Help me choose a firebird

doc-phil

Recently I've really been gassing for a Firebird. (Rival Son's Holiday's sweet Pelham Blue Custom got me onto it). I can't afford a Gibson, so I'm looking for an Epi. I know all the Epi versions are very different (glued on neck as opposed to set thru, humbuckers instead of mini humbuckers etc) but I'm really going for the shape and look here ?

There are three options:

1st: Sunburst Epi Firebird with hardcase on OLX for R3,500.00:

http://centurion.olx.co.za/epiphone-firebird-with-hardcase-iid-579356055

2nd: Worn Cherry Red Limited Edition Firebird:

http://www.epiphone.com/Products/Designer/Firebird-Studio.aspx

3rd: Pelham Blue Limited Edition:

http://shopping.all4women.co.za/product_info.php?Itemcode=B007L56PXS

Now of course the third option is the one I want most, and just happens to be the most expensive. Marshall Music has told me they can't get one, so whether this online store actually has it or not remains to be seen (I've logged a query).

The second option is a second hand one and the seller is being very sticky on price. He bought it for R3k from Marshall's and that's what he wants to sell it for. He reckons because it was a limited edition it has appreciated in value. He initially wanted more than R3k, but I told him he was nuts.

I've never been a massive fan of sunburst, but maybe seeing it in the flesh will change my mind on the 1st option.

As far as I know, all 3 are out of production. Any thoughts on which I should go for?

Psean

Tokai?

warrenpridgeon

I'm partial to blue guitars... So my choice would be the blue...

AlanRatcliffe

The blue is via an import service, so you're paying a premium for that. You could probably find one for less on Ebay, even with shipping. But if that's really the one you want, go for it - you will never be satisfied with something else..

Otherwise, go for the red one - looks cool.

doc-phil

Yeah the Pelham Blue has really taken my fancy. When it was available in SA it retailed at Marshall's for R5500, so it will be a premium. I'll have a look on eBay, and will also check out the Tokais.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

Jayhell

1. Blue
2. Studio
3. Sunburst

Banditman

http://www.tokaiguitars.co.za/traditionalseries.htm

Tokai traditional series FB53. If I'm not mistaken (Lance?) it even has mini humbuckers for that original mojo. Get a black one and have it refinished in Pelham Blue if that's really, really important.

Otherwise find a fair priced, decent Epi in sunburst and do the same thing.

doc-phil

Banditman wrote: http://www.tokaiguitars.co.za/traditionalseries.htm

Tokai traditional series FB53. If I'm not mistaken (Lance?) it even has mini humbuckers for that original mojo. Get a black one and have it refinished in Pelham Blue if that's really, really important.

Otherwise find a fair priced, decent Epi in sunburst and do the same thing.

Cool, thanks. I'm chatting to Lance, he has a sunburst in stock. Who knows, maybe the sunburst will grow on me!

The reasons for wanting the pelham blue (with gold hardware a bonus) is because I want to look bad-ass like Scott Holiday:

Sean

doc-phil wrote: The reasons for wanting the pelham blue (with gold hardware a bonus) is because I want to look bad-ass like Scott Holiday:

Hmm, I absolutely understand your dilemma now. That thing looks fantastic 8)

Gearhead

Do Firebirds tend to be neck-heavy? I've always thought that reverse Firebirds should be easier to play - lighter neck and nothing in the way of the right elbow...

doc-phil

They are prone to a bit of chronic neck dive. I'm busy testing out the 2 tokai's from Lance, both fine instruments! Struggling to decide between the white and Sunburst...

I'm going to move the strap button to behind and below the neck which I've heard does help with the neck dive.

I had a Jackson Randy Rhodes once and that was like a neck atomic bomb drop.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

Banditman

http://www.guitarforum.co.za/classifieds/?sa=view;id=4333

Call Lance straight away. There's the basis for your Pelham Blue replica.

doc-phil

I already bought a white firebird and the sunburst from Lance. What a great guy, he let me keep both overnight to see which I preferred. I couldn't choose between the two so I took both! I'm really pleased with both, and with the quality of these instruments you just can't beat Tokai for value for money!

Photos to follow shortly ?

Lance mentioned that he had one more in white, so somebody better snap it up quick.

Banditman

He really is a decent guy, and really believes in his product. Can't blame him because it's a winner. He pm'ed me to say you'd taken two already! So when are you getting the white one repainted? ?

Stoner-Riff

doc-phil wrote:

Recently I've really been gassing for a Firebird. (Rival Son's Holiday's sweet Pelham Blue Custom got me onto it). I can't afford a Gibson, so I'm looking for an Epi. I know all the Epi versions are very different (glued on neck as opposed to set thru, humbuckers instead of mini humbuckers etc) but I'm really going for the shape and look here ?

There are three options:

1st: Sunburst Epi Firebird with hardcase on OLX for R3,500.00:

http://centurion.olx.co.za/epiphone-firebird-with-hardcase-iid-579356055

2nd: Worn Cherry Red Limited Edition Firebird:

http://www.epiphone.com/Products/Designer/Firebird-Studio.aspx

3rd: Pelham Blue Limited Edition:

http://shopping.all4women.co.za/product_info.php?Itemcode=B007L56PXS

Is it OK if i say, 'not one of 'em !!!'

Don't get me wrong.
I love Firebirds, but non of those have the Firebird mini-hums !

THIS is my idea of an Epi Firebird :

http://profile.ultimate-guitar.com/profile_mojo_data/5/4/7/2/547210/pics/_c418965_image_0.jpg

YMMV

8)

doc-phil

The ones I bought from Lance have mini humbuckers ?

Stoner-Riff

doc-phil wrote: The ones I bought from Lance have mini humbuckers ?

. . . GOOD MAN ? 8)