If you’re on the hunt for the most affordable Gibson Firebird alternatives, you’re in the right place. Since guitars by Gibson are really expensive, a lot of players are looking for more affordable options. That being said, it is truly possible to find a really great instrument similar to the Firebird at a much cheaper price. The only disadvantage is the lack of the Gibson logo on the headstock. If that’s not an issue for you, you will definitely enjoy today’s article!
The Firebird was introduced in 1963 and it’s still one of the most iconic Gibson guitars available on the market right now. It’s often a popular choice among the professional musicians (for example Dave Grohl). On top of that, the guitar has a lot of admirers who often refer to it as the dream guitar. On the other hand, there’s also a large group of people who claim that the Firebird is way overpriced and it’s not worth it. Well, the guitar is expensive – that’s a fact. But there are a few affordable alternatives that are also worth checking out.
Let’s start with a short list of interesting Gibson Firebird alternatives. In the next part, we’ll have a closer look on each one of them (that includes sound samples!).
Gibson Firebird Alternatives – List
| 1. | Fender Player Jazzmaster | See On Amazon |
| 2. | ESP LTD Phoenix | See On Amazon |
| 3. | Jackson JS32 | See On Amazon |
| 4. | Squier J Mascis Jazzmaster | See On Amazon |
| 5. | ESP LTD EX-200 | See On Amazon |
| 6. | Schecter E-1 | See On Amazon |
| 7. | Squier Paranormal Super-Sonic | See On Amazon |
1. Fender Player Jazzmaster
One of the most popular offset guitars manufactured by Fender right now. To be honest, they did a fantastic job with this model. It sounds amazing, it feels exceptional and it doesn’t cost a fortune. Although the shape of it is way different than in the Firebird, it’s still a really interesting choice for all-level players. In addition, it features a tremolo tailpiece and two humbucking pickups which are ideal for heavier riffs. In my opinion it’s one of the best Gibson Firebird alternatives out there. I highly recommend checking it out further! Here’s the official sound demo for everyone who’s interested.
2. ESP LTD Phoenix
This ESP is a killer guitar! Some people say that it’s actually better than the original model manufactured by Gibson. Of course, this is a subjective opinion, but this model definitely deserves a lot of attention. It looks and sounds absolutely remarkable and although it’s expensive, it’s not as expensive as the “true” Firebird. The guitar features a mahogany body and a maple neck. In addition, ESP decided to equip this axe with two Fishman Fluence Modern humbuckers, which offer a wide range of tonal possibilities. Whether you’re into clean or more distorted riffs, the Phoenix will definitely make you satisfied. I have no hesitation in recommending this model to everyone who’s lookin for the best Gibson Firebird alternatives out there. Well done, ESP!
Here’s a quick review and a sound test.
3. Jackson JS32
Something much more affordable that still offers a really good quality and playing experience. This model will be perfect for any lover of metal. The slim neck on the JS32 offers an extremely comfortable playing experience which is crucial during fast and melodic metal solos. Although this guitar may not be as amazing as the Gibson Firebird, it’s still one of the best and cheapest alternatives out there. Personally, I think that it’s perfect for everyone on a tight budget. The truth is that you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars to enjoy yourself and have a solid instrument which is perfect for home use and live gigs. The Jackson JS32 is a great guitar for both beginner and more advanced guitarists. It will be tough to beat it at this price level!
Here’s a quick sound demo.
4. Squier J Mascis Jazzmaster
Personally, I think that this is one of the best affordable offset guitars out there. There is something really cool about the combination of white and gold on this guitar. In real life it looks far more expensive than it actually is. On top of that, the guitar sounds great too! Squier decided to equip this guitar with two single-coil Jazzmaster pickups and the vintage Adjusto-Matic tremolo tailpiece. We should always focus on more on the sound of guitar rather than the look, but I totally fell in love with this guitar at first sight. I’m sure that you’ll feel that too!
Check out the sound demo below.
5. ESP LTD EX-200
Another really good Firebird alternative that is perfect for lovers of metal. This ESP looks and sounds truly satanic. The manufacturer decided to put two humbuckers and a TOM-style bridge and tailpiece which offer a wide range of tonal possibilities. In comparison with the original Firebird, it’s much more aggressive. Undoubtedly, this guitar will be perfect for all lovers of shredding. It may not be as versatile as the original guitar created by Gibson, but it still offers a top quality and a superb playing experience.
Here’s a short demo.
6. Schecter E-1
Absolutely unique guitar. Some guitarists refer to this model as the Lamborghini Of Guitars – and there is a lot of truth in that title. In terms of appearance, it’s definitely one of the prettiest are most unusual guitars available on the market right now. In addition, it’s much cheaper than the Gibson Firebird, so it’s definitely one of the best alternatives. The guitar looks and sounds absolutely fantastic. It’s really difficult to describe it with word – you just have to hear it! I highly recommend this model for all-level guitarists.
Check out the sound demo below.
7. Squier Paranormal Super-Sonic
A brand new model manufactured by Squier. It may not be that popular, but it’s definitely worth checking out. The guitar costs way less than the original Firebird and it still features a great quality. It’s available in a really unusual blue sparkle color and it features chrome hardware. Squier equipped this axe with two humbucker pickups, a tremolo bridge and a reverse headstock. To be honest, the guitar looks like it’s from a different dimension – I guess that’s why it’s called Paranormal! But most importantly, the guitar sounds really good both clean and distorted. Although it won’t be a good fit for every guitar player, but I encourage you to check it out.
Here’s a short review.
Summary
As you can see, there are a lot of interesting Gibson Firebird alternatives out there. Of course, Gibson offers top shelf guitars, but in my opinion most of them are slightly overpriced. There are a lot of alternatives that you can choose from and most importantly, all of them are much more affordable. I hope that today’s article was at least a little bit helpful to you! Which guitar would you choose instead of a Firebird? Let me know in the comments section below, I’m really curious!
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