Legendary Gibson Firebird Players

Here we focus on Famous Gibson Firebird Players playing the reverse model.
Tip jar for anyone who wants to help support this channel:
paypal.me/ramo...
Patreon for Ramon's Blues Course: / theguitarshow
Ramon's Texas Flood Pedal purchase here:
gooseeffects.com/

[@ezsmith3765]

Johnny Winter, Allen Collins, Ricky Medlocke off the top of my head.

[@frankdibiaso7336]

The 1 and only Allen Collins made that firebird talk.🤟🤟

[@TheGuitarShow]

Well said!

[@GuitarUniverse2013]

Allen? Albert? I don't know enough about that family to understand if you accidentally typed a type of graphical error, or if there are actually two brothers… One named Allen and the other one named Albert. All I know is that around 1982 I walked into a club in Dayton Ohio and heard the most kick ass fucking band of my life - all centered around Albert. I saw the great man at the bar after the first shot was over and cautiously walked up to him and I said I ask you just one quick question. he towered over me, and without even moving or acknowledging my presence he said . "Alreet" I said, "does the lead saxophone player do all of your charts, or do you buy those charts or do you have somebody who stays back home and does all your charts? Slowly he turned towards me and in a voice that felt and sounded like an iron fish inside of velvet glove looked over the top of his gold sunglasses and murmured. "boy I don't know where you went to school but that ain't no motherfucking one question. That's like five or six. You might have to get off your wallet and give me some more money before I go deep into Phil theosophical regions such as you seem to require. just then the bartender came up and looked at me and said you want another drink? I do I said, and here's my credit card from this moment on this gentleman to my left drinks for free on my card all night. he expressed his absolute astonishment by lifting his left eyebrow up and saying, "all reet now." we stood there in complete silence for about five minutes apparently no one else in the club which held about 500 people, seemed to be able to force their way through the invisible protective shield that has somehow been thrown up between he and I and the rest of the world He drank his drink. He chewed his ice. and when there was just like a half a cube left he would hold up the glass and shake it like a little Tinker Bell. The bartender would appear as if by a black hole. And then Albert looked at me, asked me my name, shook my hand and he said, "damn motherfucker you lasted like the whole time you never gave up you never you never suffered you never crushed you never lay down. I've had white boys in tears within 30 seconds begging my forgiveness for simply existing. now listen son cause I don't repeat myself. And he proceeded to tell me all about the band the charts life on the road and all that good shit

[@billydworrell8259]

@GuitarUniverse2013 Allen Collins was 1 of the guitarist for Lynyrd Sknyrd and plays most of the solo on Freebird , He and Albert Collins are not related, and im fairly certain his guitar of choice was a Telecaster?? I could be wrong on that?

[@jeby0523]

The fact that you missed Howlin Wolf is unforgivable ...

[@TheGuitarShow]

I'm hanging my head in shame :(

[@johndaugherty4127]

Forgiven.😊

[@NikkGiant]

The new Firebird player that is making the Firebird cool again is Scott Holiday from Rival Sons. He's using different Birds with different pickup combination. You should check him out (if you don't know him). Joe Bonamassa used a Firebird on the song Mountain Climbing

[@attichatchsound-bobkowal5328]

Epiphone released a pretty cool Joe Bonamassa Firebird one. Pewter finish and banjo tuners!

[@mohany134]

Thank you for the great video and mentioning Eddie 👌

[@TheGuitarShow]

Pleasure bro

[@robertgladstein]

I have both custom Gibson Reverse and Non Reverse Firebirds...such great guitars

[@TheGuitarShow]

Very cool!

[@flyonsoul]

Clarence Gatemouth Brown played a non-reverse Firebird …. all wrapped up in a tooled leather covering

[@TheGuitarShow]

Thanks for this the non reverse video is coming next week!

[@billydworrell8259]

Great review. I purchased my EPIPHONE Firebird solely on my appreciation and fan dom of Both Johnny Winter and Allen Collins. I absolutely LOVE it.

[@TheGuitarShow]

Nothing like a Firebird!

