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I Tried the New $1700 Epiphone Firebird V and...
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📚Description: I Tried the New $1700 Epiphone Firebird V and... have mixed feelings. I don't think this one is for everyone to go out and buy. It serves a very niche buyer pool that LOVES Custom Shop Reissue / Original Firebirds and HAS to have the traditional specs like the Banjo Tuners and Gibson USA electronics. You have to REALLY want everything this guitar offers to pay the premium for one. If you take the current day $650 Epiphone model and upgrade it to all the same parts, the math surprisingly checks out. Ultimately, if you're curious about firebirds, I'd suggest the "base" level one without all the vintage correct parts/quirks. If you love custom shop firebirds but need it in a "cheaper" format - this is your guitar!
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@synonyx 5 ай бұрын
That much and STILL Indian Laurel fretboard? Even $500 PRS SE's are coming with rosewood these days.
@Relayer6a 5 ай бұрын
That $500 PRS isn't at all the same construction as this guitar. And except for saying PRS on the headstock, it's not. At least they aren't trying to claim it's a Gibson when it's not. And these days almost no guitars have real rosewood. Just like most of them don't have genuine mahogany either. But you buy the $500 PRS and believe it's really a PRS with real Rosewood. There's a sucker born everyday, as they say.
@fleshbhones 5 ай бұрын
@@Relayer6a we understand the difference between import PRS guitars and USA made. And yes, the wood on those SE models are head and shoulders above Epiphone. Much better guitars, not even close.
@jonathanhudak2059 5 ай бұрын
@Synonyx.. and those $500 PRSs are still made overseas too
@oscarvillarreal3325 5 ай бұрын
@@Relayer6athey’re going the extra mile by putting historically incorrect mother of pearl and still cheaping out using Indian laurel… that’s bs. If you’re gonna charge this much at least make it as historically accurate as possible by using the money you’d save using pearloid to use the proper woods
@DrTortoiselle 5 ай бұрын
@@Relayer6a LoL.
@nellayema2455 5 ай бұрын
The $650 Epi Firebird has CTS pots, too.
@Relayer6a 5 ай бұрын
He said most Epis have CTS pots. And if someone doesn't want to spend this much for an Epiphone there's still the standard one for less than half the price. I don't get people losing their minds over something like this. If anything it'll make the cheaper Epis hold their value better because guitars like this increase the overall brand value.
@nellayema2455 5 ай бұрын
@@Relayer6a He added $50 value for CTS pots, but it's moot in this case. That's why I pointed it out. I agree that as the price of new guitars go up, so do the prices of good used guitars, and have been saying that for a while, now. I have the $650 Epi Firebird, so I'm happy to see the prices of used ones holding steady, whatever the reason, in case I ever decide to sell it. Cheers!
@egnbigdave 5 ай бұрын
Both have CHINESE made CTS pots.
@Relayer6a 5 ай бұрын
@@egnbigdaveTaiwan, actually.
@_guitar_dad 5 ай бұрын
@@Relayer6a guitars like this piss people off.
@jamesf2918 5 ай бұрын
$1700 for Indian Laurel. Can’t
@j.d.leslie8458 5 ай бұрын
Deal killer. Must be rosewood.
@rocktorrocks 5 ай бұрын
That’s my biggest issue, they put MOP inlays, upgrade the electronics and do all these extra upgrades…and then compromise on the fretboard. I’d rather they get rid of the case and put that towards a real rosewood board. If they can afford to put ebony boards on their customs, I can’t understand why they can’t manage rosewood.
@ProficientEnough 5 ай бұрын
Yep. I was interested but that was the first spec I checked and I'm out.
@alphillips87 5 ай бұрын
Yep. Laurel sucks!
@Madakalim 5 ай бұрын
I dont think the companies can avoid the washed out looking "laurels" or "pau ferro" these days and I understand the cause. Does anyone have any real reason for Richlite being basically absent from these price points? I think its a decent playing/feeling material and def better looking than these other woods.
@gabewilliams7462 5 ай бұрын
No fucking way am I ever paying that much for an Epiphone. You can get literal American Gibsons for that price. Not that I'd necessarily want to do that either. They need to wake up and slash their prices. Epiphone is supposed to be their budget brand. Their pricing lately is out of control.
@joshuawilling6942 5 ай бұрын
The only “Slash” in their vocabulary is another Slash signature to go with the 500 already released 😂
@I.am_Groot 5 ай бұрын
I think if $6000 gets the Gibson model then $1700 is a budget version
@WhyAlwaysMeMario 5 ай бұрын
Gibson literately said 3 years ago what their plans are for creating different price tiers. It's on their youtube channel. Keep up!
@redredleg4051 5 ай бұрын
I'd trust a $1700 epiphone more than a $1700 Gibson
@Thevenin611 4 ай бұрын
People forget a 1996 Epi Sorrento MIK cost $960 new, equivalent to $1900 today. It's been one of my favorites for almost 30 years and hangs with my Gibsons. Well worth it then, and now. BTW, I own a Gibson FB and think this 1963 FB is nice.
@airfarina321 5 ай бұрын
Why is it the $700 Epiphone Les Paul Moderns and Customs come with an Ebony fingerboard but these supposedly higher end Epiphones come with an Indian Laurel Fingerboard? 🙄
@trevor4533 5 ай бұрын
Yeah, that's a bit of a head scratcher. Surely they could at least use some lighter Ebony that didn't make the cut...
