Firebird Build Episode 1.
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- Опубліковано 4 жов 2024
- Hi and welcome to a brand new build from the Shed of Dreams and this time I will be building a guitar based on an iconic and revolutionary guitar from the Gibson stable. Introduced in the 60's and designed around the tail fins found on many cars of the era the Firebird will be a technical challenge and introduces the need to master some new techniques for me. I'm really looking forward to this one, challenge accepted.
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Great video. I was just asked to build a Firebird as trade for studio time for my son. I'm thankful for your great video. There isn't much info out there. You're a great resource.
Just want to thank u I'm a single parent father and exspenive guitars aren't on my horizon yet but watched you build my dream guitar the es 335 and decided that I'll build my own dream team of guitars iv just started my first guitar only a crimson kit but it's a start and like you say good to have a thame so I'm doing a Leo Tolstoy les paul in the vain of war and peace cos god knows we need some peace right now iv inlaid the complete nuclear disarmament logo in the head stock and other things skulls denoting the futility of war and the loses and grieving mothers it leaves behind dont mean much but it's my little contribution and I wouldnt be doing it if you havent inspired me i even bought the cheap router like yours of amazon it's a beast for the money i salvaged an 100 year old oak door from a clearance so that's going to be my first scratch build when I'm done I'll make a little video and link you in cos me and my 15 year old son who's a talented multi instrumentalist already hes my little Beethoven but thanks for all your inspiration and clear concise insturctions that make me belive i too can do this and you always say we got this to do today or were glowing neck on today and you bring us in with ya and makes me feel like I'm getting experience just watching fantastic content and cant wait to see the fire bird another fav of mine and one i hope to build with my son one day but thanks for your inspiration and instructions as now I'm starting the long old road to be a guitar builder and its truely exciting so thank you and be lucky much love Adam n my boy dylan
Wow, thanks Adam, this is exactly why I started the channel, to encourage people to understand that they can build guitars. It makes me so happy to hear that it's had that effect on you. Good luck with your builds and please ask for help if you need it. Dylan is lucky to have a dad who obviously cares so much for him. Be well my friend,
Patrick
@@Adventuresfromtheshedofdreams got my body back from my mate who paints for lexus till I get spray gear but I spent hours on mahogany back putting danish oil on making it look super nice then when I sent to paint masking has sort of spoiled the back but guess that's lesson one but everyday a schooldays i guess and its rescueable so lesson learned with out to much harm but thank you for your kind words and if i need advice I'll be sure to ask much appreciated
Very cool build mate!
Thanks buddy :)
I'm planning out my Firebird project now (well, have been for a couple years now LOL) and I love your truss rod idea!
I much prefer them in that location, much easier.
Not sure the measurements will work, but maybe I can hide the adjustment nut under the neck pickup cover.@@Adventuresfromtheshedofdreams
Yes!!!
Indeed :)
Another challenging and must see project Patrick can not wait!
Thanks John, I can't wait to get stuck into this one, challenging but exciting as well :)
This is going to be EPIC!! Can't wait to see it progress.
Cheers mate, I can't wait to get this one going properly :)
Woo hoo. A New project. Looking forward to seeing it progress.
Thanks Paul :)
Hello,
I just saw the series on your Telecaster because I'm building my first one. I’m a beginner.
Among other things, I liked seeing how you skillfully placed the electronics in the body of the guitar 😊👍
And now I'm happy to see and learn new things with this new series. Thank you for sharing your know-how. Even though I don't understand everything because my English is not as good as I would like, you are a great source of inspiration for me!
Really glad you are enjoying, good luck with your build buddy :)
Best guitar shape! Especially headstock!
The headstock is a great shape but it looks like it could be a challenge!
Probably a bit late now, but if you intended to go for a scarfed on headstock, you can cut a big enough piece for the headstock from the excess material at the back on the neck. This brings the length of blank that you need below 1m (about 900mm) so that you can use constructional veneer for the walnut stripes. (It's what I did for my Firebird - build photos on my website if anyine is interested.). Just found your channel so am looking forward to catching up with the rest of the build.
Cheers for that, it is too late but constructional veneer would have made the glue up a lot easier.
Cool! A Firebird!
Cheers :)
Ok I’m salivating. Great new project and intelligent tweaks to the plan. I’m really going to enjoy this!
Thanks bud, I think with the modern alternatives available there is no point cutting all of that material out of the headstock unless you feel the need to be authentic. I'm hoping the wheel adjuster will blend in with the fretboard to the point where it won't be obvious.