[@billydworrell8259]

@@TheGuitarShow It really does take some getting used to, I struggled with it at first and even considered returning it or selling it , that would have been a HUGE MISTAKE ON MY PART .Not only does it have iconic looks by the boatload, but the tone is AMAZING!!! It's never leaving my possession now.

[@promerops]

Not exactly Rock Royalty, but I seem to remember seeing The Merseybeats with an all-Firebird line up. Great video, thanks, Ramon.

[@TheGuitarShow]

That’s interesting bro thanks for the info

[@HarrisonProductions]

Phil Manzenera, Brian Jones and Steve Winwood are who i think of as Firebird players Great and fascinating video Ramon, love videos like this! 9 months ago i bought my Epiphone Firebird because of you

[@TheGuitarShow]

Pleasure

[@attichatchsound-bobkowal5328]

I believe WInwood played the non-reverse Firebird.

[@HarrisonProductions]

@@attichatchsound-bobkowal5328 still a firebird at the end of the day in a different jacket setting

[@attichatchsound-bobkowal5328]

@@HarrisonProductions Same pickups and the same name. Almost everything else unique to the Reverse FB is different than the "Non": Different body, different headstock, banjo tuners and most importantly different neck construction method: Reverse FBs are unique in that they have "Neck Through" construction. The neck wood runs full length from one end of the guitar to the other, becoming the core of the body. Body "wings" are glued onto either side. This gives the Reverse a very different feel and sound compared to the "Non" which has a typical set neck, very much like how the SG neck is mounted. Both types are still super- cool!

[@thomasespositio3139]

you got to think of the texas albino the great Johnny Winter

[@samright4661]

Paul Stanley played a Firebird it’s on the Cover of Kiss Alive, Paul painted it black for some reason

[@dibdab101]

Polly Jean and her Firebird....one of my favourite combination!

[@RobertDiPasqua]

Stevie Winwood played a Reverse Firebird 1 a lot in Blind Faith , as well as a non-Reverse Firebird( Inverness Green) in Traffic! That was a beauty of a Firebird!!

[@richardkenna149]

Couple of Aussies: David Briggs from Little River Band played a VII, and Kevin Borich had played a couple for his slide stuff. I own a FB because of these two monster players

[@TheGuitarShow]

Thanks for this invaluable info Richard - Love Australian bands

[@johndaugherty4127]

Allen Collins was the reason I bought my '76 Bicentennial Firebird. Best sounding guitar I ever owned. Little did I know that he had a P90 jammed into his. Must be nice to have guitar tech's! Long live Brian Jones. THE STONE.

[@Yardbird68]

The one you didn't mention, from my all-time favorite group; the Yardbirds. Was their rhythm guitarist Chris Dreja. I have a photo of a live performance with him using a reverse Firebird III. Chris, who most generally used a Gibson 335, also used ( through photo evidence ) a Strat, Jazzmaster, Jaguar, and Vox Phantom VI.

[@MrMike-fm8bp]

So was Steve Winwood in Traffic. It was a light green one ….

[@TheGuitarShow]

Thanks - Ill be doing a non-reverse video soon but thanks for mentioning Chris Deja - big fan here!

[@TheGuitarShow]

Thanks Mike - Ill cover him next week in the non reverse video

[@jonnybeck6723]

You forgot to mention the amazing Ramon Goose with his gorgeous Navigator (!)

[@TheGuitarShow]

Ha thanks bro

[@markwilliams5606]

Johnny Winter was the Best Firebird player. Even the 12 string. Legendary Guitar ☕

[@TheGuitarShow]

Well said!

[@attichatchsound-bobkowal5328]

No pictures of JW ever using that 12 string. The only appearance SEEMS to be studio shots for an auction, and even on the auction page, the picture of JW is with his white 6 string reverse. JW DID use a fender 12 string, though It SEEMS he only strung it up as a 6 string.

[@derekclacton]

Great video as always, Ramon! I’ve just seen a video of you playing a Firebird V on “Long Road to Tiznit” at the Ealing Blues Festival - nice one! 👍

[@TheGuitarShow]

Many thanks indeed actually that was a bit of disaster my tuner broke and was reading a tone lower …..always trust your ears…hearing is believing and see can some times be deceiving!

