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

[@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

[@101Volts]

Dave has a pretty good guitar collection, I wonder if he still had that Kay Red Devil... He never seemed to play it in any XTC songs, but it's one of the more unusual instruments in his collection.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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]

👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻

[@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!

[@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.

[@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!

[@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!!!!

[@leemichaelgeller4420]

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

[@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!!🎉

[@bluesful]

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

[@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!

[@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!

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@GlasVelo]

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

[@davidallen346]

As a major XTC fan. It's a delight to hear Dave Gregory playing various riffs and getting insightful history on his Gibson Firebird guitars

[@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!

[@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 ! 👍

[@RobCrawford23]

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

[@mjokeefe13]

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

[@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.

[@donwershba2319]

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

[@williamwagnon2809]

Sincere thanks to Mr. Gregory for sharing what has obviously been a life-long passion. It was an awesome lesson in FIrebird, which I have always longed for, but could never bond with any of the ones which I have picked up. After watching this I feel compelled to restart the search. Thank you very much!!

[@diegobonaparte86]

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

[@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!

[@darenanderson1960]

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

[@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.

[@dylannewton76]

They sound absolutely killer. Such depth to the sound it's remarkably unique to my ears at least.

[@rhythmofblues]

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

[@gbarge4]

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

[@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.

[@iananderson6485]

Firebird 7 was my first Gibson. I wanted one because of Gem Archer. I ended up with the 7 though. Love it . And the fact that Brian Jones wore it well made it stay with me.

[@periloustemple8290]

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

[@ethelwulfmountbattenderoth2286]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@limpeacock573]

What a delightful gent. Fantastic show!

[@astewart9410]

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

[@jordanfaustino]

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

[@davidbrookes9424]

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

[@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 😊

[@joeliswhere]

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

[@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

[@eternaldramaqueen]

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

[@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.... 😁

[@jeffrywhite6008]

Tones to die for. Goodness

[@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.

[@riklionheart23]

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!

[@lanceleslie5165]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@enricopallazzoofficial]

Proud owner of a spledid Ferrari Red Non Reverse Firebird (not vintage unfortunatelly, one of the 2015 Gibson made for the Japanese market). When i got it 4 years ago (it came from a Uk store and it was an NOS, i don't know why no one bought it) it was such a different playing experience. I felt like my whole body was shifted to the left. I loved the look but found hard to play. Now, i cannot live without it. I love the tone that i have now with proper wiring and proper firebird pickups (not the terrible ceramic one that Gibson use/used). They are such amazing guitar. I heard a proper vintage Reverse Firebird live once played by Martin Gore of Depeche Mode in a stadium. I was in the front raw and when he was rocking out with the Firebird into his rig (i think he plays some kind of Rivera amp) i felt like someone was ripping my face out. It was a proper rock n roll experience.

[@chrismathews6338]

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

[@yohnsvain9651]

Hell yeah! Firebirds for everyone!

[@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

[@petermerison4002]

Subbed for the simple fact Dave Gregory is such a lovely fella.

[@MuseumsBloke]

Always loved the shape of the Firebird, reverse and non-, but having a sonic comparison between the different models and especially between the old US and the recent Epi. So, so different - makes this episode such a joy to watch/hear. Interested in Mick’s comment about the Epi’ construction etc making it appear like a poor 2nd cousin to the originals. The wonderful Huw Price has a video of him stripping the bombproof poly paintwork off a Joe Bonamassa Firebird - a painful process but once gone, the tone seemed to begin to wake up … lot to be said for light finishes and good woods.

[@endipopendipupskotter9463]

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

[@rettsmithmusic]

love this, thanks fellas

[@ZalMoxis]

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

[@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 👍🎸😄

[@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 ❤❤.

[@MichaelSorensen-bl3ec]

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

[@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!

[@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!

[@ToddTheJoker]

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

[@57too]

The non-reverse is the best! Thanks for doing an entire show about them!!! (and I'm a guy that hates blues licks!) Love that Dave knows all about them. I think McCartney used a left handed non-reverse on the RAM album in the photos I've seen.

[@michaelkay611]

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

[@marki7661]

Watched Ron Wood ripping it up on a firebird last night in Vancouver. 30 years earlier my first concert was the Rolling Stones 1994 tour in the same stadium. Last nights show was just as amazing…and even had me tearing up during Wild Horses. They played as many different guitars as I’ve probably seen through a show. One thing that was clear is that Mick, “Keef” and Ronnie still got it.

[@jakeadams-wilson7697]

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

[@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.

[@lifelongfan07]

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

[@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

[@ebeep]

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

[@benlees9713]

I absolutely love my new epiphone firebird. Fantastic build quality and with a good set up it plays and sounds fantastic. It sounds incredible with a cranked fuzz face

[@EricNielsen85]

Love them Birds.

[@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.

[@peterprice5896]

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

[@kriswright]

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

[@seankinnaman9384]

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

[@HarrisonProductions]

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

[@georgespencer3973]

It’s so great to see Dave again!

[@ericp8256]

Love XTC! Dave's a monster player...

[@Dunewar]

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

[@coreycongilio]

Bought a Firebird I last week and am loving it!

[@psychonaut689]

A great talk through the Firebird history

[@johnkontos]

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

[@hedgehogstv2132]

Observations from this fantastic video: 1. You lot holding four vintage guitars between you makes me extremely jumpy 2. The handover between Dan and Mick at 55 minutes or so was very classy - up there with SRV's famous mid song guitar switch 3. Dave's voice is as lovely as his playing 4. You still sound like yourselves, whatever guitar you pick up. Can tell who's playing with my eyes closed. 5. I now want a firebird. They seem to be trending on ebay! Top video boys, thanks very much.

[@theolderbrother]

Yes! Favorite episode even before actually watching it. NRFB’s are one of my two fav guitar models (alongside Jazzmasters). I got two, one Firebird III studio in Pelham Blue (2013’ish) and a Firebird I ‘65. I love the vocal but raw tone of the P90’s in those big slabs of mahogany. Through my Marshall 1987x and Hiwatt DR504 it’s pure rawk magic. Noteworthy NRFB players are the Dessner twin brothers in The National, who both wield the model (one a FB I and one a FB IV).

[@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!