Is The Bird Really The Word?! // Epiphone Firebird Review

[@frankenstein4106]

I own several Gibson and Heritage guitars, but my Epiphone Firebird is right up there in build quality and tones! The FB720 pickups in it are claimed to be made the same as the original Firebird pickups from the 60's, and I think they sound great. Once I'm playing it, I don't even think about it's size except when tuning, which it holds it's tuning very well.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

I agree, I forget it's an Epiphone. Tuning is still weird though with the reverse headstock.

[@WillyMcCoy50]

WoW! You fellas got TWO FB720's!! Mine came with only one and has the banjo tuners. The FB720 has the alnico II magnet so it's voiced like the OG. After playing bass guitars mixed with 6 string switchblade the size of The Firebird is a natural. The hard shell case is very nice and affordable. Peace you lucky guys! Mine has an unbound neck and no string anchor dealy-o. Pretty lightweight.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

@@WillyMcCoy50 so you've got a Firebird I?

[@WillyMcCoy50]

@StevenAnthonyGuitar Yes, the reverse ('63) Epiphone Firebird 1 with one pickup .... the student model with two knobs and a wraptail. The plus side is it's a true neck-through.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

@@WillyMcCoy50 that one sounds awesome too!

[@KentuckyRedneck13]

Thank you man, you have some nice licks and tones. I've always liked the odd shape of the Bird and just love the sounds that flow from it! So, your video, and a few others, encouraged me to give one a try. I purchased a used one from a seller on Sweetwater Gear Exchange and am eagerly waiting for it to fly in! Thanks again, and keep cranking out the music and reviews

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

@@KentuckyRedneck13 thanks! And I still think it's an awesome bird. Let me know how you like it once you get it.

[@johndaugherty4127]

Killin it! My Firebird is supposed to arrive tomorrow.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

Awesome! Did you also get this Epiphone? I honestly love it, it's been one of my favorite guitars ever since I got it this summer. First Epiphone that can hold up with my Gibsons. Really awesome guitar.

[@guitarlusteuphoria4507]

Got one. Love it.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

Awesome! They're great right?

[@jessejorgensen3931]

I was just going to say the same thing, tele les paul . Which has always been the sound i wanted. Some of the other firebirds gibson have mini humbuckers, and they just don't sound the same. They sound like humbuckers. I'm just under 6 feet but have long arms, and i have to hunch over to play my lps in a stiting position, and the heel gets in the way when past the 12th fret. That doesn't seem to be an issue with the firebird. My hand likes to sit a couple inches of the bridge, so the placement of the bridge on this guitar seems 😮to be in the right place. Mines is coming tomorrow. Grabbed the $650 version. I've been trying to get my hands on one for two years. The new ones are beautiful, but I'm not spending an extra 1000 bucks for gibson pick-ups that aren't necessarily an upgrade and a headstock . I'm an epiphone junkie. Value to sound ratio is fantastic and electronics are easy to swap out. I have the reissue epi 59 it's a fantastic guitar. And i got a deal because the greeny was coming out, and it's essentially the same guitar with push pull. The fire bird and tube screamer are coming tomorrow, and my new origin 50 head is as excited as i am. For under 1,200 buts, it's a phenomenal setup for a bedroom warrior.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

I'm not convinced by their new Epiphones either. They look great and I'm sure they play and sound great, but they're a lot more expensive and don't even have a rosewood fretboard. But most of all: these already are so good, for so much less! Let me know how you like it when yours comes in tomorrow. And the Origin 50 is a good pedal platform, it was my gateway Marshall amp when they just came out.

[@marcop1587]

Just got one of these, incredibly resonant even unplugged

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

@@marcop1587 it's great how Epiphone is doing that for these low prices, right?

[@marcop1587]

Isn't this discontinued? There hasnt been availability of new ones here for more than a year, I had to get a second hand guitar (one that had barely been touched anyway). I thought the special work needed from the firebird was the reason the new one Is like 1700$$ (speculation included)

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

@@marcop1587 yeah I haven't seen these older ones since the new inspired by Custom Shop came out. Probably to not be competing with themselves. I think these older ones were great already, and much better value for money.

[@269brentg]

Great reveiw, nice to see someone compare to other gibson offerings..The bird holds its own and even shines to the gibsons. I have a IBG 2020 epi firebird and love it. The FB720 pickups are the best out there from epiphone imo. Would you mind posting your lower pickup height info? The fact that this firebird has original specs true neck thru build vs glue in neck, original spec pickups, and just the real vibe, Will make this a classic someday.. Thanks again for your video..

