Look at the Frankenstrat. A chunk of wood put together by a teenage kid using some Schwin bicycle paint and spare parts. The player made noises never experienced in music prior and that chunk of wood is now an invaluable piece of rock history now owned by Wolf Van Halen and we are lucky enough to still hear the strings ring out the tone of that incredible chunk of wood from time to time. The notes flow through Wolfs soul and if you listen closely you can still hear Ed's fingers touching those notes as they fly from a legends son. A chunk of wood and a can of bicycle spray paint changed opened my horizons to music and began the soundtrack of my life
Ed also took one of those precious PAF's out of his 59' and shoved it in a Japanese knockoff of a Gibson. Sounded pretty good on VHII and everything after.
I have to say , These less expensive guitars have come a long way without sacrificing quality. It's amazing how they can offer these at the prices they are, I do own one.
Oh, and yes I am a luthier. Only took on that label from the moment I also built renaissance lutes and baroque guitars… 😂 Like you get your car to a garage for adjustments and maintenance, I maintain, adjust and repair your guitar. But I don’t take people who come for repairs or setups for fools. And certainly don’t want to take advantage of them. Many of those setups have been with a discount for people who live on minimum wage or even free. Especially for kids who just started playing; a good setup goes a long way. Practicing becomes less of a burden when you don’t have to struggle fighting the guitar. It’s an investment in the future of guitar playing. And it doesn’t matter to me what price range the guitar is; just do a good job.
Great vid. It reminds me of the claim that through-neck guitars had the most sustain, followed by set necks with bolt-on necks bringing up the rear. But they did tests and lo and behold, the bolr-on neck sustained the longest and the through neck was the shortest. The fact is we live in the golden age of guitars: never have quality guitars been so affordable. Thank CNC and modern manufacturing.
I lost count of how many times while I was doing gigs with a local cover-band of weekend warriors with too much disposable income, the other guitarist (who I still call "power-chord Jamey", as he was incapable of much else) would turn his nose up and make fun of me for bringing my "lowly" Epiphone SG and my hybrid VOX or Marshall combo while he was bringing his expensive Les Paul and a 100-watt Marshall tube head and 4x12", even to the crummiest and tiniest of bar gigs. Funny thing is, though, "I" was the one getting all the compliments about my sound--how could that be??? The Gibson and the tubes are supposed to sound infinitely better! But what my former bandmate was too obtuse to realize is that when you can only turn that Marshall up to "2" (far below the "sweet spot"), set your EQ based on your "bedroom tone" and don't know how to dial-in your pedals either, it's not pleasing to the ear onstage. On the other hand, I know how to adjust my pickups, get the most out of my amp's EQ, and use my ears instead of my eyes, plus I even [GASP!] took the time to LEARN the songs. Guys seem to think having that nice guitar and amp will make them magically better or more interesting players, and get PISSED when reality kicks in. Don't get me wrong, my first and main love is a '64 Gibson SG Standard (and while I was forced to sell my original years back, I've since replaced it with one of the recent, freshly-updated reissues which are good), and I think everyone should treat themselves to their dream guitar or a reasonable facsimile thereof if possible. But for practical purposes, general enjoyment, gigging, etc., there is absolutely no reason whatsoever to spend a lot to get a more-than-decent instrument that will be everything you need to do the job. I prefer having my nice guitar or two and a bunch of lower-priced, diverse guitars for different purposes that allow me to record all kinds of different styles and tones rather than just having a few high-end guitars that cost the same as a dozen or more perfectly capable affordable guitars. I get just as much enjoyment out of my Epiphones, Squiers, Fireflys, Harley Bentons, etc. as I do my Gibson, just in different ways. It's a shame some people limit themselves and don't let themselves enjoy things based on mythological expectations. They're missing out on a lot of fun and inspiration.
I’m a Les Paul lover. Bought and epi first. Then saved up for the real Gibson. Played it for a year. Sold it for what I paid for it and bought 3 more epi’s put new switches and pots in them all and bought a great amp with the Gibson money.
OMG this vid had me LMAO all the way through! You are ripping the snobs to shreds and I loved every minute of it... LOL. And the editing was top notch!
I've been playing guitar since 2014 and I've noticed along my guitar journey that the Law of Diminishing Returns has thoroughly stomped out the old adage of "You get what you pay for." over the past ten or so years. When I first started, you had to pay over $1000 to get a good quality guitar out of the box. But now there have been a deluge of guitars in the $200-$500 range that just don't need any extra work to be a gigable or recordable instrument. The big brands have basically been reduced to fashion brands a this point, you're only buying them for the prestige of the name on the headstock.
I like the bit about zep and the tele no one believed me, big zep fan, and love my Chinese import guitar. In Australia it's the best value, set it up to your liking and have fun. Appreciate your honesty.
got 1 ivy lp 1 grote es 335 2 grote lp's/ also gibs fends epips prs squier washburn fender dean schecter etc... the only issue i found on the iyv grotes upgrade tuners and possibly bridge if sharp and that is a cheap upgrade for good solid cheapee! they are great!
I play with a £350 epiphone Coronet through a Fender Pro Junior. The whole set up cost me less than a grand and I'll go toe to toe with anyone out there......
@@ChristopherIf-he7rr that's me... I had an ltd eclipse but it was.... Idk man I swear I think someone built that for themselves... It had the flamey-est neck I've ever seen... Like trogly freaks out over a little figuring in a Gibson neck this thing was gorgeous... Everything on it was ESP branded... Like had extra stamps that I haven't seen on other ltds. It got stolen but I'll recognize the neck if I come across it. But that and a black star amp and literally a Behringer eq pedal and yeah... That was my rig and I could do most anything with it. If the little amount had been foot switchable I wouldn't have needed the eq pedal... I mostly used it as an overdrive.
Back in 1990 I got a used Squire II P Bass w amp for $150. The amp blew decades ago, but the Squre Bass is still in use today. I reach for it well over my Fender. What can I say. Its a quality bass.
I have two Firefly guitars. An Explorer style. Bat blue with bat inlays. I also got an off white double neck, both about a year and a half ago. I have not tried an LP style. Not sure that I will, only because I have way overdid it with guitars. Based on my experience, I'm sure they are great. I enjoy watching your videos. The next best thing.
As an alternative to an R9, which I can't afford, I ordered an unfinished,unglued, fretted neck and body. Going to buy the hardware and finish if myself. I believe this can be done at a fraction of the price of a Custom Shop and I think it will even be better, because the hardware is actually not that great on an off the shelf R9. It's where they were able to cut corners without most people players noticing. Which is kind of ridiculous considering they cost more than my car.
I still don't understand how guitarists get along without knowing how to set up their own guitar. I live in New England and have to reset it every season. It isn't rocket science.
Who makes the best budget guitar nowadays? Firefly, Eart, Westcreek, Fojill, IYV, Monoprice? There’s so many really good budget guitars nowadays. Truly magical times we live in.
@3cardmonty602 you are correct. So many good budget guitars. The trick is knowing exactly what you are looking for. I suggest visting a guitar store today find a feel for what type of neck you like, and what style sits on you nice. Get a feel. Then search that style and find something with good honest reviews that are not paid for. Out of all of those brands you listed, my personal favorite is Firefly. However, that could change on any day. Depending on what comes through here. But this one is an amazing guitar. That fits me perfectly and has features that even high end guitars do not. Leo Jaymz is definitely right up there with their new models, but are more expensive. Not better. But still very good. IYV also has some fantastic guitars. Westcreek is a brand that I have not held. But I hear good things. Monoprice has been hit and miss for me. But does have some good options. I hope this helps.
@@FultonStreetBeats Jet Guitars are amazing for the price . So good they start making higher quality instruments but you can still find one for $200 USD with roasted maple neck ,Wilkinson trem and huge carve to access upper frets .
I have 6 Fire-Flys (2 LP's, 2 Strats, 1 SG and one es-335 copy) I also have 8 Fender strats (4 made in Mexico, 2 American made and 2 parts caster I built from scratch) and 1 Gibson Les Paul Limited edition and have owned hundreds of guitars throughout my playing career. I have played and loved them all...However, the FirFly's in many, many ways (not just for the money) beat out every single strat and Gibson I have ever played or owned...and as I said I have owned many, many guitars. The only reason I don't buy more FireFly strat's (in case you have'nt figured it out I like strat guitars) is that the strat's all come with a standard C neck (as well as every other budget friendly guitar in the market) and since I now play strats on stage exclusively, I need a decent soft V neck or a medium C and having to shell out $400.00 for my favorite neck each time is a little much. If FireFly ever starts making the strats with a soft V or med. C I will buy a ton of them because Honestly, the price and the quality is unmatched anywhere. One last thing I must say...I love Fender strats and amps and I love Gibson Les Pauls...but they have lost their minds in the pricing of all their guitars as well as using sub par woods and parts to make a quick buck. Just my 2 cents worth. Peace.
