Burny Firebird

Late 80's or early 90's is what I'm told... though Burny's are notoriously difficult to date with any real degree of accuracy. Anyways, it's a Firebird V -- two mini humbuckers, set neck, sunburst, short maestro-style vibrola, 2 vol., 2 tone. Everything I'd ever want, but it's not like a Variax or anything, so in relation to what's out there these days, a 7 seems fair -- make no mistake, this is a well-featured axe, tons of usable sounds are available, looks gorgeous, and is masterfully constructed.

What can I say, it sounds like an old Gibson Firebird should sound... as good as the reissue Gibson's, miles ahead of the Epiphone's. I play lots of everything. Love my Floyd, love to get down with some Hendrix every now and then. Older Bowie, later Soundgarden, all kinds of Beatles, Spoon, Death Cab, Jones-era Stones... anything and everything I can get my hands on I usually like to learn. Anyways, this guitar is like the perfect balance between Gibson and Fender schools of thought as far as tone goes. It's defined like a strat, but punches you right in the guts like an SG. "Listen to that sustain... you can go out for a bite and still be hearin' that one." Tufnel pretty much sums it up for that one. Growing up almost exclusively with Fenders, but always having a real soft sot for Firebirds, I decided to hit one up. I got a great guitar. Playing through a Traynor YCV80 halfstack (want a BiValve so bad!!!) with a Captain Coconut 2, Maxon compressor, Bud-wah, tape echo unit, and Fender's reissue reverb unit, I get tones that scream or whisper... soundscapes and textures that are amazing... like you can almost touch the sounds you're hearing. I love it. While every guitar sounds at least pretty damn good through my rig, this guitar seems to have some extra chi or mojo or something.

Bought it second hand, so I can't speak for the factory setup. The store I bought it from (japanoldguitar out of tokyo, check them out, they sell fantastic stuff) set it up with new strings and such. Felt great right out of the box. A little rattle somewhere, but no big thing, replace a saddle or something right quickly. Finish is beautiful, playable as anything I've ever had in my hands.

For sure, gig without a backup, built like a tank, all that stuff... vintage styled guitars are pretty idiot-proof... don't drop Gibson's for the sake of their headstocks, don't... well... ummmmm, don't light a Fender ablaze and drop it from a skyscraper and it should last longer than you live.

...bought used, can't say...

Nothing's perfect, but this is ridicuolously close... Japanese craftsmanship is where it's at, as everybody is starting to realize... of course that making the prices skyrocket. I'm okay with that, it's time they got some recognition from the west. If it were stolen, I'd cry like a schoolgirl for a week or so, dust myself off and hunt down another one (really would be a hunt, these things are goddamn hard to come by). Anyways, if you like Firebirds and see one up on eBay or at a shop or whatever, pick it up, I promise you won't be sorry. 9.5 out of 10.

This burny firebird was made in japan in 1979 -i think- There is almost never a serial # on Burny and Fernandes.The only difference between "Burny" and "Fernandes" is the Brand name.
Fernandes Co. Ltd. sold Fender style as Fernandes brand and Gibson style as Burny brand.
When they first established their company, Fernandes sold Gibson style as Fernandes brand.
Therefore it is impossible to accurately judge the model year.
Up until about 1981, only some guitars has serial #s.
It has 22 frets 2 burny mini humbucker pick up,two volume and two tone controls + a 3 way selector.
Tune-O-Matic chrome bridge banjo tuners -chrome too-
and a great neck ,thin and quick
Body:Mahogany Body/Maple Top
Neck:Straight Mohogany Neck.
Finger Board:Rosewood.
when i bought it the seller include the 'original'gigbag

I play in a band between at the drive in and blonde redhead-i sill don't know what we're doing-
I use the Burny Firebird through a Music Man HD130 head+Orange 4X12 Guitar Cabinet and the result is explosive!It has a nice bright tone, and really performs well with distortion.
the guitar makes no noise like bzzz etc...
Great configuration and a real good construction
The only thing i dislike is the extreme weight of the banjo tuners ,that make the headstock heavier,but it can be a way to become stronger!!!
:)
I've nothing else to say about dislikes 'cause since i bought it i've no more used my fender jazzmaster 62'("no more" is a big word ,anyway less than in the past)

Nothing to say about except for the great action of this baby
as i've said before the guitar was good made by the factory!!!
i believe this is a great alternative to the original gibson firebird-and above all cheaper!!!
My father plays guitar too and he has -his baby-a gibson 1964 firebird III reverse;i played her many times before buying my burny and i can say:this is a great copy
-my father was very very surprised !!can you imagine his face in that moment?!ahah

It's very well made and durable. Its neck is probably much stonger than most Gibsons because of the laminated construction, but probably not as strong as a Fender. That's just a result of the headstock angle.
anyway never had problems with.

I've been playing for 12 years and own a lot of other guitars,Srato,Tele,Jazzmaster,SG custom...If this guitar were stolen or lost i'd try to buy again another like this one-but it's hard to find-
I love this guitar for its weight ,NECK and SOUND!!