EspTro

local samash dropped the price pretty significantly , i think in the range of $450? its last years models and theyre having some sort of sale on all their studios.

ive heard the horror stories of the QC on studio models, anyone have first hand experience to let me know if its a good buy? its the 70's firebird with the mini humbucks

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SteveHOC

I played one at a Guitar Center and liked it a lot. Gibson QC rumors are widely exaggerated, even on studios, and you have a return policy if you have any major issues. I'd say that the studios have some issues with rough frets, but at the price you're getting the Firebird for, you'll be able to afford a good setup if needed.

Blompcube

$450 seems like a steal compared to UK prices.

quality control issues are only really a concern when you're buying online - if you're going into a shop and playing some guitars like your post implies, i wouldn't worry about it. it should be easy to spot a potential problem.

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Darkflame

for 450$, if I had the money, I'd buy it online without trying it first. I have three Gibson guitars and have only tried one before I bought it, and they get about 75% of my play time, another 20% being for my telecaster. The QC thingie is, as far as I'm concerned, a rumor and nothing else.

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jpnyc

JUMP ON THAT SHIT. The 2012 studio blowouts are the best deals around and once the internet bargain hunters find out they’ll be ordering them direct from stores. For $450 the QC is very good. I picked up a blowout 70s Les Paul Studio in November for $500. It plays great and the mini humbuckers sound sweet. The fretwork is almost as good as my Schecter guitars. It’s become my #1. I won’t lie, I wouldn’t have bought it when it was a $900 guitar, but for under $600 these guitars are killer.

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MaggaraMarine

Firebirds are cool and the price seems pretty low. I would buy it.

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SteveHOC

Yeah, I didn't see the fact that it's at a shop - go play it for sure. It sounds like a steal (they're $599 online). You'd be paying only slightly more for the Gibson than the Epiphone version.

RVD

Some of the studios are less than stellar. I bought a 70s SG tribute and Firebird Studio at the same time. The neck contour and pickups are exactly the same and I love the body shape of the SG. I really hate that it's hard for me to put the Firebird in a stand. That said, I kept the Firebird and sold the SG. It was hard to get the SG action to my liking without causing fret buzz. The Firebird didn't have that issue, and something about the way the body shape or length causes the neck to sit just right in my hand is amazing. I can't really describe what it is but I love playing that guitar. I own many fine Custom Shop guitars and I don't look down at this Firebird one bit. I might have just got a good one but for $450 it sounds like a good risk.

Ippon

Which store?!

IpponEdit: NVM, reached them,

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W4RP1G

Play it and see if you like it. If you can see yourself owning it for a while, or flipping it for a profit, then go for it. Otherwise, it's kinda pointless to buy it, even if it is a good deal(but even then I don't know that it's actually a good deal, since used Firebird Studios can probably be had for that much).

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TVeye

Sunset SA, right?

EspTro

City of industry samash

*EDIT* well i dont know if its a storewide sale since they were already on blowout, but a sales rep called me and told me hell knock another $100 off

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Ippon

$350? What's the salesperson's name?

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SteveHOC

I think he meant $100 off the advertised sale of $599, making it $499. Still a solid deal! If I'm wrong and it's $350, I'll be needing that salesperson's name as well.

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EspTro

no no not $350 haha.

ask for nick, if any of u buy it say Troy sent u

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MaggaraMarine

^ Damn spambot stole my comment! Reported.

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Ippon

Will be pissed if MF/GC blows this out for $400.

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EspTro

so just an update I ain't buying it. just not a fan of the mini humbuckers

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ihartfood

same here. I've been really wanting a firebird or explorer but I need full size buckers.

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