Firefly FFLP Pickups - Classic vs Elite pickups
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 ม.ค. 2025
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The Firefly LP (Classic) has really good pickups, but here we test the existing pickups with the proposed pickups for the "Elite" model of Firefly. UPDATED: The Elite will be a 3 pickup version, so that should be interesting.
Please note, I didn't change EQ for each guitar, which would be a normal thing, but hey, you get the idea.
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Well, to be perfectly honest, both these guitars look and sound absolutely fantastic.
I like the sound in the blue one, great pickups. Hopefully I can get 1 before they sold out.
There available right now 6/7/20 on GuitarsGarden be quick tho 2 have sold out already
7/16/20 and 7/17/20 fflp is in stock at guitarsgarden dot com today 189 for blueberry burst...I bought 1, lmk if you get one..best of luck
I’d be happy with either. I think they both definitely sound different. It would be hard me to pick without playing them myself to see which one felt better. I’d say the prototype definitely sounded really hot which I usually tend to go with.
I got a double cutaway last week with the single p90. I really like it a lot. I had to do a good bit to set it up but it’s a great guitar and you really can’t beat it for the money!
Great comparison: my opinion the blue lp sounds much brighter, crisper and more focused in all positions 👍
So as of February 2022 are they installing the pickups from the prototype (blue) lp in the LP Elites?
no reply at all
I really like the prototype pups. Very warm, yet they have enough of a bite to rock out. Great sound.
I would love it if they made more of the classic bursts with the gloss finish. I have a cobra burst elite, and I love it. I just want to scratch that traditional burst look itch. 😂
Guitars Garden got a shipment of FFLPs in yesterday afternoon... I got one of the Green Lizard Burst and a 3 pickup Black...they are nearly Sold Out already ! I found a BlueBurst Semi Hollow Body Firefly on Amazon today too...got that one for $159.99 free shipping! Liked/Subscribed !
I already have a few, and I'm broke after MF put the Martin Special 000 on sale for $369, so I'm waiting for that to arrive today, will likely do a video on it.
Depends on the type of music you want to play. I love classic rock. For me the sunburst has that classic sound.
I agree. You're right on.
I got 2 of these. The first was the Blueberry Burst (BB), the second is Black (BKE). The BB is fine, no issues. The BKE is being returned for issues noted: "The strings buzz as follows: Open 4th and 5th. At the 13th fret, the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th strings buzz when noted. I think there is a combination of neck setup, nut setup (i.e. depth for the strings to properly set), fret leveling issues, and saddle issues. At the switch the nut must have been put on too tight, and the nut is stripped. It also looks like the saddle bolts were set too tight and those bolts were bent when installed (that is, the saddle bolts look twisted at the slots)." Overall, compared to my Les Paul, I have to say my Gibson Les Paul has more color in the sound, the sound is also more mellow and more bass as compared to the FFLPS from FireFly. Both FFLPS's seem to have more treble than the Les Paul, but it's a sweet treble. The body workmanship on both BB and BKE is really good. No marring, the binding is well done. The BKE will not stay in tune, the BB has some slippage of the D tuner. I would say that for the price these are pretty good guitars. I would take the BKE for a setup and fret leveling, and the other work it needs with the nut. But that would cost about $200, which isn't bad for a setup on a new guitar (generally around $110.00 with no issues), but I'm not sure what other issues will be found on the BKE guitar. Plus some if the hardware needs replaced due to stripping of the switch nut, and twisted heads of the saddle screws. Guitar Garden ignored my request for return and replace or return and refund until I got PayPal involved. Guitar Garden offered me $20.00 to fix the issues. But $20.00 will not fix the issues. So I'm still pushing for a return and replace, or return and refund on the BKE. I have to say I don't like the FireFly sticker on the back of the neck (WHY? - anyway, I removed them).
A bunch (6 models) were there on the website this morning (Wednesday 12-16-20) and I had the money on-hand. So, I ordered the Elite. The order went through and is being set up to be shipped. I looked again at the site an hour ago and ALL the FFLPs were GONE. So, since my order went through this morning, and they took the payment, hopefully all goes well and I get my guitar in a few weeks!
I like the sunburst one better. There is something muddier about the new pickups. I prefer guitars having a cleaner sound. I can add dirtyness through effects.
Get a strat!
Ditto My thoughts exactly. Where knobs in the exact same place or even so, could they be different and just need turning down? Did they even start using these pickups? Considering getting one today.
They sound different, but why???? Different magnets, winding? Please explain.
Hard to tell without playing both guitars but what I heard I prefer the cherry top pickups they sound deeper and smoother I own a ffdcd ff338 and coming a fflp
Great video! I just found this channel and I'm a member of the FB group. I just love my Blood Fade FFLP Classic I got in January through Guitars Garden.
Sunburst more resembles less Paul sound blue one more hotter like hot rail pickups sunburst for originality blue for a little more juice interesting
Both! I hope the one that I ordered sounds as good, can't wait for it to arrive.
