

I was familiar with a few of the songs he played on, but had never heard his name before. It took less than 30 seconds into the first video I clicked on to be upset that it took me this long to learn about him. Thanks for the video about the guitar and turning me onto him!

[@vincentmoserblues]

Thanks Trogly's for this long and very informative report. Funny that Gibson calls the neck-pickup the " rhythm-pickup". J.W. played almost all the solos and everything all the time through the neckpickup . I saw that personally in Hamburg, Germany in 1983 ( I was close enuff to the stage) and you can see that in most of the pre-Lazer-guitar videos . In the sixties, J.W. had a les paul custom, a goldtop, a white sg-shaped lp custom , a mustang and an epi wilshire before he started using the firebirds almost exclusively and in most of the pictures he always had the toggle switch in neck pickup position. In a "Guitar Player Magazine" interview in 1973 Johnny said he always sets his amps at full treble , no bass, no middle and that he used to hate Marshalls, because they were too distorted for him. He still used them at gigs in the big stadiums ( he was a super Star in the 70' s.) I don' t know why he didn't use Dual Showmans like Chuck. Later in the 70's JW started used Music Man 4x10 and 2x10 amps and kept playing the 130 watt 4x10 until hid death.

[@rossfletcher22]

I never thought of it until reading your comment but I really would like to have heard him play through a couple of Showman's. Maybe 4 15 inch tone ring cabs and next that two 4x12's.

[@edseelig9465]

Literally...always the neck pickup on ALL 5 of his old Firebird Vs....

[@edseelig9465]

Unlike Chuck Berry who always used Dual Showman 2 x 15" JBLs in his later decades of touring, Johnny did not like the massive bass tone of 15"s. I sold him a pair of early '50s Fender Princeton Amps w/ 1 -8" Jensen back after '73, maybe in '74. He was using those in their penthouse in NYC & then at home in Easton, Conn. the time that my son & I were there visiting in 3/2000. Bob Margolin who was Muddy Waters' long time guitarist, turned Johnny on to the 4 - 10" 130 HD Musicman Amps that he used from around '80(?) on....

[@av.punk.801]

Ah it's good to be back... I sent myself away for a week because shit piled up and honestly I just needed it. Doing better now, and I cant think of a better Trogly to come back to that Mr. Winter! Greetings and well wishes from Utah man!

[@gsbguitarsgsb679]

I saw a concert with Muddy Waters, Johnny Winters, Eric Clapton, on Eric Claptons Birthday… that was in 1978 or 1979. At the end of the show they all three jammed out together, it was awesome…

[@Stratomaster9654]

I've had the pleasure to meet him and play with some of his bandmates one of the best ever!

[@shanethackeray1988]

Johnny Winters was one of the guitarists that influenced me in my early days 70’s, that guitar has a really great representative sound of the great man.

[@theadam2494]

First concert I ever went to . At winterland with Brownsville station .

[@davegallagher7428]

I love this guitar when I think of Johnny Winter the first song I think of is his cover of “Rock Me”, I would say he was a blistering/fast/great guitarist, great video!

[@jonathanhudak2059]

Dave Gallagher agreed and Still Alive And Well also! Blistering stuff!

[@damiankacprzak6211]

Great review! Johnny Winter is an absolute LEGEND!! It would be cool seeing the Original Collection Firebird review now and compare all 3 Firebirds. 🤘🤘

[@rexnavarro2918]

For some reason every white Gibson I have had always develops finish checking. I had a Pelham Blue Firebird for awhile, but it was a bit too bright sounding for my taste...but this Johnny Winter Signature Firebird sounds Killer!

[@tomheyerly9082]

I had an epiphone firebird that I modified to look more like a V series (shaved the pick guard, installed carvin humbuckers w/out exposed poles, etc.). I don't know about Gibsons, but I did have to ream out the headstock to fit the klusons tuners. It was the version that came stock with the steinberger tuners so I assume it would be the same story for a Gibby.

[@marcob6880]

That neck pup is dangerous, the bridge a little less so. Youve really become a better player over the years Trogly keep on rockin brother.

[@benlogan430]

Johnny Winter And Live is a great album to get the feel. And it is a live album.

[@swbusby]

I saw Johnny Winter in a small club back in the late 70s. Raw blues at it's best.

