Guest Posted April 8, 2010 Share Posted April 8, 2010 I have sold a Joe Pass and saved some money and I had my heart set on a Gibson Firebird. I can get a 2008 made Firebird have negoiated a good deal and will be delivered new with guarantee. But as one does, I was looking on the market locally and come across a 1997 Gibson Blueshawk with 2 Blues 90's (with dummy coils) and it has a variatone like a Lucille....... I would just like to know if you were in my shoes and had some spare cash to bring in one of those two to your family which one would it be. Also the Blueshawk is US$275 less than the Firebird. Also spending that type of money on a guitar and reading some of the reports about the quality of the more recent Gibsons...has made me wonder a bit... Would appreciate if those who may have played or handled these guitars could chip in with some reasons why they voted this way or that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicester35 Posted April 8, 2010 Share Posted April 8, 2010 Just my humble opinion Joe... ...but the Firebird is a beautiful, sleek guitar. With body sculpting by an automotive designer. It is the epitome of late 1950s cool. The Blueshawk and it's near relative the Sh*tehawk, (whoops, Nighthawk).... Well, (to paraphrase Borat)..."Not so much." Somewhat squat, with a distinctly lardy arse. So, continuing with the vintage automotive theme. Would you rather be seen with one of these: ...or one of these? Apart from one bolt-on Epi from the mid 1990s, I've never met a Firebird I didn't love. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 8, 2010 Author Share Posted April 8, 2010 Just my humble opinion Joe... ...but the Firebird is a beautiful' date=' sleek guitar. [img']http://www.blueskillet.com/images/Guitar%20Stuff/Firebird_V/Firebird%20Collage.jpg[/img] With body sculpting by an automotive designer. It is the epitome of late 1950s cool. The Blueshawk and it's near relative the Sh*itehawk, (whoops, Nighthawk).... Well, (to paraphrase Borat)..."Not so much." Somewhat squat, with a distinctly lardy arse. So, continuing with the vintage automotive theme. Would you rather be seen with one of these: ...or one of these? Apart from one bolt-on Epi from the mid 1990s, I've never met a Firebird I didn't love. Thanks for the input Leicester I get your drift but it not that bad looking here is the actual guitar at issue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicester35 Posted April 8, 2010 Share Posted April 8, 2010 I was just teasing ya, no offence intended. If you like the Blueshawk then go for it. I think the overall question is how it fits into your existing collection. You seem to be a bit short on solid-bodies. And the Firebird is a unique guitar. You seemed very excited about your potential new 'bird awhile back, so I'd still say - go with the Firebird. But at the end of the day it's your money. And we can all be quite partisan regarding particular models. I love Firebirds. Perhaps I'm still grieving for the 1976 Firebird I sold a few years back... ...but I predict a Firebird (of whatever lineage) will be appearing in my life quite soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 8, 2010 Author Share Posted April 8, 2010 I was just teasing ya' date=' no offence intended. If you like the Blueshawk then go for it. I think the overall question is how it fits into your existing collection. You seem to be a bit short on solid-bodies. And the Firebird is a unique guitar. You seemed very excited about your potential new 'bird awhile back, so I'd still say - go with the Firebird.[/quote'] No offence taken I asked for your opinion so thanks... Still very much going for the Firebird but saw this advertised locally and just wanted to get some opinions. Also there is this question is it better buying an older Gibson or a new one these days with all the chatter of quality. This will be a big purchase for me just want to think it over fully and weigh up options. The older Firebirds are very expensive I was looking at a 1976 and it was 4000sek $550 £360 more second hand than a new Gibson Firebird......Makes you ask why......????? Re: the tonal differences I just read a very interesting piece about the various tones you can squeeze out of a Blueshawk with those Blues 90's and the Variatone I am sure that is why Peter voted as he did being a Lucille fan... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicester35 Posted April 8, 2010 Share Posted April 8, 2010 The older Firebirds are very dear I was looking at a 1976 and it was 4000sek $550 £360 more second hand than a new Gibson Firebird......Makes you ask why......????? The 1976 ones are now very collectible. They were sold as the "Bicentennial model" and had a different coloured Firebird symbol. They now go for silly money. You can see a nice example here: http://www.guitar-museum.com/guitar-7420-1976-Gibson-Bicentenial-Reverse-Firebird The one I had was a nice guitar' date=' but is was quite beaten up, to be quite frank. Not sure how many people had owned it before I picked it up, in a used guitar shop in Hull (of all places). It also had a less than impressive headstock repair. It was a great player though. All the damage aside, I think it qualifies as the one guitar I have ever sold at a profit. I think I have a few snaps of it at home, if I can find them I'll make scanned copies and post them at some point. Re: the tonal differences I just read a very interesting piece about the various tones you can squeeze out of a Blueshawk with those Blues 90's and the Variatone I am sure that is why Peter voted as he did being a Lucille fan... Perhaps it's just a matter of playing them both and seeing which you prefer. A good Firebird also has a tone all of its own - very distinctive. I have heard some players describe the clean tone as "piano-like." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
