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- Did Firefly Guitars go out of business?
- Why are Firefly Guitars so popular?
- Are FireFly Guitars high quality?
I assume that if you typed “what happened to Firefly guitars” into your search engine, you have already heard about these high-quality affordable instruments.
After seeing one on YouTube, you look for one on Amazon, right? Except they just are not available. Why?
I feel you. These guitars are real beauties, let me give you a little info on why it’s so hard to lay your hands on one.
So, What Actually Happened to Firefly Guitars?
I just want to get it out of the way and say, no, Firefly Guitars have not gone out of business. The Chinese manufacturer still makes instruments.It’s just that the high quality makes them so insanely popular that they sell out in moments and are rarer than hen’s teeth.
Who is Firefly Guitars?
Honestly, there isn’t much information out there about who Firefly Guitars are. There isn’t the wealth of information that you would find on other budget brands like Squier or Epiphone.
They are a small independent manufacturer from China that distribute their guitars through Amazon and other third-party vendors. The only place online that is an exclusive distributor of Firefly Guitars is Guitar Gardens (whose website is currently down).
Although most vendors sell out super quickly, so keep your eyes open.
Why is Firefly Guitars so Popular?
So, while we may not know loads about the company, we definitely know a thing or two about the guitars they make.
The first guitar that got the attention of the guitar community was the F338. The F338 is a copy of Gibson’s ES-335. It was a ludicrously low price point for a semi-hollow body guitar. At under $200, everyone was interested.
Players were not disappointed. Firefly guitars had great attention to detail and very decent finishing for a very budget guitar.
The guitar is a semi-hollow body with a set neck design. Firefly combines the classic maple neck and rosewood fretboard design. It features two humbucking pick-ups (more on that later) and beautiful inlays.
What set these guitars apart was the attention to detail. Usually, fret end finishing, and fret polishing is the first thing to tell you a budget guitar was made with budget care. That is not the case with Firefly Guitars. The F335 had great fretwork and a stable and well-set neck. Practically unheard of at this budget, to be honest.
But it can’t be all fairy tales and roses, right? There must be a few cons.
Firefly Guitars: Cons
At this budget, you will likely encounter one or two things that will be a cost-cutting technique that lets the instrument down a little.
Most complaints came from the pickups. Firefly guitars struggle in a high-gain environment. The pickups sound kind of weak and thin. This is definitely something I would upgrade if I could get my hands on one.
Another niggle is the low-quality tuning keys. They tend to slip out of tuning, and as a result, the guitar’s entire tuning is unstable. This is a small mod. Though, and a simple upgrade to do. Definitely worth the effort.
What Models do they Make?
Firefly Guitars has several models on offer, all of which are copies of really well-known guitars.
Beyond the F338, they offer the following models:
Firefly FFLX
This is a copy of the Gibson Explorer copy and has a rosewood fingerboard, mahogany body, and a flamed maple top veneer
Firefly FFLPS
Firefly’s homage to the legendary Les Paul, available with a spalted or flamed maple top. The guitar has a set neck with a single cutaway that makes accessing those upper notes a load easier.
Firefly FFLV
Here Firefly is going for a copy of the Gibson Flying V. Heck yeah, the definitively cool V shape at a budget price.
Firefly Acoustics
Firefly also does a range of acoustic guitars, although the electrics are what you hear about most often. They are mostly based on Martin’s classic D-28 design.
The various models include the DA01, which features a spruce top and mahogany back and sides. The DA01 is also available with a Fishman preamp as the DA01E
Firefly also does the DA02, with rosewood back and sides and a spruce top. However, the DA02 is available with a very attractive flamed maple strip down the back of the guitar.
Firefly FFTH
The FFTH is Firefly’s homage to Fender’s 1960s thinline tele. These are semi-hollow-bodied guitars and a quirky f-hole cut into the body.
The guitar comes with two single coil pickups and has a bolt-on maple neck and mahogany body.
Final Thoughts
So, is it worth getting a Firefly guitar? I definitely would. Even with the slightly dodgy pickups and tuners that need an upgrade, an instrument made with good tonewoods like rosewood and mahogany at this price point is worth getting.
You can use the guitar as a blank slate for modding. Get a quality made instrument and upgrade what you need until it is your dream guitar.
Even for beginners not looking to immediately upgrade the pickups, this would definitely be worth considering. You know, if you can find one.
FAQ
Are Grote and Firefly guitars the same?
Grote is an alternative brand to Firefly Guitars. They also do a budget version of the Gibson ES-335. They do tend to be a little cheaper than their Firefly counterparts on Amazon, but very much like them, they make guitars in small numbers, and they sell out very soon after they hit Amazon.
Unlike Firefly Guitars, though, Grote has a website. You can check them out here www.grotechina.com
Is Firefly a good guitar brand?
Heck yeah. They really do a great job of bridging the gap between student and beginner-friendly instruments and high-end gear without crippling your bank account.
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