FIREFLY 338 VS. GIBSON 335! Plus review of the Firefly
UPDATE! I got a caliper before returning the 335…
Gibson neck at 1st fret: .815”, 12th fret: .894”
Firefly neck at 1st fret: .81”, 12th fret: .91”
Here I compare two instruments at polar opposite budget points: the $189 Firefly 338 and the legendary Gibson 335. I also review and demo the Firefly on its own. Big thanks to Jordan Burchill from https://www.bethjamesband.com/ for lending me his gorgeous Gibson.
00:00 – Intro
00:55 – Spec and measurement comparison
03:35 – Acoustic sound test comparison
04:35 – Neck pickup sound comparison
05:30 – Both pickups sound comparison
06:08 – Bridge pickup sound comparison
07:19 – Firefly 338 review
17:21 – Gibson 335 info
18:52 – Final thoughts…How do they stack up?…Should you buy one?
26:37 – Noodling on Firefly 338 (AC30 Helix patch with Bassman IR)
#FIREFLY #GIBSON #review #Firefly
Originally posted by UCKr5nYEagyGZGxB4vUM-P0g at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDeeJ3WsYvk
Firefly…."Hold My Beer !"…… lol
I just bought my first firefly. It was the rosewood Tele and it is the best guitar I’ve ever bought! I’ve been playing since 1962 and have owned many guitars. Right now I own 3 LP’s, am es335, a Fender Strat and a Hofner basd.
They both sound terrific! The Gibby seems a bit more mellow and a little more defined. I don’t know if that makes sense
The Gibson sound substantially better… but with some decent pickups it might get interesting
No comparison for me 338 is way thinner sounding even tho the pickups are supposed to be 30 percent hotter. Nothing compares to the tone of nitrocellulose lacquer ????
It's 2025 and I am seeing this and so glad I bought my firefly 338 in 2020 , I added a wilkensons bridge and some better tuners and it's been perfect.
For the different ES-335 clones, I have to say that I really enjoy the D'Angelicos, the Ibanez John Scoffield models, the Schecter Jazz7, and the Firefly FF338. I own both a Gibson Lucille and an Epiphone Lucille and truly have to say, the Firefly definitely punches way above its price tag. The hotter pickups may not be everyone's cup of tea, but I find them very usable with a little amp tweaking. The tuners, the strap buttons, and typically the tail piece are things that I typically replace. Generally, I prefer Gotoh Locking tuning machines, Schaller/Fender Straplocks, and generally some clone of a Gibson TP-6 for a tune-o-matic bridge and adjustable tail piece. The Kahler 2250 also looks like s viable replacement.
Relative to my Gibson and Epiphone Lucilles, the Gibson gives me more sustain, and don't break up as quickly as the Epiphone Lucille (both guitars have the same Gibson pickups in them.
The D'Angelico DC models, especially their 12-string are some of my favorites especially for Jazz Fusion. The D'Angelico DC models have a more modern profile for the neck much like the Ibanez Scoffieldmodels, but not as modern as the Schecters.
Why in the 21st century would you use Steel Wool when there are synthetic abrasives available that don't leave behind steel residue that sticks to your magnetic pickups!?
Gibson in NAME ONLY
another trivial Ytube versus video
You have to calculate what a pain it is to do a fretboard job i can't do that it probably costs 200 minimum idk
The latest Firefly products have been of exceptional quality for the money.
Micing them up, thats actually a legit and fantastic tracking technique. Mic the amp mic the guitar, and blend to taste. Buddy Holly did it with a strat.
I picked up a 338 at a pawn shop for $150. I upgraded the tuners, bridge, pickups and wiring harness. It also has a new nut and the frets were leveled and crowned, and it is wonderful now.
Very good review.
By now, you’re just buying for name and trust of said name. you could probably get a Grote that you’d prefer over a Gibson.
Someone on Facebook traded me a Firefly 338 for a cheap Glarry Strat. I don't think they had any idea about guitars. Anyway, I replaced the pickups in the 338 with humbucker sized P90s and it's one of my favorite guitars today.
I’ve owned the 338 , their EVH Frankie knockoff, goldtop p90, and the EVH Wolfgang knockoff… all are awesome guitars for the price , the pickups are always surprisingly good and the necks as well , lots have stainless steel frets that do need some work (level and polish ) but that’s easy stuff to do with a little homework…. Great value guitars
What model of guyker tuners did you use. I couldn't find any like those. A link would be great thanks.
