Whiskeyneck Posted June 24, 2002 Share Posted June 24, 2002 Hey, I just joined up and I am looking for any input you folks could give me into owning and playing a Gibson Firebird. I have asembled the basic information as far a model differences, construction styles and materials, and things of that nature, but I am looking for info on styles you've played them in, past recordings you know they are on, etc... Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks much! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D_dup3 Posted June 24, 2002 Share Posted June 24, 2002 Well, lots of people have used them. I was first made aware of them by seeing Brian Jones (early Rollin' Stones) &, later, Johnny Winter, who used them a lot, especially for slide, throughout his career. To me one of their most interesting features is the reversed headstock, alledgedly one of the important features of the Hendrix-style Strats. Supposedly this affects the quality of the strings in regard to bending & timbre...although I can't say I know if that's really true. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gabriel E. Posted June 25, 2002 Share Posted June 25, 2002 What differentiates Firebirds from other Gibsons is that they use neck-through construction (as opposed to a set or bolt-on neck). Lots of sustain. Great guitars and cool looking. Didn't Allen Collins of Lynyrd Skynyrd play one? "You never can vouch for your own consciousness." - Norman Mailer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rog951 Posted June 25, 2002 Share Posted June 25, 2002 I always used to think Firebirds were UGLY AS SIN but they're starting to grow on me...maybe it's old age? FWIW, I noticed Eric Johnson playing one last time around with Alien Love Child. Sounded incredible... None more black. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wickerman Posted June 25, 2002 Share Posted June 25, 2002 Eric Clapton used them a lot in Cream. Personally, I love 'em. Not the guitar you'd want for metal or something but great for blues or rock. Plus, the just look so per-ty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tedster Posted June 25, 2002 Share Posted June 25, 2002 I think Collins played one. Saw him more with Explorers (which are similar in body shape) I've owned two. My first good electric was a '65 non-reverse Firebird with 3 P-90s. Sold it to buy a '63 Firebird III (reverse with two pickups and dot inlays). I could kill myself for selling it...but, at the time, the mini-humbuckers were thin sounding when I wanted more of a Paul type sound, so I sold it and bought a Paul. I was a stupid kid, what can I say. I was a Johnny Winter freak, so I had to have it, but like I say, compared to regular humbuckers it was a bit thin. And, the tuners aren't as big a pain as just reversed tuners would be. They are geared banjo tuners, so they adjust straight back. But, the Firebird body style ...after my Les Paul was stolen, I got an "E2" Explorer...one of the walnut ones with the dirty fingers pickups. But, it was quite muddy...so I sold it and got a Washburn A-20. Sorta firebirdish in body style, great neck, great humbuckers..but I still wish I hadn't sold either one of my original Firebirds. "Cisco Kid, was a friend of mine" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whiskeyneck Posted June 25, 2002 Author Share Posted June 25, 2002 Well I really appreciate the owner comments. As far as the reverse headstock goes, Fender has always made a big deal out of the reverse heads and reverse pole piece stagger/angle on the pickups on the Hendrix models. Supposedly the bass strings have a little more snap and the treble strings are a little more slack. I don't know if it's hype or not to be honest. It's interesting that someone mentioned playing metal with the Firebird, because when I saw Gov't Mule last April in Minneapolis, Warren Haynes and Audley Freed both used Firebird V's on their cover of "Rooster". Perhaps not as heavy as a Les Paul, but definitely sounded somewhat like a G&L Rampage. Thanks again for any info or help you send my way. I really appreciate it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidp158 Posted June 26, 2002 Share Posted June 26, 2002 I sorta cut my teeth learning Johnny Winter licks as a kid, so I've always been fond of Firebirds. I recently saw Warren Hayes play his purple Firebird, and the tone was pretty good, but I tend to use a lot less distortion than he does. I've never found a Firebird that played well, or was very resonant. The neck position seems a bit odd, and its not a good body shape for playing sitting down. Is there a specific version or year of Firebird that's worth looking for? regards, dave patterson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cadillac_Jack Posted June 26, 2002 Share Posted June 26, 2002 One of my best friends and ex co-guitarist grew up with and plays currently with Floyd Radford, Johnny's second guitarist from 72-76. Johnny's first real guitar was a Firebird, apparently one with a badly warped neck. He had several, but Floyd found a perfect white reverse (I forget the year but I think it was a Firebird V) and had it set up as well as anyone could ask for. (Mike Tobias was a local guitar tech back then.) Johnny was really thankful for the present, but explained he couldn't play it without a major truss rod adjustment. How he played so fast with such high action is beyond me, but it might shed some light on that trademark vibrato and tone. I haven't verified this story directly with Floyd, but it came from a good source and I don't doubt it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whiskeyneck Posted June 27, 2002 Author Share Posted June 27, 2002 Well, I was basically looking at a new Firebird V. I am looking to avoid the top-heavy ones, and would like to find one with a decent weight. However, we don't have a huge vintage market here in Iowa, so I will probably order a new one if I am to get one. By the way, thanks to all those who have replied, as I truly appreciate every bit of knowledge you pass my way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mad Russian Posted June 27, 2002 Share Posted June 27, 2002 Whiskeyneck, I've been fond of Gibson Firebirds since my high school. The first time I played this guitar I was really blown away by its sound and an overall feel of instrument. I do like Les Paul axes, but Firebird is a very special thing. Recently I visited one of local shops and played Firebird through a new Marshall TSL-2000 amp. Man, what a sound! I will buy them both very soon, I hope Regards, Denis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mad Russian Posted June 27, 2002 Share Posted June 27, 2002 Originally posted by Mad Russian: ...Recently I visited one of local shops and played Firebird through a new Marshall TSL-2000 amp... Sorry, it's a mistake here. I played it through Marshall 2000 TSL-60 amp, not a TSL-2000 of course - this would be too loud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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