Let’s Talk About Gibson Firebirds… With Dave Gregory!

Firebird history and tones with the ex-XTC leg-end!
Welcome to the show. This one has been a loooong time coming. Gibson’s Firebird is perhaps the company’s best loved oddball to date. It was introduced in 1963 and adopted by players as diverse as Phil Manzanera, Johnny Winter and Brian Jones.
Now, Dan and I are almost entirely ignorant of this beautiful bird, so what better way to get schooled than invite our wonderful friend, Dave Gregory, to Schwangri-La? Dave talks us though his five Firebirds by way of telling the Firebird story. Needless to say, Dan and I now want to be part of it.
Enjoy the show!
There are no rig annotations today - it should be easy to understand. The signal runs right to left on the pedalboard, and you can see what’s on. The ABY Baby is simply the two channels of the Matchless: B is the 12AX7 channel; A is the EF86 channel.
Gibson Firebirds at Sweetwater: sweetwater.sjv.io/75ZgkQ
Gibson Firebirds at Andertons: bit.ly/4btLJmV
Pedals & Stuff used in this show
• TheGigRig Three2One
www.thegigrig.com/three2one
• Boss TU-2 Chromatic Tuner (link to TU-3)
UK & Europe: bit.ly/3RRfur2
Australia: bit.ly/2B06quU
USA: sweetwater.sjv.io/3eG1rd
• Boss CS-2 Compression Sustainer (link to CS-3)
UK & Europe: bit.ly/4cLuui4
USA: sweetwater.sjv.io/oq7d6m
• Dinosuaral Cogmeister
UK & Europe: bit.ly/3Lbsfsx
• Echo Fix EF-P2 Spring Reverb
UK & Europe: bit.ly/45zErwt
Australia: bit.ly/3RAhCTD
• TheGigRig ABY Baby
www.thegigrig.com/aby-baby
Amps used in today’s show
• Matchless C30 & 1x12 cab with Celestion G12H-75 Creamback
Interesting bits and go to sections…
0:00 Intro
1:50 Welcome Dave Gregory!
3:00 What’s a Firebird?
5:25 Designed by Ray Dietrich
6:50 Firebird 1 1964
10:30 Lightning Bolt bridge
12:20 Let’s hear it
14:20 Using the tone control
15:30 Eric Clapton with a Firebird I
17:43 1963 Gibson catalogue
19:25 Dave and his Firebirds
26:15 Firebird models
30:50 Let’s all have a go
36:15 Non-Reverse
38:20 P90s VS Firebird pickups
48:00 Vocal midrange
50:00 Using three pickups
58:00 Dave’s ‘The Disappointed’ guitar
1:01:00 Firebird V
1:06:30 All hail the Cogmiester!
1:09:00 D&M on Firebird V
1:13:10 Totally unique in the Gibson world
1:14:20 Epi Firebird VII
1:23:10 What are it’s strengths?
1:27:00 Dan’s Matchless
1:27:30 Firebird case - guitar breaker!
You can buy TPS merch to support our efforts www.thatpedalshowstore.com
We are on Patreon - crowdfunding for creatives
/ thatpedalshow
Please visit our preferred retailers!
UK & Europe: Andertons Music bit.ly/3zaTX5Z
Australia: Pedal Empire bit.ly/2mWmJQf

[@paultaylor2968]

The world needs Dave Gregory .

[@Fog99horn]

Could Dave be cloned, potentially?

[@jeffharper2661]

Love this week's show you could have Dave on all the time and it is a pleasure to watch. He is so humble and knowledgeable!!

[@ThatPedalShow]

Yeah, he’s ace 👍

[@mbg4041]

He is ace and I love this style. Deep dives into a particular guitar, pedal or amp with a special guest

[@spiltmilk615]

I’d like to propose a new TPS Tuesday episode format: Dave du Jour, in which Mr. Gregory schools us for 10 minutes on a cool guitar and everyone has a nice play.

[@michaelnugent9758]

👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻

[@Grant_Ferstat]

It was really noticeable how much Dave loved watching Mick & Dan getting into his guitars. Seems like a warm, generous soul.

[@danottley2627]

Totally!! Only matched by Dan’s smile when he was holding two of them!

[@seangerolimatos1269]

These TPS episodes with Dave Gregory are like mini (and fun!) documentaries. Ken Burns needs to make an electric guitar doc and have Dave on the roster of interviewees!

[@alex241]

@That Pedal Show TPS is the best show on youtube!!! Thanks gents!!!