[@disco4535]

Relicing itself doesn't bother me. For me, it's the fact that it just doesn't look authentic enough compared to real wear and tear. $9k for this is hard to justify. Still an awesome guitar, and loving the Firebird love lately!

[@wyattjohnson4087]

I gotta say it doesn't look bad I own a few vintage gibsons soya it's not gonna look like it played 1000 shows but that's because it didn't but I will say price is steep for this

[@laughingdaffodils5450]

It only doesn't bother me in abstract. In concrete examples, it amounts to paying a large premium for a messed up guitar. It doesn't look right and that's only going to get worse as it picks up some real age on.

[@wyattjohnson4087]

I get that it's not for every one but as far as a relic job not bad in my opinion better than fender

[@nsp477]

Reading the comments on the interview with Mr. Murphy (a.k.a. Gibson's Murphy Labs) on Sweetwater's channel, somebody compared artificial aging to stolen valor (you know, when people pretend to have served in the military and wear fake medals, insignias, etc). Interesting analogy.

[@saltpeter7429]

In the 80's in the skateboarding world, there was always the character assault/ rumor of a local skater getting a new board and artificially scratching it up. The words "POSER" and others were thrown around hard. It was the worst thing to be. I do see some appeal to the relics, I dont want to treat a guitar too precious, if it's already scratched up I wont worry about harming it!

[@ericsyre9418]

I'll ask it: What's the point? Collectors jump on these quickly, asking more for them later and people fall for it? Buy a regular, white Firebird and relic it yourself. Damn, send me 6000$ and I'll relic it for you. It seems reason has left this world since 2019 and it reached the guitar world severely recently.

[@smiddlyrabone8900]

Leland Mississippi Blues, best winter song

[@psosna]

Saw Johnny Winter play his white firebird with Rick Derringer at the Fillmore East.

[@timothymallon]

6:50 RIP Mick Rock! He truly was the photographer of the 70s!

[@jonathanhudak2059]

Trogly not one but Two Firebird videos in less than a week! Awesome!! This guitar is a beauty and sounds killer! Thanks for this excellent review! I have a white 2014 Anniversary model like this one and it's one of my favorite guitars. Firebirds are such cool underrated guitars and Johnny Winter really could give his a workout and play his ass off. For anyone who has never heard it I heartily recommend his Still Alive And Well album, (1973) IMHO its one of his best from his rock/blues rock period. It really shows how a Firebird can sound when in the hands of a master. I was fortunate enough to see him back in the 1990s. He had an aide help walk him to the stage with a cane or walker and he played the whole set sitting down. Mostly a traditional blues set on acoustics etc but when they brought out his original battered sunburst Firebird V for him to play on we all cheered! Great, personal honest show by a true legend, R.I.P.. Johnny and thank you for all your great music!

[@rossfletcher22]

Still Alive and Well is so great! Of course I was 15 when it came out and just got into high school. Full on Rock and Roll party party era sound track. Everybody knew Johnny Winter back then.

[@jimmyjames2022]

Sweet, I was hoping for this! Johnny and his bro Edgar played some amazing and awesome tones. I recommend 'Live Johnny Winter And...1970 (at the Filmore East)' and 'Second Winter 1969' albums for classic Johnny. That hole by the bridge is on his original Polaris White 1964 Gibson Firebird V, no idea what it was for. Search Oct 01, 2016 'live auction' for good quality photos to see it clearly. I was always sure the headstock top was routed not veneer for vintage anyway. Trogly blues!

[@hughjarrse]

That's undoubtedly a super cool guitar, obviously no lefties I bought a Tikibird it seems that was the only way to get the real Firebird headstock and tuners in a lefty these days

[@ra5aus]

Photographer Mick Rock also passed away only a month ago.

[@jimiplayscobo5877]

I seen Johnny with Foghat as the back up band on the Still Alive and Well tour in Detroit in 1973. Great concert. I seen him numerous times after that and never seen him play a white firebird only his sunburst :-) Peace

[@studiodw12]

Exactly the sound I like thanks to the minihumbucker, I always come back to Gibson and minihumbucker there is also the Les Paul Deluxe which has the same pickups which sound great I do not think they are the same pickups (some have the phase inverter) I love the sweetness of the sound that can come out of your guitar Many thanks for your video and its details

[@FlyingPusssyfoot]

My dad used to play Johnny Winter cassettes in his truck all the time. Mad Dog is stuck in my head forever. If I had a spare 9k I'd own this guitar.