Before I learned to work on my own guitars, I never bought budget guitars. It was because I was ignorant of how little work modern budget guitars needed most of the time. Now I love modding budget guitars to see how cheaply I can upgrade them to see how much I saved putting in some time and hunting for bargains. Its so fun. I have more fun playing something I put work into. I was more confident learning mod skills on a $200 guitar. I only buy big brands now if its a nostalgic model for me. You have never been able to get so much guitar for so little money. The most annoying statement I hear is " They are so good for the money.". They are just good. If it said squier or Epiphone on the head, people would pay 2-3x the price.
Two thumbs up !!! Agree with you 110 percent. Gibson is also famoous for guitars with broken headstocks and guitars with neck dive - it's so common in fact, that those 2 characteristicvs should be listed on their spec sheet.
I really like the Firefly LPs , I’ve got a gold top p90 that has a thick neck and feels great to play !! I’ve had great luck with the 4 firefly’s I’ve had
I've purchased 2 chinese guitars this year - one is a thin-bodied archtop with a P90... and the other is a tele-styled 'silent-guitar' with a humbucker and a piezo - and they are now my favourite guitars... just a nadgers better than my beautiful Aria strat. Nothing expensive - but I've gigged them all and there's been no issues and they all sound great! No need to spend thousands on big name instruments - just be prepared to do an hour or two's work on the action/setup - and you'll have instruments that can fit in just fine on any stage!
yeap got a les paul as a gift from my sister she lost her battle with cancer i didn't know that her cancer had came back i play that guitar every day luv you sis and i miss you so much the other guitar she bought for me was a yamaha 621D around 1993 that yamaha has been through hell and back and it still keeps going yamaha guitars are awesome guitars from my experience guitars have their own quirks
I am one of those strange people that love both the expensive guitars and a well made cheeper one. If a guitar and electronics sounds good I like it - though I have also fallen in love with some harder to play guitars as well. I love the brands that came up with the iconic shapes but dont need them to be their expensive version. My favorite Gibson I own is a "Worn Mahogony" Studio, favorite Fender Strat is a Mexi strat I bought off of an up and coming blues/jass musician and the closest look and sound to the custom shop I found after playing about 30 Telicasters was a Squire so I bought that one and it is my go to Teli. I have the ear of a guitar snob and even like it if my guitars can have that Iconic look (headstock and all) but truly appreciate what some of these newer companies like Firefly are doing. I chase sound but there is a law of deminishing returns and somhow you can get real gems and real duds all from the same line. Even the custom shops put out some duds.
PREACH IT BROTHER! I own both Gibsons (pawn shop purchased) and sub-$200 "foreign built" guitars. I used have a Korean built Epiphone Lester Paulfus Standard that I replaced all of the electronics (CTS pots and Switcraft 3-way and output jack) that a "Gibson ONLY" guitarist in a band I was in enjoyed playing better than his own '74 Gibson Les Paul Standard! I changed his mind about 'name brand's guitars being the only ones that were worth playing!!
I agree 100% with what you say! As someone who was a big Gibson fanboy (snob) back in the day I rarely bought anything but Gibson. I became a pretty good expert back in the late 70s early 80s long before the internet when you had to do a lot of leg work and actually have to crack open a book. I toured Gibson Factories several times got info learned how to tell what the original parts were used year after year etc, Fender once and one other I forget the brand. In the mid 80s I sold off my collection 150 guitars total 102 were Gibsons from the 50s thru the early 80s. When I got back into it when my son wanted to play/learn gutiar. He wanted a BC Rich a brand I only heard of never touched. I figured it's what he wanted I was not going to force him to get a guitar he didn't want. So I got a BC Rich Warlock started pack. It wasn't bad the guitar needed a good set up but everything was pretty good the frets, pickups were good the hardware was decent. I decided to get a BC Rich and I like crazy designs and bought a BC Rich Beast. I loved it and now I have a bigger collection since I realized the more a guitar cost the better it is. NOPE! That is not true I have one Gibson in the collection a 90s Explorer that I score new for $495.00 with the HSC and it's good better than many new Gibsons I tried that were no better than their Epiphone line. In the late 70s I actually thought I was going to build my own guitars I had a friend who owned a custom cabinet shop that he let me set up a small work station and i started building guitars in my spare time 12 total, 11 I sold to people who saw my first one I made for myself. I had to stop when my friend closed up shop to move it to an area the costs were much less. I held on to #001 for myself but I got talked out of it by a long time friend who gave me cash and a beautiful Zemaitis Portrait with the MOP and Abalone top. I regret selling #001 and I have been trying to find one of my guitars since no clue what ever happened to them. My new collection is very eclectic and i didn't break the bank. I try and buy used guitars because the savings are just way better than MSRP pricing and lately some of the newer brands popping up on Amazon. I have Leo Jaymz, WestCreek, Firefly etc. I have brands most never heard of like Raven West, Halo, Minarik and a few customs I found. I actually scored one of the first Monson Wizards made. It was Brent Monson's 2nd guitars he built. it's hand numbered #002 it was the 2nd guitar he made and the first one he sold. I contacted him right after I got it and I stole it for less that $150.00 he gave me the history of the guitar and even offered to refinish it for my but as much as I hate Nitro and how it checks but I do not want to restore it. He told me at the time he didn't have a real handle on routing the neck pocket and said there should be a guitar pick he used to shim it and I checked and there it was. It plays great and it's really cool. THere always will be people who will think the more you spend the better it must be but that is just what the big expensive brands want you to think it's all about marketing put your guitars in the hands of big mainstream musicians and people will flock to the brands!
I love my Jet Stratocaster. I have several high dollar guitars including a Charvel Guthrie, a Gibson Standard, and an EBMM Majesty. I gind myself playing the Jet.
Great video!.. I LOVE guitars and gear.. definitely GAS is my thing.. I am the proud owner of a few beautiful Gibsons that I love, BUT, I equally have a few Epiphones, Harley Bentons, Fenders and squiers… ALL my guitars have a ‘Vibe’… My favourite changes day by day… I LOVE my Gibsons but certainly would NEVER slag off anyone playing budget. I just got my Christmas present early and its the Sire Larry Carlton LP goldtop with p90s.. I’m delighted with it!! …. Budget guitars are also fun as it becomes ‘affordable’ to try lots of different models. 🙏
Having worked in several shops over the last 50 years, It is a general opinion that 99.9% of all the customers could not tell what brand they were trying if you tied a cloth bag over the headstock. People buy certain labels because they think it buys them some kind of prestige.
I own 20+ guitars of different brands ( Gibson, Gretsch, Jackson, Epiphone.....), and have gone through many more. All 3 Firefly guitars and the Harley Benton are down the road, I found that I never played them.I wonder why? They all looked cool. That being said, I sold them all for more than I bought them for new. So it seems they retain value, at least in my experience.
I bought an Ibanez LP new in 1972, $150 with case (before 'law suit' became a thing). Fast forward to 1989, I bought a brand new Gibson LP Standard, beautiful sunburst. Couldn't wait to gig it. Within a a short period, it had an intermittent bridge pick-up issue (cutout) and a severe case of fret-sprout (that actually cracked the neck binding). Dealer, no help. Contacted Gibson myself, sent it to Nashville. Came back a month later. Looked great, but they evidently didn't address the pick-up problem as instructed. I offed it to a shop owner friend for $500 and was glad to see it go. What a piece of shit. Never again. I see '89 LP Standards listed on Reverb now in the neighborhood of $4K-ish. Guess I should've threw it under the bed in hindsight. I've still got the old black Ibanez LP btw....... among other USA, CS's, and imports of all the usual suspects, both acoustic & electric. I'm no longer a brand snob either! A good guitar, is a good guitar, period!
Just got a chibson les paul custom in egg shell white. And I love this thing. I also own a firefly fslp and acoustic. The acoustic sounds better than my Martin!
God. Dude you rock. This is what I keep telling my peers . Dude you couldn't have said it better. If I had deep pockets I still keep buying firefly guitars instead of Gibson. They sound and play amazing.
Nice to hear someone being honest and not repeating the same bullshit. I couldnt care less about the name on the headstock as long as it stays in tune and inspires me
i don't generally buy firefly guitars because i have a used carvin guitar addiction i already have to feed. but i respect them. stainless steel frets under $200 is no laughing matter. and the new evh frankenstrat copies are pretty cool.