@flamethefirefox9006 5 ай бұрын
What's wrong with Indian Laurel?
@airfarina321 5 ай бұрын
@@flamethefirefox9006 A couple guitar companies use Indian Laurel on their budget import models. Laurel looks and feels cheap. Sound wise it’s not as warm as Rosewood and it’s not as sparkling clear as Ebony. For $1799 go get a used Japanese Gretsch G6228 Players Edition. They offer both Rosewood and Ebony fingerboards.
@DutchVai 5 ай бұрын
I'd like to know that answer as well. @@flamethefirefox9006
@leviathan_is_me 5 ай бұрын
@flamethefirefox9006 Nothing, but you wouldn't pay for prime rib and be happy with ground beef would you? Nothing WRONG with it, just not exactly something worth that $.
@boogerz 5 ай бұрын
those firebirds look so cool! but i just cant get over the pricing.
@markbaum9615 5 ай бұрын
April fools day a bit early..... $1700 for an Eastern Fireturd
@JR-io8kw 5 ай бұрын
exactly. I will always prefer to find a second hand original. that's a $1700 Chibson!!!
@Badmannered1 5 ай бұрын
I love your videos man, but trying to sell these firebirds for $1700, is insane. It is a Chinese made guitar with some decent parts. Nothing against Chinese made guitars but, you can get a lot of guitar for way less. The back to back with the DG sig and all the problems guys are having with headstocks snapping off and then this for the cost it's just comical at this point.
@I.am_Groot 5 ай бұрын
Why would you sell the 2nd level brand for $1000 if the core model is 5x that doesn't make sense
@WhoDaF0ok1sThatGuy 5 ай бұрын
Japanese made fenders which are sweet are $450 cheaper
@georgeradulescu7175 5 ай бұрын
The more I look at these $1K + Epiphones, the happier I am I got my last two a few years ago when they were $600 all day long.
@SK-qd4sr 5 ай бұрын
The tuners are actually from Kluson. You can adjust the stiffness of them by loosen/thighen the screw on the tuner tip (similar to Grover Rotomatics). The three strap button are actually vintage correct. The historic Firebirds came all with three strap buttons.
@fleshbhones 5 ай бұрын
It'll be a cold day in hell when I pay that much for an Epiphone. I honestly don't even think Gibsons are worth that these days...
@Run-Riot 5 ай бұрын
Can straight up buy something made in Japan with basically perfect quality control at that fucking price.
@augustomesavila 5 ай бұрын
@@Run-Riot true, I got an Ibanez JCustom for 2200 and its night and day compared to my Gibson LP Standard, you can feel more quality in the components and also best QC for less money spent
@cromBumny 5 ай бұрын
Why are gibsons not worth 1500...or is the real reason, you can't afford them anyway
@fleshbhones 5 ай бұрын
Other brands provide way more value for money. But by all means, keep licking their corporate boots, just don't be surprised that others don't enjoy the taste. @@cromBumny
@jonathanhudak2059 5 ай бұрын
@@fleshbhonesto each their own as they say
@rockinrob2004 5 ай бұрын
I say KEEP the MOP & give me Rosewood! JMO
@Hobinator17 5 ай бұрын
Maybe I'll get a used one when they devalue. Laurel looks fine when you oil it, and poly vs nitro is a dumb debate. Im sure the guitar kicks ass, just not for 1700 big ones
@samuelllakaj5439 5 ай бұрын
What is it about poly and nitro? Is one just better than the other or is it insignificant?
@Hobinator17 5 ай бұрын
@@samuelllakaj5439 poly is without a doubt the superior finish for mass produced guitars, easier to spray, complies with annoying environmental laws, and it'll still look new and glossy 50 years later with light care. But nitro is historically what was used, it does let the wood breathe, can be applied thinner, but overall is a much more fragile finish. I have to buy stands and hangers with special foam that wont melt the finish. My point is there are pitfalls and benefits to both. I like nitro on super high end guitars
@globalnova 5 ай бұрын
@@Hobinator17 Not many ppl want a pristine finish on a 50 year old guitar. It needs aging to match its , well, age. Nitro all the way.
@Hobinator17 5 ай бұрын
@@globalnova new nitro isnt the same as old nitro, so even it wont age quite the same way as the heritage stuff. The chemical formulas now contain a lot of plasticizers. Environmental laws prevent the original formulas being used. Also, many manufacturers spray a poly basecoat followed by nitro and then only market the nitro finish.
@Somenite 5 ай бұрын
The price does seem high. They are manufacturing overseas to save money. The guitar has a poly finish and the binding on the neck is missing the nibs over the fret ends so work saved finishing it. It also has the Indian Laurel versus Rosewood or Ebony which is viewed as less desirable. I would just expect a bigger save over the lower end of the Gibson range such as with the Epiphone LP customs and artist models like the Cantrell wino. With the price on this firebird where it is, I Personally would go with something like the Gibson LP Classic. Not only supporting American manufacturing but also has the nitro and preferred fingerboard material and I'm sure long term the resale will be better.
@djencode 5 ай бұрын
I was SUPER excited for this guitar...until I saw the price. I'm just going to save up for a vintage or custom shop Firebird V. I just know I won't be happy with a poly finish and laurel fingerboard. And then not to mention Epiphones are BAD investments because they don't retain their value at all. If this was the same price as the art series Adam Jones Les Paul Custom's, (1899CAD) then I would get one for sure and sand the neck, but 2500CAD is just crazy. My gold top 50's les paul standard with p90's cost me 3300CAD.