That jigsaw looked a bit of a beast of a thing! I'm used to the likes of an aldi special lol
It's a beaut alright :) I don't use it much now I have a bandsaw but it used to be my go to for cutting out bodys etc. It's great for breaking big sheets down before they go on the bandsaw.
Looking forward to this.
Cheers buddy :)
Very cool, you'll have to practice those Johnny winters chops! Scarf joints are a doddle for a man of your talents , drill and pin with cocktail sticks in a throwaway part of the headstock. Looking forward to this for sure.
Thanks Mick, haven't much listened to much Johnny Winters stuff but I feel that will have to change lol.
Great video! Looking forward to seeing this firebird coming together.
Thanks Dave, I'm looking to this one as well :)
I will be watching this build with great interest!
Cheers Fred :)
Love a Firebird. My favorite Gibson for sure. I'm sure you will do this justice. Can't wait to see this take shape. ✌️
Cheers buddy :)
Fantastic idea and mods . This will be a special build and looking forward to that scarf joint. Can't say I have seen it done on a multi-ply neck.. fingers crossed..
Thanks mate, I'm really looking forward to getting this one under way.
oh boy here we go! great project guitar. gonna be educational to watch you work around your changes that differ from the drawings.
Cheers Rick, I'm really looking forward to getting into this one :)
Nice, look forward to seeing you create another classic original. 😃
Cheers Butch, I'm looking forward to seeing how this progresses as well :)
Channeling Johnny Winter.
Never really been that into him but I guess I'll have to be learning a few bits before long.
Love it. I just finished my first from scratch build and it was a Firebird. Hardly any video series out there on these, other than Big D guitars so I'm sure yours will be quite popular when you are done. Good luck. I modified my plans as well. I left my wings untapered and took away the step down on the back. Also used only 2 humbuckers. I also painted mine black. I made lots of mistakes along the way but learned a lot. I scarfed my neck joint as well. I did add some carbon fiber rods along either side of the truss rod that I think helped. I did my scarf joint before I made any other cuts on my neck through portion. That way I could keep the pieces squared up and together better. Excited to see this series.
Thanks Ryan, I did a search for other Firebird builds as part of my research for this one and you're right, there is hardly any stuff on youtube. Sounds like you had a lot of fun on your build, I hope you are happy with the results :)
Nice. New things to see, new things to learn. Hope it will not be too long untill the next episode.
It'll be along in the next few days :)
Awesome man! Looking forward to seeing it come together.
Thanks Chris, I'm really looking forward to this one as well :)
Great project! Should be fun to watch.
Lets hope so.
Only just found your channel. It all looks very interesting. I want to build a reverse Firebird at some point soon so will follow your progress. Thanks for sharing !
Welcome aboard, glad to have you along. I hope you find it useful for your build.
nice new build. I enjoyed making my firebird. but I didn't taper the wings. funny to play, they feel 2 frets out.
Nice, did you do the multi laminate neck??
@@Adventuresfromtheshedofdreams all the necks I make are laminated for strength and looks. However I had access to three pre-made necks very cheap. So my firebird was not neck through, but Bolt on.
I use veneer in almost every neck I make! It works great. No issues to report!
Brilliant, that's really good to hear.
This is going to be an awesome build!
Thanks buddy :)
Fabulous choice my friend, I suggested a reverse Firebird a while back. I’m ok with the correct one though! Should be a great build, will enjoy watching.
Thanks mate, hopefully this will be an entertaining build, can't wait :)
Wow Patrick, A firebird. Johnny Winter always springs to mind when I see one of these. I love the sound they make. It's almost p90 territory but with a little added extra, very difficult to describe but unmistakable when you hear it. I'm really looking forward to this build and I have every confidence in your ability to pull it off.
PS. I loved the template cutting/sanding montage!
Thanks Martin, never really got into Johnny Winter but I feel I will have to learn a few bits soon lol. Glad you liked the template bit, thought I'd try something a little different.
Looking forward to this series! There always seems to be something we learn along with you! 🙂
Thanks Bryan, I think I'll be learning a few things on this one too!!
I'm excited to watch the progress! I purchased SG Jr plans from the vendor you had recommended on your build. I'm gearing up to start the neck build on that.
I purchased the firebird plans as well for the future and am excited to watch your progress!