Guitars across the board are fantastic now days. Choose where you spend your money. I spend my mine with whomever gives the best value. I have 2 big named guitars. Of the 6 I have I only have 1 Squire by Fender Partscaster. Harley Benton and First Act are two of my favorites, followed by my P90 HH Partscaster I put together for $120. It's fantastic! Bringin' up the rear is my SG kit I'm waitin' on pore filler for and finally my Ibanez acoustic. 6 guitars for what 1 mid range Gibson cost.
I love this video .I have an Epiphone Les Paul standard that I played on stage for over 20 years.I will never trade it for a Gibson .I have too many memories with my Epiphone Les Paul
My issues with Chibsons in particular and some budget brands like Harley Benton are these (and I'm not a snob, my main guitars are a 1989 Epiphone Les Paul and a trio of Telecaster partscasters). 1. Its a lottery - you can get fantastic Chibsons... and you can get a LOT of appalling ones that have been thrown together - even if you buy from a seller that someone else got a great one from. Most are middle men and use multiple factories, and when there is an issue you have a fight to get it sorted, and some bank on the fact you are not going to want to send it at your own cost back to china if there is an issue. 2. Both chibsons, and even Harley Bentons - the hardware (tuners in particular) as a rule is garbage made from "pot metal" - I had a Harley Benton bass that had the tuners literally disintegrate after 6 months. Ive bought a lot of chinese made stuff, guitar hardware and other things like tools, and the metal quality is pants to say the least - literally just binned a bigsby copy that Im sure some parts were made of play-doh. If you are willing to play that lottery, bank on possibly junking a lot of the parts (tuners, pickups and electronics) you might end up with a good guitar. Rather like my telecaster partscasters though, if you ever come to sell it you'll never get back what you paid for it and what you paid out to make it useable long term - unless you part it out and even then you wont get close to what you have into it. Just from my personal experience. And yes, Gibson are greedy bastards and rely on Blues lawyers and dentists to keep their price inflated.They've even started it with Epiphones now.
My first Firefly was a bass, PJ style. Under 200 at my door, about a month ago. Very satisfied. Paid 1200 for a Gibson explorer in 2012. The QC was crap. Made a trade for it a year later. I will never pay hard earned $ for a Gibson again. Why can't America make a quality budget guitar? I will get another Firefly at some point, no doubt.
I have 25 guitars, including Gibsons, Epiphones, PRS and Chibsons. Also a lot of Strats and Teles. In my opinion, if you set up your guitar well, they are ALL good. I’ve built guitars for less than £200 that are every bit as good as the others. The name on the headstock means NOTHING 😊
I love this video and your real take on guitars…I’ve played and bought guitars that I can afford as I improved in my playing and learning of the guitar. I’ve mainly owned Epiphone guitars and all ways here Gibson guys bash the Chinese made guitars…So I finally gave in and with my hard earned money was able to buy a 50s faded Gibson les Paul. To be honest it’s nice but kinda disappointing at the same time because my Epiphone les Paul’s still plays just as nice! To your points about the tech specs of guitars. Buy what you like, there are so many options out there…and keep rocking!!!
I’ve been playing an Ibanez ax120 $200 knock off of a Gibson SG for almost 10 years. Stays in Tune, lighter than any Gibson ever made, and I can promise you the QC, Fit and FInish, whatever you wanna call it, is as good if not better than any SG that’s 10X the price. Ok, so the down side of it not being an SG, ITS GOT A BOLT ON NECK!!!!! OMG! It suffers from the same fate as 95% of all guitars made! Someone dared to attach the neck with bolts and not glue! All I’m saying is I’ve never once had someone say to me “WHY ARENT YOU PLAYING A REAL SG”. I have however heard, “That guitar/rig sounds great”. Anyway that’s my 2 cents worth. Love your videos, keep up the goodwork
I’ve bought a lot of guitars in the past year or so. Many different brands and price points. I can confidently say there are great guitars available for any budget, so buy the best one you can afford. And if you can’t afford a Gibson, it doesn’t make them overpriced. Just move on to something else that you can afford. Or find a good used one. It truly is a great time to buy a guitar and it’s certainly a buyer’s market.
Oookay....I have owned (still do somewhat) guitars that were built by legendary luthiers. Owned some killer Gibson's and played (but not owned) guitars featured in books, records, films. Gear of the guitar gods. So I can safely claim "snob status", due mostly to being at the right place and time, and knowing the right people. ...and this is the truth of it all... Those guitars were built, at the time, as cheaply as they could get away with and still be marketable to the amature and pro players alike. Those "mojo" pickups were produced by the bucket load. As fast and as cheap as possible. To all those "one in a million" guitars made (and they certainly were) meant that the rest were average...or below. Production consistency barely existed as no two guitars were really alike. All of this led to some great guitars as you could find that "one in a million" that fit _your_ hand better than the others. And those days are mostly gone with the big brands. Guitars now are so CNC that by _definition_ they're mediocre. Which is why my next guitar purchase (not that I need anymore) will probably be a Firefly. I played a few of them and was impressed. I found no more "flaws" than I ever did on those vintage Gibson's. Which all have to be set up periodically anyway. I found the pickups cheap and slightly microphonic...which is _exactly_ what those killer vintage pickups were. And the necks, really the most important part, felt great with frets that were/are superior to those vintage money monsters. Notice that I haven't mentioned the price.... Because an instrument has to stand on its own merits _regardless_ of the price. A crap expensive guitar, is just a crap guitar. A good cheap guitar, is just a good guitar. Price isn't a factor when it comes to what matters.
So, Led Zeppelin I was recorded with the Teli and II forward are largly the 59 Les Paul - though there are still smatterings of Teli and other guitars. Often, I can hear the difference, but they all sound good, and your point is still 100% valid. I think the LP and Teli sound distinct, but I dont think many people hear the difference (without being so ultra focused that they are no longer just enjoying the music). People should play what they like. Play what sounds good to them and they can afford. I made the mistake of sinking a lot of money into gear when I should have been getting lessons.
A good guitar is a good guitar, period! Over the years I have had guitars if ALL price ranges visiting my workshop. The brand label is just that; a brand label. It doesn’t matter where it came from. Some are great, some are average, some are duds. And all need a good setup after a while. Yes, some tell stories, they have a certain patina and character. Some used for specific recordings will seem like magic when you strike a note, because they have the timbre of the song you know. But they are still just a tool in the hands of a musician. Bad musician + good guitar = terrible Good musician + bad guitar = still something you’ll like to listen to Good musician + good guitar = heaven!
@Dutchluthier The fact is setting up a guitar is not hard and I'm pretty good at it. But I've had Martin's that sounded great, that I could not get set up the way I liked it and sold it. I've had a washburn that once I set it up was one of the best sounding and playing guitars I've ever had. Oh and I still have it.
Agreed. My buddy is the best setup guy in southern Nevada. He works on every possible guitar brand made & probably does at least a couple hundred per year. He has seen 1 near perfect guitar from the factory in the 10 years we've been friends & it was asian made somewhere. I love my Epiphones because I can have 3 really nice Epis for less than the price of the cheapest Epi's Gibson counterpart. My Epi ES-175 Premium is identical to the Gibson with the identical electronics, less than 1/3 the price of the Gibson. I also have Guild acoustics, an American 1980 D40 & a 1986 D30 & 4 Chinese Guilds from around 2000 through 2017. They are all as nice or nicer than the "American" Martin sustainable models. 2 of the Chinese Guild "GAD"s were made in early 2000s under Fender ownership & have extra fancy inlays, no laminated wood, wood binding instead of "synthetic" & real bone nuts/saddles. Other 2 are "Westerly Collection" 1xx series made around 2017 after Cordoba bought the company. The WCs are equally as nice as the GADs but not quite as fancy. Same deal, I can buy several Chinese imports for less than 1 Kalifornia made Guild. Setup IS everything & ALL guitars need it done properly. I've sold a couple out of state & sight unseen. The new owners & all their friends say my buddy is "the Guitar Guru"! LOL
I own some Guitars, there are Epiphones, Squires etc. All Sound great. My best Guitsr is a Mexican Telecaster, plays great, feels great and has great Tone. Is is because it is a Fender? I guess no it's just because i like to play it.
Honestly I will say I have noticed a tonal difference in humbuckers. I never use digital (computer) recording programs, I just plug into my amp and play in my room. 4 of my 5 ff guitars (2 lps, 1 sg, 1 st, 1 V) all had hallow sounding tone, only my yellow bat LPS sounded fuller.
Fulton, I have a question that I know you'll know the answer to. "Does a semi-hollow body sound different than a solid body when using the same pickups? I''ve wondered about this since I've been a teenager and I'm 56 today. Would love to know that answer.