layboomo Posted April 8, 2010 Share Posted April 8, 2010 I like the Blueshawks they are fun little guitars with the longer scale and some versatile tones with the varitone switch. I bought mine for $500 and for that it was a great guitar. That being said, when they jumped in value I sold mine for almost $800 a couple years ago and IMHO for an extra $275 the Firebird is the way to go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vic Flick Posted April 8, 2010 Share Posted April 8, 2010 I have sold a Joe Pass and saved some money and I had my heart set on a Gibson Firebird. I can get a 2008 made Firebird have negoiated a good deal and will be delivered new with guarantee. But as one does' date=' I was looking on the market locally and come across a 1997 Gibson Blueshawk with 2 Blues 90's (with dummy coils) and it has a variatone like a Lucille....... I would just like to know if you were in my shoes and had some spare cash to bring in one of those two to your family which one would it be. Also the Blueshawk is US$275 less than the Firebird. Also spending that type of money on a guitar and reading some of the reports about the quality of the more recent Gibsons...has made me wonder a bit... Would appreciate if those who may have played or handled these guitars could chip in with some reasons why they voted this way or that. [/quote'] I had a Blueshawk, great sounding axe, extremely versatile. But the finish and construction was poor. Plus the body is way too small & light. Feels like a toy. Felt cheap. So I sold it, but really missed the tones it cranked out. So I found another one and bought. Still too small to be comfortable, finish was even worse than the first. I'd love to find a damaged one on the cheap and put the electronics in a real guitar. How much does the guy want for the Guild??? Now that's a nice axe, even looks like a hatchet. I played the humbucker version (S-300-AD) back in the '80s, I loved that guitar!!! Put a nice set of humbuckers in it, you're set to go!!! BTW, I voted Firebird. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 8, 2010 Author Share Posted April 8, 2010 I like the Blueshawks they are fun little guitars with the longer scale and some versatile tones with the varitone switch. I bought mine for $500 and for that it was a great guitar. That being said' date=' when they jumped in value I sold mine for almost $800 a couple years ago and IMHO for an extra $275 the Firebird is the way to go.[/quote'] I wish guitars were as cheap here as in the States here in Sweden the Blueshawk is US$1400 the new Firebird is us$275 more from a dealer in France. They are the best deals I can find over here and I have really looked into this..... You are a lucky guitar player Layboomo being based in the States..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leicester35 Posted April 8, 2010 Share Posted April 8, 2010 I wish guitars were as cheap here as in the States here in Sweden the Blueshawk is US$1400 the new Firebird is us$275 more from a dealer in France. They are the best deals I can find over here and I have really looked into this..... Doesn't seem like a bad deal, Joe. I found this one on UK e-bay. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Gibson-Firebird-2001_W0QQitemZ290422655320QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV?hash=item439e8a0958#shId £800 ($1216) for a used 2001, and you have to collect the bugger from Coventry. $1675 (£1102) seems quite good for a 2008 (brand new, delivered). If it's any consolation, you're actually paying less for that new Firebird than our fellow guitarists in America! http://www.guitarcenter.com/Gibson-Firebird-V-Electric-Guitar-100270219-i1149303.gc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted April 8, 2010 Author Share Posted April 8, 2010 I had a Blueshawk' date=' great sounding axe, extremely versatile. But the finish and construction was poor. Plus the body is way too small & light. Feels like a toy. Felt cheap. So I sold it, but really missed the tones it cranked out. So I found another one and bought. Still too small to be comfortable, finish was even worse than the first. I'd love to find a damaged one on the cheap and put the electronics in a real guitar. How much does the guy want for the Guild??? Now that's a nice axe, even looks like a hatchet. I played the humbucker version (S-300-AD) back in the '80s, I loved that guitar!!! Put a nice set of humbuckers in it, you're set to go!!! BTW, I voted Firebird.[/quote'] See that is what I love about this forum talking to people who have had their hands on these guitars and give you sound advice. In the reviews I read about the Blueshawk the weight crops up quite often. So poll closed JoeSamick votes keep on track with the Firebird. Thanks Jerry By the way the guy wants 1375 USDollars for the 1997 Guild S60-D and here is the link if any of the Swedish guys on the forum who might be looking for a Gibson Blueshawk or a Guild.....here you go..... http://www.blocket.se/vi/26523022.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peeper Posted April 8, 2010 Share Posted April 8, 2010 Get that Guild!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
midiman56 Posted April 8, 2010 Share Posted April 8, 2010 Looks like I got in too late (as usual), but I'll express my opinion of your decision anyway, Joe: JIm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adey Posted April 8, 2010 Share Posted April 8, 2010 Why not have a look at the Gibson Firebird Studio? (I think there's an Epi equivalent as well). Admittedly more generic than the quirky original through neck Firebird and with full range humbuckers rather than the mini buckers, but still a fabulous looking guitar and it still has THAT logo on the upper bout. I played one and it was a beaut. Quite a bit cheaper too. Beware if you've never played a 'bird before. They're like SGs - headstock heavy and with what feels like impossibly long necks. You do adjust, but for a while you'll be be 2 frets out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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