2023 Firefly FFLPs - Upgraded hardware - $160?!?!

Today Keith take a look at the 2023 Firefly FFLP. This new version claims to have upgraded hardware and is still only $160. Let's see if it's any different than some of the older models.
Link to Guitar: guitarsgarden.com/collections...
TIME STAMPS:
Intro/Initial thoughts - 0:00
Stock Demo - 3:55
Stock Tones - 5:20
Overview - 6:48
Final Thoughts - 9:29
Keith Leedham is an independent recording artists/studio owner/tinkerer.
He owns "The Tape Farm" a recording studio that specializes in transferring "pro-sumer" analog tape formats from manufactures like Tascam and Fostex.
Website: www.thetapefarm.com
Facebook: / thetapefarm
As an independent recording artists Keith has released singles, EPs and full length albums. With styles ranging from Progressive Rock to Country to Singer/Songwriter to Hard Rock to what ever the song dictates.
Website: www.keithleedham.com
He also tinkers with various audio equipment such as tape machines, guitars and guitar amps. When he comes across something interesting he posts the progress/results on KZbin.

[@LightWingStudios]

$187 shipped. Beyond ridiculous and now absurd. Beats a sharp stick in your eye so I ordered one. That is Firefly #40. :)

[@2bikemikesguitartopics145]

I bought. Exacta guitar last month. Since I'm in Canada, I had to have it shipped to a location in Michigan and then go pick it up. I found some of the same issues on mine. The pickups had to go and the tuners. Also had to do a fret leveling. I also had to change the nut because it was badly cut. I also changed out the bridge for BM003 roller as I always do with tune-o-matic setups. Now it's a really nice guitar

[@TheTapeFarm]

Look at you with your logistical resourcefulness! One thing I’ve always said about FF is they make really good mod platforms because all the wood parts of the guitar are really good.

[@2bikemikesguitartopics145]

@@TheTapeFarmyup, good bones

[@BazonBlades]

That is an interesting FFLP. The pickup upgrade is nice, but the crazy thing to me is the back of the guitar. Not the "LP Modern" neck joint, but the fact that there is no back side veneer on the body. I thought they all had back side veneers to cover up the multi piece body build. I just ordered the newest iteration of the FFLPS. The new model in black satin with the "neck-through" type neck joint, Alnico 5 pups, stainless ball end frets and black hardware. Total price shipped to my door was $226.00 That's insanely low considering the features.

[@stephenhastings3787]

Good video and a really nice guitar! For the price it's astonishing!!!

[@DJBuglip]

Yeah bro, those pups do sound good. Lot of clarity. Nice. FFLP just moved several spots up the list.

[@axtonkahler7360]

Man, look at you going and making me want to order ANOTHER Firefly. Recently picked up their J Bass and the most recent 30" baritone. Been super impressed with both of those guitars. The baritone has the stainless frets, the J bass I'm not sure on. That LP looks great and sounds even better! I wish the baritone pickups were a little more aggressive, will probably end up swapping those out in the near future, but that's the only "complaint" I've got after lots of play time with both instruments. Great review and demo!!

[@TheTapeFarm]

I’m a bad influence. I didn’t get the Barry. I already have a Squire Barry so I didn’t feel the need. But I’ve have heard good things about them.

[@axtonkahler7360]

I've been eyeballing a barry for quite some time now, so the price point made it real easy to scratch that itch and the guitar is fabulous. Glad I waited for this run on them because it's got the stainless frets and a full 2 octave neck (the first run was 21 fret w/ regular fret wire).@@TheTapeFarm

[@zuperdee]

I have to admit, I’m not a fan of pink, but the natural finish on the back side of the guitar looks great, and practically EVERYTHING else about it looks amazing! That sculpted neck heel looks REALLY cool too, and as you say, probably at least as strong as any Fender. In fact, it’s not that different from what Gibson itself has been doing on some of their more modern LP models. Also, some ESP and PRS models have entire bodies that are thinner than a real LP, and one doesn’t seem to hear about an epidemic of neck joint breakages on those guitars either. The ONLY kind of guitar I know of that often has problems at the neck joint is on SG-style guitars. I imagine the neck will have fewer problems on this model than on my Firefly FFTL Nashville style model, too-I’m still trying to figure out how I can fix the loose fitting neck pocket on it.

[@TheTapeFarm]

Agreed! For the loose neck pocket thing… shims is the only thing I’ve done to resolve that. There may be other solutions… but shims are cheap, easy to make, and effective. Thanks!

[@RaptorV1USA]

Stupid good deals on most of these fflp's i have a cpl and with some key mods are pretty fantastic insteuments. For well under $450 you have an instrument that is equal to or better than new guitars selling for $700-$800 + its almost ridiculous..."i couldn' t afford NOT to buy it honey"

[@oldasrocks9121]

They've got a gold top P90 in stock now, very tempting, and a new Oly White flame maple neck Telecaster with a Tele-ish headstock, it's spendy tho for an "unknown quantity".

[@LightWingStudios]

Forgot to mention that the High Gain Demo KICKS ASS! :) What are you using for Drums?