[@DocBanjo]

Amazing! I rewatch that first video with Dave a dozen times a year at this rate! What a true gentleman and incredible player.

[@Angus.Maclean]

Crazy to think that when Gregory got his first 1965 Firebird in 1980, it is the equivalent of right now picking up a 2009 guitar! This was such a great episode and much thanks to Dave Gregory for making it happen along with everyone at TPS.

[@ZillianZilch]

As a Reverse Firebird owner it was a joy to hear Dave’s experience of these crazy but wonderful guitars. What a lovely, down to Earth guy he is.

[@TbonePlummer]

Love my reverse! Amazing tone, playability and style!!🎉

[@motorlibro]

Though you've had stellar guests the last few months, frankly those featuring Dave Gregory are for me, the best. He can out-play and out-geek all of us!

[@leemichaelgeller4420]

I didn’t know what was coming for todays episode… Saw is was Dave and dropped EVERYTHING. Dave Gregory is a Treasure! ❤❤❤

[@periloustemple8290]

In life, I am committed to use the Internet to hear every Dave Gregory interview about any old thing. He just sparks such joy for me. What a killer show! This Firebird world as so foreign and so fascinating. I care about everything about this, but I am here for the joy and the love!!!!

[@bluesful]

This is awesome. I could sit and listen to Dave Gregory talk about and play guitar all day.

[@song-mode]

I heard someone describe the tone of firebird as sort of the strat of gibson, and now I know what they meant, thanks to Dave. Love you guys!

[@donwershba2319]

Yay Dave. So nice to see you again! You’ve given us so much great guitar playing and for that I thank you.

[@gedification]

What an intro! I can tell by the smiles on everyone’s faces how good that sounded in the room. Rock on Dave. Dead set living legend.

[@RobCrawford23]

Dave Gregory and Firebirds, I'm in my happy place today

[@TheHowardSinclair]

Dave's kindness, knowledge and humility shine so bright, it is hard not to love him. Having met him briefly at (what turned out to be the last) Tin Spirits gig at The Victoria in Swindon I can attest to the fact this comes across in person too. Just wonderful!

[@taviswardlaw]

I’ve been anxiously awaiting this episode for quite a while. I was not disappointed at all. So great to hear the guitar and the stories Dave shared. Being of a later vintage than Firebird it’s so special to be able relive something of that through His memories. Thanks for putting this together guys!

[@Russell_Optics]

Excellent show. Dave was an absolute pleasure to watch & listen to. I learned more about the Firebird guitars in this 1-1/2 hours than I learned in the past 50+ years.

[@chrish.4067]

I love Firebirds too. Thanks for a great show. I listened to the whole thing. Dave is a cool dude. Nice playing by all of you!

[@cactus-mcjacktus]

I remember watching the old videos Dave was apart of on repeat for a few weeks, and it’s always a pleasure to see more of him on the show.

[@Berndaddie]

David freaking Gregory, yes! Thx for dropping all the knowledge about this guitar y'all. I never knew I might need one. Well done kind sirs.

[@astewart9410]

AWESOME! Love Dave and his knowledge, and his Pooh Bear voice should say Oh Bother lol. Great video for the ages guys!

[@audiophilssociety]

It's such a joy to watch you guys playing these instruments and to experience how happy you still are to try new(old) stuff. It seems that the whole thing never get's old to you. TPS - still one of the most joyful and best guitar related shows in youtube land. Carry on!!!👏👏👏👏👏

[@mjokeefe13]

What joyful playing from such an authentic storyteller. Great episode guys!

[@jordanfaustino]

Fantastic episode, I knew very little about Firebird’s before this and Dave’s knowledge and passion is wonderful

[@rickya3877]

A gifted player who made it to the top and STILL has the enthusiasm we had as kids when we first got the bug for amazing guitars...love this guy!

[@limpeacock573]

What a delightful gent. Fantastic show!

[@GlasVelo]

Loved this one! Dave seems like such a genuinely lovely man.

[@testinguk_Admin]

Dave is a treasure. All sunshine. And I love how he sneaks a tasty flurry of notes in just when you don’t expect it.

[@seangerolimatos1269]

I was absolutely thinking the same thing. He is a treasure for sure.

[@diegobonaparte86]

What a wonderful man, Dave… am a huge fan. Love your show, love the conversations and find them extremely useful. Cheers!

[@periloustemple8290]

OMG. Just blown out of my mind over this show amongs shows!

[@ToddTheJoker]

Great show guys! Some killer tones from those awesome vintage Firebirds!

