NFF New Firebird Friday

[DougMen]

Also.. Steve Winwood played one in Blind Faith and Traffic. That green one.

That's what made me want a non-reverse one, seeing Traffic at Winterland. I'll never forget that weekend. Traffic played Friday and Saturday night, and Jeff Beck played with his new band with Bob Tench, Max Middleton, Clive Chaman, and his seeming twin brother, Cozy Powell, on Sunday. We went all 3 nights. There was also another student at Blue Bear Music School when I attended there in 1971, when they were just starting out, and were in a little storefront on Ocean Ave., who had a sky blue one. So, I've wanted a non-reverse Firebird for 50 years. I had a reverse Epi one years ago, but it didn't have a Vibrola, and the giant body was unwieldy for me, and the case was huge, just like an Explorer case is, to accommodate those huge lower bouts on the bass side! Here's Steve with one like his original that Gibson presented him with a few years ago. This mint red 1965 one is on Reverb for only $11k!

 

[BorderRadio]

Congrats man, great minds and all that. I got mine a few months ago and was impressed right out the box. I’m a Firebird fan, had a Zero I sold and that got me started. The Epi is such a great guitar, and the real Firebird pickups are right up my alley. Seriously, as good as a vintage Filtertron. I wanted to install a long tail Vibrola but the studs will be visible, so a Les Trem II is on the way...

 

[Dr Improbable]

Noice! Congrats!

 

[so1om]

Noice! Congrats!

I owe you an email, Brother from the North!

 

[so1om]

Congrats man, great minds and all that. I got mine a few months ago and was impressed right out the box. I’m a Firebird fan, had a Zero I sold and that got me started. The Epi is such a great guitar, and the real Firebird pickups are right up my alley. Seriously, as good as a vintage Filtertron. I wanted to install a long tail Vibrola but the studs will be visible, so a Les Trem II is on the way...


View attachment 177183

I also owe you an email!

 

[backporchmusic]

Wow, that looks like a well made guitar. Congrats! And kudos to Epi for getting it right with this new series.

 

[daan]

Sorry. It’s clubby and fills the hand. I like to play a barre E at the 9th or 10th fret and wrap my hand around and use the thumb on the low E. Not with this neck, it’s too much to wrap around...

Are these in stores, or online only so far? I may have to go check one out!

 

[daan]

Also.. Steve Winwood played one in Blind Faith and Traffic. That green one.

https://www.premierguitar.com/articles/steve-winwood-receives-gibson-firebird-1

 

[daan]

Congrats man, great minds and all that. I got mine a few months ago and was impressed right out the box. I’m a Firebird fan, had a Zero I sold and that got me started. The Epi is such a great guitar, and the real Firebird pickups are right up my alley. Seriously, as good as a vintage Filtertron. I wanted to install a long tail Vibrola but the studs will be visible, so a Les Trem II is on the way...


View attachment 177183

A Firebird AND a Gretsch Corvette... clearly you are a man of good taste

 

[Shine]

Nice! FBs are truly their own beast. I finally had to get one after seeing this album cover back in the early 70s. Totally unique tone and ergonomics. Yes, it is much longer than it looks, but the scale is surprisingly comfortable.

Congrats on your nice recreation with some practical updates--"normal" tuners and a better price!

 

[Shine]

That's what made me want a non-reverse one, seeing Traffic at Winterland. I'll never forget that weekend. Traffic played Friday and Saturday night, and Jeff Beck played with his new band with Bob Tench, Max Middleton, Clive Chaman, and his seeming twin brother, Cozy Powell, on Sunday. We went all 3 nights. There was also another student at Blue Bear Music School when I attended there in 1971, when they were just starting out, and were in a little storefront on Ocean Ave., who had a sky blue one. So, I've wanted a non-reverse Firebird for 50 years. I had a reverse Epi one years ago, but it didn't have a Vibrola, and the giant body was unwieldy for me, and the case was huge, just like an Explorer case is, to accommodate those huge lower bouts on the bass side! Here's Steve with one like his original that Gibson presented him with a few years ago. This mint red 1965 one is on Reverb for only $11k!
View attachment 177172 View attachment 177173 View attachment 177174 View attachment 177175

One of my favorite Jeff albums!

I picked up an Epi Explorer a coupe of years ago just to scratch that itch, and I was surprised it is actually wider than my FB.

I also have a JM and thought this was interesting:

 

[Jay Jackson]

Nice Guitar. wasnt there a thread that showed a closeing Gibson plant that had alot of the Firebirds being destoryed by a bulldozer about 7 months ago.

 

[Lookingfortoday]

I got mine about 3 weeks ago. It took about 6 weeks to come in after I ordered it. I like it a lot. It's different than anything else I have... which is cool. I have to say, the workmanship is excellent on this guitar!

 

[so1om]

Are these in stores, or online only so far? I may have to go check one out!

They should start showing up. They did these right. I suspect the whole Inspired By series is top notch. Want that SG or Les Paul? Better and less expensive than a Gibson. Not afraid to take it out of the house.

 

[jefffam]

HNGD! Beautiful Firebird.

That guitar is exactly what I've always wanted. Not sure where I initially saw a Firebird to desire, but I have since the seventies. One of these days I'll get 0ne.

Good luck with the new guitar.

 

[so1om]

HNGD! Beautiful Firebird.

That guitar is exactly what I've always wanted. Not sure where I initially saw a Firebird to desire, but I have since the seventies. One of these days I'll get 0ne.

Good luck with the new guitar.

Thank you Jeff. I hope you are well.

 

[Davis Sharp]

Congrat. Glad you're enjoying it. Nice story and memories too.

 

[so1om]

Congrat. Glad you're enjoying it. Nice story and memories too.

i owe you an email!!

 

[DougMen]

Nice Guitar. wasnt there a thread that showed a closeing Gibson plant that had alot of the Firebirds being destoryed by a bulldozer about 7 months ago.

Those weren't really Firebirds as we know them, they were the Firebird X, one of the abominations made under Henry's stewardship.

What's really sad is that they also destroyed a lot of other guitars that were being built, but weren't finished, when the Memphis factory closed, not to mention, raw necks, bodies, jigs, templates, and other assorted pieces abandoned in the building.

 

[Loin Lover]

HNFD!