Brilliant, good luck with you build :)
Dude! I'm in the middle of gathering materials planning to build a firebird...decided to check out youtube while I'm waiting for things to arrive...you beat me to some of the same ideas! I was excited to do a spoke wheel truss rod on a firebird style guitar, can't wait to get to the end and see how yours turned out! PS- where'd you get those blueprints??
Thank you, the plans were from JAG plans but sadly they are not trading anymore.
Never been crazy about Firebirds. But this still will be a great build to follow. Curious about those pups.
I've never played one so not sure what to expect but the more I look at them the more I like the look of them. Some interseting aspects in terms of the build though.
Back again I approve your choice tried a Firebird several times couldn't get on with them but they're proper Rock 'n' Roll royalty have you seen Jerry Rosa's vacuum rig he uses for his multi piece necks he does great things (I'm sure you've seen him!) May prevent "clampers elbow" (first identified with the proliferation of private car parking syndicate's in the nineties !) ...as usual I may be fibbing 😉👍🇺🇦🇫🇴☮️
I've seen some of Jerry's stuff but not the vacuum rig, I think my only option is the clamper's elbow!!
@@Adventuresfromtheshedofdreams try to watch chocolate where he rebuilds an old violin that is basically firewood Jerry is winding down a but due to chronic arthritis he's repairing a Taylor acoustic bass at the moment worth a look as he's doing shorter daily vlogs now..👍
@@billmumbo2697 thanks Bill, I'll check that out.
Well, this looks like it's going to be a very interesting build! I'll be watching with interest, since I have a Thunderbird-like bass on my list of instruments to build, and there's a lot of commonality between the two.
I'm hoping there won't be too many mistakes to learn from but I think it will be a very interesting build.
I'm fairly sure I can learn from watching you get it right too!
@@SilasHumphreys I really hope so :)
You could try to wind your own firebird pickups, its a lot cheaper 🤘
I keep thinking of starting to wind my own but never quite get around to it. I'm discussing having a set custom wound for this build.
@@Adventuresfromtheshedofdreams Im about to build my first set, though i havent even finished building my first guitar yet. Seems pretty easy, ill wind them on the side of a sewing machine. I think (hope), that there is not that much that one can mess up, since pickups, even the most expensive ones are fairly simple in construction. When you dont make pickups in thousands, the couple cent difference between good and cheap magnets, wire and wax is not that big. Along with scatterwinding, theese factors should make any hand built pickups almost always better than most factory ones. Again, i dont have much experience in the field, but i strongly recommend it 👍
Nice build. I'm preparing a Firebird build myself. How did you manage to get your hands on such a detailed plan?
I love the firebird, but being a lefty haven't found any yet!
It's bad enough finding a righty, lefty's most be very rare.
@@Adventuresfromtheshedofdreams I have a fretking Esprit, which is like a reverse/ non reverse firebird with three p90's. The bridge end is like a reverse firebird shape and the neck end is like a non reverse body shape. It's weird but you definitely get the firebird vibe as it's a 25 inch scale and has the stepped body. It is a set neck unfortunately, but you get what you can find!
@@seanbarker4610 I've heard good things about Fretking guitars, I went to a Jerry Donahue clinic type thing years ago and he was playing his Fretking signature.Sounded awesome.
@@Adventuresfromtheshedofdreams Trevor Wilkinson knows his stuff, also a really down to earth guy. Southports finest.
When you started this build I really wanted to try this myself, so I bought the plans but was to afraid to start the build. Now I was thinking of finally starting it but can't remember what size to print the plans in. And all of the info from JAG is gone. Do you remember what size where used for your print? Really love these series btw!
I got the printed plans from JAG, I would suggest taking it to an office supplies/print place and discuss your requirements with them. I'm sure they will know what to do.
Nice, can't wait...also, can anyone tell me where I can buy the template?
Cheers Adam. Crimson guitars do a set of templates but they are for a glue in neck version not the neck through.
www.crimsonguitars.com/collections/templates/products/gibson-firebird-template-set
Great to see a new project starting. Good luck with it. Have you built a Jazzmaster in the past?
Thanks Jim, I haven't. I used to have a candy apple red Jaguar that I regretted selling on the day and ever since. Perhaps that's one for the future.
@@Adventuresfromtheshedofdreams ah I remember you telling me that before
Hey Patrick! I've watched this playlist so many times. I am currently getting everything prepped to build this exact guitar! I'm having trouble finding the plans and the ones you seem to have are great. Any chance you would be willing to disclose where you buy your plans?