[@TheTapeFarm]

Thank man. Slate SSD5 for drums. stevenslatedrums.com

[@oldasrocks9121]

Pull those plated brass pickup covers anyway, replace the brass baseplates w/Mojotone nickel plates and you'll jump up in sonic quality 111%

[@markadams3047]

I like your playing

[@TheTapeFarm]

Thanks man. I’m strictly rhythm, I don’t wanna make it cry or sing. 😉

[@scottmartin356]

So hard to tell the colors on their website, but that is a great looking guitar! I like the cream with clear knob accents, and the natural back and sides really set it off- that still photo shows a really nice color! Have been generally very pleased and have a 'few' now, lol, but the information/communication kinda makes me crazy(r) Very nice editing on the demo to show how you build the track- what is the bass guitar? Work bench shots are great!

[@TheTapeFarm]

Thanks. That’s a bass that I built. I did a video on it if you’d like to check it out.

[@TheTapeFarm]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/raXEgJaXqdOIqbcsi=7dSEjhu6BZf_jXmz

[@TonyJ1776]

What is that bass shown at 4:22 ? I've been looking around for a guitar telecaster body on a bass guitar (not a "telecaster" bass since the body isn't the same).

[@TheTapeFarm]

That’s a bass that I made. You can check out the build here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/raXEgJaXqdOIqbcsi=v8oHR1CJcUqpOIid

[@bradshannon862]

Seriously that's a nice sounding guitar. have you seen the new matte black with the FR style trem and the sweet neck joint curve?

[@TheTapeFarm]

Yes. They are really putting out some interesting stuff lately.

[@bradshannon862]

I agree. I did get the baritone FF338Pro. It seems as if all of the fret slots were cut just a bit off but luckily all were the correct distance apart at lowB and high B after 1st fret. I was able to shim between the nut and the fretboard at the same angle the frets were cut because the first fret was not cut to 1.572" on either side so I had room to put in a piece of oak I carefully filed and sanded. The strings don't care if there is a slight angle as long as they all have the correct distance and the frets are in the right spots beneath them. Another guy on one of the pages had the exact same problem so I am guessing there was a batch that was put in the slotter wrong or they tried to use a jig for a regular neck. Hmm @@TheTapeFarm

[@ronpolizziguitars3315]

This guitar on guitars garden has a different color back and the neck joint cutaway does not seem there?? Is the picture outdated? Please advise Im a pro player and very interested in this guitar thank you! Good job on the review!

[@TheTapeFarm]

Not sure about the picture. It the picture from their web site. I do know not all of the FFLPs have this neck joint. This particular one, in this color does, the link is in the description.

[@ronpolizziguitars3315]

The back and the neck joint on guitar garden are the same color as the purple looking front the back also doesn't show this cutaway.. if anyone can reply and answer this I would appreciate it. I sent this info in a email to firefly guitars last week no answer...

[@RobKMusic]

@@ronpolizziguitars3315 I ordered the green one after watching this video. It does NOT have the cutaway neck joint. It's either old stock or a different run or something. Doesn't really matter to me, but it's NOT the same as the one shown in this video. FYI.

[@bradshannon862]

Dude! The pick scrape in the middle was out of control!

[@TheTapeFarm]

Channeling my inner CC DeVille… just for the pick scrape… nothing else.

[@jcatkins5536]

Nice shirt! Are you IN the Mountain State?

[@TheTapeFarm]

Nope. I’m in Nashville. We went to Harper’s Ferry / Antietam over the summer. Great area. One might say.. Almost heaven.

[@jcatkins5536]

Cool. Harpers Ferry is a beautiful and historic town.

[@momcilopucar8749]

That guitar that you show to us at 1.03 it's strings aren't in middle of neck?? It may be the bridge isn't lined up with neck. That was obvious just by looking when you're holding the guitar.

[@TheTapeFarm]

Seems fine in person… could just be the angle of the shot. Kind of hard to judge geometry in 2D.

[@BenjaminRoethig]

Considering they basically just copied the Gibsons Les Paul Modern neck joint, i'd trust it. I'm going to have to get one to try once more colors arrive.

[@TheTapeFarm]

Agreed. I mentioned the neck joint because I’ve seen some comments of some forums about it, so I thought I’d give my opinion. Honestly I should have compared it to an SG. That’s probably a more accurate comparison. Thanks!

[@Brykk]

Just a suggestion…..if you are going to be doing reviews, it might be a good idea to have some better lighting that actually shows off the item being reviewed. All the led lights and stuff in the background are good looking, but they are actually detrimental to being able to see the review item. The lighting later in the video is better, but the lighting in the beginning is really bad.

[@TheTapeFarm]

Agreed. Working on it. While I was editing this video I saw the same stuff you did. I have lights on order. Thanks for the feedback. I really do appreciate it.

[@tonyalcantar8378]

I mean if The guys from firefly want to send me a free guitar I will say good things about it too, because come on a free guitar! And i say that because in this video we just saw one of the "good batches", probably a little cleaner than usual, but same little issues that a set up can fix (raised bridge post), and as far as "new hardware" the bridge, pickups and wiring looks and sounds exactly the same..

[@TheTapeFarm]

I have nothing but my integrity. I can understand not trusting some dude on the internet, in fact, that’s probably a really smart way to go about things. That said, if it was crap, I’d say it was crap, as I have in other videos. As I mentioned I’ve been fairly critical of their pickups, bridges and other aspects of FF (including some of their business practices) in the past. To the point that I get the “dude it’s an under $200 guitar. What do to expect, perfection?” comments. All that said, the fact the Firefly still reaches out to me is actually a good on them. Because they know I’m not going to blow smoke. So trust me or not, that’s your call… Either way, thanks for watching and commenting. I really do appreciate it.