Oringo Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 "the new guitars (non-reverse) were lighter, comfortably balanced, easier to play and - contrary to collectors' folklore - had a better sound than their doomed predecessors. " That's a quote from Dave Gregory (XTC) comparing the non-reverse Firebirds favorably to reverse ones. Over the years I've owned a few of each, and allowing for differences in individual guitars, going head to head I have to say my non-reverse 'birds have usually sounded better. What do you all think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMS0623 Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 the non-reverse has a balance similar to the explorer, and both have one of the greatest balances ive ever felt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ladyscaglyc Posted April 8, 2009 Share Posted April 8, 2009 I like them both. If given a "only one or the other", I'd go with the non-reverse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brundaddy Posted April 9, 2009 Share Posted April 9, 2009 I'd love to see the non-reverse model made again, along with the reverse Explorer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oringo Posted April 10, 2009 Author Share Posted April 10, 2009 Over the years there've been a few custom shop runs, the most recent ones in TV white with 3 p-90's (III) or three mini-humbuckers (VII). I've tried a few and I think they're seriously under-rated guitars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GMS0623 Posted April 10, 2009 Share Posted April 10, 2009 I'd love to see the non-reverse model made again' date=' along with the reverse Explorer.[/quote'] even better than a reverse explorer: get a left ex and restring it rightly like hendrix ^.^ looks so cool Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thejay Posted April 10, 2009 Share Posted April 10, 2009 I'd like to see another issue of non-reverse birds again, I'd buy one! I liked the one released in 2002-2003ish - Burstbuckers #2 and #3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaker Posted April 11, 2009 Share Posted April 11, 2009 I am curious. The reverse model has a neck/body made of mahogany and walnut. Does the non-reverse model have a simple mahogany neck? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpsta Posted April 22, 2009 Share Posted April 22, 2009 I got a Custom Shop NR Firebird. I wasn't as crazy about the TV White models with the 3 P-90s or 3 Mini-humbuckers... something about that color just bugs me. So I was thrilled to come across a sunburst one. It absolutely screams through my AC-30. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oringo Posted April 24, 2009 Author Share Posted April 24, 2009 Beautiful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oringo Posted April 24, 2009 Author Share Posted April 24, 2009 I am curious. The reverse model has a neck/body made of mahogany and walnut. Does the non-reverse model have a simple mahogany neck? The first reverse firebirds seem to have had one or two piece all mahagony necks (that went all the way through the body, of course). At some point in late 1963 or early 1964, Gibson changed the necks to a 9 ply mahagony/walnut laminate. Some experts say this was because the original necks twisted or warped, while others say it was actually to save money, as building the neck up from strips meant less wasted wood. I've see early 70's Medallion Firebirds with simple 2-piece necks, but I can't remember about Bicentennials. The non-reverse went to the simple glue-in set neck, like SG's and ES' of the time, and mine as well as those I've seen were always 1 piece mahagony necks. Since production stopped before the Norlin era, I don't imagine any were made with 3 piece necks. All non reverse Firebirds had rosewood fingerboards with dot-inlay and no binding. Apparently the rosewood changed from Brazilian to Indian at some point, and that helps to distinguish '66s from '68s which have the same first 3 digits in the serial number. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaker Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 "... I've see early 70's Medallion Firebirds with simple 2-piece necks, "... It would be interesting to see if the necks in these guitars have stayed/will stay true Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doug C Posted August 7, 2019 Share Posted August 7, 2019 Am asking you all about the firebird(s) what in your opinions would be the best buy value, I am just beginning to learn about them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larsongs Posted August 12, 2019 Share Posted August 12, 2019 I'd like both Firebirds Brian Jones played. The Non Reverse & the Reverse.. Both Sunburst with Gold Hardware.. Works of Art! until then I'll play my Reverse Gibson Firebird V... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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