The feel will be different and the vibration on the body. The sustain is much different. The tone would be the same if the exact same pickups, strings, pots, caps, and set up was the same. The sustain is very different. Tone not so much.
@@FultonStreetBeats Interesting. I would think sustain would be determined from the nut & bridge saddles. I thought a hollow body may sound different because everybody talks about sheilding the electronics. But again, I have no clue. But what would dampen the sustain?
Did I like this video? I absolutely loved this video! You spoke nothing but the truth about guitars! But GUITAR SNOBS will never get ! STUCK ON STUPID! 👍🎸ROCK ON BROTHER!
I've always wanted to buy a slash model guitar the one in mind the November burst. But after watching this video you are 100% right they are made from real tree woods in the same way bit better in electronics's. But your only paying into the name. I had a epiphone LP standard blueberry burst nice guitar change the pickups and put locking tuners and roller saddle on it my choice to do so. But I am going to look at firefly and prs and Harley Benton or even a good made chibson LP.
AMEN!! WELL STATED SIR!! A TRUE guitarist loves the fact of just playing the instrument!! The "name" on the headstock should NOT make a difference. It's ALL ABOUT THE SOUND...NOT the NAME!!
I agree there has been tons of test that show it's the Player then its the signal chain especially the SPEAKERs then the Amp & or SIM Amp sim or speaker sim cab or cab sim pedals next STRINGS.. Wood effects Violins the most since they are the smallest acoustical string instrument of which my wife & I both play Violin, Piano & Guitar both Acoustic & electric as well as acoustical electric... The violin has 2 small F holes & 2 wooden sound post the placement is paramount to sound & a wooden floating Bridge that is important THE TOP of The VIOLIN VIBRATES The sound comes out of the air that is forced out of the F Holes.. Electric Guitars the Sound comes out of the SPEAKERS which vibrate & disturb the air which then travels hitting our ears the hair in the ears vibrates that is what we hear... Eddie Van Halen took a junk guitar ie reject body reject neck & CHISLED OUT THE PICKUP Cavity with a hammer & Screwdriver to fit Modified P 90s made by Seymore Duncan like he had done for Jeff Beck's Telecaster at the Gibson Custom shop.. YEP ... The Most iconic guitar ! My Wife & both Own Primarily Chinese Guitars Why The Price & Quality.. A Bottle of Wine Say Pinot Noir One Bottle is rated 98 out of 100 points & is $50 & the other one is rated 96 points & is $10 The $10 one is the Best deal.. Cheers 🍻🥃🥃😎🎸🎼🎵🎶🎶🎶🎅 Merry Christmas🎅🎄🎁🎁❄☃🏂❄
I've owned a Fender, Taylor, Epiphone & a no name acoustic guitar. The no name guitar I sold for the price of a small bag of weed. And that guitar was my all time favorite acoustic. I've been lucky enough to have owned a 1950's authentic Gibson Les Paul Custom. (But Not Original) had several upgrades. I did however own a authentic 1974 Gibson SG standard. That was all original. Both of those guitars played better than any other guitar that I've played. I've owned a 2006 Gibson Les Paul Special. Great craftsmanship. But nowhere near the same quality as the Kalamazoo, Michigan guitars. I owned a 1983 American Fender Stratocaster. Great player. Now, I've also seen a early Greco Les Paul from the early 70's. Everyone back in the day said they were junk. A guy rep[laced everything on it. That guitar was still being used for gigs just a few short years ago. Stayed in tune and sounded exactly the same as a authentic Les Paul Standard. If the guitar feels good in your hands, doesn't have fret buzz, has a good setup, with polished level frets. It's worth considering. Unless you're looking to gift it to your family or friend, then there's no reason to spend $1000.00 or more for a quality instrument. Gibson and Fender have both dropped the ball on affordable quality instruments. But do know that most of the time if you pay $300.00 for a guitar that it will most likely need 1. a setup that will cost $75.00 to $150.00 2. Pots and capacitors that cost around $60.00 and a hour labor. 3. Pickups maybe required that may cost $80.00 to $200.00 depending on what you're getting. But for roughly $300.00 you can find a decent playing guitar. just don't expect everyone of those budget guitars to play nice without a setup or fretwork being done. (But a scarce few will be great out of the box. But roughly $450.00 to $600.00 may be your total investment to getting a awesome playing Chibson, or great playing instrument. However, on Facebook Market Place, you could probably find a great deal on a used Fender or other name brand guitar that's had a setup and it may even come with a hard shell case. (New isn't always better) Great video and awesome playing in this video too. Thank you for your honest review. Peace.. Joe
absolutely bang on my brother! i think those ppl might be sniffing more than corks hahahaha!!! one can still feel the "magic" even with a clone of a legendary shaped guitar....i know i do!
Why can i buy a 250 dollar fire fly that has great frets and a bone nut and alnico 5 pickups . And for 2 grand i get a gibson with fret sprout and a poorly cut nut? I love cheap guitars and cheap pedals if they sound good.
My setup buddy had a customer bring him a new Gibson Les Paul that was f*cked up from the factory. Paulie told him to send it back. He did & Gibson "Plek"d it for a setup. When he got it back, he founr the frets pretty much destroyed. He then had to take it to Las Vegas to be refretted & then to my buddy to be properly setup.
....and lets face it, with todays modeling technology, you can make just about any guitar sound like just about any guitar. You could take a cheap Behringer Strat knockoff and make it sound like David Gilmour's #1!
Wow! You were spitting nothing but truth bud! I am so sick of fanboys talking smack if you don’t rock a Gibby. And while I love Gibson I am not a snob and will certainly play a realistically priced instrument.I love the firefly by the way! Such an excellent vid I hit the sub button bud! Great work.
You can't lose with all the quality cheaper guitars. If you fork out wads of cash you can stuck with a turkey. I have an older firefly lp, the blue one with triple cream humbuckers. Has all the attributes like yours. Great.
EVERY guitar is different. My Gibson lp studio is truly a gem. But my bottom of the barrel $200 new Epiphone sg plays just as well and sounds almost as good. The Gibson does feel much better though. That said, I also had an identical Gibson lp produced the same month, it was a dud I only kept a few weeks.
That beat up relic is only a great guitar because of the icons that played them . If they're so great why don't today's famous players buy them they don't even buy the new ones today ..
What Does AI Say About Gibson? This may SHOCK YOU! ua-cam.com/video/oY0sQw6HqC8/v-deo.html
Look at the Frankenstrat. A chunk of wood put together by a teenage kid using some Schwin bicycle paint and spare parts. The player made noises never experienced in music prior and that chunk of wood is now an invaluable piece of rock history now owned by Wolf Van Halen and we are lucky enough to still hear the strings ring out the tone of that incredible chunk of wood from time to time. The notes flow through Wolfs soul and if you listen closely you can still hear Ed's fingers touching those notes as they fly from a legends son. A chunk of wood and a can of bicycle spray paint changed opened my horizons to music and began the soundtrack of my life
Ed also took one of those precious PAF's out of his 59' and shoved it in a Japanese knockoff of a Gibson. Sounded pretty good on VHII and everything after.
Cork sniffers, good one! I love the good cheap guitars, it's insane what you can get for under $500 these days.
I have to say , These less expensive guitars have come a long way without sacrificing quality. It's amazing how they can offer these at the prices they are, I do own one.
Oh, and yes I am a luthier. Only took on that label from the moment I also built renaissance lutes and baroque guitars… 😂
Like you get your car to a garage for adjustments and maintenance, I maintain, adjust and repair your guitar. But I don’t take people who come for repairs or setups for fools. And certainly don’t want to take advantage of them. Many of those setups have been with a discount for people who live on minimum wage or even free.
Especially for kids who just started playing; a good setup goes a long way. Practicing becomes less of a burden when you don’t have to struggle fighting the guitar. It’s an investment in the future of guitar playing.
And it doesn’t matter to me what price range the guitar is; just do a good job.
This may be the best video on guitars I’ve ever seen.
Geographic location of manufacture does not determine tone,science does.
Great vid. It reminds me of the claim that through-neck guitars had the most sustain, followed by set necks with bolt-on necks bringing up the rear. But they did tests and lo and behold, the bolr-on neck sustained the longest and the through neck was the shortest.
The fact is we live in the golden age of guitars: never have quality guitars been so affordable. Thank CNC and modern manufacturing.