[@francovani393]

Fantastic just loved every minute of it

[@TheGuitarShow]

Pleasure

[@DroolingGargoyle]

Warren Haynes ( Allman Brothers Band) plays a Firebird with his other band Govt Mule. He opened up a concert at the Palladium November 2023 using a Firebird.

[@Alan-su5bg]

Terry kath also played a ffirebird which im not sure if its the 1 pickup model or the standard but he played it in the studio

[@TheGuitarShow]

Thanks for this Alan

[@AmericasChoice]

He sold a Firebird to Allen Collins. The same one that broke on stage.

[@sonhouseisking]

Johnny Winter is my favorite artist. Love to see him featured in any video.

[@TheGuitarShow]

Pleasure

[@jltrem]

McCartney played the "Maybe I'm Amazed" solo on a lefty non reverse Firebird.

[@paulreese3071]

Is that the Firebird he's seen playing in the gatefold of the Ram album?

[@jltrem]

@@paulreese3071 Yup.

[@paulreese3071]

@@jltrem Thx for the confirmation! I always assumed he played that solo on his Esquire, but I suppose the minihumbuckers can achieve that same biting tone

[@spideymarino]

Del Bromham from Stray is a big fan of the reverse Firebird.

[@danielktdoranie]

It is shame that Gibson has dropped the Firebird from the Gibson USA line up and it’s only available as a Custom Shop 😢guitar now. That said, it has raised the value of my two Gibson Firebirds considerably.

[@RamonGoose]

Interesting - thanks for the update Daniel!

[@DouglasMcLaughlin-kq7hk]

I lucked into mine in Oct. '06 when the shop mislabeled my black Historic Firebird V as a Studio,and priced it accordingly. Out the door, with a Canadian Gibson hardshell case for $1270, tax included. Wheeee!

[@danielktdoranie]

@@DouglasMcLaughlin-kq7hk well done

[@shaunw9270]

Great stuff Ramon ! 👍 I was surprised you didn't mention a 12-string Firebird of Johnny Winter's . I'm convinced I have seen Live footage of him with a 12-string but strung with only 6 ..

[@TheGuitarShow]

Oh no! I missed that but thanks for bringing it up

[@laska747]

If you’re talking about his Woodstock appearance that’s actually a Fender 12 string strung with 6

[@shaunw9270]

@@laska747 Oh right! It's been years since I saw it . Cheers👍

[@ovCosmic]

Pat Smear played a Firebird when he was in the Germs. You can see him playing it in Decline of Western Civilization Part I.

[@nigeltrueman6101]

James Honeyman Scott played a 1963 pink non reverse Firebird III with P90's

[@AmericasChoice]

Thanks for mentioning him. People have forgotten how good he was...

[@DouglasMcLaughlin-kq7hk]

1963 NON? Huh? PINK? Did it have a Floyd trem too?

[@onewiththings]

Great overview!

[@TheGuitarShow]

Many thanks indeed

[@The.Last.Guitar.Hero.]

Phil Manzenera is the first person I thought of. Never knew Jonsey played one

[@TheGuitarShow]

me too!

[@DouglasMcLaughlin-kq7hk]

Brian Jones and Keef had theirs donated by Gibson as a promotion... absolutely unattainable to fledgling bands at $450 each in 1964-65. More of a case of showing off than tone searching... Ronnie Wood now plays a lovely sunburst brown that is engineered magically into the stage shows and is huge audially

[@glenkepic3208]

Great work here. I loved this!!! Gots my Epi FB on a stand now.....long strange trip to get it right but after 4 (!) trips to a shop, right it is. These are still back ordered at Sweetwater (bought mine elsewhere, hence the problems). Glad to see Dave Mason mentioned,,,,thought he'd be missed. Read an interview where he said "The tone of my Stratocaster would tear but The Firebird sings". I liked the guy but his live album with a cover sorta like FCA was cheesy to me. Rock on!!! BTW, after months of looking, SW has these in stock now!!! A week or so, they didn't. These guys know what they're doing (EPI LP Jr here, amazing!). Anyone on the fence with a V style FB, jump in. Who knows how long they'll have these. BTW II, i used to blast Johnny's 'Captured Live" in my car on an 8 track. Screamed. Saw LS twice. Winterland slaying the CDB and MTB for Second Helping as a middle act then DOG with PF months before the plane crash.