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

I will see if I have something to measure it with, I just did it by ear. But I've been playing it in between my Gibsons and if I wouldn't be looking at the headstock, I wouldn't be aware of the fact that this is not a Gibson, which usually doesn't happen to me. So far this has been the best Epiphone I've tried!

[@edatkinson322]

Really enjoyed your video. And I just bought one from Sweetwater. Very cool guitar always wanted one since seeing the Stones using one back in the 60’s !

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

Thanks! Glad this video helped you out and great you got to see the Stones back then, I was a little too late to the party 😉 How are you enjoying your bird? I'm still really loving it! Had it for over half a year now and far from tired playing it!

[@edatkinson322]

@@StevenAnthonyGuitar I really like it so different from all my other guitars; Les Paul, 335, asat, Strat. Amazed at how good the clean tones are through my Fender Deluxe Reverb and my Mark Sampson Star Nova 15R. And with the Tube screamer clone 👍 I need to radius the nut on both sides, kinda sharp.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

@@edatkinson322 same here, really a different flavour from my Les Pauls, SGs and teles. Sounds great through every amp I own from clean to mean. I've put a Duesenberg Les Trem II on mine, which has also been great.

[@edatkinson322]

@@StevenAnthonyGuitar I’d like to see a photo of that trem installed. I owned a Duesenberg CC model I purchased at NAMM years back; probably the best trem I’ve ever had. The guitar was just too heavy ☹️

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

@@edatkinson322 you can see it in some of my later videos, like this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5W9p4CgarOLgZosi=Dhx6ltSEYTZR4nkE

[@rosey2578]

Great review I have a simular collection and my firebird is right at the top. I find it really comfortable as well.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

Thanks! Yeah I really love, sits perfectly between my tele and Les Paul. Just sounds and plays way better than it should.

[@compucorder64]

Definitely want to get one of these. Like you, I'm not looking to add anything that's not different to the more common standard ones I have (Strat, Tele, 335). But then, these guitars might not be my main guitar. So I'm happier to limit paying £350-600 for them. So I'm happy to see Epiphone (& Squier) doing some of the less common designs. Last year, I picked up a Squier J Mascis Jazzmaster, a Squier CV Mustang and an Epiphone Casino and upgraded the pickups and electronics. This year, I got a Guild Polara Deluxe SG-style, which I love. And a Baum Wingman is on the way. Thinking of getting a Firebird later - but even now there's only three I can find available in stock nearby in Europe. I'm thinking that means, buy now while I still can. I think a Firebird would be fantastic for slide guitar and swampy electric blues.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

I'm afraid they will discontinue these in favour of their new, more expensive models. But these are so great! Haven't felt the need to upgrade to a Gibson, not even upgrading the guitar itself. And it's so versatile. I can highly recommend these! Get 'em while you still can.

[@compucorder64]

​@@StevenAnthonyGuitarI suspect that will be Epiphones game plan. First, they massively upgraded quality to near Gibson levels (e.g. the near replica Les Paul Specials, Standards and Customs). Now they are putting out premium/artist editions at price points Gibson Studios were at 4 years ago. Then, maybe they kill off the cheap ones

[@picksalot1]

I preferred the Firebird's clear sound compared to all the other guitars. Do you notice anything regarding playability and string tension that might be associated with the reverse headstock and string length? Thanks

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

I notice nothing that's off, and I'm usually sensitive to that. To be honest, I don't even feel like I'm playing an Epiphone when I use it switching between my Gibsons. This video was shot a few months ago and since then I've really started to love this guitar. It has a unique sound and is awesome to play. Dare I say... it's the best Epiphone I've owned so far, and the only one I still own.

[@picksalot1]

@@StevenAnthonyGuitar I think the physics of the longer string lengths on the bass strings contributes to the clarity of the tone. How much, is difficult to quantify, so I was curious if you noticed anything different in the playability. Thanks for replying.

[@luismanz0]

Hi Steven! How are you getting distortion in this video? I have the same guitar, I really like it. Congratulations for your video, greetings from Italy! Ciaooo!

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

@@luismanz0 the drive is all comimg from the amp, that's the Dr. Z Z-Wreck Jr in the background. And congratulations on your Firebird, these are really great!

[@luismanz0]

@@StevenAnthonyGuitar Lovely sound! 😎

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

@@luismanz0 thanks! That guitar and amp are really a great combination.