[@georgeoh-well8116]

As a lover of Gibson guitars (for better or worse) and especially the Les Paul, seeing the Firebird headstock always makes me wish they'd make a production run of the 'bonabyrd' . Since it is quite a radical design, they could update even further with Steinberger style locking tuners, compound radius neck, assymetrical neck profile,apex head carve,contoured heel, stainless steel frets, harmonica style bridge, slightly thinner body with comfort carves or modern weight relief to achieve good weight and balance and any other progressive design elements I may have missed to produce a Les Paul for the 22nd century. I guess that raises the question of whether it would still be a Les Paul.

[@ernestschultz5065]

This white Firebird looks much cooler than the burst.

[@ernestschultz5065]

And i should mention that Johnny Winter was my first concert ever back in something like 1976.

[@jonathanhudak2059]

Ernest Schultz I like em both but I have to agree the white Firebirds just look killer which is why my Firebird V is a white one, love it! I didnt see Johnny Winter until around 1996 or 1997. You're lucky to have seen him when he was young and full of energy!

[@darlenekubeck6009]

Enjoyed the review. I only wish they'd thrown in a thumb pick like he used, instead of the flat pick. Winter influenced so many guitarists. Too bad the Schlock and Roll Hall of Fame doesn't recognize the effect he had on guitarists of my generation.

[@2dazetake]

Johnny was an amazing player,talk about knowing the fretboard,he played a concert I attended, with his eyes closed during his whole show, I believe he had eye problems,and didn't like direct sunlight.

[@davidlewis3169]

I saw a guy relic a LP finish...put 50 yrs on it in a bout a second, by carefully warming the Nitro with a blow-dryer, and then spraying it with Butane. Amazing result

[@menacerisamir198]

i have seen edgar winter live but never johnny , just have the records since the first one when i was a teen , still alive and well is a great album

[@barrycooper4006]

Pickups do NOT sound like a ‘64. Check out the Mojotone Johnny Winter Signature Firebird Pickups. They are the real deal. Why can’t Gibson get their shit together?

[@rylieriley]

That tone is to die for!

[@thinkingape7655]

Firebirds are my main guitars 🤘

[@insin5905]

Great video. I just purchased a 2016 Non Reverse Firebird in Vintage Copper. Only 600 made. Great guitar and I’m very glad that I purchased it.

[@jjdillon2007]

The banjo tuners definitely look vintage correct, but in reality, the Steinberger ones are much better and more accurate, and they're locking. I owned a 2016 Gibson Firebird V, for about a year.

[@6bender]

If Steinbergers were around in the 60's there would probably be a lot of vintage Firebirds with them on it.

[@darthjarjarbinks8953]

Pretty sure the Steinbergers were added only as recently as 2009 or something like that. Banjo tuners are correct.

[@Dan.Solo.Chicago]

Johnny Winter also played an Epiphone Wilshire. Anyone who plays a Wilshire, Coronet, or Crestwood is alright by me. I love those guitars. I have an Epiphone Wilshire Pro with coil tapped humbuckers, and I absolutely love that guitar.

[@msilliphant]

now thats a cool guitar would love 2 have that firebird

[@tommydeamon7657]

Johnny was one of my early influences, long short of it thank you for this review King Trog, it has been a blast thank you once again keep on keeping on

[@terrancefields4414]

Here I am playing one of the first new 1975 Gibson Firebird guitars off of the assembly line. Hand delivered by the guys at Norlin directly behind our music store Strings & Things in Lincolnwood. The back of our store and the back of Norlin were across the parking lot. I thought I could post a picture. We got all of the reissue Korina V's, Explorer's and Modern's. The swinging 70's.

[@Nicko30able]

Saw Johnny a lot of times, but always with the natural finish Firebird and the Erlewine. Never saw this one live. Mojo Boogie is a great JW tune for those who are looking.

[@wyattjohnson4087]

One of my favorite guitars in my collection is my 70s tribute firebird

[@bnastali]

Sweet! I have a real yellowed non-reverse Firebird. 1966. Looks quite a bit like this.