@I.am_Groot 5 ай бұрын
Have you ever owned a guitar with IL fretboard? Your brain might not like it but the fingers and ears say its OK
@djencode 4 ай бұрын
lol so in the end i bought it and I'm super happy with it! A couple of things that abated my concerns... the laurel on my example got a lot darker once I hydrated it, the grain is very wide though and I do feel it while playing but I've felt that with rosewood as well. The poly finish is actually very nice. This isn't your usually sticky poly finish you see on a squier or lower end epi, it's high quality and the polish is very fast. No problem with speedy playing. I use a lot of fuzz and it's giving me exactly the sound I'm looking for. Frets were already very polished on mine, meaning it likely got a level crown before shipping. Setup was great also, although the usual epiphone strings were trash so a string change is needed. Case is luxurious. I got the frost blue colour and it's glorious. Has that 50's Cadillac vibe. Fit and finish is great, no chatter marks on the binding, no sharp fret ends, no paint imperfections. Graph tech nut and dual action truss rod are very nice. Pretty much a perfect guitar. On par with high end korean guitars from other brands but better because of all of the high end electronics.
@TylerJohnstonGuitar 5 ай бұрын
2:10 Thats gotta be the worst 3-400 dollar “upgrade” you can do to a guitar.
@itskyyuuuu 5 ай бұрын
Yeah I would think $100 for tuners and 50 bucks for extra routing time... he doubled the price to fit his narrative.
@Asillyhobo 5 ай бұрын
@@itskyyuuuu the banjo ones are niche enough that I dunno if they're still made by the aftermarket. But still, I agree with other OP, not worth it for the banjo ones, when they have a bad reputation.
@jonathanhudak2059 5 ай бұрын
@@itskyyuuuuI think those tuners would be more than $100
@jonathanhudak2059 5 ай бұрын
It all depends on what someone is after/looking for. I don't see why people are griping about it. If you're not going to buy one anyway then how does it really affect you? The answer, not at all.
@garethhawkins4710 5 ай бұрын
A lot of 'hating' on this one. Yes, if you don't like them don't buy and don't watch. There's another one along tomorrow.
@JohnnyBGoode9 5 ай бұрын
"You've got the correct headstock, worth a $350-$400 upcharge." What in the world do you mean by that? The tuners are a bit more expensive, but the shape is a one-time programming fee from a CNC engineer. Maybe a few extra seconds of sanding because of the contour. In what world is a headstock shape "worth" hundreds of dollars?
@StephenG1991 5 ай бұрын
It's not, he's talking out of his arse.
@Trog 5 ай бұрын
Gibson reserves the correct headstock shape for their core line and often times only CUSTOM SHOP firebirds. People LINE UP for the open book headstock shape Epiphones and pay a premium. If you don’t think there is VALUE in the correct Firebird headstock, you’d be in the minority. It might not be worth it to you. That’s why I say these 1700 birds are for people who love firebirds and need all their quirks. The 650 Epiphone Firebird would be my ultimate suggestion to the “average” buyer
@immanuelgrau 5 ай бұрын
@@Trog They also reserve the pickguards, I guess, since the ones on these IGC birds are undersized and somewhat off.
@johnsmith-oh2xo 5 ай бұрын
They also come with the small post bridge too like the real Gibson abr-1
@fleshbhones 5 ай бұрын
@@Trog so should Squiers get a $450 upcharge for having the "correct" headstock? Absolute insanity.
@glaucosouza1971 5 ай бұрын
$1700 for an Epi when dealers are blowin out brand new Gibson SG Standards for $1400 ?? No thanks.
@digthisbigcrux 5 ай бұрын
You can get a 90’s Gibson Firebird for not much more.
@Trog 5 ай бұрын
Typical 2x more and vastly different specs
@digthisbigcrux 5 ай бұрын
@@TrogI just bought one in January. 2000 shipped. No vibrato, and the pickups are different, and sunburst. Not exactly apples to oranges though.
@devonlambert9131 5 ай бұрын
These things are freaking awesome, but NOBODY should be shelling out over $850 new for one of these... TOPS!
@rb343 5 ай бұрын
The 2020 Epi Firebird is still being sold for $649. It has the much better sounding FB720 (Joe Bonnamassa) pickups, and it doesn't have those banjo tuners either.
@Happy.Jack818 5 ай бұрын
I played one really liked it. Felt great easy neck , great tones, Vibrola super responsive. But Indian Laurel = $1700 . You guys are right. Nope. That price Rosewood, Ebony. You can get a Gibson SG for that. If it was $850 I would do it. Overpriced
@othermyke 5 ай бұрын
1700 for an Epiphone lol. I bought an open box Gibson sg 61 with the maestro for 1500 from Sam Ash this year.
@AppaBoy 5 ай бұрын
how is it 50 dollar upcharge for cts pots? they get them at manufactuerer prices
@MuscleCarLover 5 ай бұрын
Another note for keeping the vibrola in tune, keep the nut and bridge lubed up and pull up slightly after diving. Definitely better than a sideways
@rocktorrocks 5 ай бұрын
The Indian laurel is my biggest issue, they put MOP inlays, upgrade the electronics and do all these extra upgrades…and then compromise on the fretboard. I’d rather they get rid of the case and put that towards a real rosewood board. If they can afford to put ebony boards on their customs, I can’t understand why they can’t manage rosewood.