[@kriswright]

Awesome. I’ve been playing an Epiphone Firebird for about a year and I love it. Cant wait to watch this!

[@dwaynejessome1728]

It's Firebird Day with the Greeeat Dave Grergory!! Excellent!! I have the Supersession DVD - It's chaotic bliss!! Thanks for sharing this wonderful episode

[@samuelhatman8995]

Mick, Dan, your value has become dear. Headphones on all the way through. It's a feast. Pauses aplenty to study XTC, Big Big Train cuts on Spotify, a little bio reading on Wiki, and I settled in to learn the nuances of Firebirds. Dave's in my age sandbox. I'm connected to you two already, gosh just an uplifting 90+ minutes. You dialed the Matchless and my ears jumped for joy with memories of the tones in classic beloved tunes. It's 2:15PM here in the states. I meet my Music Teacher at 7:30AM in the morning. I'm gonna share this episode with her because music is ageless, crosses all generations. She's just 25 and a degreed music theorist. And then at Service on Sunday, my tour mate of 23 years who is 73 will love this. Your content is peerless, honestly classic and ageless. WE find ourselves set sail on the sea of privilege. Absolutely Grand!

[@ThatPedalShow]

Hey Samuel, Mick here. Just want to take a minute to thank you for these thoughts, for sharing the moments that have connected you with us, with Dave, with music and with your teacher. We’d never have dreamed that this bit of fun we started to have almost 10 years ago could ever resonate on such a fundamental level. I just had a feeling of satori that connected us all in that moment thanks to your kind words. Big love from us!

[@joeliswhere]

Amazing to hear these stories. You guys deserve major thanks for documenting such detailed and important insights.

[@lifelongfan07]

Great tone that these instruments produce! Very unique, very clean. Great episode! Thank you!

[@HarrisonProductions]

What a sight to find on my notifications, a video about Firebirds and Dave Gregory in one video what a sight

[@davidbrookes9424]

Love it. Thank you for these great historical videos! Doing a service for humanity. 😊

[@jakeadams-wilson7697]

Such a great show. I really appreciate what y’all do! It has helped me so much on my musical journey!

[@sowhulljnr]

I'd never really thought much about the brightness before, but watching this, it was a revelation. I pulled out my epiphone firebird i got a couple of years ago and plugged it into my JTM45 with a tone bender mk1.5 (fuzzface-ish) and it sounded awesome. No flubbing or mushy-ness, it just sounded massive with a controlled bottom end, and the cleanup rolling back the volume was amazing 😊

[@Paul_Lenard_Ewing]

If you have a guitar with a PAF at the bridge and a Firebird PU at the neck you never get any mud because you set your PAF to be killer fat on the neck. The neck is NEVER spikey because the gain of the amp takes that completely away but leaves you a nice bright high end with great definition when doing chords. It all works so incredibly well that it is beyond common sense that Gibson has not offered it on a guitar. Back in the Cream days Eric Clapton was very kind as he let me have 15 minutes to play his Firebird at the end of a Cream concert. I was playing an LP at the time and was having issues with mud in my neck PU and it gave me the idea.

[@rockerbuck967]

Best video I've seen in ages! Dave is like kid in a candy shop, and I learned so much from his presentation style. I've never owned a Firebird, but I'm interested in them now.

[@jg1536]

Really, really liked and appreciated this episode. Firebirds are my favorite, and to see an entire TPS episode dedicated to them made my day. Thank you for taking the time out to do a deep dive into this admittedly niche guitar, and treat it with genuine interest and respect (so often, people see a Firebird and go "oh yeah, those things. Some people like them, I guess. Johnny Winter." and then that's the end of the analysis. Not you guys though, and that's why y'all are the best.

[@ReiCow]

David Gregory is one of the best guests you guys have had. He is always enjoyable and knowledgeable.. and a great player, to boot! Please keep bringing him back. Moo!

[@risteardohaodha23]

That was lovely. As well as getting a comprehensive guide to all the original models released, we got plenty of music history attached to these wonderful guitars as well. Dave seems like a proper humble gent, who loves to share his passion to anyone who wants to listen… we’re all ears!

[@gedification]

Mick Taylor’s insight and analysis is just mindblowing. A lifetimes knowledge and experience there for free, every single week. Thanks Mick. (Luv ya too Dan!)

[@ThatPedalShow]

Bless you Ged, thank you!

[@gbarge4]

Amazing and heartwarming. Dave seems such a wonderful guy. Revealing, as well, what with all that contemplation of "chopping".

