Michael Ross: Gibson's Firebird X Rises from the Ashes

Go easy....granted the guitar is hideous, simply awful to look at. In fact I would call it an abomination. The idea has some tremendous merit but misses the boat. It's sort of like mini disc, cool for a year and then so outdated beyond that. Now if there was a guitar manufacturer that also sepcialized or contracted with an effects company and created a guitar that used assignable analogue controls for effects levels etc that could be used in conjuction with foot controllers we would be on to something. The MOOG guitar looks to be set to create an even bigger revolution than it has already. The Gibson X.....in my mind $5000 is a waste of money on this piece. As well the promo videos and spokeperson Gibson is using for the guitar are so dull boring, old.....simply dated marketing styles. Gibson, you missed the point with this guitar. I suppose for a middle aged gear head than wants people to think he's cool with the fancy switching of effects on his guitar will appreciate this piece, and maybe be able to afford it. Otherwise, restyle the ax, sign a deal with digitech to work together putting bluetooth into pedals and maybe even a mic mounted controller for certain effects and voila, the revolution begins. My rating of this albatross.....on merit of idea 7 out of 10, on style....a big ZERO ( seriously its so ugly ) on tone, I can't comment but I'm sure an epiphone with upgraded pickups and the right touch can evoke just as much emotion and spirit. Back to the drawing board oldtimers.

Michael Ross: Gibson's Firebird X Rises from the Ashes

Wow, I stumbled on this page trying to find comments about a guitar I just bought (Gibson Robot Explorer). For some reason I wanted validation of the purchase. While I respect and like to to read other peoples opinions regarding musical instruments and gear, it has dawned on me that either competitor companies (with an angle to promote a negative opinion) or outright negative people dominate the majority of internet sites I visit looking for information. Come on people, the Firebird X hasn't been released yet, and people are offering their ratings. The robot tech on the guitar I bought is very useful. Mind you if it breaks no time, I'll be quite pissed, but at least it would represent experience as opposed to negative conjecture void of experience.

Michael Ross: Gibson's Firebird X Rises from the Ashes

Wow, can I plug it into a Roland 13-pin gadget like my VG-99 or GR-33?

Michael Ross: Gibson's Firebird X Rises from the Ashes

Gibson should be trying to figure out why weak management is coming up with bad left turns such as this Firebird X as well as other pointless albatrosses such as The Dusk Tiger. Gibson is a brand of style and tradition. The statement, “Revolution isn’t always about big bold moves—it is about attention to detail" from pointman Juszkiewicz makes little sense here. Stabbing blindly into the dark for anything that might sell isnt revolution, its a sign of a starw grasping CEO. Leave the loony experiments to the guys who control little or none of the guitar market because thats where this kind of fleeting embarassment will end up. Shame on Guitar Player for not stepping up and setting the record straight on this case of "The Emperors new Clothes".

Michael Ross: Gibson's Firebird X Rises from the Ashes

Here's the problem: Gibson guitars need to still be playable 50 years from now, just as the 1956 models can be played today. When was the last time you saw "advanced electronics" more than a year or two old ? And how do you suppose the "Bluetooth foot controllers" will hold up? Why build in the processing when it all changes at the drop of a hat, and can be easily put outboard? The only exception is the robot tuning, which is a solution looking for a problem. This reminds me of the Lincoln Navigator with the whopping 40 GB hard drive for a mere $1500 upcharge...when I can buy a TERABYTE hard drive at Staples for $100. Bottom line - there are 1000s of companies making killer outboard sound processing gear. All you need is a good guitar -maybe a 7-string - with piezos in the bridge and lots of pickup variations (split, in/out phase/ series/parallel, etc.) and you can drive any sound you'll ever need with outboard gear. My .02

Michael Ross: Gibson's Firebird X Rises from the Ashes

....shit happens !

Michael Ross: Gibson's Firebird X Rises from the Ashes

Remember when "people" played instruments? All this robot stuff is going in the wrong direction. Take the time to learn how to play, the rewards go beyond instant gratification...

Michael Ross: Gibson's Firebird X Rises from the Ashes

It's still 24-3/4 inches in scale, and has six strings tuned E through E (alternate tunings notwithstanding). It's just a guitar. This is not my idea of innovation. There was the guitar, then the Fender Precision Bass, then the Chapman Stick and the five- and six-string contrabass guitars. Those were innovations. Gibson is still making the same instrument over and over again, dressed up differently.

Michael Ross: Gibson's Firebird X Rises from the Ashes

There will always be a place for virtuosic guitar playing, it will never go out of style. The guitar is also a compositional instrument much like the piano, and I think this is geared more towards that than the classic guitar player. The individual string synth is particularly cool. This is an instrument that maybe shouldn't be played like an electric guitar but more like a synth keyboard. I dig the idea.

Michael Ross: Gibson's Firebird X Rises from the Ashes

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Re: Michael Ross: Gibson's Firebird X Rises from the Ashes

Well, I for one do not think it is hideously ugly, but that's a matter of opinion. I kinda like this modified shorty Firebird style, think it's kinda cool in fact. The $5570 is a bit hideous, but I think Gibson tends to price their guitars for Orthodontists rather than guitar players. If i was a guitar playing Orthodontist, you know I'd get one, and I'd probably already have a couple of 5 grand plus LP's hanging in the same room, but I would know in my heart they're not really worth that, and I'd hate myself the next morning.