@Trog 5 ай бұрын
I hope to see a change in the future too! Even if just for tradition
@rocktorrocks 5 ай бұрын
@@Trog Glad to hear you share the same sentiment Austin. Hopefully that will be one of the changes they have planned next.
@I.am_Groot 5 ай бұрын
@@rocktorrocks Outside of your brain 'knowing' the difference why is IL a bad thing?
@globalnova 5 ай бұрын
The Laurel FB on my mini LP power player which is my travel guitar and is now a Jr is dark and beautiful. And there is some magic in that guitar it sounds so good (with a new custom pup of course). I say don't be afraid of Laurel
@I.am_Groot 5 ай бұрын
@@globalnova Exactly 💯
@Theanthill216 5 ай бұрын
Sounds great but it’s definitely too much and wish the colors had more options like creme finish
@jhall9602 5 ай бұрын
$1299 tops! 10 years ago a GIBSON was $1400
@steveparish9210 5 ай бұрын
My Gibson mk 7 was 1450 in 02 if I remember correctly
@CD-gk9ix 5 ай бұрын
and what did you make 10 years ago?
@ChristopherGwinn 5 ай бұрын
LOL - we've had 10 years of massive inflation, which has really picked up steam the past 3 years.
@Relayer6a 5 ай бұрын
@@ChristopherGwinnShipping costs from China are around 6 to 7 times what they were 4 years ago. And everything else has probably gone up by 50% in that time.
@nocturnal101ravenous6 5 ай бұрын
not even premium chinese $500-$700 no higher. That money is liming someone's pockets and it sure as hell isn't spent on labor or parts, you would have to be an idiot to pay that much you can get an SG standard for that and its the real deal.
@THE-CRT 5 ай бұрын
Can’t believe epiphone is going for Gibson prices now, I mean what’s the point in distinguishing the two brands at this point?
@Winterfell1066 5 ай бұрын
I paid about 500 for a used Epi Firebird like the one you compared this to. Just the standard sunburst edition. I used 0000 steel wool to take down the ...way to shiny finish. I replace the pickups and hardware with Fralin brushed nickel for about 500. I had it set up by Chris Lovell of Memphis Strings and Things fame.... and it is fantastic. About 1100 all in. But So nice. One one hand, probably not worth it. On the other.. still a bargain for how good it is.
@DrTortoiselle 5 ай бұрын
I can buy 3 PRSs with that money 😂
@user-kp1zz4ik5l 5 ай бұрын
I can’t believe the prices of Gibson’s and Epiphone’s right now. Crappy quality at a premium price appears to be their new mantra. Having said that aside from PRS, which I abhor, high pricing seems to be the way guitar manufacturers are going at a time when there’s a global squeeze on global liquidity...Even used quitters are selling for silly prices. I’m trying to sell my wife on drawing our savings out of the bank to invest in short term guitar buys 😂
@jordanpratt3821 5 ай бұрын
What crappy quality have you experienced?? I bought 2 Gibsons in 2022 and they were perfect out of the case.
@user-kp1zz4ik5l 5 ай бұрын
@@jordanpratt3821 really pleased for you Jordan. I’ve had a number of bad QC issues with both Gibson’s and Epiphones over the years, got to admit here that they’ve mainly been high end Gibson’s. A J45 that couldn’t be intonated because the bridge was way out, sent back and replaced only to experience the exact same issue. A LP R8 with lifting frets and finishing issues on the binding. Another LP standard with orange peel in the lacquer. An Epiphone that had strap buttons that wouldn’t tighten because the drilled holes where too big, subsequently the strap pulled out and the guitar hit the deck...the list goes on. One of the UK’s largest guitar retailers stopped stocking Gibson’s because they were sending back four out of every ten guitars supplied. Don’t get me wrong I love both brands but if they want to charge big bucks then they have to get their QC sorted. I have a small collection of Gibson’s, but they are just that, a collection. I gig Fender and guitars that I have made for me because I know the quality and reliability is spot on and at a price that I feel is appropriate to the what I’m buying.
@jordanpratt3821 5 ай бұрын
Rite on. Man that sucks for you. Anyway I like to ask because most of the time it's just someone repeating what they've read others say without having touched a Gibson. Or they're calling a guitar crappy because of fuzzy wood under a pickup, which of course doesn't make the instrument crappy.
@jordanpratt3821 5 ай бұрын
@eldenjohn4540 the cnc spits out a body shape,but thats not the end of the process. That really doesn't detract from quality. Its the time, put in afterwards that matters. Anyway nothing wrong with admiring the greats. Now people acting like some of these youtube gear demo people are some how rock stars...that's fucking lame.
@user-kp1zz4ik5l 5 ай бұрын
It’s interesting that a recently purchased Eastman T486, a third of the price of a Gibson ES335, was perfect out of the box. Frets dressed to perfection, action set, intonation set, binding scrapped back and instrument with zero flaws, certainly as far as I could see. When deciding which to buy, and on picking up the ES335 and commenting of several issues, albeit small ones, the sales tech shrugged and told me ‘That’s how we get them in from Gibson’. Considering the price I questioned the value V pricing to be told ‘Yes but people want the name’.......vanity over sanity 🤷♂️
@asmnstn 5 ай бұрын
The way epiphone is going price-wise we'll all end up buying chibsons for a more budget friendly guitar
@zeusapollo8688 5 ай бұрын
If it is really neck thru why is the heel so blocky?
@jonathanhudak2059 5 ай бұрын
That's just how the 63s were made. Were they doing them brand new today they'd maybe have a smaller heel. Epiphone I think is just trying to replicate a 1963 Firebird As best as they can at this price point.
