High Flying Bird Posted September 12, 2012 Posted September 12, 2012 I have never written a review of my 357. I got it in October of 2010. Here goes.Since I got the 137 in late April I have been playing it all the time. Last Saturday night I played the 357 for the first time since. It needs new strings but good God how it howled. I like the Phat Cats better than the P-90s. I just seem to get more everything from them. The 137's neck it thick and short feeling but fun to play. It'll scream. It goes to 11 but the Firebird feels and sounds better in my hands.I had Marv make the Firebird's neck as thin as, "structurally possible," with a flat fretboard and no binding on the neck. It is so wide and slim. I like having the 12th fret where the 9th fret usually is too. Upper frets are easy to reach. It is all neck. It sits and hangs differently than other guitars. If you are long and lanky it might be for you. I am 6 foot - "you look six foot" - and look like and extra from "Schindler's List" but the Firebird fits me and my playing style perfectly. I would think it might be hard for a smaller or stubbier person to play it. The 137 would be easy for most people to play. The 137 is definitely easier to fly with. Traveling with the 357 in a hard case is hard for a strong man - it wore my skinny ass out! The 137 in it's Access case was a breeze in the Detroit airport when I was running for my flight to Kzoo. Sorry about those walking/running farts Detroit. You deserve better.A few people here have commented on my southern heritage being a reason for buying a Firebird/357 from Heritage but that isn't true. I hate southern rock. I spent so many hours sitting in a small car hearing all the old Allman Brother's knock offs. I love psychedelic blues. Where we the Allman Brother's cassettes back then? That's the stuff!If you want an easy guitar to handle and don't really use the upper part of the fretboard the cost of a 357 probably isn't in your best interest. A 137 is a lot cheaper and sounds pretty damn good. It would be a fantastic guitar for a one guitar owner.My first guitar was a 1964 non-reverse Gibson Firebird. I always wanted a "real" Firebird. It took Heritage Guitars to make it for me. No others would do.No recent pics but here is one across the road from where Marv grew up. You've seen it a million times......
H Posted September 12, 2012 Posted September 12, 2012 I like your style, Ron; a review with some fun and personality woven through. Thanks
kbp810 Posted September 12, 2012 Posted September 12, 2012 The style and story of the guitar befits the style and story of the man who wields it I've heard you make that guitar howl, and damn does it ever howl! Sorry about those walking/running farts Detroit. You deserve better. Remember, the white zone if for loading and unloading of passengers only, there is no passing gas in the white zone.
DetroitBlues Posted September 12, 2012 Posted September 12, 2012 Great story Ron. For the record, I never associated you with southern rock. Just assumed you wanted a cool guitar. The assessment of the 137 is great. Maybe on day when I make up my mind, I'll have one like that. Love your photography skills. Wish the band could find such a creative minded person like you. Maybe KBP could do it? Hmmm. Just need to find an old railroad track and bridge for a photoshoot.
FredZepp Posted September 12, 2012 Posted September 12, 2012 Thanks for the review, Ron. It was worth the wait. With honest thoughts and thoughtful details, it covered some of the questions that I had about that model.
fxdx99 Posted September 12, 2012 Posted September 12, 2012 Whoa... that review is so good, I need a cigarette now. Thanks for that wonderful prose, Ron. And I never tire of that photo. Or that guitar.
kidsmoke Posted September 12, 2012 Posted September 12, 2012 Thanks for that wonderful prose, Ron. And I never tire of that photo. Or that guitar. +1
Gitfiddler Posted September 12, 2012 Posted September 12, 2012 Now that's my kind of review...a personal adventure into a man's favorite guitar.
Genericmusic Posted September 12, 2012 Posted September 12, 2012 Ooooh yea, I just dropped in to see what condition your condition was in. Excellent review and apologies to Kenny Rogers.
