New stock Gibson or upgrade an Epiphone?

[npfrs]

So, I've had my eye on a nice looking Firebird for awhile now...



But I've been thinking about it and it's quite costly. With the announcement of the new Squier Bass VI (which I also want) I've been thinking about getting an Epiphone Sheraton II and upgrading the pick-ups.



In fact, I could put some nice TV Jones Filtertrons in there (TV Classics) and possibly satisfy my lust for a semi-hollow Gretsch, plus it would compliment my Cabronita Tele pretty well. I'd also look into some cosmetic upgrades, maybe change the tuners, take off the pickgaurd, etc, but the main thing is replacing those pick-ups.

Basically, for the price of the Firebird, I could get both the Bass VI and an upgraded Sheraton II, and some nice straps. Anyways... thought I'd ask ye olde forum for thoughts.

[DarkAxel]

My thoughs:

Lets just start with saying those two guitars are very different.... but from my experience, Sheratons are pretty awesome and with TV Jones', it could sound SO sweet...

And I agree that it probably would compliment your Tele very well it's a fuller sound with less bite but more mid/low-mid balls

so basically i'm all for the Sheraton+Bass VI idea that's what I'd do anyway

[cheesecats]

perhaps wait for gibson to reissue a tribute firebird at a very reasonable price--this one was going for about $700.

[wdinc01]

Disclaimer: I'm a bass player. And while it certainly sounds more economical to get two guitars for the price of one, I must throw my hat in for the Firebird because I love them so.

[dubkitty]

look for one of the three-PU Epiphone Firebirds with the Maestro vibrola on eBay. they show up fairly regularly for a decent price.

it's probably true that a Sheraton with TVs would be more of an alternative to the Tele. or you could look for one of the Riviera reissues with the mini-hums.

[kosta]

Such different guitars there. I guess it depends on what your goals and priorities are. I played a Firebird 70's Tribute and couldn't stop thinking about it afterwards, so I eventually bought one. Sometimes I'll obssess over a guitar without ever having played it, and then lose interest once I've played one.

Have you had hands-on time with any of the above?

[Jero]

I'd go sheraton and bass iv. All day every day.

[tuffteef]

yo that new fender coronado got tv jones in it

[Greenfuz]

FIREBIRD FIREBIRD FIREBIRD FIREBIRD FIREBIRD


throw a tv jones in the firebird if ya want, neil used to have a gretsch pickup in old black so I assume they can just drop in for the most part

[npfrs]

My thoughs:

Lets just start with saying those two guitars are very different.... but from my experience, Sheratons are pretty awesome and with TV Jones', it could sound SO sweet...

And I agree that it probably would compliment your Tele very well it's a fuller sound with less bite but more mid/low-mid balls

so basically i'm all for the Sheraton+Bass VI idea that's what I'd do anyway

I'm leaning this way... I've always loved my friends black 335 he got when his band first started and they got a sponsorship; this is my small way of fufilling many dreams, haha.

Plus it kind of feels like Epiphone and Squier are becoming the more value-oriented bang-for-your-buck companies these days. Why would I pay close to $2000 for a US Jazzmaster when the Squier can be had and modded for far less, even with bench fee? Thoughts?

look for one of the three-PU Epiphone Firebirds with the Maestro vibrola on eBay. they show up fairly regularly for a decent price.

it's probably true that a Sheraton with TVs would be more of an alternative to the Tele. or you could look for one of the Riviera reissues with the mini-hums.

My tele has Filtertrons in it, as it's a Cabronita, but that's the point - I LOVE Gretsch-style pick-ups, they're my fave, so a Sheraton with TV Classics could prob integrate into my rig fairly well. The Firebird sounded amazing and had a lot of good tonal options too, hence this dilemma.

Such different guitars there. I guess it depends on what your goals and priorities are. I played a Firebird 70's Tribute and couldn't stop thinking about it afterwards, so I eventually bought one. Sometimes I'll obssess over a guitar without ever having played it, and then lose interest once I've played one.

Have you had hands-on time with any of the above?

Plenty of time with the Firebird, in store, and various ones (at least 3 different guitars in 3 different stores). The Sheraton I need to spend more time with and plan on doing so today. I hadn't been really considering it seriously until recently, when Squier announced the Bass VI, and I thought about "How many high-end guitars do I really need VS want?" I keep picking-up high-end Gretches but can't justify that high a mark-up, so....

I'd go sheraton and bass iv. All day every day.

Word.

FIREBIRD FIREBIRD FIREBIRD FIREBIRD FIREBIRD


throw a tv jones in the firebird if ya want, neil used to have a gretsch pickup in old black so I assume they can just drop in for the most part

I already like what the Firebird does tonally - it's more a 2 vs 1 deal. I wouldn't feel the need to replace any Firebird pups if I had it, but I also wouldn't have the Bass VI adding to my arsenal either.

[goosekevin]

I'd go sheraton and bass iv. All day every day.