@stevecraig7643 5 ай бұрын
I wish there was a Gibson USA
@khkartc 5 ай бұрын
For that price, I’d have to have “Gibson” on the headstock.
@dublev78 5 ай бұрын
So there is an American made Fender Ultra Jazzmaster on Reverb right now for $1650. Why would anyone pay $1700 for an Asian made Epiphone when you could get that for less?
@Trog 5 ай бұрын
A Jazzmaster and Firebird are very different things. The 650 Epiphone Firebird is the correct choice for most people if they want to try a Firebird
@dublev78 5 ай бұрын
@@Trog Thanks for the reply. I don’t disagree that they are different. I can only tell you where my $1700 would go….. and it would not be an Asian made Epiphone with an Indian Laurel board. To each their own I suppose, but it’s a real head-scratcher for me.
@I.am_Groot 5 ай бұрын
@@dublev78 To me any fan of Firebirds should either buy a good used Gibson or maybe new mid-range Epi but to be fair at $1799 you are getting something well beyond that $649 Epi and likely on par with many Gibson options in the price range. I get it not buying one either but I can see the value in it and since Epi didn't take away budget options in favor of this I say why not
@Scottuz 5 ай бұрын
I've got a Korean made Epiphone 04 Les Paul, with Burstbucker pick ups, Grover, tuners, Rosewood board.and Inch thick Maple cap, so I believe it's a +top model? apparently they were known as, the best made Epi's in that period, it was in Korea there was the Sammik factory along with others, built great quality LP's and got involved in the Law suit, because of that. but Gibson approached those same factories to build Epi's? and this is one of those last ones made there Root-beer burst. It's my 1st LP type guitar, and the action is lower than a Rattlesnake's belly? love it
@Polarwylll-hm4jv 5 ай бұрын
Chinese made Epiphone never used mahogany，shocking but true, They have been using cheap alternative wood since the day the factory was opened. Indian laurel is the smallest problem. At least they wrote it in the specifications.
@yourselfbch 5 ай бұрын
Chibson inspired by gibson ❤
@NickE.Haley72 5 ай бұрын
This is like putting in really nice granite countertops but keeping the old crappy cabinets. Use Indian laurel, mother of toilet seat and other budget parts but use American made ones where it counts like pickups 🤦♂️ no reason this professional chibson should cost that much
@breidbee 5 ай бұрын
Epiphone would have to establish themselves as having superior quality and workmanship for a long time at their old prices before the average consumer is suddenly going to plunk 1500+ dollars down for one. This price increase comes across as very tone deaf.
@rider132 5 ай бұрын
With used guitar prices still down it’s definitely worth searching out an original Gibson. 1699 plus tax brings you into original Gibson territory. There is the caveat of original Gibson having them super hot ceramic pickups in the USA Firebirds. Nice job on the video.
@bzerob7362 5 ай бұрын
Nitro finish.. maaaybe. I have the epi firebird 5 and the mustard special. very happy with them with 2020 prices
@bzerob7362 5 ай бұрын
Both have been modded.. and sound great.. And i'm not afraid to throw them around.. Sadly the thick poly doesn't vibe
@benchaggaresmusic 5 ай бұрын
I paid $1900CAD for a brand new 2019 Gibson firebird in cardinal red a few years back. These prices are completely unacceptable for an epiphone
@juan666q 5 ай бұрын
I have the Slash model of the firebird that epiphone made a while back, it’s a pretty cool guitar, with some nice features, and the price was probably less that half what this one is going for (I actually forget what it went for). It’s certainly not a proper firebird since it has the slash humbuckers, but it’s a pretty cool guitar!
@raytorvalds3699 5 ай бұрын
lol, 50 bucks for CTS pots. That was a good one, Austin.
@Trog 5 ай бұрын
It’d cost a lot more than that to pay someone to install CTS in an Epiphone without them
@MikeKlanin 5 ай бұрын
I think it's very incorrect to calculate these upgrades with aftermarket prices. It obviously not that expensive for Epi to make these parts. Also, previous firebird was for people who wanted one, but couldn't afford Gibson. I'm not sure who is this one for - not a player, but also not a collector🤔
@Trog 5 ай бұрын
It is correct because if someone wanted to upgrade an existing epi Firebird to this spec - that’s what you’d have to value/pay. There will always be dealer markup in the cost of a guitar. If you want to use whole sale pricing, you’d have to use the wholesale cost
@joermnyc 5 ай бұрын
I got a 2015 GIBSON Firebird from a European seller on Reverb for less than this with shipping in 2020. Came in a GIANT gold case that looked like a photon torpedo from the Enterprise. 😂 Unfortunately I had an emergency and had to sell it (loved the pickups, didn’t really like the massive size and the modern tuners were a bit confusing since I’ve never played anything with a “reverse” headstock.) I did make some money over what I paid because it was right in the middle of the pandemic lunacy surrounding Reverb.
@jonathanhudak2059 5 ай бұрын
True but that's also 4 years ago. I get what you're saying man, all good. Let's say somebody wants a Gibson Firebird like this one, but can't afford it but they can afford a price more on this level. That's all i'm saying. I know they are a little bit pricey. I paid about $1,850 for my Gibson Firehird V in classic white in 2020 too which isn't that much more than one of these
@nellayema2455 5 ай бұрын
Just about any Gibson 2015 model will be less $$ on the used market due to the much maligned 2015 spec's. (wider fingerboard, adjustable brass nut, etc.) If more people actually tried them, they would probably like them. My 2015 SG Special looks, plays, and sounds great. The gold case is the bomb, for sure.
