Now we know for sure! It is funny how specs get misconstrued online. This was a pretty good guitar. The pickups weren't too bad - but they could use a little more clarity and punch. Definitely a solid guitar if you've been looking for an inexpensive 'bird! 🔴Reverb: reverb.com/item/18529855-1968-gibson-sg-standard-cherry?_aid=growsumo&gs_partner=Trogly 💰New to Reverb? Get $10 on Me ➡️ reverb.grsm.io/earn10 👕 Merch: teespring.com/basic-logo-4245?pid=211 🎸New Guitar Day Program: troglysguitarshow.com/ngd/ ❓Private Help Sessions: troglysguitarshow.com/help-appraisals/ 🐕 Episode Guide: 0:00 - Intro - Check Links In Description! 0:16 - New Epiphone Line Up 0:29 - Original Designer Series 1:13 - Why is Epiphone Firebird Special? 2:26 - Pricing + Alternatives 3:10 - A Bit of Firebird History 3:40 - First Impressions 6:14 - Is It Really Neck Through? 6:55 - Inside Look / Specs 13:10 - Clean Tone 14:12 - Dirty Tone 15:19 - Final Thoughts 19:05 - Blacklight Test 19:36 - The Box

Trogly: Les Paul, Flying V, Explorer and SG are fan favorites. 335’s: Am I a joke to you?

I'm different. The Firebird is my favorite Gibson guitar!👍😎🎸🎶

Idk why Firebirds are so left out... they look so cool and sound amazing, what is there not to love?????

Trogly, you missed one great feature on this new Epi Firebird. Those pickups have the vintage construction and output, unlike the Gibson Firebirds of recent times. These have Alnico magnets inside the bobbins, like the vintage Firebirds, up until recently Gibson has been putting higher output ceramic magnet minis in the Firebirds, which don't have the vintage construction and don't sound like a vintage Firebird pickup. FB minis are different than the minis that come on LP Deluxes and such. Vintage Firebirds have a sound that can be described as between a Tele and a full size humbucker. It is a big deal that Epi has made true Alnico magnet FB pickups for these Firebirds, something that Firebird fans have been urging Gibson to do for years. I was really surprised that you didn't mention the new "correct" pickups on these Firebirds, as it is one of the things that players have been waiting for, for a long time. I wish Epiphone had put the vintage correct banjo tuners on this model, but I guess they are just following Gibson in that respect, as Gibson has put standard tuners on their recent Firebirds, for some unknown reason.

If i live long enough to sing "When I'm 64" next May, This is my BD present. I'm in love.

Epiphone Thunderbirds have been one of their staples while they’re practically a rarity in Gibson’s output. Strange that Firebirds have been the opposite.

I'm buying the drab green Tuesday...it will be my first Gibson/Epiphone brand...I'm a Fender guy, i own 3 strats atm..I've had a few other brands...but I can't wait...Happy Birthday to me✌️

I think the thing that hurts Firebirds is their lack of finishes. If you're not a big fan of the burst, what do you get to choose from? They're wonderful guitars though, i love mine. I'm glad you mentioned the Diamonds, they're great guitars that nobody ever talks about!

I think it’s an absolutely fabulous guitar, at that price, it’s an absolute winner.

Firebirds are pretty much the only Gibson that I personally think sound good. Those minihumbuckers sound sooo good. Johnny Winters figured this out a long time ago. Epiphone has been seriously stepping up their game.

Just bought one and I love it. The tones are great and unique, “chimey”. Sounds incredible through my custom, hand wired 30watt “Marshall style” amp with a 4/12 Vox cab. Also sounds incredible through my ‘65 re-issue Twin Reverb. Clean or driven. But the driven tones are really cool. It’s a work of art anyway you look or listen...

I am a card carrying member of the reverse firebird cult! I love the look of these guitars, although I have never played one. I always wanted one, but I went for the Les Paul instead, but for $599 maybe I can finally add one to my collection. Good work as usual, Trogly!

Your attention to detail is why I continue to love your reviews. You are honest, and do not pull punches.