[@LeeHoMusic]

Do you still have the guitar? Do you still like it, any cons?

[@ColinD.Wescott]

I think it looks better than the people say

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

@@ColinD.Wescott to me there's nothing wrong with the way it looks.

[@BlueberryStinkFinger62]

Epiphone was restored back to high end back in 2019 epiphone was never meant to be a budget brand in the first place and they weren't until Norlin ruined them when they took over Gibson..that ended with JC Curliegh in 2019

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

I agree, I really have been impressed by Epiphone in recent years, great guitars! I've had this Firebird for half year now and I love it, it really holds up between my Gibson guitars, and I don't say that easily.

[@ColinD.Wescott]

Pretty kil😊er picking on this vid good stuff

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

@@ColinD.Wescott thanks!

[@konradhof7318]

I briefly owned an Epiphone Thunderbird bass and I could tell no difference in quality from a Gibson. It seemed more true to Gibson than other Epiphone-branded Gibson copies. Of course the finish was probably a poly instead of nitro.

[@konradhof7318]

..: and of course the Thunderbird is the bass version of the Firebird

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

@@konradhof7318 I've tried the previous versions of their Thunderbird, which only had active pickups which I didn't like. But these Firebirds are poly, which you can feel a bit, but not as bad as you used to in the past. But the specs are so close to a Gibson, I see why they just stopped making the Gibson counterpart altogether.

[@nellayema2455]

These are great guitars, and aren't as hard to play as some people think, but I'm 6 feet tall. I'd say that they feel more like an SG than any other guitar.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

I totally agree! But I'm 6 foot five and some smaller people view it differently 😜

[@TexasBlues-123]

SG's and Firebirds are the best for playing while sitting down. The waist of the body on SG's and Firebirds is close to the bridge which makes the string length sit further to the left (RH player). That means there's no need to hunch the right should to bring the picking hand into position. They're both comfortable to play for hours. Have a look at anyone playing a Les Paul, their right shoulder is always higher than the left. My LP sees daylight for about 5 minutes every 6 months and then it's back to the case. Explorers are good too but they're very easy to accidentally bump because of the huge rear fin that sticks out so far and is out of sight. The only problem I had with my Tokai Firebirds was the strap button on the shoulder needed to go around to behind the neck. No more neck dive.

[@DouglasMcLaughlin-kq7hk]

​@@StevenAnthonyGuitarYou are correct,sir. Ergonomics almost requires a wider wingspan. Kids need not apply.

[@DouglasMcLaughlin-kq7hk]

Only complaint: ALL demos buried in distortion. It's like watching a movie through frosted glass or eating a great steak during a BAD cold.

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

That's all subjective, I don't really play my amps totally clean, though I do usually clean up with my volume. I could've done that a bit more in this video I guess! 😉

[@DouglasMcLaughlin-kq7hk]

@@StevenAnthonyGuitar Not meaning to give grief... My 2006 Gibson Firebird V has authentic growl and howl through my Marshall. But to show tone off, shave the fuzz and eat the peach! Thanx

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

@@DouglasMcLaughlin-kq7hk to each his own. I like to demo a guitar how I'd actually use it, and I don't think I play with lots of gain. But usually I show more of the range of gear, and like I said, I could've done that more here.

[@lucianopazos286]

Firebirds look cool and sound good but are uncomfortable af! Try one before you buy it

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

I have to say for me the opposite is true. The most comfortable guitar I have to play sitting down, but also standing up it's lightweight and balanced. Plus it's easy to get high up on the neck. Might be just because I'm very tall, but I love the playability actually! Getting the case in the car is a different story 😜

[@nellayema2455]

@@StevenAnthonyGuitar If you can find one, get an Epiphone EpiLite Explorer case. My Epi Firebird fits in it just fine, and it is much lighter than the Epi Firebird hardshell case. It still offers good protection. If you want to see a giant, heavy, cumbersome case, get a Gibson Firebird hardshell case. They're a beast of a case. My 2013 Gibson Firebird came with one.

[@Rski1234]

Absolutely wrong for Me anyway. I've been playing guitar for over 40 years and find the Firebird that I just purchased to be very comfortable to play especially sitting down. I would like to hear what you found uncomfortable. I am 5'9"" so you can rule out the Sasquatch effect.

[@Rski1234]

Me too ​@@StevenAnthonyGuitar

[@StevenAnthonyGuitar]

@@Rski1234 good to hear it's not only the sasquatch effect, because I'm pretty much a slender sasquatch 😜