@joermnyc 5 ай бұрын
@@nellayema2455 I liked the out jack in the side, made more room around the tone knobs.
@nellayema2455 5 ай бұрын
@@joermnyc Yep, and no danger of cracking the top if one steps on the instrument cable!
@henrykelly1183 5 ай бұрын
"You've got the correct tuners and correct headstock, probably worth between three and four hundred dollars" sorry but this just shocked me, are we paying for shapes now, how much more does it cost them much more to just setup the CNC machine a little differently? and $50 for CTS pots (which were already in the cheaper model) sorry this just feels like contorting to fit their narrative of being premium without doing things that incur real cost and provide value to the player eg nitro finishes, rosewood boards, plek'd frets.
@Trog 5 ай бұрын
Gibson typically reserves these things for their USA models only. People got excited when Epiphones started using the open book headstock shape so if you don’t think there is value in the correct (expensive) tuners and headstock shape, you’d be in the minority. These are big selling features to fans of vintage firebirds This guitar is for a select niche audience which is why I suggest the now 650 usd z Epiphone Firebird for “casual” buyer who doesn’t care about such things
@therealnekser6466 5 ай бұрын
@@Trogthen how do you explain that Epiphone made a Slash signature firebird (albeit it wasn't neck through) that already had the true firebird headstock and banjo tuners (+ Seymour Duncans, a maple cap, orange drop capacitors,+... ) a couple of years ago less than half the price of these ones?
@fuzzymuppet1990 3 ай бұрын
Biggest tell that it's NOT a gibson... the fretboard has no tooling marks, the cavities look clean, and there isn't a massive chunk of clearcoat fusing the trussrod into place..
@stufromoz8164 5 ай бұрын
"Thaaank yooou Sterling"
@jonathanhudak2059 5 ай бұрын
Yeah thank you Stirling! 😊
@plkprint 5 ай бұрын
Epiphone is getting priced out there is many other guitars available with superior quality at prices that make these insane…..
@belakako9478 5 ай бұрын
In my area alone, there are three Gibson Firebirds for sale, for lower prices than 1700$.
@ChroniclesOfASadPunk 5 ай бұрын
Fender started the price gouging with their Mexican line. Gibson is just catching up. However, the Inspired by Gibson Custom range has been very impressive. I recently bought a Gibson '61 SG Standard, but I almost wish that I would have saved money and just bought the Epi Les Paul SG It sounds just as good, and costs about half. The Explorer and Flying V are both fantastic! As an adult with a decent income, I still want to focus on Gibson Originals, but many of these Epiphones have been very tempting.
@Disruptor23 5 ай бұрын
Gibson must have discovered people buy epiphone guitars with reasonable price and be happy rather than buying gibson. So this is their next move.
@jfinester 5 ай бұрын
That sounds great! It’s a lot of $, but compared to an original ‘60s Gibson, it doesn’t seem quite so bad. I had an original ‘65 reverse Firebird III in 1974, traded a new Strat for it, but traded back after about a month-I stood up to play in those days and was working six nights a week, and as cool as that Firebird shape was, I just couldn’t get it to hang right unless I wore it at about hip level, which killed my right-hand position. The second strap button, on the body shoulder, was standard on those guitars, and totally useless for me as it pushed the neck even further to the left; I always used the one at the neck heel. Sitting down, the guitar balanced perfectly-I could use one now! And the pickups in the Epiphone sound much better than the ones in your Gibson. I’d like to see a few more color options offered on the Firebird V-I love the Heather Poly on the Firebird I, but I can’t use a one-pickup guitar. If this is any indication, these Epiphone Firebirds are really nice. I don’t care where they come from-they could be made in the very depths of Mordor for all I care! I might have to get one-I haven’t had a Firebird since that ‘65.
@bentravis99 5 ай бұрын
Ephiphone prices are out of control, especially seeing what the budget category can deliver these days.
@clemkelly2159 5 ай бұрын
2800 Canadian.. Holy falk.. just too high for an epiphone. Beautiful guitar. I was all about getting one but the price just knocked me back... I'll get a regular epiphone firebird n upgrade parts a bit at a time... actually more entertaining that way...
@IndyRockStar 5 ай бұрын
I had an Epiphone Firebird I bought new in 2021. I also had a Gibson Firebird. Neither were really my cup of tea, but the I have to admit that I prefered the Epiphone one over the Gibson.
@tomeve3051 5 ай бұрын
You lost me at 1700$ and epiphone 😂
@wiseguy9202 5 ай бұрын
A non-vintage Epi for $1700? Yeah no thanks! At that price I'll just get a nice used Gibson.
@jhall9602 5 ай бұрын
Hahahaha. Find one for under $2500
@martianmurray 5 ай бұрын
@@jhall9602a quick Reverb search beats 2500
@dublev78 5 ай бұрын
Just buy a used American made jazzmaster. Way better instrument than this overpriced, offbrand, sweat shop guitar.
@martianmurray 5 ай бұрын
@@jhall9602 I found 2
@joshuawilling6942 5 ай бұрын
Problem is after seeing the price on these people are jacking up used Gibson Firebird prices. They are even doing it on old epi firebirds from the 90’s - mid 00s 😂
@ScottLaneMusic Ай бұрын
I thought the 90's bird you a/b'd sounded much better - especially in the bridge. Fuller and more vintage sounding. Cheers and thanks.