[@TheGuitarShow]

Thanks so much Glen

[@glenkepic3208]

Thank You!!@@TheGuitarShow

[@PanyingPilot]

I believe the guitarist for the group Ambrosia "That's How Much I Feel" played a carved Firebird in the shape of a horse.

[@RavenMadd9]

Love this

[@BV_Beve]

Great video Goose mon ami !

[@TheGuitarShow]

Thanks bro

[@Bryan-jd7os]

Wow, that Eddie fellow wrote a ton of hits! Is he still alive? I recently went on a youtube journey of Johnny Winter. Absolutely awesome.

[@aminahmed2220]

Awesome

[@TheGuitarShow]

Thank you

[@RobertDiPasqua]

Link Ray and Del Shannon were Bird players also.😊

[@DouglasMcLaughlin-kq7hk]

Also the Blackberry Smoke guys!

[@scrap_metal_magic]

Clarence Gatemouth Brown also played a firebird

[@TheGuitarShow]

yes thats right

[@78philster78]

Interesting video, thank you. Gem Archer always seems to play a Reversed Firebird too.

[@TheGuitarShow]

Thanks bro

[@strat0871]

Thanks bro, always loved the Firebird. Could have bought a used one long time ago, it was much cheaper than now, but ... I didn't.

[@TheGuitarShow]

Ah thats a shame - still have you checked Orville by Gibson Firebirds made in Japan?

[@strat0871]

@@TheGuitarShow Orville are very rare here in France.

[@TheGuitarShow]

@@strat0871 I will have a look out for you

[@strat0871]

@@TheGuitarShow Thanks, but having around 15 guitars and basses, no more place ! 😁

[@TheGuitarShow]

That makes sense ha! @@strat0871

[@adrianmarsglam]

5:05 is that a Firebird with a Les Paul headstock???

[@garysheppard366]

Johnny Winter, Allen Collins & Paul Stanley circa Kiss Alive cover, for me

[@eastontanner6919]

I've seen pictures of Paul McCartney with a left handed non-reverse Firebird right after The Beatles broke up

[@adrianj3198]

Wow no Steve Clark?!

[@DouglasMcLaughlin-kq7hk]

True!

[@Denwaugh]

Where the HELL!? is the great PAUL REYNOLDS from A FLOCK OF SEAGULLS. The red firebird was one of his signature's. Every body reading this comment needs to check him out right now. He will change your life. Just like mine. GOD bless RENO CHEERS!

[@TheGuitarShow]

Thanks for this!

[@g_orwell8253]

Warren Haynes played a Firebird almost the whole Gov't Mule concert I saw some years ago

[@TheGmcFilms]

Raymond Dietrich, the man who designed the Firebird also came up with the Thunderbird as well ...G...

[@TheGuitarShow]

Well stated

[@MrMike-fm8bp]

What about early zztop ? Billy is playing a firebird 1 …

[@christoguichard4311]

Phil Manzenera and Del Bromham were my two big early 70s Firebird influences. Apart from sounding great...they both looked cool as f*ck! 😅

[@webjammer1]

Kal David of the Fabulous Rhinestones.

[@TheGuitarShow]

Thanks

[@jltrem]

To me the coolest looking Firebird is the Firebird 1, single pickup.

[@STEJODALT]

Albert Lee. Guitarist supreme! Tops them all.

[@danielktdoranie]

You forgot me mate

[@TheGuitarShow]

Arghhh sorry bro!!

[@JasonHoffman-of9pg]

Joyo pedals ​@@TheGuitarShow😊😊

[@rheinhardtgrafvonthiesenha8185]

I’ve never heard of Satisfaction being recorded on a Bird. I’ve always read it was his Burst. The one that he sold to Mick Taylor with the Bigsby.

[@TheGuitarShow]

Me too - however if you check out the pic of Keith sitting with the bird you can clearly see the maestro pedal and the fender amp next to him so he had all the ingredients at hand - who knows?

[@bluesrockguitar1484]

I have 4 firebirds but i'm not in the video. I'm gonna call the police.

