The Firefly Has Landed **Update**

tonebender · Sat Dec 31, 2022 12:16 pm

This is the first electric guitar that I have bought in years. I explained in the other thread the desire was to have a light weight semi with a 60's neck profile. I do not intend on using it much so I decided to go cheap. I got the line on Firefly products here and then researched reviews on their 338. All reviews included the info you guys provided pointed towards taking a chance so I did.

I must say the quality is unbelievable for a guitar that was priced at $179 on Amazon. Fit and finish is a good as any Agile, Epiphone I ever owned or any import for that matter except maybe a Korean PRS or two. I find nothing wrong with it at all. Fret ends are smooth, bone nut cut just right, no saddle rattle. I have not played enough or aggressively enough to evaluate the tuners but I liked the feel when I tuned it up. Even without a thorough workout with it I can certainly say it is well worth the coin. It weighs in at exactly 7.5 lbs, excellent! This old man can play that all night.

toomanycats · Sat Dec 31, 2022 1:14 pm

True story.

Yesterday I was in a guitar shop and asked the salesman to take down a 2021 Gibson ES-335 from high up on the wall so I could try it out. It sounded really good, but it was fighting me at the same time. It wasn't even that it was a bad setup. The guitar was just difficult to play.

When I was done making my assessment of the Gibson I looked around and the salesman was gone. I didn't want to risk climbing up the ladder to put the Gibson back myself, so I grabbed this 335 style Firefly hanging on the bottom row, put the Gibson in its place, and proceeded to play this cheap import while waiting for the salesman to return.

It took me all of about five seconds to realize that the Firefly played better than the Gibson. When the salesman returned he asked if I wanted to plug it in, to which I responded "No" as I quickly handed the guitar to him. I didn't want to be tempted to buy this thing. I've got an Ibanez AS93 and Stew Mac kit 335 that meet my ES requirements, and I don't really need another import. I would like a real Gibson 335 one day, but it's got to be the right one. So I'll wait.

Anyways, just my observations. Congrats on the beautiful Firefly @tonebender .

redman · Sat Dec 31, 2022 1:45 pm

Beautiful guitar @tonebender congrats and enjoy.

tonebender · Sat Dec 31, 2022 2:02 pm

toomanycats wrote: ↑Sat Dec 31, 2022 1:14 pm True story.

Yesterday I was in a guitar shop and asked the salesman to take down a 2021 Gibson ES-335 from high up on the wall so I could try it out. It sounded really good, but it was fighting me at the same time. It wasn't even that it was a bad setup. The guitar was just difficult to play.

When I was done making my assessment of the Gibson I looked around and the salesman was gone. I didn't want to risk climbing up the ladder to put the Gibson back myself, so I grabbed this 335 style Firefly hanging on the bottom row, put the Gibson in its place, and proceeded to play this cheap import while waiting for the salesman to return.

It took me all of about five seconds to realize that the Firefly played better than the Gibson. When the salesman returned he asked if I wanted to plug it in, to which I responded "No" as I quickly handed the guitar to him. I didn't want to be tempted to buy this thing. I've got an Ibanez AS93 and Stew Mac kit 335 that meet my ES requirements, and I don't really need another import. I would like a real Gibson 335 one day, but it's got to be the right one. So I'll wait.

Anyways, just my observations. Congrats on the beautiful Firefly @tonebender .

I owned a 1981 Gibson BB King Standard which was one of the first Lucille guitars. It did not have the varitone selector but it did have stereo inputs. It was a seriously nice guitar but I never wanted to take it out because of the vintage value. I sold it during the big sell off after retiring from the Tonebenders. I like it fine and it played like butter but it was heavy. Like your experience other Gibson 335 guitars I have played were tough to bond with for me. I actually liked an Epi I had better but again it was too heavy and did not dethrone the Miller. Up until now I just decided if it has to be heavy I would settle with the Miller. I have Gibson Midtown that is awesome but it is just not have the 335 vibe. I do have an Alchemy 335 copy that Dave made for me that is very cool. No "f" hole like the Lucille, ebony board, goldtop, solid top horn so the strap button in on the horn and it is a match for a Les Paul he made me. Like that Gibson you described it seems to fight me when I play it. It may be worth taking to a pro to set it up properly for me. It needs a neck adjustment and maybe a new nut. It is heavy too. I am just tickled to have a 7.5 lb 335 that plays like butter. I can put some good pickups on it if it works out but the stock pups sounded pretty good through a Fender Superchamp XD.