I got my plans from JAG plans in the UK, they don't seem to be in business any more though! I need to find out what is happening there.
@@Adventuresfromtheshedofdreams The fact that you respond to every comment is so cool. Thanks for letting me know even though they are no longer in business. You've got a viewer for life in me :)
Looking to do my first scratch build and I like this Firebird design. From where did you get the blueprint for it? Can't wait to see your complete set of videos on this build.
Hi Robert, the Firebird is a great build, I've really enjoyed doing this one. I got the plans From JAG, their website seems to be down at the moment but here is a link to their Etsy store...
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/JohnAnthonyGuitars?
@@Adventuresfromtheshedofdreams thanks for the info! Looking forward to my build.
I'll be watching this build. Where did you get the plans? Most plans I've seen are for a set neck.
I got the plans from JAG in the UK
www.johnanthonyguitars.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html
@@Adventuresfromtheshedofdreams Thanks, I'll get those plans!
Now we're talking! I love a firebird. I can't say why but the look of them just appeals to me. Do you know what pickups and such you'll be chucking in it?
I've spent a lot of time looking at Firebirds in the last few months. The more I look the more I like them. I'm not sure on pickups yet, there isn't much choice and they go from expensive to really expensive!!
@@Adventuresfromtheshedofdreams You're not wrong about the cost. I put a set of Q pickups mini buckers in a non-reverse for a client last month and they sounded immense, just a massively wide-spectrum clear sound. Evil with distortion too. But they were not cheap at all.
Looking forward to this build? Have you considered making the pickups?
I have thought about it, not sure it will be on this build though.
I've never seen any firebird in my country either
Yep, super rare in most places.
One of my favorites shapes, can't wait for more vids! 🤭.
P.d. are you going to paint It white right ? 🤭
Thanks buddy, I would love a white one but with all the work that is going into the lamination of the neck I will want to show it off :)
Looks like fun, bud. Where did you get the print off?
Cheers, the plan came from JAG guitar plans.
At the final stage are you going to break out any johnny winter licks?
Be rude not to :)
I'm excited to see how it turns out, but also how you carry it off!! Thanks for getting another build series going! Are you going to do the GGBO this year?
Thanks Matt, yes, my entry for GBBO is in. I'll be building along side this build, I've got something in mind that I'm quite excited about ;)
@@Adventuresfromtheshedofdreams Ambitious!! Love it! I look forward to both series. Good luck!
@@mattheinly3772 thanks Matt :)
Do you prefer mini humbuckers or firebird pickups? I've recently developed a pickup winder and could wind you a set
I'm thinking of going with Firebird pickups to keep things authentic. Would be brilliant to have a set wound, what would a set cost?
@@Adventuresfromtheshedofdreams I could do that! I'll contact my supplier of parts. Do you prefer chrome or nickel covers/rings? I think the set would be about £100 plus shipping, kind of depends on my supplier.
@@BobvanDijk I'm thinking nickel if that's possible. Let me know what they come back with and we can come to an arrangement :)
I contacted my supplier and I was actually pretty dead on with the estimate. The set of pickups, including pickup rings would be £100 and shipping from the Netherlands is about £18. I could even record the process if you'd want to include it in a video. They supply nickel hardware, so that's no problem at all. I reckon you'd like them vintage-y voiced? (I.e. not overwound and with Alnico 2 magnets)
@@BobvanDijk That all sounds brilliant, it would be great to have a set custom wound. How do you want to go ahead with this??
Where did you get your plans?
I got mine from JAG plans but they seem to have stopped trading.
Finally something to watch whilst the Mrs watches her dross 😃
Haha, that's why I have a shed!!!
Can you tell me where you get the drawing from please?
I got them from John Anthony Guitars www.etsy.com/uk/shop/JohnAnthonyGuitars
How are you liking the plans? I have watched all the videos so far and have not heard you say anything negative about them. I am looking at two sets right now.
The plans for this one have been good, I've customised the design a little bit so haven't gone with the plans 100% but they are detailed and it has all come together really well based on what the plans say. I have just ordered a new set of plans from the same people for my next big build but that's a secret :)
@@Adventuresfromtheshedofdreams Awesome!! I picked up their flying V and explorer plans. I think the main change I am going to make to them is the headstock angle from 14 degrees to 7 degrees.
@@orkboy59 Good call, I went with 10 degrees on the firebird. 14 is too much IMO