Question For Firefly 338 (335 copy) Owners??

tonebender · Wed Dec 28, 2022 9:04 am

I have to admit I am intrigued by these guitars. Despite reading and listening to several reviews I cannot seem to find out two specifications. How much do they weigh and what is the neck profile. I would need a neck profile comparison to Gibson i.e., 50's, 60's or different from that. I like a 60's profile or something slightly fatter than a 60's but when it gets in the 50's range I tend to not bond so much. Please let me know what you know and thanks for participating.

Mr. Leyvatone · Wed Dec 28, 2022 12:48 pm

Definitely more 60s than 50s. And weight = light. It’s the lightest semi-hollow I have ever owned. It’s lighter than a Gibson or Epi 339, let alone anything bigger.

mozz · Wed Dec 28, 2022 2:18 pm

Yeah, more 60's style, mines medium 1st thru 12th fret. My LP studios are probably thinner. Weight is 6 lb 13oz. Things not stock but would not affect the weight too much: Wilkinson tuners, Amazon bridge, aftermarket humbuckers with no covers, full sized pots, dust.

artandsoul · Wed Dec 28, 2022 7:45 pm

Id agree a 60s style neck profile, they are ok guitars def need tuners and pickups. Id say it will need some fret work just expect the worst so when u get it and its nice your happy lol. i just got a grote 338 last year its about the same build and look . It was nicer on fit and finish but it was heavy like 8lbs, a dam boat anchor for a semi hollow. the ff338 i had were around 6-7lbs like moss says his is,. There def a great mod platform and its so fun rewiring a semi hollow 335 guitar lol.

tonebender · Wed Dec 28, 2022 8:44 pm

I ordered myself one based on the weight information you guys provided. I have a couple of super nice 335 copies that I love but they both are on the heavy side. I am hoping for less than 8 lbs. If not they are cheap enough to avoid regret. As far as tuners or pickups, I am hoping they are usable. I play my Les Paul 60's Tribute P90 exclusively but there are a couple songs that I think a semi would work well on. The Les Paul does a fine job covering all the bases though and it is not heavy.

redman · Wed Dec 28, 2022 9:02 pm

@tonebender if you buy it and don't like it you can always send it to me.

mozz · Wed Dec 28, 2022 11:33 pm

The problem with the Firefly's, (don't know if it applies to Grote), the bridge ends up rattling. A few of us put on the Amazon bridge $15. Pickups are usable but probably ceramic magnets easy swap to alnico mags. Pots are ok stock and wouldn't recommend swapping to full size as it's a pain. As to weight, maybe someone who is on the Facebook firefly group could give more general opinion.

Thu Dec 29, 2022 12:00 am

I've got one of the lefty 338s from a number of years ago when they first showed up. The neck profle is as others have said, more of a 60s profile, medium jumbo frets and weighs a little under 8 lbs. @LightWingStudios has a few of the recent ones and could also give you some more insight.

nomadh · Fri Dec 30, 2022 6:09 pm

I got the spalted 338 last yr and it was great. Didn't change a thing. It broke the high e 2 times now so I need to check that out but I played it months without incident.
I'd say 60s and certainly not heavy. Maybe similar weight to my epi dot studio. Really nice action and frets and decent tone.

Narsh · Sat Dec 31, 2022 1:47 am

o I have two of these and they are both amazing. The gold one I haven't touched. It is bone stock, the bridge doesn't rattle, it plays and sounds fantastic!!!! The black one I had the bridge swapped as well as the electronics and the pickups (buddha pickups). Looking at the pic, I really need to condition the fretboard on goldie. Still, can't go wrong with these guitars.