[@robb4340]

Awesome Episode ! Dan & Mick, You Are Just Brilliant to come every week with an original and educational episode. TPS is much more than just talking about gear ! Tnx A Lot.

[@darenanderson1960]

My first time seeing Dave-what a gentleman! I really like him and his Firebirds.

[@pfalzdxii]

Great show, many thanks. Although I first met Dave 60 years ago, I never did see him in XTC. I loved attending Tin Spirits gigs every time I could, wonderful. I also saw Dave play in the Swindon based The Teddy White Band". Fabulous and memorable times. Thank you all again.

[@endipopendipupskotter9463]

What a lovely chap! Awesome show as always. Thanks, guys!

[@Liam_Doherty_UK]

I love your shows, Dave Gregory is such a gentle soul, lovely gentleman. I could listen to him talk about guitars all day long.

[@seankinnaman9384]

That firebird 1 absolutely loved Mick. So interesting. Great video guys. Thanks!

[@benallmark9671]

Amazing piece gents. Thank you kindly.

[@bleeknoir]

You’re not alone Dave. You’d have to have no ears at all to think woods don’t impact tone enormously. Those things scream mahogany! Excellent video as ever. Always a pleasure to see Dave.

[@eternaldramaqueen]

What a pleasure this video and Dave's company, I want a Firebird now!

[@goprepaid]

This was a great show. The Face of Dave’s face when you both played the firebird one was a joy to watch. Please ensure that when you have guests, we all want to see you both play their gear. It’s important and joyful to watch

[@ethelwulfmountbattenderoth2286]

Just wanted to say thank you. Love you guys and love Dave Gregory.

[@ZalMoxis]

This was an excellent expose of all things 🔥 🐦. many thanks....

[@bfitz111]

So strange! I bought a firebird v today jump in the van to put you guys on and yer latest video is about Firebirds.....mental. they are a beast of a guitar. Delighted!

[@danielr8932]

Wow! Another terrific episode, gents. I fondly recall a great Cream show at the Olympia in Detroit way back on 10/12/68. EC made Crossroads sound pretty good on that Reverse (or was it a non-reverse…). I recognized the guitar from the brochure I had requested from Gibson. There was one for electrics, another for acoustics. I stared at the beautiful instruments on the pages, dreaming of owning a Les Paul or a J-200. Hearing Dave talk about his own experience with the Gibson catalogue took me back nearly 60 years! Really enjoyed listening to Dave talk about Firebirds (and Jeff Beck, etc.), and I loved hearing him play. What an awesome guitarist! Thanks, Dan and Mick, for another fun TPS episode.

[@peterprice5896]

My word what a resonant guitar especially that single pickup version played by mr Gregory……..awesome.

[@scottcurry4116]

Cool show! I’ve never ever seen a Firebird in the wild! Thanks!

[@Tanzi24]

Thanks so much TPS gang for giving us this wonderful history lesson (with some great playing)! I've been mesmerised by the Firebird ever since I saw that amazing photo of Phil Manzanera on the inner sleeve of For Your Pleasure, but never tried one. As an SG and Jazzmaster fan I think I'd dig it!

[@bradschutz9401]

Yes! Been waiting so long for Firebird's to be on here

[@egg43002]

Great stuff. Loved this.

[@rhythmofblues]

what food for the soul, elequent and so knowledgeable. Thank you Dave.

[@ryanchamblee2758]

Great episode! I built a firebird VII from a kit and did a heather poly nitro finish and mojotone Johnny Winter firebird pickups. I wired mine with 3 volumes and a master tone so that the middle pickup can be blended in, in any position. So with the volume off on the middle pickup it’s a standard Gibson two pickup setup but can blend in the middle pickup.

[@lenslow6636]

My favorite episode of the year so far ! (John Smith and Chris Buck are close though ^^) I have always been fascinated by firebirds pickups and this was a treat ! Really helps me in my voyage trying to get my first "vintage" an ES 325 that surprisingly has the same mini humbuckers. You guys are just the best, from the bottom of my heart thank you ! 👍

[@matthewcollett4181]

That’s such precise playing! Good work sir 🫡

[@bassmandudge]

I've never felt more smug....I'm sat watching this with a lovely cup of coffee in my house just outside Swindon ...to my left, sat next to me, is my Firebird 1, which is one of the most inspiring , stunning and yet simple of all guitars and on the floor in front of me is my pedal board...and guess what takes pride of place ...yup it is my cogmeister hooked into my neunaber spring reverb... I'm pretty sure it doesn't get any better....maybe if I had a matchless but then my Peavey valveking does a pretty Stella job.....and guess what I learnt about two weeks ago... If I pretty much roll the treble all the way down and turn the amp up It sounds otherworldly....it's a hell of a sound for classic rock...thank you for sharing such a great video and letting all the TPS audience into one if the best kept secrets...see Swindon isn't that bad....we know a thing or two here.... 😁

[@lanceleslie5165]

Thank you, Dave, for (finally) explaining the model numbering of the Firebird/Thunderbird range!