Thanks for this review. I was surprised to see that my local music store actually had one of these hanging on their wall, they had ordered it right away once it was available when Epiphone first started shipping them but luckily for me nobody had bought it yet, so when I spotted it there two weeks ago I instantly put a deposit on it, then went in to buy it the following week. Now that I've had it for five days here is what I can tell you about mine: The finish work is basically flawless, the black line along the raised portion on the body was done correctly, there isn't any chipped finish under the truss rod cover, the pots all work perfectly, the toggle switch is a bit loose but doesn't rattle like the one in your video. There was quite a bit of fret buzz on the A string at the first fret but when I checked the neck I found zero relief, so when I loosened the truss rod and got some relief in there the problem went away completely. One thing that you'll find interesting is that the B string on my guitar is noticeably quieter than the G string, just like on your guitar. Weird! But it's not bad enough to bother me. I went through a bunch of my other guitars to see if any of those had this kind of issue and they do have slight differences in volume. Maybe it's got to do with resonance in the wood? All in all this is a FANTASTIC guitar, especially at this price. Hats off to Epiphone for building such great guitars!

I ordered mine, along with the new Epiphone Flying V, in February. Got the Flying V March 2nd, and it blew me away!!! The Firebird came last Thursday, and it's stunning as well!!! No issues with either one. Epiphone has really upped their game in the last few years, and I'd be hard pressed to find a better guitar for the money. I also have the Bonamassa Firebird 1, and an earlier Firebird Studio with the Steinberger tuners, both are neck heavy. The 2020 is light and well balanced. A lot of versatile tones using the expressive tone controls. So glad I bought them both!!!

I’ve always been a tele guy and firebirds are hands down the best Gibson’s to play

I was always a Fender guy, relying on them being quality instruments at not a garage-load of cash and quite pleased with the looks, sound and playability of my Stratocasters. Most of the bands I played in were blues based and the Strat was a perfect fit. About 20 years ago I bought an Epi Les Paul standard to fool around with and have never looked back. While I still have my Strat, I also have an Epi LP Custom Pro and an Epi ES-335 Pro that I turn to more than my Strat. I play just for enjoyment now and mostly pick up one of my Epis to noodle with. I think they are well worth the cost and I have never had any problems with them, from purchase to set-up to playing. I will always recommend an Epiphone as a good instrument that delivers excellent sounds. Cheers, Austin. Stay safe.....

I had the opportunity to play with one of these for an evening. It was really a sweet guitar. It was much nicer than I thought it would be. It was impressive to play and I was told that was right out of the box as it came from Epiphone.

Just bought one ... been an Epi fan and owner for years now ... the Firebird is the Dark Horse of all Rock Guitars; absolutely killer Guitar.

My favorite shape is the Firebird shape. It has a built-in arm rest that fits my right arm perfectly. And the neck is just a little more to the left than others. I love that. I am surprised that more don't admire the shape.

I like that the strap button is behind the neck rather than on the body. I had a epi firebird studio that had the strap button on the body and it would dive like crazy

If Epiphone made a non-reverse Firebird I'd buy one in a heartbeat...

I paid about $250 new for my Gibson Firebird III in 1964 and it looked, played, and sounded great.

Thanks for the Review, I'm a Telecaster player, but I decided to get one of these, it's my first Epiphone. I love it. It plays great, It sounds great, and yes, The Neck pickup is where it's at on this guitar. The Fretwork was perfect and the finish had no flaws. Yes, I will Rock this axe !

I was in Dallas, Texas when Cream Final Tour played Me and a friend went all the way from Hot Springs, Arkansas in a Pink Mustang ...1969 Final Tour and Eric Clapton was playing them Firebird, I was Standing there TRYING TO NOT JUMP UP AND DOWN SCREAMING like a 19 Year Old child, FAIL. He played "Spoon- Full" with Mostly his Backside to the Audience--IDKwhy but I had ALSO SEEN CLAPTION Play """"LIVE""" in Hollywood twice before and THIS FIRE BIRD GUITAR CONCERT was the best ever playing by Clapton "EVER!" I seen "threads" discussing this and THOSE LIKE ME WHO WAS really THERE stay adamant and have the supremacy standing as "EYE-EAR-AND BEING a Guitarist in a Band, (with a 1966 Gibson ES 330 guitar) " Claptans Playing on the Dallas show STANDS OUT and the THUNDERBIRD GUITAR is totally STAND OUT as His Best Ever- also he was on some KILLER DOPE that night, but we don't judge him, Damn I am 70 Years Old and Still Play guitar.JUST TRADED A EPIPHONE 2001 Les Paul Delux Black for a Brand New EPIPHONE ES 339 P90 PRO!