tonebender · Sat Dec 31, 2022 11:26 am

I tried to find a goldtop but could not. I settled for the translucent black. It looks nice. I had a translucent black Miller 335 copy that was absolutely amazing. I sold it when I sold off all my import electrics. I only missed that one so I kept searching for one. They were made for a local music store in my home town in Virginia. They owner's name was Don Miller and he had them made in the same Korean factories making the good stuff back then. They were a very limited number made. Finally I ran up on one that was on consignment in a store in Virginia and bought it. It is a traditional tobacco burst which is not my favorite but I wanted the guitar. The Miller is heavy both the first one and the one I have. Over 10 lbs and the neck profile is a little chunky but not 50's which is ideal to me. I prefer 6y0's over 50's but in between is perfect. Now that I am older I need for it to be lighter. I am hoping the Firefly will capture the magic and weigh around 8 lbs. Nothing beats a nice solid 335 style guitar but a Les Paul in my book.

Sat Dec 31, 2022 12:03 pm

tonebender wrote: ↑Sat Dec 31, 2022 11:26 am I tried to find a goldtop but could not. I settled for the translucent black. It looks nice. I had a translucent black Miller 335 copy that was absolutely amazing. I sold it when I sold off all my import electrics. I only missed that one so I kept searching for one. They were made for a local music store in my home town in Virginia. They owner's name was Don Miller and he had them made in the same Korean factories making the good stuff back then. They were a very limited number made. Finally I ran up on one that was on consignment in a store in Virginia and bought it. It is a traditional tobacco burst which is not my favorite but I wanted the guitar. The Miller is heavy both the first one and the one I have. Over 10 lbs and the neck profile is a little chunky but not 50's which is ideal to me. I prefer 6y0's over 50's but in between is perfect. Now that I am older I need for it to be lighter. I am hoping the Firefly will capture the magic and weigh around 8 lbs. Nothing beats a nice solid 335 style guitar but a Les Paul in my book.

I've got one of his MIK LP style guitars, I bought it off the GC used site severl years ago. I can't imagine that many left-handed versions were made, never saw one before that and haven't seen one since. it's a quality build in all respects...

Sun Jan 01, 2023 9:42 pm

I have 23 Firefly guitars at this point with the #24 on the way and due here on 1/6/23.

That said I've acquired them over the last two years and haven't had ANY bridge rattling issues whatsoever.

Their other semi hollow guitar is an "Aerosonic", currently out of stock but from what I hear more will be arriving in the next 60 days. It weighs in at around 8 lbs and is semi hollowbody. Rounded Neck Joint that is SWEET. Body is 1/2" wider than an LP at the lower bout. Paid $230 SHIPPED for it at the time. Everything is still stock except the TP-6 I added. Great frets, serviceable Bridge, PUPS, Pots and Tuners. One "Heads Up" I'd give is that if you play FF guitars at High Gain they DO get microphonic but a PUP swap takes care of that. "Classic Rock" style is fine but if you go "Heavy or Death Metal" you have been forewarned.

Rollin Hand · Sun Jan 01, 2023 9:56 pm

I sure wish these could be easily had in Canada....

Sun Jan 01, 2023 9:59 pm

This is #24 on the way...$196 Shipped.

Sun Jan 01, 2023 10:12 pm

I have a White 338 but no pics...I'll take some tomorrow and it weighs in at 8lbs. Their LIGHTEST guitar, also not available right now and a Semi Hollowbody is a "Pegasus" which weighs in at 6.5lbs. Rounded Neck Joint that is SWEET. It's totally stock. Great frets, serviceable Bridge, PUPS, Pots and Tuners. Paid $249 SHIPPED for it.

Sun Jan 01, 2023 10:25 pm

Finally, the "Latest" FF I picked up is a Florentine LP. Pretty cool too!...has a Mini Hum in the Neck and a full HB in the Bridge. Going to my local Luthier to have him swap those BOTH out with a Gibson Mini and a Gibson 496T. Add a TP-6 of course. Weighs 7.5 lbs. $227 SHIPPED. Pretty BODACIOUS color...Metallic Green!

https://guitarsgarden.com/collections/f ... F%E6%9C%AC