[@TheGuitarShow]

REally sorry bro - Ill make another one just for you

[@DouglasMcLaughlin-kq7hk]

The Police don't use Firebirds either, so I don't think they'll be much help.

[@michael-m1s9g]

Jay Hooks Texas slinger red 91' Firebird V

[@davidcudlip6587]

Tommy Castro straps one on and makes good use out of a Firebird.

[@TheGuitarShow]

he does indeed

[@ezsmith3765]

2:06 Three Humbuckers 2:33 One Humbucker What the ???? 🤷🏻 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@richardkenna149]

The 3 pickup is Keith Richards playing a FB VII. The single pickup is Clapton playing a FB I

[@danielpaul8910]

Great vid that needs a follow up. You didn't show anyone who played a non reverse firebird. Paul Chapman and Paul Raymond of UFO both played them on the same tour.

[@stevehaye]

yes!

[@TheGuitarShow]

yesI promise a video coming soon for non reverse

[@fossilmatic]

I want to know about that Firebird Johnny Winter is holding that has a normal Les Paul style headstock. Replacement neck?

[@TheGuitarShow]

I will do a guitar history for Johnny Winter really soon

[@DouglasMcLaughlin-kq7hk]

Yes, due to rambunctious stage antics...sadly, more than once...

[@offaxisdude]

firebird 5 with a les paul headstock !!!

[@gibson6dog]

you forgot the merseybeats ,they were the first to receive them in the uk ,and still have them my uncle the drummer :)

[@TheGuitarShow]

Someone else mentioned - thanks!

[@ronjinks8932]

Firebirds don't have mini humbuckers. They have Firebird Humbuckers that have a single bar magnet .

[@TheGuitarShow]

Thanks for the info Ron

[@DouglasMcLaughlin-kq7hk]

Double bar magnets

[@mattpran]

Kim Thayil from Soundgarden.

[@TheGuitarShow]

Thanks Matt

[@DouglasMcLaughlin-kq7hk]

True! And a black one at that! Also, Jorma of Jefferson Airplane!

[@martinclayton7260]

Gary Moore, Scott Holiday

[@martinclayton7260]

Im surpythat you didn't mention Gary Moore?

[@TheGuitarShow]

Im ashamed to say I forgot him - he had the photo of him on the BBM album with a V and also he played the red V towards the end of his career

[@thomasespositio3139]

second that sentiment not many were better than Gary

[@kc0lif]

johnny winters.

[@mikeb.7183]

What about bass players who played the bird. Pete Way from UFO would be towards top of that list.

[@TheGuitarShow]

video coming for them soon

[@charlesmohelsky4823]

Warren Haynes!!!

[@thomasmcguire1961]

I would add Warren Haynes

[@TheGuitarShow]

good point

[@bookmakers]

I've seen Joe Bonamassa playing a Firebird too

[@TheGuitarShow]

Yes I think he is currently playing a Firebird III

[@lucyfuir6386]

My uncle has a bicentennial bird he bought brand new.

[@TheGuitarShow]

very nice Lucy

[@lucyfuir6386]

@@TheGuitarShow it's gorgeous n it plays like butter

[@robertsimon7100]

Danny Lanois plays a VII

[@TheGuitarShow]

Thanks

[@Metal__life_]

Michael Poulsen. Volbeat

[@davidrogers2085]

WHAT ? NO HOWLING WOLF ?

[@DouglasMcLaughlin-kq7hk]

Down in the Bottom, also on London Sessions with Clapton, Wyman and Watts doing Little Red Rooster, among other tunes...

[@dadasha]

RONNIE WOOD!?

[@TheGuitarShow]

yes!

[@calebunnga]

Tom Petty played a firebird too didn't he?

[@glenn2415]

Dave mason

[@stevedriver1476]

tom petty, pj harvey could have played hello kitty squires and made no difference.,, my kids play better,, stephen stills had a stack of firebirds over 50 years,, i saw real early stevie winwood video he was playing a dirty green coloured firebird on an old yardbirds or spencer davis video he looked about 23 years old. the Firebird bass was called the Thunderbird. there was also reverse firebirds.

[@mr.smithgnrsmith7808]

MIKE CAMPBELL…..TOM PETTY

[@TheGuitarShow]

ah I mentioned them at the end