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Firebird V 2009 questions


AtomuSan

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Hi Thomas here from France!

hope you’re all well in this crazy situation...

I recently bought a nice 2009 Firebird, I definitely love it! 
I cannot find many info on it so I’m having two questions for you connoisseurs:

I read here and there that the pickups are not Alinco but ceramic, true or false?
Love the look of the banjo tuners, still they are indeed really veeeeeery heavy... I saw that Kulson has launch some reissues in 2015, would they be lighter than mine?

Thanks in advance on your answers and don’t forget to Laissez les bons temps rouler!
 

Thomas

Edited by AtomuSan
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  • 4 months later...

In 2009 a Firebird V would have ceramic magnet pickups. I have an 09 V and it definitely has ceramics. They spec out at 22.9 for the bridge and 15.1 for the neck. To my knowledge, Gibson has used ceramics on Firebirds since at least the 90's. Not sure what some of the stuff, like the Bi-Centennials models had in them. Supposedly, the new 2020 models have alnico magnets.

90's Birds and up, they are known for very hot pickups that many people say are not very musical. They have been described as ice picky like. I have owned around 8 -10 Birds and found that to be true. However, I also have experimented with amp settings, OD settings, compressors and MOST IMPORTANTLY, the tone controls. I can get a great sound out of my Birds just by making a few adjustments. 

If all else fails, there are several companies that make great Firebird pickups, mostly wound to vintage specs with alnico magnets.

IMG_8444.jpg

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10 minutes ago, Coachmoe said:

In 2009 a Firebird V would have ceramic magnet pickups. I have an 09 V and it definitely has ceramics. They spec out at 22.9 for the bridge and 15.1 for the neck. To my knowledge, Gibson has used ceramics on Firebirds since at least the 90's. Not sure what some of the stuff, like the Bi-Centennials models had in them. Supposedly, the new 2020 models have alnico magnets.

90's Birds and up, they are known for very hot pickups that many people say are not very musical. They have been described as ice picky like. I have owned around 8 -10 Birds and found that to be true. However, I also have experimented with amp settings, OD settings, compressors and MOST IMPORTANTLY, the tone controls. I can get a great sound out of my Birds just by making a few adjustments. 

If all else fails, there are several companies that make great Firebird pickups, mostly wound to vintage specs with alnico magnets.

IMG_8444.jpg

Nice flock!

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“Love the look of the banjo tuners, still they are indeed really veeeeeery heavy... I saw that Kulson has launch some reissues in 2015, would they be lighter than mine?”

I don’t know about the banjo tuners, but my 2012 Firebird V 2010 has Steinberger tuners. They are super light & have worked well for me. At first I was hesitant about them, but as I read reviews at the time, people really liked them. I think Stewart McDonald still sell them.

vT5klg4.jpg

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I got a set of replacement Steinbergers from Gibson a while back.  You have to be careful with the top set "T" as it's a pretty flimsy design.  If they'll drop in I have no idea.

FWIW, they went to alnico pick ups on the current Firebird.  I know my 2019 sounds better than the previous ones, it's pretty noticeable.

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Here's 2020:

https://www.gibson.com/Guitar/USA5KL895/Firebird/Tobacco-Burst

Here's 2019:

http://legacy.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/2019/USA/Firebird-2019.aspx

Gibson is known to change things without notice so maybe my 2019 has the current pick ups in it.  I know it sounds different than my other ones (they multiply when you're not looking).

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  • 1 month later...
On 12/18/2020 at 4:55 PM, SteveFord said:

Here's 2020:

https://www.gibson.com/Guitar/USA5KL895/Firebird/Tobacco-Burst

Here's 2019:

http://legacy.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/2019/USA/Firebird-2019.aspx

Gibson is known to change things without notice so maybe my 2019 has the current pick ups in it.  I know it sounds different than my other ones (they multiply when you're not looking).

Most likely, my FB I was early 2019 production, before the change to Alnico.

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On 12/12/2020 at 7:22 AM, Grog said:

“Love the look of the banjo tuners, still they are indeed really veeeeeery heavy... I saw that Kulson has launch some reissues in 2015, would they be lighter than mine?”

I don’t know about the banjo tuners, but my 2012 Firebird V 2010 has Steinberger tuners. They are super light & have worked well for me. At first I was hesitant about them, but as I read reviews at the time, people really liked them. I think Stewart McDonald still sell them.

vT5klg4.jpg

That looks like my V. I really like the Sound of the mini HB’s.  Somewhere between P90’s & HB’s.. Totally unique & great Sound! The Steinbergers tune perfect on the dime & hold tuning really well...

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