I lost count of how many times while I was doing gigs with a local cover-band of weekend warriors with too much disposable income, the other guitarist (who I still call "power-chord Jamey", as he was incapable of much else) would turn his nose up and make fun of me for bringing my "lowly" Epiphone SG and my hybrid VOX or Marshall combo while he was bringing his expensive Les Paul and a 100-watt Marshall tube head and 4x12", even to the crummiest and tiniest of bar gigs. Funny thing is, though, "I" was the one getting all the compliments about my sound--how could that be??? The Gibson and the tubes are supposed to sound infinitely better! But what my former bandmate was too obtuse to realize is that when you can only turn that Marshall up to "2" (far below the "sweet spot"), set your EQ based on your "bedroom tone" and don't know how to dial-in your pedals either, it's not pleasing to the ear onstage. On the other hand, I know how to adjust my pickups, get the most out of my amp's EQ, and use my ears instead of my eyes, plus I even [GASP!] took the time to LEARN the songs. Guys seem to think having that nice guitar and amp will make them magically better or more interesting players, and get PISSED when reality kicks in. Don't get me wrong, my first and main love is a '64 Gibson SG Standard (and while I was forced to sell my original years back, I've since replaced it with one of the recent, freshly-updated reissues which are good), and I think everyone should treat themselves to their dream guitar or a reasonable facsimile thereof if possible. But for practical purposes, general enjoyment, gigging, etc., there is absolutely no reason whatsoever to spend a lot to get a more-than-decent instrument that will be everything you need to do the job. I prefer having my nice guitar or two and a bunch of lower-priced, diverse guitars for different purposes that allow me to record all kinds of different styles and tones rather than just having a few high-end guitars that cost the same as a dozen or more perfectly capable affordable guitars. I get just as much enjoyment out of my Epiphones, Squiers, Fireflys, Harley Bentons, etc. as I do my Gibson, just in different ways. It's a shame some people limit themselves and don't let themselves enjoy things based on mythological expectations. They're missing out on a lot of fun and inspiration.
I’m a Les Paul lover. Bought and epi first. Then saved up for the real Gibson. Played it for a year. Sold it for what I paid for it and bought 3 more epi’s put new switches and pots in them all and bought a great amp with the Gibson money.
OMG this vid had me LMAO all the way through! You are ripping the snobs to shreds and I loved every minute of it... LOL. And the editing was top notch!
Seasons greetings from the UK. Best wishes to you and yours. Agree with everything you say here.
I've been playing guitar since 2014 and I've noticed along my guitar journey that the Law of Diminishing Returns has thoroughly stomped out the old adage of "You get what you pay for." over the past ten or so years.
When I first started, you had to pay over $1000 to get a good quality guitar out of the box. But now there have been a deluge of guitars in the $200-$500 range that just don't need any extra work to be a gigable or recordable instrument.
The big brands have basically been reduced to fashion brands a this point, you're only buying them for the prestige of the name on the headstock.
💯
Been lurking a while and this is the most informative vid of yours that I have seen.
I was going to buy the fender player 2 recently but instead i decided to go for the squire classic vibe instead. Best decision i ever made!
Excellent video! I couldn't agree more.
@thebaldshredder Thank you for stopping in brother. I knew that you were definitely grounded in facts. 🤘🤘
I like the bit about zep and the tele no one believed me, big zep fan, and love my Chinese import guitar. In Australia it's the best value, set it up to your liking and have fun. Appreciate your honesty.
Thanks brother🙂
got 1 ivy lp 1 grote es 335 2 grote lp's/ also gibs fends epips prs squier washburn fender dean schecter etc... the only issue i found on the iyv grotes upgrade tuners and possibly bridge if sharp and that is a cheap upgrade for good solid cheapee! they are great!
I play with a £350 epiphone Coronet through a Fender Pro Junior. The whole set up cost me less than a grand and I'll go toe to toe with anyone out there......
Grab a slide and wail on the Coronet!
@@ChristopherIf-he7rr that's me... I had an ltd eclipse but it was.... Idk man I swear I think someone built that for themselves... It had the flamey-est neck I've ever seen... Like trogly freaks out over a little figuring in a Gibson neck this thing was gorgeous... Everything on it was ESP branded... Like had extra stamps that I haven't seen on other ltds. It got stolen but I'll recognize the neck if I come across it. But that and a black star amp and literally a Behringer eq pedal and yeah... That was my rig and I could do most anything with it. If the little amount had been foot switchable I wouldn't have needed the eq pedal... I mostly used it as an overdrive.
Awesome video my friend. I own 2 firefly's... love em!
Back in 1990 I got a used Squire II P Bass w amp for $150. The amp blew decades ago, but the Squre Bass is still in use today. I reach for it well over my Fender. What can I say. Its a quality bass.
I have two Firefly guitars. An Explorer style. Bat blue with bat inlays. I also got an off white double neck, both about a year and a half ago. I have not tried an LP style. Not sure that I will, only because I have way overdid it with guitars. Based on my experience, I'm sure they are great. I enjoy watching your videos. The next best thing.
We buy items because of price and because we can buy just about what ever we want.
As an alternative to an R9, which I can't afford, I ordered an unfinished,unglued, fretted neck and body. Going to buy the hardware and finish if myself. I believe this can be done at a fraction of the price of a Custom Shop and I think it will even be better, because the hardware is actually not that great on an off the shelf R9. It's where they were able to cut corners without most people players noticing. Which is kind of ridiculous considering they cost more than my car.
I still don't understand how guitarists get along without knowing how to set up their own guitar. I live in New England and have to reset it every season. It isn't rocket science.
Who makes the best budget guitar nowadays? Firefly, Eart, Westcreek, Fojill, IYV, Monoprice? There’s so many really good budget guitars nowadays. Truly magical times we live in.
@3cardmonty602 you are correct. So many good budget guitars. The trick is knowing exactly what you are looking for. I suggest visting a guitar store today find a feel for what type of neck you like, and what style sits on you nice. Get a feel. Then search that style and find something with good honest reviews that are not paid for.
Out of all of those brands you listed, my personal favorite is Firefly. However, that could change on any day. Depending on what comes through here. But this one is an amazing guitar. That fits me perfectly and has features that even high end guitars do not. Leo Jaymz is definitely right up there with their new models, but are more expensive. Not better. But still very good. IYV also has some fantastic guitars. Westcreek is a brand that I have not held. But I hear good things. Monoprice has been hit and miss for me. But does have some good options. I hope this helps.
@@FultonStreetBeats Jet Guitars are amazing for the price . So good they start making higher quality instruments but you can still find one for $200 USD with roasted maple neck ,Wilkinson trem and huge carve to access upper frets .
iyv grote are 2 good ones
I have 6 Fire-Flys (2 LP's, 2 Strats, 1 SG and one es-335 copy) I also have 8 Fender strats (4 made in Mexico, 2 American made and 2 parts caster I built from scratch) and 1 Gibson Les Paul Limited edition and have owned hundreds of guitars throughout my playing career.
I have played and loved them all...However, the FirFly's in many, many ways (not just for the money) beat out every single strat and Gibson I have ever played or owned...and as I said I have owned many, many guitars.
The only reason I don't buy more FireFly strat's (in case you have'nt figured it out I like strat guitars) is that the strat's all come with a standard C neck (as well as every other budget friendly guitar in the market) and since I now play strats on stage exclusively, I need a decent soft V neck or a medium C and having to shell out $400.00 for my favorite neck each time is a little much.
If FireFly ever starts making the strats with a soft V or med. C I will buy a ton of them because Honestly, the price and the quality is unmatched anywhere.
One last thing I must say...I love Fender strats and amps and I love Gibson Les Pauls...but they have lost their minds in the pricing of all their guitars as well as using sub par woods and parts to make a quick buck. Just my 2 cents worth. Peace.
Before I learned to work on my own guitars, I never bought budget guitars. It was because I was ignorant of how little work modern budget guitars needed most of the time. Now I love modding budget guitars to see how cheaply I can upgrade them to see how much I saved putting in some time and hunting for bargains. Its so fun. I have more fun playing something I put work into. I was more confident learning mod skills on a $200 guitar. I only buy big brands now if its a nostalgic model for me. You have never been able to get so much guitar for so little money. The most annoying statement I hear is " They are so good for the money.". They are just good. If it said squier or Epiphone on the head, people would pay 2-3x the price.
Two thumbs up !!! Agree with you 110 percent.
Gibson is also famoous for guitars with broken headstocks and guitars with neck dive - it's so common in fact, that those 2 characteristicvs should be listed on their spec sheet.