[@georgespencer3973]

It’s so great to see Dave again!

[@jrchanning]

Fantastic episode, Dave G. is such a cool guy. The Firebirds were all amazing looking but all sounded very different, such a versatile range of tones from them all 👍🎸😄

[@elliotgreen987]

Oh no, my gas is flaring up again! Also what a lovely player (and person) Dave Gregory is, really a joy to listen to him play

[@johnkontos]

Great to see the Firebird get the props it deserves! 😎

[@strings2wood]

Always great when Mr. Gregory visits. "Ernie's" an all! 😂 Best. Simon in Australia.

[@mattfreeman2648]

Dave is a legend and a lovely bloke to boot. Note that Johnny Marr name checked Dave on his reasonably recent appearance on That Pedal Show, when he was talking about the groups and guitarists he saw live when he was a teen in Manchester.

[@ebeep]

Made me happy to see the trusty old CS-2. My favorite comp, and I have owned most comps.

[@michaelkay611]

The sound of that Firebird V was something else... thanks for an incredible episode.

[@jeffrywhite6008]

Tones to die for. Goodness

[@drwilliamlarge]

What a wonderful human being and a great episode.

[@telebender]

Always happy to see Dave on the show. He seems like such a friendly guy. I'd point him to Music City Bridge products (produced by Glaser Instrument Repair out of Nashville) that might help some of his firebird issues. Especially their locking bridge studs that eliminate tilting and the studfinder wraparound bridge - developed in cooperation with Uncle Larry. Thanks for what you do!

[@psychonaut689]

A great talk through the Firebird history

[@Dunewar]

I was blissfully unaware of these guitars. Now i’m spoiled and have to have one! Damn you Dan and Mick!

[@MichaelSorensen-bl3ec]

Great video. Love me some Firebird action.I think Johnny Winter and Paul Stanley made me take notice of them.

[@chrismathews6338]

Loved this one, knew nothing about Firebirds before this, but that opening 90 seconds had me hooked 😊

[@whiteninja2006]

Firebirds are awesome! I have a 2002 Firebird V in cherry red and it sounds awesome, very unique sounding. Those pickups are really something.

[@cliftoncaskey5696]

Dave! How cool! What a nice surprise! I’d love to see a show where he discusses his use of the Line 6 Pods to record albums.

[@chrishmetcalf1432]

What a Legend!

[@SteveJamsEcono]

Saw the "... with Dave Gregory" in the title and couldn't have clicked faster. Welcome back, Dave!

[@SteveJamsEcono]

Great episode! Also hats off to you guys managing not to knock the guitars together even once despite the amount of shuffling around and how long and awkward they are. No small feat, that!

[@scot-combs]

This is fantastic!

[@GigsandGuitars]

Great video guys. My Firebird VII was owned by Paul Hemmings of famed Liverpool band The Lars. Stunning example and pure visual theatre, just love it 😎

[@ajsrhodes]

It’s great that you guys got to experience playing a Firebird! I acquired a Firebird V last year and it has become my main guitar. Tele twang with the ability to get that warm Gibson tone

[@anthonyalfredyorke1621]

Thanks Leg End and especially Mr Dave, what a wonderful show I remember drooling over a Firebird at John Beebe's Guitar shop in Crouch End ( London ) in about 1973 or possibly 1974 this was when Crouch End was as cheap as chips. Long before Dave Stewart and Annie Lennox opened their recording studio, in fact the church that their studio was in was still being used as an Animation studio it's where Trumpton and Campbellwick Green were made ( Sorry enough history although I think The KINK'S konk studio was up and running at that time ) anyway thanks again. P.S WHAT A PLAYER DAVE IS . PEACE AND LOVE TO EVERYONE ❤❤.

[@ratsalad1]

The sound Dave had at the beginning was absolutely great - I love mini humbuckers. Proper dirty!

[@bimscutney1242]

Firebird pick ups are a humbucking pickup unto themselves. Different than a PAF mini humbucker.

[@Fog99horn]

Would happily listen to Dave talking about guitars for the rest of my days.

[@Fog99horn]

PS Thanks TPS x