[npfrs]

I spent some time with the Sheraton today, even A/B'ing it with the Firebird. I tried them both through an Orange OR15 with 2x12 cab and a Blues Jr III. Here are some thoughts.

The Sheraton is nice, neck feels good, it sounds nice, even with stock pick-ups. It feels very comfortable when sitting and standing and fits nicely. It's a bit heavier than I'd hoped but not really that much (I'm used to my tele). I can see replacing the pick-ups, the nut, and possibly the tuners, but even stock, I could use it.

The Firebird is amazing, plays extremely well, and has a clearer sound, like a blanket was taken off the amps. It doesn't feel as comfortable sitting down nor standing-up but it is lighter. I would leave it stock, as it's fine just as it is.

So, is the Firebird worth almost 3x what the Sheraton costs?

Honestly, yes and no. Yes because, as another customer pointed out, the Firebird will likely retain its value if I decide to sell while the Sheraton, regardless of upgrades, will not (he was less polite about the Sheraton but we're all civilized here so I'll refrain from verbatim). So, if I were a collector, and planning on keeping the Firebird fairly mint, this would prob be the smart choice. However, I'm not. Not in the slightest. My Telebration Cabronita is starting to show wear and I've had it only just over a year and it's only been on 1 tour. My guitars are not show pieces, they are not meant to adorn walls, or even be displayed - they are tools and will be banged around, stood-up in corners or against amps, laid down on uneven, or even rough, surfaces, etc, etc. As long as they still sound good when I pick them back up, a few scratches, hell, even a major gash, will not bother me - I almost take pride in the wear and tear. Knowing this it really feels like the Sheraton should be the obvious choice here.

Any additional thoughts?

[cheesecats]

well, given those criteria and conditions, i think the firebird is a more solidly constructed and higher quality piece of equipment and likely will hold up better and last longer.

[DarkAxel]

My thoughs:

Lets just start with saying those two guitars are very different.... but from my experience, Sheratons are pretty awesome and with TV Jones', it could sound SO sweet...

And I agree that it probably would compliment your Tele very well it's a fuller sound with less bite but more mid/low-mid balls

so basically i'm all for the Sheraton+Bass VI idea that's what I'd do anyway

I'm leaning this way... I've always loved my friends black 335 he got when his band first started and they got a sponsorship; this is my small way of fufilling many dreams, haha.

Plus it kind of feels like Epiphone and Squier are becoming the more value-oriented bang-for-your-buck companies these days. Why would I pay close to $2000 for a US Jazzmaster when the Squier can be had and modded for far less, even with bench fee? Thoughts?

hehe, as a person who has owned Squier VM Jazzmaster for about a year and have done some modding,,, you are kind of right. But i must say there are small details even about CP Jazzies that make them considerable - considerable, not a necessarily better choice, mind you

for example the fretboard on my Squier is far from perfect... the frets are very well done, but there's some glue at a few places and the heavily lacquered back of the neck is not as nice as the CP's neck... but basically, you are right, the value for new epiphones and Squiers is fucking crazy

also while we're on the topic - try the new Epiphone 335 and 339 also a very cool option, they seem very well done to me (I work in a guitar store, so i get to try a lot of stuff)

[npfrs]

My thoughs:

Lets just start with saying those two guitars are very different.... but from my experience, Sheratons are pretty awesome and with TV Jones', it could sound SO sweet...

And I agree that it probably would compliment your Tele very well it's a fuller sound with less bite but more mid/low-mid balls

so basically i'm all for the Sheraton+Bass VI idea that's what I'd do anyway

I'm leaning this way... I've always loved my friends black 335 he got when his band first started and they got a sponsorship; this is my small way of fufilling many dreams, haha.

Plus it kind of feels like Epiphone and Squier are becoming the more value-oriented bang-for-your-buck companies these days. Why would I pay close to $2000 for a US Jazzmaster when the Squier can be had and modded for far less, even with bench fee? Thoughts?

hehe, as a person who has owned Squier VM Jazzmaster for about a year and have done some modding,,, you are kind of right. But i must say there are small details even about CP Jazzies that make them considerable - considerable, not a necessarily better choice, mind you

for example the fretboard on my Squier is far from perfect... the frets are very well done, but there's some glue at a few places and the heavily lacquered back of the neck is not as nice as the CP's neck... but basically, you are right, the value for new epiphones and Squiers is fucking crazy

also while we're on the topic - try the new Epiphone 335 and 339 also a very cool option, they seem very well done to me (I work in a guitar store, so i get to try a lot of stuff)

I'll check outthose other Epis for sure!

I haven't had any issue with the fretboard on my Squier JM but I agree about the extra lacquer on the neck. The kind of neck I like is on the Squier J Mascis JM, satin finish, but I found I was able to adjust to th JM neck and, over time, it's worn down a little. I had intentions of taking some fine grit sandpaper to it after buying it but just got used to it.

IT's my Open D guitar with flatwound 12s on it so it's a bit of a oddity, haha.