Another F***ing Firefly.....

[hamerhead]

In a search for a cheap Telecaster, I bought a Firefly Thinline that turned out to be really well done - and under $200! Sold it when the T51 arrived:

Because it was so good, and being a big fan of the BillyBo, when they came out with the Solstice I had to give it a go:

Since I have no green guitars (also comes in black, vintage white, and red), well..... it arrives Friday. If it's anywhere near as good as the Tele, it'll be alright. And right around $280 to the door. 

https://guitarsgarden.com/collections/ffse

[topekatj]

Cool, Does it come with cheap sunglasses? Time to get a propeller strap. 

[stobro]

Have you chosen a name for it yet?

[hamerhead]

I have now! 

[Jack C]

I have the black version of the Chilly Bo.  It’s become my number one gigging guitar. I love it. I did put a powertron plus in the bridge. Otherwise, no changes. I didn’t even have to set it up at all.  Finding a case was a pain in the ass though.  
 

[Jimbilly]

Some of the stupid cheap stuff is really playable, it's great to have something cheap that you can actually play and don't have to worry about.  I'm wondering if there will be any ridiculously cheap Black Friday deals. I might be tempted beyond what I can bear if something like an IYV jr gets even cheaper.

  One of the good Indonesian or Vietnamese builders would be wise to make a copy of a standard, especially given what Korean examples seem to be selling for, - Firefly or IYV should just make Standard cases to start with! 

[hamerhead]

[hamerhead]

Rufus T has arrived! My 'first 10 minutes' evaluation: Holy shit. How do they do that?

Straight off the truck, pulled it out of the box, tuned it up, plugged it in and damn - nice snap from the bridge and Clapton-esque wool from the neck, from strings that sound 40-years-old. Raised the treble-side action a hair. The D-shaped neck felt good, and has enough heft (but not too much) to be comfy. Stays in tune (big plus). All switches, knobs, etc function properly. No glaring cosmetic issues. And it just feels solid, without being heavy. I thought the Tele was really good. This is definitely a notch above that.

And it looks cool. The Metallic Green looks really good in person, especially with the gold (I know, I know. I'll put a big 'G' on it) and I'm not a big fan of the color green.

A string change and set-up is next. Neck pickup goes from woolly to woollier so that might change, who knows. But the initial hit says it's a keeper

[Jack C]

Those guitars really are great. The wooly neck pickup was not my experience at all.  Mine is pretty bright.  

[Jim85IROC]

I've had a lot of Firefly guitars. I still have an explorer, an EVH and an LP that I'm going to turn into a Greeny.  Aside from the shit wiring & electronics, they're solid guitars, and make excellent mod platforms.

The double necks are back in stock and I'm jonesing hard for a white one so I can play Hotel California on it.

Check out the necks!

 

[Jimbilly]

what I don't get is: the asking prices for import "Hamer" Standards, there's one listed fs near me for $1500, made in Korea, I can't imagine it's any better than a Firefly Destroyer/Explorer style for $219 currently on Amazon ("dude, it's just a decent MIK guitar that says 'hamer' on the headstock).

 I played this Ibanez ART300 Caiman at church this morning (pretty big nice sound system), it sounded great. Guitars like this turn my preconceptions about price/quality upside down. I paid under $150 used and had to do setup and basic repairs, market value is around $300, so it's kind of in that same category, and a really good guitar, - although the two AA battery preamp is a bit odd.

[Jim85IROC]

4 hours ago, Jimbilly said:

what I don't get is: the asking prices for import "Hamer" Standards, there's one listed fs near me for $1500, made in Korea, I can't imagine it's any better than a Firefly Destroyer/Explorer style for $219 currently on Amazon ("dude, it's just a decent MIK guitar that says 'hamer' on the headstock).

 I played this Ibanez ART300 Caiman at church this morning (pretty big nice sound system), it sounded great. Guitars like this turn my preconceptions about price/quality upside down. I paid under $150 used and had to do setup and basic repairs, market value is around $300, so it's kind of in that same category, and a really good guitar, - although the two AA battery preamp is a bit odd.

I'll say that in general, my imported Hamers are better guitars than my Fireflies, but when you take the insane pricing of imported Standards into account,  the Fireflies make a lot of sense.  That's exactly why I bought the Firefly "explorer" that I showed above.  I've since bought an Indonesian Standard, and although it's a perfectly good guitar, I prefer the fat neck and the flame top on the Firefly.  The Hamer is going to get moved along.

[bsteff666]

Import guitars have come such a long way from the import guitars of my youth.

The other guitarist in my band picked up the Firefly John 5 Tele copy.  It is unreal how good the neck & fretwork are…and the pickups are actually nice too.  Really a nice guitar at a crazy good price.

Being a Les Paul Junior guy… I’m really tempted to check out those new Made in China single pickup/wraparound bridge singlecuts from Gretsch.

[Spinaltap]

My guitar teacher bought a Firefly Thinline, and it is a really well made guitar, punched well above the price point.  It came is a slightly different color than was listed, but that's minor.

I really like the Solstice, may have to order one for something different...

[hamerhead]

If it had a Gretsch Electromatic label on it, it would cost $700-$800 and still be a decent deal.

I'm really kinda blown away by this one.

[Spinaltap]

I just ordered a green Solstice from Firefly...

I have a coupon code if anyone want it... 

[hamerhead]

Copycat. 

[Spinaltap]

It's the only color i liked....

I'm happy, and can't wait to get it..

And i saw the smile...

[hamerhead]

Almost went Vintage White to match my LP, but that damn green just seemed to fit better. Maybe if I unload something else...

[Spinaltap]

I will just add the coupon code :

$25 off Firefly Guitars, not sure how long it's good for...

Code :  BL25WTKS

[DarkHammer]

2 hours ago, Spinaltap said:

I will just add the coupon code :

$25 off Firefly Guitars, not sure how long it's good for...

Code :  BL25WTKS

Code is invalid

[Spinaltap]

try this, it's $10 off

TK10NAOP

[hamerhead]

Currently $209.91 for this one:

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https://guitarsgarden.com/collections/ffse/products/new-firefly-fftl-classic-model-electric-guitar-yellow-color

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[Jimbilly]

I just watched a video on youtube about Fesley tele style available through Amazon, really great review. They have grover brand import tuners and wilkinson brand bridge/pups $200 ish).  

[Spinaltap]

My firefly Billy Bo came in today, it's really nice and playable out of the box. 

I was surprised how high the bridge is, but the action is good. Only problem is the master volume sticks a bit as it passes through the pickguard.

 

Really a score for $227.00 shipped