I really like the Firefly LPs , I’ve got a gold top p90 that has a thick neck and feels great to play !! I’ve had great luck with the 4 firefly’s I’ve had
I've purchased 2 chinese guitars this year - one is a thin-bodied archtop with a P90... and the other is a tele-styled 'silent-guitar' with a humbucker and a piezo - and they are now my favourite guitars... just a nadgers better than my beautiful Aria strat. Nothing expensive - but I've gigged them all and there's been no issues and they all sound great! No need to spend thousands on big name instruments - just be prepared to do an hour or two's work on the action/setup - and you'll have instruments that can fit in just fine on any stage!
yeap got a les paul as a gift from my sister
she lost her battle with cancer
i didn't know that her cancer had came back
i play that guitar every day
luv you sis and i miss you so much
the other guitar she bought for me was a yamaha 621D around 1993
that yamaha has been through hell and back and it still keeps going
yamaha guitars are awesome guitars
from my experience guitars have their own quirks
Love it - Great Vid!!
Well said brother, I own both low and high dollar and I stopped buying high, especially when I started doing my own setup.
I am one of those strange people that love both the expensive guitars and a well made cheeper one. If a guitar and electronics sounds good I like it - though I have also fallen in love with some harder to play guitars as well. I love the brands that came up with the iconic shapes but dont need them to be their expensive version. My favorite Gibson I own is a "Worn Mahogony" Studio, favorite Fender Strat is a Mexi strat I bought off of an up and coming blues/jass musician and the closest look and sound to the custom shop I found after playing about 30 Telicasters was a Squire so I bought that one and it is my go to Teli. I have the ear of a guitar snob and even like it if my guitars can have that Iconic look (headstock and all) but truly appreciate what some of these newer companies like Firefly are doing. I chase sound but there is a law of deminishing returns and somhow you can get real gems and real duds all from the same line. Even the custom shops put out some duds.
PREACH IT BROTHER! I own both Gibsons (pawn shop purchased) and sub-$200 "foreign built" guitars.
I used have a Korean built Epiphone Lester Paulfus Standard that I replaced all of the electronics (CTS pots and Switcraft 3-way and output jack) that a "Gibson ONLY" guitarist in a band I was in enjoyed playing better than his own '74 Gibson Les Paul Standard! I changed his mind about 'name brand's guitars being the only ones that were worth playing!!
I agree 100% with what you say! As someone who was a big Gibson fanboy (snob) back in the day I rarely bought anything but Gibson. I became a pretty good expert back in the late 70s early 80s long before the internet when you had to do a lot of leg work and actually have to crack open a book. I toured Gibson Factories several times got info learned how to tell what the original parts were used year after year etc, Fender once and one other I forget the brand. In the mid 80s I sold off my collection 150 guitars total 102 were Gibsons from the 50s thru the early 80s. When I got back into it when my son wanted to play/learn gutiar. He wanted a BC Rich a brand I only heard of never touched. I figured it's what he wanted I was not going to force him to get a guitar he didn't want. So I got a BC Rich Warlock started pack. It wasn't bad the guitar needed a good set up but everything was pretty good the frets, pickups were good the hardware was decent. I decided to get a BC Rich and I like crazy designs and bought a BC Rich Beast. I loved it and now I have a bigger collection since I realized the more a guitar cost the better it is. NOPE! That is not true I have one Gibson in the collection a 90s Explorer that I score new for $495.00 with the HSC and it's good better than many new Gibsons I tried that were no better than their Epiphone line. In the late 70s I actually thought I was going to build my own guitars I had a friend who owned a custom cabinet shop that he let me set up a small work station and i started building guitars in my spare time 12 total, 11 I sold to people who saw my first one I made for myself. I had to stop when my friend closed up shop to move it to an area the costs were much less. I held on to #001 for myself but I got talked out of it by a long time friend who gave me cash and a beautiful Zemaitis Portrait with the MOP and Abalone top. I regret selling #001 and I have been trying to find one of my guitars since no clue what ever happened to them. My new collection is very eclectic and i didn't break the bank. I try and buy used guitars because the savings are just way better than MSRP pricing and lately some of the newer brands popping up on Amazon. I have Leo Jaymz, WestCreek, Firefly etc. I have brands most never heard of like Raven West, Halo, Minarik and a few customs I found. I actually scored one of the first Monson Wizards made. It was Brent Monson's 2nd guitars he built. it's hand numbered #002 it was the 2nd guitar he made and the first one he sold. I contacted him right after I got it and I stole it for less that $150.00 he gave me the history of the guitar and even offered to refinish it for my but as much as I hate Nitro and how it checks but I do not want to restore it. He told me at the time he didn't have a real handle on routing the neck pocket and said there should be a guitar pick he used to shim it and I checked and there it was. It plays great and it's really cool. THere always will be people who will think the more you spend the better it must be but that is just what the big expensive brands want you to think it's all about marketing put your guitars in the hands of big mainstream musicians and people will flock to the brands!
I love my Jet Stratocaster. I have several high dollar guitars including a Charvel Guthrie, a Gibson Standard, and an EBMM Majesty. I gind myself playing the Jet.
Great video!.. I LOVE guitars and gear.. definitely GAS is my thing.. I am the proud owner of a few beautiful Gibsons that I love, BUT, I equally have a few Epiphones, Harley Bentons, Fenders and squiers… ALL my guitars have a ‘Vibe’… My favourite changes day by day… I LOVE my Gibsons but certainly would NEVER slag off anyone playing budget. I just got my Christmas present early and its the Sire Larry Carlton LP goldtop with p90s.. I’m delighted with it!! …. Budget guitars are also fun as it becomes ‘affordable’ to try lots of different models. 🙏
I bought a new broken starshine lp with split coil taps it just like a Gibson head stock was broken I glued it and this thing is awesome
So glad I found your channel. Love it
Welcome aboard!
I love my Fireflys! Killer and I can buy several and still have money left over.
I really need to learn how to set up my own guitars. I'm always terrified I'll break something.
Having worked in several shops over the last 50 years, It is a general opinion that 99.9% of all the customers could not tell what brand they were trying if you tied a cloth bag over the headstock. People buy certain labels because they think it buys them some kind of prestige.
I own 20+ guitars of different brands ( Gibson, Gretsch, Jackson, Epiphone.....), and have gone through many more. All 3 Firefly guitars and the Harley Benton are down the road, I found that I never played them.I wonder why? They all looked cool. That being said, I sold them all for more than I bought them for new. So it seems they retain value, at least in my experience.
I bought an Ibanez LP new in 1972, $150 with case (before 'law suit' became a thing). Fast forward to 1989, I bought a brand new Gibson LP Standard, beautiful sunburst. Couldn't wait to gig it. Within a a short period, it had an intermittent bridge pick-up issue (cutout) and a severe case of fret-sprout (that actually cracked the neck binding). Dealer, no help. Contacted Gibson myself, sent it to Nashville. Came back a month later. Looked great, but they evidently didn't address the pick-up problem as instructed. I offed it to a shop owner friend for $500 and was glad to see it go. What a piece of shit. Never again. I see '89 LP Standards listed on Reverb now in the neighborhood of $4K-ish. Guess I should've threw it under the bed in hindsight. I've still got the old black Ibanez LP btw....... among other USA, CS's, and imports of all the usual suspects, both acoustic & electric. I'm no longer a brand snob either! A good guitar, is a good guitar, period!
Just got a chibson les paul custom in egg shell white. And I love this thing. I also own a firefly fslp and acoustic. The acoustic sounds better than my Martin!
😅wowsers west Cree is really good to. The double cut I got from WestCreek creek sold my Gibson. Doesn't matter the name on the headstock.
God. Dude you rock. This is what I keep telling my peers . Dude you couldn't have said it better. If I had deep pockets I still keep buying firefly guitars instead of Gibson. They sound and play amazing.
Nice to hear someone being honest and not repeating the same bullshit. I couldnt care less about the name on the headstock as long as it stays in tune and inspires me
i don't generally buy firefly guitars because i have a used carvin guitar addiction i already have to feed. but i respect them. stainless steel frets under $200 is no laughing matter. and the new evh frankenstrat copies are pretty cool.
Got a 70s telecaster nice but my son has got a epiphone les paul and I can't put that thing down The epi is quality for sure
Dude! That thing looks cool!
GOTTA have the Montrose riffs🎉 love it
Thanks brother 🙏
@ although I DO take guitars to a luthier! I dont know HOW you folks setup your own guitars?! 🤣.
Its like cooking- I wont EVER learn it!
Guitars across the board are fantastic now days. Choose where you spend your money. I spend my mine with whomever gives the best value. I have 2 big named guitars. Of the 6 I have I only have 1 Squire by Fender Partscaster. Harley Benton and First Act are two of my favorites, followed by my P90 HH Partscaster I put together for $120. It's fantastic! Bringin' up the rear is my SG kit I'm waitin' on pore filler for and finally my Ibanez acoustic. 6 guitars for what 1 mid range Gibson cost.
