I Never Thought This Would Happen ($7000 vs $600 Firebirds)

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[RobertBakerGuitar]

Hey Gang,
Some confusion has popped up about the Origin in the background of the Murphy Lab clips. All the audio was recorded with the Origin the video got messed up for those clips and I reshot it the next day but the audio is from the day before with the Origin.

[picksalot]

The Epiphone and Murphy Labs sounded nearly identical, with the Epi pickups being a bit more microphonic. The Standard was the warmest sounding of the three. Considering sound, price, replaceability, possible damage or theft on a gig, the Epi is by far the best deal out of those guitars.

[Preacher]

Honestly, I easily prefer the sound of the Epi. Maybe it isn't as "Firebird" sounding as the others, but it was absolutely sweet in the middle and neck pickups. The tone was simply wonderful.

[Kevzilla]

My Epi Firebird had a bridge pickup that sounded like the Tasmanian Devil on bath salts. Lowered it 2-3 mm, which dialed out the bath salts. Love it!

[bimscutney]

I have the Epi and I love it. I had an Epi Thunderbird bass and loved that too. I’m a big guy with long arms so it fits my body really well. Don’t feel “scrunched” up when playing it.

[johnreagan]

I have the Epi and it's great. I had my back turned to this video while getting lunch together in my kitchen and I honestly heard very little tone difference between the 3. The last guitar played in each little series sounded just a bit brighter than the first two. The first two guitars sounded identical to me. Epiphone all the way.

[saulmorris]

tbh im definitely a firebird guy, but not a $7000 Firebird guy, probably a $600 firebird guy, $2000 explorer guy and $7000 sg guy

[DamianS]

I'm a Firebird fan... However, I purchased an LTD Phoenix 1000. It's a very well built substitute.

[bretspangler]

I have my Olive Drab Firebird and it might just be my favorite guitar, both in clean and hi-gain I get excellent tones. I know a lot of people comment that the Firebird is a long guitar, no argument here, but the length is most apparent when you have to tune, that E-string is a long reach for my short arms, so I have to slightly reposition to tune, but playing it seems perfectly normal. I love the neck profile, I have smaller hands and I have zero issues reaching any fret. I actually raised the action just a little to get it playing perfectly. The intonation on my B-string was a little stubborn but settled in. I did a fret polish and dressed the fret ends, they were in pretty good condition to start. I oiled the fretboard and it is a nice dark color now, some of the promo pictures show a very light-colored Indian Laurel. Overall I could not be happier, I even like the color. I did get an additional $50 discount on the green version, never hurts to save and get an excellent instrument in the bargain,

[barnaclestval]

I had to sell my Gibby Bird in 2021 due to my pandemic induced lost job.
I never really jelled with it because of the pickups but I loved the shape & neck.
Just recently bought a blemished Epi Bird for $549 (Can't find the blemish) & I freaking love it!
It's in my hands more often than not & I really dig the p-ups. They take the dirt much better than my Gibby did.

[KentuckyRedneck]

i got my Firebird 3 weeks ago, partially due to watching this video. It's the Epiphone, made in 2020. It is 2nd hand, but in near mint condition, and man, I'm Loving it so far!! I've always admired the sound, AND the look of these guitars. I could listen to and watch videos of Allan Collins playing his all day... one of the Very Best!! After watching several videos by reviewers I respect, I found a good deal on mine and ordered it from halfway across the country on faith. Happily, I'm glad I did! Thanks for this review and all your others. I trust your opinion and ALWAYS enjoy your playing and tone! Thank You Much Brother!

[johntiller]

Thank you. I think that I prefer the Epi out of the 3. Sounds clearer and more articulate to my ears.

[jamesb]

I have an Epi and love it. What really impresses me are the clean tones I get from it.

[catsofsherman]

I thought the Epiphone firebird had the warmest and most pleasing tone to my ears.

[dkelley]

Any variation in tone between the three is so slight as to defy differentiation. Stunning how similar the Epiphone was to the Gibson’s

[timcallender]

I bought an Epi Firebird in May of this year, and I'm absolutely in love. It sounds great, it balances well either when sitting or standing...it is the best playing guitar I own and my technique has improved because of it -- I don't feel like I'm fighting the guitar. It is my main player now...and I play in a surf band!

[mickstick]

The murphy lab is perfect to me, close second was the Epiphone, especially on the bridge pickup, but over all the Murphy in middle and neck positions. I have no idea how the Murphy lab feels, but judging by the look on your face when you play it, it must be very sweet.

[gregorygetable]

Terrific video, thanks. I got to play a 60s Gibson Firebird in our band in early 70s, I bought Epiphone Firebird beginning of 2023....awesome!

[rsuazon]

I've never really been interested in a Firebird until I picked up the Epiphone at my local shop one day. The neck felt great and the pickups really impressed me. I had tried some Gibson ones in the past but they didn't sound as good. Apparently some of the older Gibson models used mini humbuckers instead of the rail pickups that traditional Firebirds have. A few werks later I ended up finding a deal on an Epiphone Firebird. One easy and affordable upgrade I would recommend is to change the Epiphone bridge with a Gotoh one.

[MrSteviek]

Hey Robert….after I saw the first video you did with the Epiphone bird…. I immediately got on line and bought one ☝️….now I can say first hand that everything you said was true….it’s an astonishing guitar from any perspective…but moreover it’s truly a dollar value like no other 👏✨…so many thanks my friend and congrats on your Murphy Lab 👌