@nsp477 5 ай бұрын
Is there any advantage to banjo tuners over normal ones?
@jeromewagschal9485 5 ай бұрын
None at all whatsoever, the only reason why Gibson used them back in '63 was because of looks, they needed the reverse headstock to look as "clean" as possible in order to compete with Fender's more modern designs... I had these on all of my Firebirds and there's only one set that ever worked properly, all the other ones were replaced by Steinberger Gearless tuners...
@nsp477 5 ай бұрын
@@jeromewagschal9485 Thanks for the reply; that was my hypothesis, but I wanted to hear from someone with actual experience with these tuners.
@jeromewagschal9485 5 ай бұрын
@@nsp477 You're welcome 🙂
@lichterwald 5 ай бұрын
Vor ein paar Jahren habe ich für eine neue Gibson Firebird von 2017 ungefähr das Gleiche bezahlt.
@ploptimusgrime332 5 ай бұрын
I just don't know... That's the same price as a Gibson Les Paul Studio.
@Relayer6a 5 ай бұрын
Apples and oranges. Listen I think it should be around $1300 myself. The price does seem steep. But I do know the reason they came out with the non reverse Firebirds in the 60's was because the Firebird was the most expensive to build solid body guitar in their lineup and they needed to get the cost down to compete with Fender. Which is why the Firebird was made in the first place. So who really knows the economics of this?
@jonathanhudak2059 5 ай бұрын
Except its not a Les Paul, It's a totally different guitar and is more labor intensive to build with its neck through construction. I have two Firebirds a Gibson and an Epiphone and no Les Paul's for example
@j.d.leslie8458 5 ай бұрын
Or an SG Standard
@astroreaver9904 3 күн бұрын
I have a firebird but im not sure if it is a 3 or a 5, and after watching this, there are some other things that make me wonder. So I have a Gibson firebird, but it has a brass??? nut and the input jack is on the butt and not the top of the guitar. I think it is a 2015 if memory serves. Is this typical of a firebird III ? (or just for that year?) most of trolgly's videos show firebirds with the input jack on the top... what is going on?
@astroreaver9904 3 күн бұрын
so 2015 came standard with a brass nut, but if it is a firebird V, why do I have no tremolo?
@coreycann6751 5 ай бұрын
All things considered, this thing is a rip off
@zigzagrz 5 ай бұрын
I love everything about EXCEPT the laurel fretboard
@chrishansen-crowley3287 5 ай бұрын
Can someone explain to me why the firebird guitar is almost twice the price of the thunderbird bass? I got the Inverness green thunderbird and other than the fretboard that feels even worse than it looks, it’s a great instrument. I would not spend as much as they are charging for the Firebird.
@trevor4533 5 ай бұрын
They even used the carved headstock too. There really is no explanation for why this is $1699. Logically, it should not have been any more expensive than Greeny or AJ being a non signature guitar.
@jonathanhudak2059 5 ай бұрын
@trevor4533 The only thing I can figure is that it's a more costly guitar to produce then a Les Paul and it does come with a nic3 case, banjo tuners, mother of pearl inlays etc
@trevor4533 5 ай бұрын
@@jonathanhudak2059 Sure, but how much more expensive could it really cost them to make? A regular Epiphone LP standard is $699, while the regular firebird is $649. A nice case and mother of pearl inlays are both included on the Greeny and AJ guitars as well. With no artist endorsement being baked into the price ...I just don't get it.
@jonathanhudak2059 5 ай бұрын
@trevor4533 yeah the regular tobacco sunburst Epi. Firebird at $649 is a steal of a deal for what it is. I bought one. It does not come with a hardshell case, nor does it have the banjo tuners. For those two items that could easily be $300. Plus this V model has the fancier headstock and genuine mother of pearl inlays. Maybe $100 more for the custom colors. Not saying that to justify it just trying to lay things out. They may charge a couple hundred more as a pricing thing too to make some money out of it. That's all I can figure.
@newscottishgolf7305 10 күн бұрын
I like that it’s a more affordable re-issue than the custom shop. And it has all the historic specs represented faithfully, but it’s just so hard to justify the price tag for a Chinese made guitar if this was made in Korea, Indonesia, Mexico, or Japan, I’d be all over it this guitar cost over $2000 in Canada so having it made somewhere with better manufacturing standards would help me swallow the price tag Because I really what a Firebird re-issue in my collection, regardless of what it says on the headstock
@myblues6532 5 ай бұрын
Do you know anything about the clear plexiglass stratocaster guitar used in the 1973 Golden Erarring-Radar Love music video? I think it's been used by other rock bands during the same time period.
@GuitarIv69 5 ай бұрын
1700$ for a Chinese made Epiphone? Hell I got my Custom Shop Junior for 2800€ on discount! No thanks!
@JEG69 5 ай бұрын
also if you want a pre-elitist japanese epiphone from the early 2000s, those cost around $1500-1800
@shawnstarks1743 4 ай бұрын
I saw one of these at GC. Ain’t no fkn way!! $1698. NOW if IF it was one of the Japanese Elites? MAYBE
@vox1962 5 ай бұрын
Indian laurel fretboard? when PRS SE can do Rosewood? This is completely unacceptable, NOPE
@Steve.Cutler 5 ай бұрын
I can think of 5 other guitars id rather have than this one. Those pick ups were lifeless and shrill...i dont think this one will sell very well. Cut the price in half maybe.