Great video. Love a good rant. Not sure who you are trying to convince!? 😊😊
I love this video .I have an Epiphone Les Paul standard that I played on stage for over 20 years.I will never trade it for a Gibson .I have too many memories with my Epiphone Les Paul
My issues with Chibsons in particular and some budget brands like Harley Benton are these (and I'm not a snob, my main guitars are a 1989 Epiphone Les Paul and a trio of Telecaster partscasters). 1. Its a lottery - you can get fantastic Chibsons... and you can get a LOT of appalling ones that have been thrown together - even if you buy from a seller that someone else got a great one from. Most are middle men and use multiple factories, and when there is an issue you have a fight to get it sorted, and some bank on the fact you are not going to want to send it at your own cost back to china if there is an issue. 2. Both chibsons, and even Harley Bentons - the hardware (tuners in particular) as a rule is garbage made from "pot metal" - I had a Harley Benton bass that had the tuners literally disintegrate after 6 months. Ive bought a lot of chinese made stuff, guitar hardware and other things like tools, and the metal quality is pants to say the least - literally just binned a bigsby copy that Im sure some parts were made of play-doh. If you are willing to play that lottery, bank on possibly junking a lot of the parts (tuners, pickups and electronics) you might end up with a good guitar. Rather like my telecaster partscasters though, if you ever come to sell it you'll never get back what you paid for it and what you paid out to make it useable long term - unless you part it out and even then you wont get close to what you have into it. Just from my personal experience. And yes, Gibson are greedy bastards and rely on Blues lawyers and dentists to keep their price inflated.They've even started it with Epiphones now.
Tone wood ,only matters In a acoustic guitar.
The tonewood matters in solid bodies when it comes to sustain.
I'd heard people talk about glue tone... what are we doing?
High output active pickups will do more for your sustain than yhe wood
Speaker and amp have the most influence after fingers.
My first Firefly was a bass, PJ style. Under 200 at my door, about a month ago. Very satisfied. Paid 1200 for a Gibson explorer in 2012. The QC was crap. Made a trade for it a year later. I will never pay hard earned $ for a Gibson again. Why can't America make a quality budget guitar? I will get another Firefly at some point, no doubt.
I have 25 guitars, including Gibsons, Epiphones, PRS and Chibsons. Also a lot of Strats and Teles. In my opinion, if you set up your guitar well, they are ALL good. I’ve built guitars for less than £200 that are every bit as good as the others. The name on the headstock means NOTHING 😊
I love my gibsons but I cant deny any guitar can play and sound as good its just wood and pickups and price or brand doesnt matter
Right on. I thoroughly enjoyed your rant and you are absolutely right.
Boom! Mic drop! (Liked and Subscribed. Well done Sir!)
Thank you
I love this video and your real take on guitars…I’ve played and bought guitars that I can afford as I improved in my playing and learning of the guitar. I’ve mainly owned Epiphone guitars and all ways here Gibson guys bash the Chinese made guitars…So I finally gave in and with my hard earned money was able to buy a 50s faded Gibson les Paul. To be honest it’s nice but kinda disappointing at the same time because my Epiphone les Paul’s still plays just as nice! To your points about the tech specs of guitars. Buy what you like, there are so many options out there…and keep rocking!!!
@johnmoua235 Thank you brother, and welcome aboard 🙏
I’ve been playing an Ibanez ax120 $200 knock off of a Gibson SG for almost 10 years. Stays in Tune, lighter than any Gibson ever made, and I can promise you the QC, Fit and FInish, whatever you wanna call it, is as good if not better than any SG that’s 10X the price. Ok, so the down side of it not being an SG, ITS GOT A BOLT ON NECK!!!!! OMG! It suffers from the same fate as 95% of all guitars made! Someone dared to attach the neck with bolts and not glue! All I’m saying is I’ve never once had someone say to me “WHY ARENT YOU PLAYING A REAL SG”. I have however heard, “That guitar/rig sounds great”. Anyway that’s my 2 cents worth. Love your videos, keep up the goodwork
Garth!! That was a Haiku!!! Lololol Sounds awesome! I just got the firefly Frankie delivered today ! It’s cool !! The relic’d floyd sucks tho !! lol
I’ve bought a lot of guitars in the past year or so. Many different brands and price points. I can confidently say there are great guitars available for any budget, so buy the best one you can afford. And if you can’t afford a Gibson, it doesn’t make them overpriced. Just move on to something else that you can afford. Or find a good used one. It truly is a great time to buy a guitar and it’s certainly a buyer’s market.
Oookay....I have owned (still do somewhat) guitars that were built by legendary luthiers. Owned some killer Gibson's and played (but not owned) guitars featured in books, records, films. Gear of the guitar gods. So I can safely claim "snob status", due mostly to being at the right place and time, and knowing the right people.
...and this is the truth of it all...
Those guitars were built, at the time, as cheaply as they could get away with and still be marketable to the amature and pro players alike. Those "mojo" pickups were produced by the bucket load. As fast and as cheap as possible. To all those "one in a million" guitars made (and they certainly were) meant that the rest were average...or below. Production consistency barely existed as no two guitars were really alike.
All of this led to some great guitars as you could find that "one in a million" that fit _your_ hand better than the others.
And those days are mostly gone with the big brands. Guitars now are so CNC that by _definition_ they're mediocre.
Which is why my next guitar purchase (not that I need anymore) will probably be a Firefly. I played a few of them and was impressed. I found no more "flaws" than I ever did on those vintage Gibson's. Which all have to be set up periodically anyway. I found the pickups cheap and slightly microphonic...which is _exactly_ what those killer vintage pickups were. And the necks, really the most important part, felt great with frets that were/are superior to those vintage money monsters.
Notice that I haven't mentioned the price....
Because an instrument has to stand on its own merits _regardless_ of the price. A crap expensive guitar, is just a crap guitar. A good cheap guitar, is just a good guitar. Price isn't a factor when it comes to what matters.
Give it to them Mike! I´ve played all sorts of guitars and there is gems where ever you look. I´ll leave it at that :)
So, Led Zeppelin I was recorded with the Teli and II forward are largly the 59 Les Paul - though there are still smatterings of Teli and other guitars. Often, I can hear the difference, but they all sound good, and your point is still 100% valid. I think the LP and Teli sound distinct, but I dont think many people hear the difference (without being so ultra focused that they are no longer just enjoying the music). People should play what they like. Play what sounds good to them and they can afford. I made the mistake of sinking a lot of money into gear when I should have been getting lessons.
Don't forget, Pagey played the solo on Stairway on his Tele.
Great content in this video love the fact that is all true about this snobs
I agree 100%! I’m just a guy with about 20 Firefly guitars. 😂
A good guitar is a good guitar, period!
Over the years I have had guitars if ALL price ranges visiting my workshop. The brand label is just that; a brand label. It doesn’t matter where it came from. Some are great, some are average, some are duds.
And all need a good setup after a while.
Yes, some tell stories, they have a certain patina and character. Some used for specific recordings will seem like magic when you strike a note, because they have the timbre of the song you know. But they are still just a tool in the hands of a musician.
Bad musician + good guitar = terrible
Good musician + bad guitar = still something you’ll like to listen to
Good musician + good guitar = heaven!
Best comment ! 💯 agree.
@@FultonStreetBeats ☺️ thanks
Keep spreading the truth.
@Dutchluthier Thanks for watching my brother. It is nice to have you here.
@Dutchluthier The fact is setting up a guitar is not hard and I'm pretty good at it. But I've had Martin's that sounded great, that I could not get set up the way I liked it and sold it. I've had a washburn that once I set it up was one of the best sounding and playing guitars I've ever had. Oh and I still have it.
Agreed. My buddy is the best setup guy in southern Nevada. He works on every possible guitar brand made & probably does at least a couple hundred per year. He has seen 1 near perfect guitar from the factory in the 10 years we've been friends & it was asian made somewhere. I love my Epiphones because I can have 3 really nice Epis for less than the price of the cheapest Epi's Gibson counterpart. My Epi ES-175 Premium is identical to the Gibson with the identical electronics, less than 1/3 the price of the Gibson. I also have Guild acoustics, an American 1980 D40 & a 1986 D30 & 4 Chinese Guilds from around 2000 through 2017. They are all as nice or nicer than the "American" Martin sustainable models. 2 of the Chinese Guild "GAD"s were made in early 2000s under Fender ownership & have extra fancy inlays, no laminated wood, wood binding instead of "synthetic" & real bone nuts/saddles. Other 2 are "Westerly Collection" 1xx series made around 2017 after Cordoba bought the company. The WCs are equally as nice as the GADs but not quite as fancy. Same deal, I can buy several Chinese imports for less than 1 Kalifornia made Guild. Setup IS everything & ALL guitars need it done properly. I've sold a couple out of state & sight unseen. The new owners & all their friends say my buddy is "the Guitar Guru"! LOL
I took an ivy put 50 bucks and did a good setup it's killer
I own some Guitars, there are Epiphones, Squires etc.
