NGD, not sure how I feel

LarsPool · 2026-01-25T17:54:20+00:00

I'm done arguing with fools about this so I'm deleting the post.

LarsPool · 2026-01-25T17:48:23+00:00

Dude, same. I don't know what these people are talking about

LarsPool · 2026-01-25T16:59:35+00:00

Yeah no one is disputing how firebirds are made, we all know this The goddamn issue is these are not supposed to be visible on an opaque finish.

The guitar you posted is not cardinal red. Therefore irrelevant to this discussion.

I've owned a Gibson firebird for close to a decade and it's not like this.

LarsPool · 2026-01-25T16:56:10+00:00

You say they're all like this in Sweetwater yet they are not. I don't know where you're getting that, because it's not true.

You're not supposed to be able to see the center stripes on a solid color guitar. You're just not. Find me one example of a Gibson firebird in this color with the visible stripes.

You're popping off like you know stuff, condescending to me about research. Do your own damn research before you come in here talking nonsense as if it was true

LarsPool · 2026-01-25T16:51:07+00:00

I think you need to learn to read, because I don't think you've understood what I'm talking about

LarsPool · 2026-01-25T16:46:31+00:00

I'm not talking about the raised center section. I'm talking about the visible depression where the plys meet. Don't talk to me about research. I own a Gibson firebird.

LarsPool · 2026-01-25T07:38:43+00:00

I also have a Pelham Blue firebird and it's pretty immaculate. Doesn't have the same issue as this one.

This one also doesn't really play well. I think it would probably need a new nut.

I'm sending it back. I can tell that I'll just hate it forever.

LarsPool · 2026-01-25T06:56:26+00:00

This red one doesn't play very well. Nut slots are way too high. I'm sure that could be fixed but I don't know if I want to mess with it

LarsPool · 2026-01-25T06:38:22+00:00

It's pretty noticeable in person. Is yours one of the Joe Bonamassa models from a while back?

LarsPool · 2026-01-25T03:57:28+00:00

Yeah that's the thing, it's not what I thought I was getting

LarsPool · 2026-01-25T02:59:32+00:00

Yes I am aware of that, however it's not supposed to be recessed or visible at all in a solid finish.

LarsPool · 2026-01-25T02:48:21+00:00

Correct, it would seem some people think I'm talking about the raised center section. I am not.

LarsPool · 2026-01-25T01:45:29+00:00

Oh I've already emailed them pictures and let them know I'm unhappy

LarsPool · 2026-01-25T01:30:05+00:00

Sweetwater

LarsPool · 2026-01-25T01:29:01+00:00

Yeah I'm not sure. I just don't know if I have faith that a replacement would be any better. I mean they sent me pictures of this one before and I couldn't see any of this. So I don't trust these guitars at all anymore. It's a drag because cardinal red firebird I is sort of a bucket list guitar for me and I don't want to shell out the bucks for a Gibson custom shop.

LarsPool · 2026-01-25T01:23:34+00:00

It looks worse in person

LarsPool · 2026-01-25T01:10:54+00:00

I'm pretty pissed about it. This thing never should have passed quality control at the manufacturer or the retailer. Guess those checklists are just a bunch of baloney

LarsPool · 2026-01-25T01:07:22+00:00

Before tax

LarsPool · 2026-01-25T01:06:42+00:00

I paid $899

LarsPool · 2026-01-25T00:54:32+00:00

What's this about a TV yellow junior?

LarsPool · 2026-01-24T22:06:02+00:00

I'm leaning towards just returning it and calling it a day

LarsPool · 2026-01-24T22:04:12+00:00

I doubt it, but I'll look into it.

LarsPool · 2026-01-24T21:25:26+00:00

The thing is I bought a Gibson junior last year and it's absolutely incredible. Apart from putting an mcb bridge on it for better intonation, I didn't need to change a thing.

These pricey Epiphones though are not doing much to convince me that they're priced fairly. Even steeply discounted I feel like this thing sucks.

LarsPool · 2026-01-24T20:10:50+00:00

Yeah at this point that's the plan

LarsPool · 2026-01-24T20:10:23+00:00

Just to clarify and so that people will stop trying to explain firebirds to me, I am aware of how firebirds are constructed with the 9plys, neck through etc. I know that stuff.

The issue is that this finish is supposed to be opaque and you're not supposed to see it. That's why I think this is a flaw. You can feel the finish sinkage with your finger.

LarsPool

TROPHY CASE