I am not new to Gibson Firebirds owning reverse and non reverse models all custom shop and all great. This one is the best. Faultless build quality, gorgeous finish and a neck that’s a bit chunkier than the description suggests. Substantial rather than big and very comfortable. Balance is great, no stiff pots and the firebird alnico five mini humbuckers are wonderful, not shrill yet bright full and clear with a bit more body than usual but definitely not hot. One of the guitar magazines gave a custom colour version of this a positive review but he did crtitisize the pickup selectot slide switch for making a thunk sound. I was concerned about that but I haven’t experienced his problem, in fact I prefer it to the regular three way toggle on my other non teverse bird which I do knock occasionally. No such problem with the slider which is low profile, positive and quiet in operation. The set up was great and I haven’t had to adjust anything. Great sustain, no deadspots and the vibrola behaves perfectly. It holds tuning very well in moderate use and it’s not my first but definitely the best. The nut is cut well, the tuners are even and positive. Gibson Firebird cases are notorious for being huge and ungainly but Gibson Custom must have been listening because this one is scaled down somewhat and it’s much more manageable. I am very happy with my purchase, I’m flying high!