SamIV · Sat Dec 31, 2022 2:36 pm

They have always tempted me. The larger body’s of a 335 style just gets a bit uncomfortable after a while for me. I play sitting and not a big guy. I like the sound of a 335 style as well. And for the price, it would fill a niche. And I already have a gig bag. So, it has a 60’s style neck profile as well. Nice looking guitar you have there. Did you get it from Amazon or from their website?

tonebender · Sun Jan 01, 2023 8:55 am

SamIV wrote: ↑Sat Dec 31, 2022 2:36 pm They have always tempted me. The larger body’s of a 335 style just gets a bit uncomfortable after a while for me. I play sitting and not a big guy. I like the sound of a 335 style as well. And for the price, it would fill a niche. And I already have a gig bag. So, it has a 60’s style neck profile as well. Nice looking guitar you have there. Did you get it from Amazon or from their website?

Amazon

uwmcscott · Sun Jan 01, 2023 12:23 pm

HNGD Jeff! Glad to see that you ended up with a good one and that certainly looks very nice. I had bad luck with Firefly back when they were starting to become all the rage. I ordered 3 separate 338s back in they day when they only sold via Amazon and all 3 had significant issues that I had to return each of them.

Having said all that it does seem that the quality has been improving in general and they certainly have a lot more options available via the GuitarsGarden site. And the 338 was their first model so I won’t lie that I haven’t been tempted! I would want to buy via Amazon again so the return would not be a hassle, I’ve heard that it can be a big issue if you order via their own site.

I hope it works out and I know you will give it the full treatment - maybe some Buddha pickups?

Sun Jan 01, 2023 10:49 pm

uwmcscott wrote: ↑Sun Jan 01, 2023 12:23 pm HNGD Jeff! Glad to see that you ended up with a good one and that certainly looks very nice. I had bad luck with Firefly back when they were starting to become all the rage. I ordered 3 separate 338s back in they day when they only sold via Amazon and all 3 had significant issues that I had to return each of them.

Having said all that it does seem that the quality has been improving in general and they certainly have a lot more options available via the GuitarsGarden site. And the 338 was their first model so I won’t lie that I haven’t been tempted! I would want to buy via Amazon again so the return would not be a hassle, I’ve heard that it can be a big issue if you order via their own site.

I hope it works out and I know you will give it the full treatment - maybe some Buddha pickups?

Got to agree on their quality improvement. Over almost two years I bought ALOT of FFs and the body finishes on ALL of them has been flawless. Their PUPS are serviceable as long as you don't go "Gain Crazy". If your style is to go that route you'll definitely need a swap of HBs. Their P-90 models are great. Usual low cost import Tuners, Bridge, Tailpiece and Electronics. If you are a "Modster" you'll Live On The Edge Of Wetness with their guitars. Their Frets are incredible. FFs remind me of "The Heady Days Of Rondo Lore".

Sun Jan 01, 2023 10:57 pm

More FFs from the collection.

Sun Jan 01, 2023 11:01 pm

Still more FFs.

Sun Jan 01, 2023 11:09 pm

More...A few are "Stock Pics"...Just got to doing a Setup on "The V"... For the record, I've NEVER paid more than $265 and as little as $190 SHIPPED for any of these. SOMEBODY SAVE ME!

Mon Jan 02, 2023 8:21 am

Took pics of the White ES-338 this morning...added a TP-6..."She's A Looker".

tonebender · Mon Jan 02, 2023 8:53 am

After seeing your collection @LightWingStudios I am glad I acted before they were all gone? LOL

That blue P90 looks awesome.

peskypesky · Mon Jan 02, 2023 5:12 pm

toomanycats wrote: ↑Sat Dec 31, 2022 1:14 pm True story.

Yesterday I was in a guitar shop and asked the salesman to take down a 2021 Gibson ES-335 from high up on the wall so I could try it out. It sounded really good, but it was fighting me at the same time. It wasn't even that it was a bad setup. The guitar was just difficult to play.

When I was done making my assessment of the Gibson I looked around and the salesman was gone. I didn't want to risk climbing up the ladder to put the Gibson back myself, so I grabbed this 335 style Firefly hanging on the bottom row, put the Gibson in its place, and proceeded to play this cheap import while waiting for the salesman to return.

It took me all of about five seconds to realize that the Firefly played better than the Gibson. When the salesman returned he asked if I wanted to plug it in, to which I responded "No" as I quickly handed the guitar to him. I didn't want to be tempted to buy this thing. I've got an Ibanez AS93 and Stew Mac kit 335 that meet my ES requirements, and I don't really need another import. I would like a real Gibson 335 one day, but it's got to be the right one. So I'll wait.

Anyways, just my observations. Congrats on the beautiful Firefly @tonebender .

