Nutty idea i've had...

darren wilson · #1 03-06-2004, 03:16 AM

Here's a quick mockup of an idea i've been toying with for a while for a future project... a true "Firebird VII"

It's a neck-thru built around a Carvin 7-string neck (reversed headstock, no dots).

I haven't really finalized a lot of the decisions like control placement or body wing material, but i'd like to taper it along the lines of a JS/Radius body for that super-comfy feel (and to get the weight down a bit). I've made some slight tweaks to the Firebird body shape to get it to work better in proportion to the neck.

Electronics-wise, i'm thinking dual humbuckers (okay, so it'll actually be more like a Firebird V) with my usual wiring setup and maybe a GraphTech Ghost piezo system.

Let me know what you guys think!

Two hands31 · #2 03-06-2004, 03:28 AM

Sweeeeeet

Though maybe a reversed/semi-reversed body would hang better? Though looks-wise, this is great

And the electronics, etc. sound great

darren wilson · #3 03-06-2004, 03:34 AM

That is a reversed body style. I never liked the "non-reverse" Firebirds at all. In comparison to a true Firebird, i did move the entire body shape about an inch or two towards the neck, i deepened the cutaway a bit, and i made the ass-end of the guitar a little less heavy. I think i'd have to do a bit of experimentation on strap mounting position to get it to hang just right.

I've only recently had a quasi-obsession with Firebirds. But i think they're really cool.

Two hands31 · #4 03-06-2004, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darren wilson

That is a reversed body style. I never liked the "non-reverse" Firebirds at all. In comparison to a true Firebird, i did move the entire body shape about an inch or two towards the neck, and i deepened the cutaway a bit. I think i'd have to do a bit of experimentation on strap mounting position to get it to hang just right.

I've only recently had a quasi-obsession with Firebirds. But i think they're really cool.

My bad, you're right

I was just thinking of the base end, and how nice my Jazz Bass V and Schecter Revenger-7 hang despite heavy necks

Still, very nice design

And the more I think about it, I don't like the non-reversed Firebirds as much either.

frankfalbo · #5 03-06-2004, 02:45 PM

I would like the non-reversed Firebirds more if they flipped the body upside down.....

But seriously, take some time to examine your Firebird obsession. Sometimes when I get an idea I rush out and build it only to find out the infatuation was temporary. Any time you get into unconventional curves you should make sure you'll really like the way it sits on you. With the JS style roundness to the contour you can't miss, though. If you "aerofoil" the top half like your phony light sources show in the pic it should be a comfortable guitar.

It looks great, but I'd get carvin to make you a blank headstock one. That's not the best matchup. I think you could do better if you designed it. Even something more "firebird" would look better in my opinion. Maybe a 7 string banana?

sam669 · #6 03-06-2004, 03:39 PM

it looks a bit too much like a basic explorer with just softer/rounder edges

Blues-core · #7 03-08-2004, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sam669

it looks a bit too much like a basic explorer with just softer/rounder edges

Reminded me more of a Spector REX

[img]http://www.**************.com/avail/bass/spector/spe_rex.jpg[/img]

BucketBot · #8 03-08-2004, 04:07 PM

I dig the non-reversed firebird bodies but it is pretty cool still, IMO.

wildealien · #9 03-09-2004, 01:02 PM

hmm...

make me one too?

**jim777** · #10 03-09-2004, 02:57 PM

I used to have an ESP Custom Shop reverse Firebird like yours above, and it was a wonderful instrument. It was, however, just silly top heavy. It was a great guitar though, and comfortable to play sitting down. I think if you like the shape and can get some nice woods on it it should be amazing. And don't forget to throw some Bartolinis in it

jim

darren wilson · #11 03-09-2004, 03:38 PM

By "top heavy" do you mean neck-heavy, or did the top edge of the body (the bass side) want to pull away from your body when hanging from a strap?

I had a pointy explorer-type guitar in the '80s and never had problems with it. The trick is definitely to get the balance right. I just love Firebirds and Thunderbirds.

**jim777** · #12 03-09-2004, 05:04 PM

I love them, too. I meant that mine was very neck heavy. I believe they're all top heavy though, in regards to how they'll sit on you when standing, due to the shape.

jim

darren wilson · #13 03-09-2004, 05:46 PM

Yeah, strap placement has a lot to do with it. While the mockup i did looks like a stock Firebird, i've actually moved the whole body an inch or two towards the neck to try and get the front strap pin a bit closer to the neutral balance point, and i've deepened the cutaway a bit to compensate for high-fret access.

Firebirds usually have their strap button on the neck heel, don't they? That's one thing that's bugged me about SGs as well (besides the fact that i think they're butt-ugly)... putting the strap button there tends to make the body want to hang away from the player's body. This was a problem with the early Steinbergers as well, which is why Ned designed a strap mounting "pivot plate" to compensate. I'd move the strap location to the upper "hump".

I'm not done with this yet... i'm still looking at putting a few of my own personal signature twists on the body to make it a bit more unique and original.