YES it's finally out. I've been waiting for way too long. I really gotta get this guitar

I don't understand why people hate on firebirds. They are great guitars. This video was Really Well Done.

The new Firebirds (since 2018 i believe) from Gibson have the same headstock as the Epiphone. So actually, Epiphone has the exact same headstock as the Gibsons.

Hey trogly you should do a partial mod series, where you replace the pots, output Jack, switch etc, but not the pickups, on a budget guitar, and see the difference it made and/or compare it to an expensive guitar

People think that scarf joints are a bad thing, but you don't see nearly as many Epiphones with snapped off headstocks as you do Gibsons, and the scarf joint is the reason why.

I'm a Johnny Winter fan so I've always wanted a Firebird. I did have a non-reverse one back in the '70s. I remember it being big and heavy but great sounding. I sold it around 76.

just got a epiphone firebird the other week. after new strings and some adjustments i really love mine! everyone has their opinions but i think it sounds and plays great

It's nice to hear some clean playing on a Firebird review.

Kudos for the Johnny Winter tribute, very well done! I'm really diggin the neck thru construction!

i love the bird! their neck is like looking out over a cadillac hood ~ it just goes on forever

One of those guitars I glance at in passing, and go about my way. Kinda like Fender's limited custom Telecaster FMT HH. Finally bought one, love it!. I am not a big Gibson fan, except for a nice SG. This Firebird is really cool! Now I need to find one to play so I have an excuse to buy one! Thanks Trogly!

They aren't mini humbuckers, they're a completely unique rail design (on the original). That, along with the neck through body are what have it it's unique sound. Somewhere in the middle of a single coil and a humbucker, with a lot of harmonics coming from every resonant part of the instrument being on one block of wood.

Interesting that you noted the B string was quiet. The original Firebird design had a tiny steel plate sitting across the two alnico bar magnets, directly underneath the B string to increase its output. I bet these Epiphone pickups skipped including it - a lot of modern reproductions do.

I've been wanting one of the new '20 Epiphones since they launched, and the Firebird was (and still is) at the top of the list. Always love looking at these in-depth reviews so I know what I'm getting!

I love your guitar reviews! I learn so much. I couldn't find a better epiphone firebird review on line. I've watched this video 5 times and finally got the firebird today! Thank you!

When I think Firebird I think Allen Collins

Vittorio “Vic” Vergeat of the band Toad used a Firebird very similar in style to this one and he absolutely slayed on it. Just check out their song “Pig’s Walk” off of their 1971 debut!!

This is also a great guitar for some really gritty slide type Johnny Winter music. I'm very happy with mine. My local guitar tech flipped it for me since I'm left handed. No issues there. A great deal for the price!

great honest review. Thank-you sir. I am trying to decide weather to get the Gibson or Epiphone Firebird five so this review is right up my alley. I have the Epiphone Polymist gold Joe Bonamassa Firebird one. I found it pretty much unplayable out of the box, ( it was painful to play for a long time). Once my luthier finished gluing in the frets and did a plek on it at Weston Instruments it has become a dream to play. I find it so playable now for hours. I prefer it over my American Fender strats these days.

Its just me? Every time I see an opened guitar I can sense the factory smell, I know its crazy!

You should have done a tone comparison with the Gibson one and seen what the difference would be.

I have the white model of this flying V . It was a gift from my husband for my birthday last year. My V is my ❤️

Trogly is in the HOUSE!!!

I’ve noticed a lot of ads claim rosewood especially in the description but are laurel. Not just from Gibson or Epiphone. I just ordered a cheap Squire mustang. That’s when I noticed it.

I have a cherry Epiphone, and it has full-size pickups, raised center, and the bird's legs are painted blue. Absolutely amazing resonance. I don't know the pedigree/year of origin.

All of these Epiphones are fantastic! I am partial to the shapes, loads of character, and they sound great

I love the Firebird shape...one day I want to get one

My old man has a JB Firebird I, when we got it the truss rod was actually hanging out of the neck, however up to pitch with 10s the neck was arrow straight. My guess is they backed it off so much during setup they basically unscrewed it from the anchor. I've never seen a more perfectly straight neck, tho.