If you were to post this on a Gibson forum or the Gear Page, you would be hit with a tidal wave of gear snobs saying that you are not a good enough guitarist to appreciate how much better the Gibson is.

andrewsrea · Mon Jan 02, 2023 5:54 pm

HNGD!

tonebender · Mon Jan 02, 2023 8:48 pm

I was able to put the Firefly 338 to the test today at rehearsal. It played "soft" and did not fight me. I enjoyed playing it a lot. I came away thinking I need to replace the pups. They were a little brittle to be. Probably ceramic mags?? Not sure about the tuners. The strings were new so I had to keep tuning. Some of that could have been the tuners but not enough time to definitively say. I will gig with it Thursday and make up my mind then. Grover Nickel Rotos could be in the future. What I did find very pleasing was the sweep on the volume and tone pots. The volume and tone changed gradually from 1-10 which is not usually the case. All in all I am very happy with this guitar and it will see a lot of play.

OMB · Tue Jan 03, 2023 10:48 am

Can't imagine not having a 335 style guitar. I was going to buy a Firefly till they changed the horns. I was stuck on the Mickey Mouse ears at the time so I ended uip with a Grote. Lots of upgrades but my buying days had kind of slowed to nothing so why not.

tonebender · Sun Jan 15, 2023 5:27 pm

I have some pickups coming and today I ordered some Grover replacement tuners. I may die the fretboard black too. I did that on an Epi Dot years ago and it looked nice.

Floridian FX · Tue Jan 17, 2023 8:36 am

LightWingStudios wrote: ↑Sun Jan 01, 2023 11:01 pm Still more FFs.

I haven't touched a guitar or bass in over a year, but that red one gave me a shiver....

uwmcscott · Tue Jan 17, 2023 12:43 pm

Floridian FX wrote: ↑Tue Jan 17, 2023 8:36 am I haven't touched a guitar or bass in over a year,

I don't think anyone's ever posted an RC guitar build here, maybe you need to blend those 2 technologies. I"m envisioning a FloridianFX modified set of robo-tuners that your guitar tech can run from the booth. Drop D for the next song? hold my beer...

idiotsdelight · Wed Jan 18, 2023 5:26 am

Wish there were more real life pics of this.

tonebender · Sat Jan 21, 2023 3:10 pm

The 18:1 Grovers are installed and I dyed the fretboard with Minwax ebony stain. It looks much better. I left the string off in anticipation of the new pup installation. I don't think I will do it myself, a semi hollow is a PITA. I have done 4-5 pup changes in a semi but this time I think I will take it to Somnium and get it done. The guy does good work and it is usually a quick turn around. The pots work great so it will just be a matter of taking to old off and wiring the new in.

notme · Mon Jan 23, 2023 12:43 am

Im a bit shocked to read about happy FF owners on this site. I followed the fb page in the early days, 2018-20, and there were plenty of firewood guitars. Just terrible!
Its nice to see people getting good products now.
There were posts, maybe here, of the pegasus and flying v with exceptionally crafted frets..... with close up pics.
No where near what mine are like (2018 338, 2021 lp) although they didnt need much work.
The 338 i was thinking of letting go, but the honeyburst lp looks and plays quite nice, with rose pickups at 8.lbs
Ive always thought i got lucky with these 2.

nomadh · Tue Jan 24, 2023 1:03 pm

toomanycats wrote: ↑Sat Dec 31, 2022 1:14 pm True story.

Yesterday I was in a guitar shop and asked the salesman to take down a 2021 Gibson ES-335 from high up on the wall so I could try it out. It sounded really good, but it was fighting me at the same time. It wasn't even that it was a bad setup. The guitar was just difficult to play.

When I was done making my assessment of the Gibson I looked around and the salesman was gone. I didn't want to risk climbing up the ladder to put the Gibson back myself, so I grabbed this 335 style Firefly hanging on the bottom row, put the Gibson in its place, and proceeded to play this cheap import while waiting for the salesman to return.

It took me all of about five seconds to realize that the Firefly played better than the Gibson. When the salesman returned he asked if I wanted to plug it in, to which I responded "No" as I quickly handed the guitar to him. I didn't want to be tempted to buy this thing. I've got an Ibanez AS93 and Stew Mac kit 335 that meet my ES requirements, and I don't really need another import. I would like a real Gibson 335 one day, but it's got to be the right one. So I'll wait.

Anyways, just my observations. Congrats on the beautiful Firefly @tonebender .

Got a friend w an all original 335 from the 60s and I don't like it either. Maybe it's just the heavy strings but blech.
I love my firefly.

nomadh · Tue Jan 24, 2023 1:06 pm

SamIV wrote: ↑Sat Dec 31, 2022 2:36 pm They have always tempted me. The larger body’s of a 335 style just gets a bit uncomfortable after a while for me. I play sitting and not a big guy. I like the sound of a 335 style as well. And for the price, it would fill a niche. And I already have a gig bag. So, it has a 60’s style neck profile as well. Nice looking guitar you have there. Did you get it from Amazon or from their website?

You need to try a casino coupe. Perfect size with just a smidgen more hollow vibe.