AtomuSan Posted July 24, 2020 Share Posted July 24, 2020 (edited) 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 July 24, 2020 by AtomuSan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wmachine Posted July 24, 2020 Share Posted July 24, 2020 You know the rules. Pics or it didn't happen! You may want to consider Steinberger tuners like some of the newer Birds have, like my 2015. Don't know if these are exactly the right ones, but like these: https://www.stewmac.com/parts-and-hardware/tuning-machines/solid-peghead-guitar-tuning-machines/steinberger-gearless-tuners.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coachmoe Posted December 11, 2020 Share Posted December 11, 2020 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brad1 Posted December 11, 2020 Share Posted December 11, 2020 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. Nice flock! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveFord Posted December 12, 2020 Share Posted December 12, 2020 I'll take the two on the left, please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rct Posted December 12, 2020 Share Posted December 12, 2020 Nice. I don't even want a Firebird and I want them Firebirds. rct Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sgt. Pepper Posted December 12, 2020 Share Posted December 12, 2020 On 12/10/2020 at 8:07 PM, Coachmoe said: That is a nice bunch of birds. Johnny Winter if alive would approve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grog Posted December 12, 2020 Share Posted December 12, 2020 “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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveFord Posted December 12, 2020 Share Posted December 12, 2020 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coachmoe Posted December 18, 2020 Share Posted December 18, 2020 My 2019 FB I has a ceramic in it. Absolutely positive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveFord Posted December 18, 2020 Share Posted December 18, 2020 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). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coachmoe Posted February 7, 2021 Share Posted February 7, 2021 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted February 7, 2021 Share Posted February 7, 2021 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. 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... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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