I bought one recently in the Drab Green and my only criticism with it is the fret work, I'm gonna have to get the frets levelled and dressed as there is fret buzz up and down the neck. As far as the neck profile, finish quality and tone, it's pretty darn good!

I just bought a Used 2014 cherry Gibson Firebird!! And it sounds as good as it looks!

Ive been waiting for this one

Mine is the best I've seen from Epiphone, the action is crazy low without any buzz and it's just a beautiful guitar. I got a 50's standard Les Paul recently too and the frets are awful, they need resetting and I was so disappointed with it. But the Firebird is a definite favourite!

With 800+ comments may have missed this. The low volume on the B string could be an issue with the bridge or tailpiece. Obviously you've probably got it figured out by now. In my experience, that's always been something to check with low-end (haven't had a higher end Epi) Epis and Ibanez's as well. Great video, super-informative, thank you very much!!!

I read on another video's comments that there is a metal shim of some sort underneath the pickup cover on the E and B side. If you take it out everything is fine again.

Hopefully epiphone will do the III version next

FYI, The Slash version is a set neck, with long neck tenon.

Gibson had three different style headstocks on the Reverse birds in the 60s. The first version was the one like on that anniversary one, with the banjo tuners, two colours, and carved out areas for where it matches the rest of the finish. This is the one that you see more in modern custom shop birds and reissues because it's the most aesthetically pleasing. For most of the original custom colour birds they switched to a design that still had the carved layers, but was just one solid colour to match the body. There was a final batch of reverse firebirds made in 1965 that were considered "Transitional" because they had P-90s and a prototype mirror version of the non-reverse headstock (that swapped banjo for normal in line tuners). This is the style on the 2020 Epiphone and has also been the default non-CS Gibson firebird headstock for a few years now, much to the chagrin of die hard fans and purists...

Hey Austin , love your show I bought one of these Firebirds-and it’s been great, Great tone and sustain ...Also bought one of the squire, paranormal Telly’s. Baritone, both due to your show and your excellent reviews thank you so much for taking the time .

Damn, I really like the sound from those pickups on OD.

I always thought that the SG and Firebird were Gibson's best designs,- the simple and the luxe.The mini hums really do make the difference, the decided preference of those who listen. It would be nice if they did some more colours; I've seen the blue from older releases, and the gold was cool; either would do.

I’m glad you posted this yesterday gave me something to watch on my birthday

Firebirds are great, never thought I would like them until I played one

That is a beautiful guitar. Thank you for demoing this one!

Finally, Firebirds are my favourite.

The pickups which were on the Firebird are not a mini humbucker they are using a bobbin which houses the magnet in its center the coils then wrap around it. This is what gives this guitar its unique tones.

I have the mid 90’s Epiphone Firebird Custom VII in Cardinal Red with gold hardware, three mini humbuckers, and Maestro Vibrola. It is a killer guitar! Bigger headstock and gold tulip tuners. They also did an all gold like a goldtop, black, and sunburst too. Total sleepers.

I'm still waiting for a limited edition Non-reverse firebird

Firebird pickups and minihumbuckers aren't the same thing.

Epi had a Firebird VII around 2003. It was pretty close to an original Gibson and had the veneer on the headstock.

Modern USA reverse firebirds don’t do the triangle joint on the body wings, it’s just a straight joint.

They changed the headstock on the Original series Firebird from 2019 to the one you have on the Epiphone now

2020 Gibson Firebirds have this headstock too, unfortunately.

On one of my tours I got to play a Firebird V, with banjo tuners, and a micro tuning bridge! It was a pleasure to play!

I had an 86 Epi FB. Had a single in the neck, hum in the bridge and, yes, a steinberger trem. I filled in the trem and routed the neck out for a humbucker and she was one of the absolute BEST epi's I ever owned.

I want to know why gibson/epiphone designed the tone pot layout with the lead tone pot further away from the other three pots on firebirds, always gets my mild ocd going

Pssht!.... was waiting for some 'FREE-EE-BIRD yeah!' lol. Can't believe he didn't rip some Allan Collins (or at least some early Clapton riffs). Reverse Firebirds kick ass but finding an original 60's Gibson in decent condition is a nightmare, never mind expensive.