@bzerob7362 5 ай бұрын
What's the depreciation on those when you walk it off the lot.. 20%?
@k2rocksstl 5 ай бұрын
Is it Me or is the string spacing over the pickups janky on the G-B-E strings?
@itskyyuuuu 5 ай бұрын
It's because the fretboard gets so wide by the heal
@chrisghiardi117 5 ай бұрын
Necks on 60s Reverse Firebirds varied. Some could be fairly slim. My experience is that banjo tuners are more trouble than a good thing. Actual Gibson Firebird pickups have varied a lot over the years. What they used starting early 90s were both hotter and wider across. They changed again post HJ. Vintage banjo tuners are not precise.
@johnmartin5147 2 ай бұрын
Bought a Epiphone Joe Bonamassa Treasure Firebird and the tuners were stiff and rough dripped some triflon lube down the tuner shafts and took the buttons off the tuners and put a drop or 2 there. It helped a lot. I guess they used the same banjo tuners.
@wokeupthismorning Ай бұрын
That maestro is the same one that was on the cheaper sg’s. Have one and the difference between that and the Gibson one is that it is heavier, hard to get working and then they get worn out….
@ianyelton407 5 ай бұрын
Do they make any of those in left hand models?
@erickarreman6119 5 ай бұрын
I paid 385 euro for a brandnew Epiphone Firebird years ago in Amsterdam! Great guitar! Great sound...
@richeyweinstein7706 5 ай бұрын
Trog, I think the Epi for $649 in Drab Green and or Vintage Sunburst is the same Neck as this new one.........from reviewing your 2020 Epi Bird: Old: 42.92 mm/53.34 vs. new, 43.43mm/52.91....and, new: 21.51/26.06 mm vs. Old 21.33/ 25.4 mm......In conclusion, if Gibson no longer makes the Bird, the New Bird is a compromise of both.....Gibson giving up some and coming down in price, Epi, gaining some and coming up in price....so, the pricing somewhat makes sense.....and , we save the bird!
@roymartin500 2 ай бұрын
I've got the 2018 LE Epiphone Slash Firebird w/Pau Ferro fretboard, Seymour Duncan Slash APII overwound version of SD's APII on his Chris Derrig Les Paul copy build that he loves. Only down side is it's not a neck through but a Set-Neck. Mahog, mahog, mahog wings w/maple top veneer Flamejob. In trans black. I decided my would stick out more with an EMG Brushed Gold HET-SET. I had to make it a Master Volume/Master Tone. And now, will it Chug? Ah yeah!
@ryanbaptiste249 5 ай бұрын
Thorough workout, as usual 👍 … but I'm curious, would you mind elaborating on the spec differences you dislike about the '90s Firebirds?
@Trog 5 ай бұрын
they have rather tiny necks and more of a D-shape profile that I'm not a big fan of
@chrislathwell3653 4 ай бұрын
Wish they did a lefty or a Gibson version 😢 they rarely come up for sale even for older used models it’s my dream guitar
@vonroretz3307 5 ай бұрын
How about a review of the rare Gibson non-reverse Firebird 7 Custom.
@Trog 5 ай бұрын
Not that model, but one even cooler is in the pipeline!
@elstoof 5 ай бұрын
The laurel on that looks better than most cheap rosewood, just needs a bit of stain to darken a touch
@Gordanovich02 5 ай бұрын
Thank you Sterling for NGDing this one. Because unless I can get one with a significant discount, it's too much for me. And also I think I want a sunburst finish more than I want the stepped headstock and banjo tuners. Which means I'll probably buy the £649 one.
@AndrewSmith-pc8eq 5 ай бұрын
I love the look of the firebird tuners did any basses come with that style tuner, from the factory???
@chrisghiardi117 5 ай бұрын
No. Thunderbirds did not use "banjo" tuners.
@86HAWK1 5 ай бұрын
I wonder how it compares to the late 90s Epiphone Firebirds from Korea? 10 years ago when I was looking for one. The prices of those were pushing $1k
@scottdavidson6066 5 ай бұрын
Why is that lower left knob all pulled away and asymmetrical?
@viperBSG 5 ай бұрын
NO WAY I'm paying that for an Epiphone! Ever!!
@tonedowne 5 ай бұрын
It does sound good. But buying the regular one and upgrading the pickups seems like a much better option. I would worry about resale value as well. It is the kind of guitar that you might not end up taking out that much due to the size of the case. So I can see it getting neglected and sold. At which point you might struggle to find a buyer willing to pay Gibson prices for an Epiphone
@mboyer68 5 ай бұрын
I just checked Sweetwater, that exact looking guitar with Gibson branding on it cost $7,799. A difference of $6120. Holy cow. Your playing keeps improving every time it seems!
@jusztinnemeti6380 2 ай бұрын
I paid around $700 in 1992 for my used firebird V. That's about $1560 in today's money. Gibson and Epiphones are getting way to crazy expensive.
@jimmyjames2022 5 ай бұрын
Hard to A/B sound compare Gibson "Firebird" pickups because that smooth cover hides several designs, with various magnets and windings. Vintage Firebird come with magnetized blades, some designs the coil lies sideways some it lies conventionally. And there are various versions of 'modern' Gibson (Jim DeCola designed) dual non magnetized blade pups with Al2, Al5 and ceramic bar magnets under. I have the latter with Al5 and Ceramic bar magnets and they are 14k, 26k so really hot compared to vintage. Great tones but not vintage.
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