OffsetGuitars.com

So, Epiphone now has the "Inspired by Gibson" line, whatever that is supposed to mean, but they are cool guitars regardless. They put out what seems to be a cool Firebird, and unlike most Epiphones over the years this is a real Firebird and arguably better than what Gibson is putting out as Firebirds.

I say that because this Epiphone comes with real Alnico 2 Firebird pickups instead of the lame ceramic things that Gibson uses. In case anyone doesn't know, Firebirds are very cool and versatile guitars with completely unique pickups in them that are supposed to basically be like noiseless single coils.

And like this person shows, they are great sounding and very versatile guitars.

The Epiphones are also finally truly 9-ply neck through instead of set-neck, and it looks like the hardware is better than what Gibson uses by which I mean Epiphone isn't committed to the truly awful Nashville bridge. In other words, unlike the Gibsons, you could buy this Epiphone and have a great sounding vintage sounding, very versatile Firebird without having to pull the pickups and lame hardware off there like I had to do with my Gibson.

Anyway, I thought that someone might enjoy this- usually, you click on a Firebird video and it's unrelenting blooze hell and you would never get the idea that this was actually a very cool and versatile guitar that could handle anything you threw at it. So, I was happy to see this video. Maybe you will like it also.

Usually my local music store can get me good deals on stuff, and if this turns out to be no exception, I'm getting one.

Probucker FB 720 are the same pickups that were in the Bonamassa Firebirds, aren't they? Yes they are.

That's my understanding, which I think is fantastic. They were said to be good pickups, and they sound good in videos, and man I wish I would have had those Alnico 2 pickups instead of the ceramics.

No idea why Gibson is sticking with those. It is what it is, though. I put in some Alnico 5 pickups and now all is good.

Ok, she‘s Halsey‘s guitarist. No wonder she’s not playing the blooze. Great video, thank you very much Larry! I’ve always liked the unique sound, but not the look of those guitars...

Gibson Custom Shop is making a 1963 Reverse Firebird & a 1965 Non Reverse Firebird both with Alnico V magnets & a maestro vibrola.

I think in the past, even custom shop Firebirds used the crummy ceramic pickups, so this is a welcome change.

https://www.gibson.com/Guitar/CUSPY6379 ... e-Sunburst

https://www.gibson.com/Guitar/CUSEZ5229 ... e-Sunburst

i can see myself rocking an epi standard-shape FB if they come light enough and with not-huge necks. the last few epis i've picked up have had "oh look at the gargantuan necks i play i must be so manly" necks and i am the OPPOSITE. give me 39mm nuts and teeny tiny back profiles.

that said, i don't see them being cheap enough unless they really churn them out. again, unlikely if they're making them properly.

also wraparound bridges > tuneomatics

Damn, that's a sweet guitar. I like Arianna Powell's playing, too. Thanks, Larry.

I'm tempted to get one and an SG with the Maestro.

I have one of those early 00s ones with the neck thru and in pretty much love it.
Then I bought one of those 2015 Gibson non reverse ones for the Japanese market and absolutely HATED (and sold) it.

NICE video and playing!
But how is it "Gibson inspired" and what about all the other Epis of the last 30 years... are they not?!

higgsblossom wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 28, 2020 7:48 am

Ok, she‘s Halsey‘s guitarist. No wonder she’s not playing the blooze. Great video, thank you very much Larry! I’ve always liked the unique sound, but not the look of those guitars...

yep.
I think she was one of the instructors at my favorite shop until maybe 2 years ago. Heavy jazz background.
She's the second teacher to leave that shop and becoming a touring musician.

If epiphone makes a non reverse firebird with the maestro i promise I will buy it

I'm not really sure it's neck through...the specs on the epi website says it's 'glued in'...the neck joint also looks like...a neck joint. I'm confused

I have found their text confusing... but you can see the laminate of the neck through on there, it looks the same as it does on my Firebird so it's either a real nine-ply neck through laminate or it's a sticker or something.

No idea why they say the neck is glued in at some points. They also babble about PAF pickups on the website which has zero relevance to the Firebird.

Shot at NAMM, In this video @ the 6m 22sec mark, Dr. Epiphone says it neck thru but confusingly the Epiphone site says (and AwesomeWelles earlier) the neck is Glue in, so not really sure.

Can you trust Dr. Epiphone?

https://youtu.be/ijrgBrcccOQ

https://www.epiphone.com/Guitar/EPIQZX5 ... e-Sunburst

Epiphone is also using the same Firebird pickups FB720 on the Uptown Kat ES model revamp.
Edit: Added a link to the Uptown Kat site

https://www.epiphone.com/Guitar/EPIHUL8 ... e-Metallic

I was going go post about how it's wonderful that Epiphone is finally doing the Firebird justice (and it is), but then you posted that Uptown Kat, if that's what it's called, and totally derailed my train of thought.

The epiphone "kat" series of small semi-hollows has been my secret crush for like 15 years, and seeing one with legit firebird pickups in that awesome colour makes my heart go pitter-patter...

Musjagjazz wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 28, 2020 9:06 am

i wish they'd have gone with wraparound-type bridges for these. compared to TOMs, they look better, work better and they are officially cooler.