Thanks Trogly, excellent review. Looking forward to see more birds on this channel!

Really like your reviews. Thorough, but good at holding my attention. Kudos!

Trogly,I was having a similar issue with my back pickup,on my Epiphone Firebird,the A string was very weak sounding. Had a Luthier look at the pickup,he found a 1" x1/4" metal shim between the pickup,and pickup cover.The guitar sounds great now ( minus the shim) (Shameless Plug Coming Up)You can check it out on the B.B. King/ Johnny Winter tune "It's My Own Fault" ,on my channel . Nawenko:wa (Great Thanks- Mohawk Language) .

The PU's are the Joe Bonamassa ones. They are real Firebird PU's not mini HB's. HB's have one large PU across the base of the PU and Firebirds have magnets on their edge one inside each bobbin. You get HB noise free sound but Strat chime.

I can't wait to see that EOB Strat review. This Covid thing is keeping me from trying one in the shop...next best thing a Trogly review. Hope that's next

Trogly, if you read this post, I just want to chime in and say that the Epiphone Firebird that I purchased three weeks ago had the same problem as the one in your review where the B string has much lower output volume than the G string. Very weird! I've never had that issue before and I've owned piles of guitars. The music store that sold it to me offered to exchange it for a new one that they had just received, which was very nice of them I must say. The new one has perfectly balanced output across all 6 strings and that is on both pickups. I'm super glad to have this one because as much as I tried to ignore the string balance issue with my first Epiphone Firebird it was really starting to bug me. Since we've both experienced this problem it appears that Epiphone had a run of these FB720 mini humbuckers that were wonky for lack of a better word.

Day 3 of hoping trogly will do a reveiw on the Malcolm Young Signature jet.

Finally!

I was selling a thunderbird pro recently and somebody offered to trade me one of these for it, went round to his place to check it out and see how I liked it before responding to the offer. although I didn't end up taking the swap, I was throughly impressed by this thing. it sounded so much brighter than I expected, almost like a hot single coil without being too chirpy. I couldn't get over the neck though, I imagine if you've played one for a while it would feel a bit more natural but in my hands it didn't feel quite right. more than likely my own fault considering that in terms of guitars I've played nothing but epi/gibson flying v's for a handful of years. I'd definitely urge anyone who likes the look to go down to their local and give one a test drive, they absolutely rip when paired with an orange micro terror.

Hi Trogly , I have an Epiphone Firebird seven Korean made gold finish. I think I bought it around 1995. I put Gibson pick ups in it. They were very hard to find and one of them is not gold it’s chrome. I think it’s a great guitar. Greatly appreciate your videos.

I have one and I find it very easy to play. Exceptionally easy to play. This guitar is ginormous. It's very long. Like a foot longer longer than most guitars. I like that though. A lot. I am grateful to the Trogmaster that he does in-depth reviews including a tear-down. I have lots of guitars and this one is one of my favorites. These are a different animal.

Awesome Trogly《☆》I still have my Epiphone 2001 FB VII. It's still in original condition with the FB pickups & Lyre vibrola in gold. I think mine is probably more visually stunning in vintage sunburst & definitely has more tone with 3 pickups. I would like to see Epiphone do an Allen Collins FB with a P90 grafted on🤓🗣🔊☮✌👍🏾☠SKYNYRD☠

But does it vibe tho?

Dude, your playing performance......you really are an excellent guitarist.....this one video says it all!

As a former Firebird owner (I traded it for a strat) I think that this guitar is absolutely beautiful!

Think the non-reverse Firebird is pig-ugly. I have the current Epi reverse, as per your review. Note: the current, 2020, Gibson has the same, basic, ‘non-scalloped’ headstock as the Epi, with very similar Grover tuners - Rotomatics on the Gibson, just ‘Mini-Grover’ on the Epiphone.

YES

15:38 you can possibly fix that by desolder and resolder the connections from the bridge pickup to the toggle switch or change the toggle switch completely. Had the same issue with an epi explorer neck pickup. Due to necessity (broken toggle on arrival) had to change the toggle switch. Bam. No more thin sounding pickup.