So, Firebirds have never been among my "always wanted one" guitars, like a black 70's strat with maple fretboard, Ric 330, or Gibson Les Paul Custom.
At least, not until recently.
I have a firebird pickup in the neck of a tele and it is amazing, so I have been thinking about how much I wanted one in the bridge and then I was listening to more Johnny Winter, and, you know...
...the GAS set in.
I really wanted to play one first since I knew the ergonomics were a little different, but I doubted I would have the opportunity. I had a reminder set at Sweetwater for when they got some back in stock.
Imagine my surprise when there was a used one at Guitar Center. It was love at first play. For one, it was light and very resonant. Looked basically new, except for where the previous owner had used a marker on the knobs to mark his favourite settings, I believe. The ergonomics are different but not jarring. The neck is a little flatter than my ideal, but very comfortable.
I went back the next day to play it again and put some money down to hold it until it goes off pawn clearance and my initial impressions were confirmed.
I went Monday and, after paying a total of 5 bills and another 30 bucks to the Commonwealth, I took it home. Have had a hard time putting it down. I only noticed the difference in the shape when I put it down and played my strat for a bit. The size of the headstock is a little jarring, but you get used to it. In pictures, it does not seem much bigger than a Fender-style, but it definitely does in person.
As far as the pickups, I really like them. Not as clear as the Cavalier Phoenix in my tele, but you can tell they tried to voice the minihum similarly. Will just play it as it is for a while. At some point, I will probably will swap the neck pickups around between that tele and the Firebird and see what I think. A Phoenix bridge may be in my future, but I am not in a hurry.
If I had a gripe, it would be that I am not wowed with the mini-grovers on it, especially the one on the D string. Like with the pickups, I am going to wait a bit to see if the strings are just newer than they look, etc. I know gearless Steinbergers are often on FBs, so if these do not work out, I may give those a try.
Here it is. Sorry for the less-than-optimal pic from my dark basement office.
(I spaced that hanger for a Fender-style headstock so with the Firebird on it, it is actually touching the ceiling tile).
At least, not until recently.
I have a firebird pickup in the neck of a tele and it is amazing, so I have been thinking about how much I wanted one in the bridge and then I was listening to more Johnny Winter, and, you know...
...the GAS set in.
I really wanted to play one first since I knew the ergonomics were a little different, but I doubted I would have the opportunity. I had a reminder set at Sweetwater for when they got some back in stock.
Imagine my surprise when there was a used one at Guitar Center. It was love at first play. For one, it was light and very resonant. Looked basically new, except for where the previous owner had used a marker on the knobs to mark his favourite settings, I believe. The ergonomics are different but not jarring. The neck is a little flatter than my ideal, but very comfortable.
I went back the next day to play it again and put some money down to hold it until it goes off pawn clearance and my initial impressions were confirmed.
I went Monday and, after paying a total of 5 bills and another 30 bucks to the Commonwealth, I took it home. Have had a hard time putting it down. I only noticed the difference in the shape when I put it down and played my strat for a bit. The size of the headstock is a little jarring, but you get used to it. In pictures, it does not seem much bigger than a Fender-style, but it definitely does in person.
As far as the pickups, I really like them. Not as clear as the Cavalier Phoenix in my tele, but you can tell they tried to voice the minihum similarly. Will just play it as it is for a while. At some point, I will probably will swap the neck pickups around between that tele and the Firebird and see what I think. A Phoenix bridge may be in my future, but I am not in a hurry.
If I had a gripe, it would be that I am not wowed with the mini-grovers on it, especially the one on the D string. Like with the pickups, I am going to wait a bit to see if the strings are just newer than they look, etc. I know gearless Steinbergers are often on FBs, so if these do not work out, I may give those a try.
Here it is. Sorry for the less-than-optimal pic from my dark basement office.
(I spaced that hanger for a Fender-style headstock so with the Firebird on it, it is actually touching the ceiling tile).
