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How much of the Firebird tone is the pickups?

IMMUSICRULZ

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May 25, 2021
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616
Jeff Lynne actually borrowed T Rex member Marc Bolan’s vintage 1953 Gibson Firebird for the solo on Showdown by ELO.
 

charliechitlins

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Nov 16, 2021
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So much of the tone of an electric guitar comes from the pickups.
That being said, as much difference as there is between a solid body and a hollow body, there could be as much difference between a glued neck and a neck through.
Even oddballs like the Stratotone and my 55 Kay with neck through are incredibly unique due to the neck through.
It's a huge feature, tone wise.
 

FregGarvinMP

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Joined
Aug 16, 2021
Messages
44
My Firebird has recently earned 1st place the last few gigs. It sat for years as i played my 335, les pauls and strat at gigs. The FB was neck heavy. I installed new tuners and moved the strap post, which balanced it. Its light and a joy to hold and play. Even after that improvement, I was leary to gig wirh it. Finally i did and i could kick myself for not using it years ago. It suits my style really well and is versatile.

It cuts through a band mix. Its great for funky chank rhythm. I was able to cut through the mix with a clean boosted only tone (no OD, tube driver, etc.) to get a clean'ish blues solo tone.

I was able to get usable neck or warmth, bassy sounds that were still spanky with clarity. It cut through the mix too. I get great sounds out of my 335, LP, and strat, but the FB really made classic sounds easy to get without having to fight with pedals and a loud band. I was able to play lines i usually avoid at gigs due to being painted into a sonic corner.

Because of this, i have the same interest in FB pickups. Was thinking about putting one in the neck of a tele.
 
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