Epiphone Firebird VII

stylesforfree

I see these listed for around £1050-£1150. Is this a good price?

Is the VII that much better than a modern Firebird studio?

HarrySeven

I had a red Epiphone VII years ago - certainly looked cool, played well, let me throw a few guilt-free Phil Manzanera shapes,  etc.

But £1K worth nowadays? Norfolk & Chance.

Quality-wise, a modern “Inspired By” is much better. It’s also neck-through construction, which the VII reissue wasn’t, despite looking sexy.

Neckwringer

A much better alternative is a Korean Tokai Firebird VII,through neck and ultimately more playable
and should be able to pick one up for around £500-600 new.

p90fool

stylesforfree said:

I see these listed for around £1050-£1150. Is this a good price?

I think, having owned and modded a recent Epiphone Firebird, all I would say is "ouch".

Jim54

I sold one (Epi) in as new condition with hard case near the start of lockdown for £650.

HarrySeven

Jim54 said:

I sold one (Epi) in as new condition with hard case near the start of lockdown for £650.

Yeah, topping out around the £500 - £600-ish mark sounds about right, IMHO. Do people *really* pay £1K for them?

Offset

I'd never pay £1k for an Epiphone of any description, but that's just me.

Danielsguitars

You better make sure you like playing them they're the size of a house, way too big for my tastes

Offset

Danielsguitars said:

You better make sure you like playing them they're the size of a house, way too big for my tastes

Yup.  Not for everyone for sure.  You're always hitting something.

HarrySeven

Offset said:

I'd never pay £1k for an Epiphone of any description, but that's just me.

Indeed. I’d love another VII, but not for that money.

stylesforfree

thank you all!

stylesforfree

Neckwringer said:

A much better alternative is a Korean Tokai Firebird VII,through neck and ultimately more playable
and should be able to pick one up for around £500-600 new.

Holy mary and joseph, thats INCREDIBLE. I can't seem to find them online anywhere though.

Cookiemonster

That Tokai is stunning. Did they do a Pelham blue one ? 

longjaw

I hade a Pelham blue mid-2000s MIK Tokai Firebird III from new a few years ago and it was thoroughly average. Poor pick-ups, mediocre paint job and a really uncomfortable neck shape.

The Gibson Firebird 70s Tribute I now have is infinitely better. 

usedtobe

I seem to remember a guy having an epiphone firebird years and years ago.. never seen neck dive like it. Hopefully that’s improved, with newer models..

Cookiemonster

usedtobe said:

I seem to remember a guy having an epiphone firebird years and years ago.. never seen neck dive like it. Hopefully that’s improved, with newer models..

usedtobe said:

I seem to remember a guy having an epiphone firebird years and years ago.. never seen neck dive like it. Hopefully that’s improved, with newer models..

I will let you know I ordered one of the inspired by models. 

usedtobe

Everything I’ve heard about the ‘inspired by’ models, so far, has been positive! I have no hands on experience. I just mentioned the earlier version in passing. I hope it didn’t come across as trying to piss on your new purchase.. thinking about it, it was 20-odd years ago..

Cookiemonster

HarrySeven said:HarrySeven said:

I had a red Epiphone VII years ago - certainly looked cool, played well, let me throw a few guilt-free Phil Manzanera shapes,  etc.

But £1K worth nowadays? Norfolk & Chance.

Quality-wise, a modern “Inspired By” is much better. It’s also neck-through construction, which the VII reissue wasn’t, despite looking sexy.

Jim54 said:

I sold one (Epi) in as new condition with hard case near the start of lockdown for £650.

Yeah, topping out around the £500 - £600-ish mark sounds about right, IMHO. Do people *really* pay £1K for them?

@HarrySeven not to derail the OPs thread but after you mentioned the inspired by had the through body construction, I couldn’t resist. My Firebird arrived today and it really is astonishingly great for the money. 

HarrySeven

Cookiemonster said:

HarrySeven said:HarrySeven said:

I had a red Epiphone VII years ago - certainly looked cool, played well, let me throw a few guilt-free Phil Manzanera shapes,  etc.

But £1K worth nowadays? Norfolk & Chance.

Quality-wise, a modern “Inspired By” is much better. It’s also neck-through construction, which the VII reissue wasn’t, despite looking sexy.

Jim54 said:

I sold one (Epi) in as new condition with hard case near the start of lockdown for £650.

Yeah, topping out around the £500 - £600-ish mark sounds about right, IMHO. Do people *really* pay £1K for them?

@HarrySeven not to derail the OPs thread but after you mentioned the inspired by had the through body construction, I couldn’t resist. My Firebird arrived today and it really is astonishingly great for the money. 

That’s great news! Glad you’re happy with it.

Cookiemonster

HarrySeven said:

Cookiemonster said:

HarrySeven said:HarrySeven said:

I had a red Epiphone VII years ago - certainly looked cool, played well, let me throw a few guilt-free Phil Manzanera shapes,  etc.

But £1K worth nowadays? Norfolk & Chance.

Quality-wise, a modern “Inspired By” is much better. It’s also neck-through construction, which the VII reissue wasn’t, despite looking sexy.

Jim54 said:

I sold one (Epi) in as new condition with hard case near the start of lockdown for £650.

Yeah, topping out around the £500 - £600-ish mark sounds about right, IMHO. Do people *really* pay £1K for them?

@HarrySeven not to derail the OPs thread but after you mentioned the inspired by had the through body construction, I couldn’t resist. My Firebird arrived today and it really is astonishingly great for the money. 

That’s great news! Glad you’re happy with it.

I really am, one of the cheaper guitars I’ve bought and it’s as good as more expensive ones. Any idea on a vibrola I could buy ? 

stylesforfree

Cookiemonster said:

HarrySeven said:

Cookiemonster said:

HarrySeven said:HarrySeven said:

I had a red Epiphone VII years ago - certainly looked cool, played well, let me throw a few guilt-free Phil Manzanera shapes,  etc.

But £1K worth nowadays? Norfolk & Chance.

Quality-wise, a modern “Inspired By” is much better. It’s also neck-through construction, which the VII reissue wasn’t, despite looking sexy.

Jim54 said:

I sold one (Epi) in as new condition with hard case near the start of lockdown for £650.

Yeah, topping out around the £500 - £600-ish mark sounds about right, IMHO. Do people *really* pay £1K for them?

@HarrySeven not to derail the OPs thread but after you mentioned the inspired by had the through body construction, I couldn’t resist. My Firebird arrived today and it really is astonishingly great for the money. 

That’s great news! Glad you’re happy with it.

I really am, one of the cheaper guitars I’ve bought and it’s as good as more expensive ones. Any idea on a vibrola I could buy ? 

Can you link me to the one that you bought please?