All Sound great.
My best Guitsr is a Mexican Telecaster, plays great, feels great and has great Tone.
Is is because it is a Fender?
I guess no it's just because i like to play it.
Honestly I will say I have noticed a tonal difference in humbuckers. I never use digital (computer) recording programs, I just plug into my amp and play in my room. 4 of my 5 ff guitars (2 lps, 1 sg, 1 st, 1 V) all had hallow sounding tone, only my yellow bat LPS sounded fuller.
Fulton, I have a question that I know you'll know the answer to. "Does a semi-hollow body sound different than a solid body when using the same pickups? I''ve wondered about this since I've been a teenager and I'm 56 today. Would love to know that answer.
The feel will be different and the vibration on the body. The sustain is much different. The tone would be the same if the exact same pickups, strings, pots, caps, and set up was the same. The sustain is very different. Tone not so much.
@@FultonStreetBeats
Interesting. I would think sustain would be determined from the nut & bridge saddles.
I thought a hollow body may sound different because everybody talks about sheilding the electronics. But again, I have no clue.
But what would dampen the sustain?
@thebluesrockers The wood density. The nut. The bridge/ tailpiece. The fretboard. Etc... you are correct...
Did I like this video? I absolutely loved this video! You spoke nothing but the truth about guitars! But GUITAR SNOBS will never get ! STUCK ON STUPID! 👍🎸ROCK ON BROTHER!
I promise I'm not a brand w****, especially after learning how to set up a guitar
One 'like' is simply not enough for this video my friend 😊....much love from the UK ❤
@832onslaught Thank you brother 🙏
I've always wanted to buy a slash model guitar the one in mind the November burst.
But after watching this video you are 100% right they are made from real tree woods in the same way bit better in electronics's.
But your only paying into the name.
I had a epiphone LP standard blueberry burst nice guitar change the pickups and put locking tuners and roller saddle on it my choice to do so.
But I am going to look at firefly and prs and Harley Benton or even a good made chibson LP.
AMEN!! WELL STATED SIR!! A TRUE guitarist loves the fact of just playing the instrument!! The "name" on the headstock should NOT make a difference. It's ALL ABOUT THE SOUND...NOT the NAME!!
I love your Shakespearian intro.
😆😆
I agree there has been tons of test that show it's the Player then its the signal chain especially the SPEAKERs then the Amp & or SIM Amp sim or speaker sim cab or cab sim pedals next STRINGS.. Wood effects Violins the most since they are the smallest acoustical string instrument of which my wife & I both play Violin, Piano & Guitar both Acoustic & electric as well as acoustical electric... The violin has 2 small F holes & 2 wooden sound post the placement is paramount to sound & a wooden floating Bridge that is important THE TOP of The VIOLIN VIBRATES The sound comes out of the air that is forced out of the F Holes.. Electric Guitars the Sound comes out of the SPEAKERS which vibrate & disturb the air which then travels hitting our ears the hair in the ears vibrates that is what we hear... Eddie Van Halen took a junk guitar ie reject body reject neck & CHISLED OUT THE PICKUP Cavity with a hammer & Screwdriver to fit Modified P 90s made by Seymore Duncan like he had done for Jeff Beck's Telecaster at the Gibson Custom shop.. YEP ... The Most iconic guitar ! My Wife & both Own Primarily Chinese Guitars Why The Price & Quality.. A Bottle of Wine Say Pinot Noir One Bottle is rated 98 out of 100 points & is $50 & the other one is rated 96 points & is $10 The $10 one is the Best deal.. Cheers 🍻🥃🥃😎🎸🎼🎵🎶🎶🎶🎅 Merry Christmas🎅🎄🎁🎁❄☃🏂❄
I've owned a Fender, Taylor, Epiphone & a no name acoustic guitar. The no name guitar I sold for the price of a small bag of weed. And that guitar was my all time favorite acoustic.
I've been lucky enough to have owned a 1950's authentic Gibson Les Paul Custom. (But Not Original) had several upgrades.
I did however own a authentic 1974 Gibson SG standard. That was all original. Both of those guitars played better than any other guitar that I've played. I've owned a 2006 Gibson Les Paul Special. Great craftsmanship. But nowhere near the same quality as the Kalamazoo, Michigan guitars. I owned a 1983 American Fender Stratocaster. Great player.
Now, I've also seen a early Greco Les Paul from the early 70's. Everyone back in the day said they were junk. A guy rep[laced everything on it. That guitar was still being used for gigs just a few short years ago. Stayed in tune and sounded exactly the same as a authentic Les Paul Standard.
If the guitar feels good in your hands, doesn't have fret buzz, has a good setup, with polished level frets. It's worth considering.
Unless you're looking to gift it to your family or friend, then there's no reason to spend $1000.00 or more for a quality instrument.
Gibson and Fender have both dropped the ball on affordable quality instruments.
But do know that most of the time if you pay $300.00 for a guitar that it will most likely need
1. a setup that will cost $75.00 to $150.00
2. Pots and capacitors that cost around $60.00 and a hour labor.
3. Pickups maybe required that may cost $80.00 to $200.00 depending on what you're getting.
But for roughly $300.00 you can find a decent playing guitar. just don't expect everyone of those budget guitars to play nice without a setup or fretwork being done. (But a scarce few will be great out of the box.
But roughly $450.00 to $600.00 may be your total investment to getting a awesome playing Chibson, or great playing instrument.
However, on Facebook Market Place, you could probably find a great deal on a used Fender or other name brand guitar that's had a setup and it may even come with a hard shell case. (New isn't always better)
Great video and awesome playing in this video too. Thank you for your honest review. Peace.. Joe
i cannot use facebook as they wont allow me an unregistered account and i give my phone number to no one
I love my Gibson's and my Fenders. I also love my Agile, Raven, Raven West, Epi......
absolutely bang on my brother!
i think those ppl might be sniffing more than corks hahahaha!!!
one can still feel the "magic" even with a clone of a legendary shaped guitar....i know i do!
The ONLY reason that I would want a Gibson LP is for Les' "signature", but dropping a few grand for a signature just doesn't seem worth it.
Agreed I have always liked budget guitars.
It's just like a Harley and a Honda Rebel. The Rebel don't break down everyday!
Why can i buy a 250 dollar fire fly that has great frets and a bone nut and alnico 5 pickups . And for 2 grand i get a gibson with fret sprout and a poorly cut nut? I love cheap guitars and cheap pedals if they sound good.
My setup buddy had a customer bring him a new Gibson Les Paul that was f*cked up from the factory. Paulie told him to send it back. He did & Gibson "Plek"d it for a setup. When he got it back, he founr the frets pretty much destroyed. He then had to take it to Las Vegas to be refretted & then to my buddy to be properly setup.
....and lets face it, with todays modeling technology, you can make just about any guitar sound like just about any guitar. You could take a cheap Behringer Strat knockoff and make it sound like David Gilmour's #1!
You certainly speak the truth.Well said.
I’d never pay over £1k for an electric guitar, but I’d pay over that for an acoustic. Completely different ball game
I love my chibsons! I also love my Gibson's! I hate corporations!! Thanks 🤘
Wow! You were spitting nothing but truth bud! I am so sick of fanboys talking smack if you don’t rock a Gibby. And while I love Gibson I am not a snob and will certainly play a realistically priced instrument.I love the firefly by the way! Such an excellent vid I hit the sub button bud! Great work.
Thank you brother 🙏
You can't lose with all the quality cheaper guitars. If you fork out wads of cash you can stuck with a turkey.
I have an older firefly lp, the blue one with triple cream humbuckers. Has all the attributes like yours. Great.
Other countries figured out how to build guitRs and gear. Its not a bad time for the guitar world.
Thanks for posting sir. What is the weight on your guitar there?
9.80 lbs
Couldn’t agree more
EVERY guitar is different. My Gibson lp studio is truly a gem. But my bottom of the barrel $200 new Epiphone sg plays just as well and sounds almost as good. The Gibson does feel much better though. That said, I also had an identical Gibson lp produced the same month, it was a dud I only kept a few weeks.
I hope this video helps get the prices down and I finally buy a pair of 59 bursts for the price of cheapson 😊
That beat up relic is only a great guitar because of the icons that played them . If they're so great why don't today's famous players buy them they don't even buy the new ones today ..