Hfan Posted September 12, 2012 Posted September 12, 2012 Very cool photo, never saw the large version. You guys with 357's are lucky, rare birds. The upper fret access must be very nice.
chico Posted September 12, 2012 Posted September 12, 2012 I think more Johnny Winter than southern rock for you Ron. Except the white hair and white firebird of course. enjoyed reading your review
High Flying Bird Posted September 12, 2012 Author Posted September 12, 2012 I think more Johnny Winter than southern rock for you Ron. For some reason that brings Brent to mind....
DetroitBlues Posted September 12, 2012 Posted September 12, 2012 For some reason that brings Brent to mind.... Now that has to be a near blackout beer goggle night in a smokey dim room to take her home. She looks really familiar though...
Kuz Posted September 13, 2012 Posted September 13, 2012 Great review RON!!!! And great pics as usual. It is great when you stumble into a old flame after neglecting her a while!!!!
Guest HRB853370 Posted September 14, 2012 Posted September 14, 2012 I have never written a review of my 357. I got it in October of 2010. Here goes. Since I got the 137 in late April I have been playing it all the time. Last Saturday night I played the 357 for the first time since. It needs new strings but good God how it howled. I like the Phat Cats better than the P-90s. I just seem to get more everything from them. The 137's neck it thick and short feeling but fun to play. It'll scream. It goes to 11 but the Firebird feels and sounds better in my hands. I had Marv make the Firebird's neck as thin as, "structurally possible," with a flat fretboard and no binding on the neck. It is so wide and slim. I like having the 12th fret where the 9th fret usually is too. Upper frets are easy to reach. It is all neck. It sits and hangs differently than other guitars. If you are long and lanky it might be for you. I am 6 foot - "you look six foot" - and look like and extra from "Schindler's List" but the Firebird fits me and my playing style perfectly. I would think it might be hard for a smaller or stubbier person to play it. The 137 would be easy for most people to play. The 137 is definitely easier to fly with. Traveling with the 357 in a hard case is hard for a strong man - it wore my skinny ass out! The 137 in it's Access case was a breeze in the Detroit airport when I was running for my flight to Kzoo. Sorry about those walking/running farts Detroit. You deserve better. A few people here have commented on my southern heritage being a reason for buying a Firebird/357 from Heritage but that isn't true. I hate southern rock. I spent so many hours sitting in a small car hearing all the old Allman Brother's knock offs. I love psychedelic blues. Where we the Allman Brother's cassettes back then? That's the stuff! If you want an easy guitar to handle and don't really use the upper part of the fretboard the cost of a 357 probably isn't in your best interest. A 137 is a lot cheaper and sounds pretty damn good. It would be a fantastic guitar for a one guitar owner. My first guitar was a 1964 non-reverse Gibson Firebird. I always wanted a "real" Firebird. It took Heritage Guitars to make it for me. No others would do. No recent pics but here is one across the road from where Marv grew up. You've seen it a million times...... Great review Ron. Now, lets hear some Sweet Home Alabama or Free Bird!
High Flying Bird Posted September 14, 2012 Author Posted September 14, 2012 Great review Ron. Now, lets hear some Sweet Home Alabama or Free Bird! How about I stick one of those size 13 civil war area replica brogans up ye' arse...... You yankees love your Skynyrd.
Steiner Posted September 14, 2012 Posted September 14, 2012 You might want to give him 3 steps... Nice review on a cool guitar Sir Bird.
schundog Posted September 16, 2012 Posted September 16, 2012 He could have been like you, Gregg, sitting next to me on the bridge, saying "EWW, That Smell!" Ron, I'm glad to hear your review, and even happier to hear you found your 137 to be so much to your liking that it displaced your beautiful 357 for a time. That may just be enough to save me, although I DID really like Lance's on the one song I played on in the Barn Frisay night. Light as can be, and WOW, what a sweet. Big fat neck!
Steiner Posted September 16, 2012 Posted September 16, 2012 What I said was: "Come in here, Dear boy, have a cigar. You're gonna go far..." I know, not Skynyrd but true!
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