Yeah, this is crazy. That firefly sounds better, or at least as good, in all these comparisons. Wtf? This is nuts. I listened over and over and over, because I couldn't convince myself that I was hearing it right. A $1500 guitar vs a $200 guitar, I should not have to even listen twice. My mind is blown.
Now why are you dulling the look of the guitar?
Alnico Mags need less resistance. The firefly uses ceramic. So needs more resiitance .
That's apple to oranges there.
And easily replaced if an owner chooses.
Inductance matters more than resistance of a pickup..
Also the way it's wound.. And today's cheap.Pickups are kicking the big boys ass in my opinion..
The Firefly is gorgeous! The appearance alone makes me prefer it.
I thought the Gibson sounded clearer. The Firefly sounded like I was listening to the amp through a blanket. It was very close though it’s very good guitar for the money!
Great job showcasing each guitar's tone. So many guitar YTers either a.) Can't play or mic an amp for shit, or b.) Don't know how to explore a guitar's tone.
Without cord sniffing, I will say I noticed a distinct difference in sustain and note clarity with the Gibson. More harmonic content as well. But the Firefly wasnt bad by any means, just a little flat and bland when you compare it to an instrument 10x the price.
Well the Gibson just bust the firefly chops…;(>
I would switch out the pups in the firefly. they do not have the clarity I like.
With the best ambitions in the world many cannot afford a Gibson brilliant tho it is Firefly gives those on much lower incomes an opportunity to own a decent guitar.
Imagine new high-end pickups and new wireing/pots in the firefly
I honestly prefer the sound of the firefly
Putting a Yugo up against an Audi. ????
Awesome clean sound !
Thanks for mentioning a resonance difference in the guitars & necks, but what is the difference? Is one more resonant/more vibration coming through, or do I have to do my own side-by-side?
Reduce dem fractions son!
I love my Firefly.She's beautiful like yours. But I got string Locks and find tuners on mine.
Really thorough review brother. I had a Sheraton that I loved but I think I have to give the firefly a shot because of this review.
My firefly stopped producing sound after maybe 10 times used.
I think a better comparison would be the firefly as compared to a Washburn HB
I really like mine! Although I want to change the pick ups, I can still sit down and simply enjoy myself. I like the way it feels, and it was very affordable. Just put time into the set up like he said. Thank you for your video 🙂
I listened through quality headphones and as a comparison…wow, that Firefly sounds amazing next to the Gibson. It looks amazing. For the price, amazing guitar. Easy to mod and change out bits. A CTS 500K pot cost 7 dollars and 22uf capacitor 3 dollars. Good set tuners Hipshot 30. Minor stuff. But the Gibson at 3000? I have a number of guitars including Gibson Fender Epiphone & PRS fyi. My early first guitar way back was no where near the Firefly. Modern manufacturing has really raised the bar on end quality. I have even made my own guitar and the cost was way more than the Firefly. The FF 338 is s really astonishing buy????
Is it strange that I prefer the Firefly almost all around? Thanks for the comparison – All the best!
I like so much the 338 sound… and the look of the top. I love shiny things. Is it Chinese?… thank you.
March 6th is my latest child’s due date. My boy and that Gibson could share a birthday.
Settled on a set of (shockingly cheap) Epi Probuckers, 7.5K neck 8.5K bridge, the Epi coil splits and phase reverse push-pull harness came with. Kluson aluminum stopbar with steel studs and a Kluson ABR-1. Just over $130 for all that.
Worked on the nut. Got a String Butler but might not need it. I won the neck lottery so no fret work.
Its a bright resonant body, the tailpiece brightens it up some more so the Probucker low end is actually detailed.
It's really great. New ones have decent locking tuners. Mine was embarrassingly cheap during Xmas week, had a coupon from Aron at GG so sans the String Butler I'm all in for less than $275.
It's painted like Dimeola's sig PRS, FF called it Ultra Prism, I call it Skittles. Would have been great if they had just faded the red at the horns into amber but amber goes to grren then blue. Looks like the Flash is wearing Aquaman's pants.
Will likely strip it down to the flame top and finish it with just enough color to pop the grain. After which it would definitely be mine.
That tension thing youre talking about near the end is likely due to the OG Gibson having a more dramatic arch in the top and thus, a greater brake angle from bridge to fretboard? It seems like that would be logical but I dont think we saw them both from the angles required to be able to see that. Not a deal-breaker, but I think Im still gonna make my own with a solid wood top.
God, for that price Id spend all day on frets and tuners! Looks and sounds like a fantastic budget choice and man, budget is all I gots and this style of semi-hollow is the one Ive always loved above all else. Great review.
Old information. The instrument has been upgraded and improved over the years.