Clean settings I like the sunburst bridge pick up. And the blue for the neck. Same for when things got dirty. The blue bleeds over in the bridge but cleans up nicely in the neck position. The Sunburst bridge sings where the Blue growls in the bridge position. The neck pick up seems week in the Sunburst. I would just switch out the neck pick up in the Sunburst. It's all preference do you want your guitar to sing or growl.
To my ears the pickups on the sunburst sounded more "classic/PAF/Gibson", while the blue burst pickups sounded more 'Modern/PRS". I prefer the pickups on the sunburst. I agree with Anthony T. blueburst has more "presence", but being and "old school guy", I like the "warmth" of the sunburst.
Great vid, Dennis. Thanks.
Wow I like the colour of that berry burst and the pickups are really warm. Hard to beat plus sounds like a great choice to play some Boston.
At 2:35 minutes you said propose pick ups to go into the new FFLP’s. This video is from two years ago. My question is are they in the new classic FF LPs? 2020 I felt like the blue burst guitars pickups blew away the cherry burst. I’m waiting for my 1st firefly a classic LP. I hope it comes with the new Prototype pickup. Anyone know? Thanks!
Blue one is my personal preference as it has much more presence.
4 years later, lol, I’m sure hoping firefly put those pickups in the blue one in my new ( April 2024) flp. I just received the 338 baritone, so sweet!
just ordered my 1st fflp...excited and nervous with the things about the bridge mentioned in the group
I recently bought a kawasaki green FFLP and like it. Prior I had watched unboxing reviews which rated the FFLP anywhere from a 5 to an 8.
The classic pickups are fine and to my surprise sometime fade to a slight growl which sounds cool. Like a whuraaaah sound. The guitar itself had two minor issues, a slight paint defect back of the neck and slightly loose patch chord plugin plate. All-in-all, very happy at promo price $185 delivered. The elite pickups sound good as well, I'll stick with my stock FFLP classic.
They sound very similar to me, but I'd say I think I prefer the sound of the classic vs the prototype, though I prefer the color of the prototype.
Nice blackfoot riffs. I like the Blue. Thanks for your content.
While pickup preference is subjective, I don't see a lot of complaints forthcoming about either pickup choice for these guitars. However, the question no one is asking is, are these pickups microphonic like the ones in the ff-339?
If you mean, can you yell in them and have it come through the amp? Then no. Will they feedback? Very much so, but it is controllable.
I liked both guitars . I liked the sunburst for the more bluesy sounds and the blue one for more of the British rock . Absolutely a place for both . The stock one is more geared to what I like.
Different question
I just ordered the fflp elite 3 pick up in black
How does the toggle switch work which pick ups does it control ?
Thanks
🗣️ top = pickup near frets
🗣️ middle = middle pickup
🗣️ bottom = pickup near bridge
Rhythm/clean/lead 😷🎸
My cherry burst had to get a new switch but it's back from the spa tomorrow. New pickups sound more like burst buckers. The current ones are a little chimier. Are they wax potted?
The names say it all! Classic vs Elite. The Classic CS=original sound, the Elite BB= modern sound. To my ears they are day and night. To my ears the brighter mids that the Elite produce makes it sound thinner. The warmer Classic sound really is truer to the OG-LPs. Sure hope the buyer will have the option to choice the set they want at purchase time. Less is more!
Agreed!
Just ordered a spalted maple elite with two pickups yesterday.
Great job, Dennis.
I ordered one today on guitar garden and they are already sold out tonight. I got lucky.
Did you set the intonation, and the string height at the nut? The notes seem off pitch and the chords don't sound like you set it up.
I not a facebook fan for many reasons is their any other contact places
email them from their contact page on guitarsgarden dot com
The Sunburst (current pickups) sounded much better-balanced, and the distorted tone sounded much less muddy. The blueburst (prototype pickups) sounded a little like the amp was underwater, on both the clean and distorted tones.
Aloha from Hawaii 🏝️
I have a 2020 Firefly FFLP classic Blueberry burst with triple humbuckers.
I've owned a firefly classic and I hated the bridge pickup. Not enough gain like I'm use. I swapped out the bridge for a JB and been thinking about redoing the nexk with a jazz. On the other hand. I'm buying an fflp elite right now and want to hear how this one sounds compared to the classic with my JB.
I just purchased a Firefly ES335 and am trying to eliminate the buzz at the bridge, which I think can be resolved with Teflon tape on the buzzing bridge screw. Is there a Firefly customer number that I could call? As for the LPs, I really like the 'Elite' pickups much better. They are punchier and much more clear, in my opinion. Thanks for the comparison!
I prefer the elite pickups for heavy guitar , but those classic ones would sound great for blues and classic rock.
I like the originals for warmth and clarity. There's a pair for sale on Reverb now for $25 or $20. I could tell which pickups were which without looking after a few minutes. Firefly or ESP should copy Tone Specific, Throbak, SD Seth Lover, Dimarzio 36th, etc. Thanks so much for the wonderful video. Did they end up going with these ESPs?
Blue one is definitely brighter. Nice clean tone.
Hey Dennis. Nice vid. Is there any difference in Ohms with the pickup sets?
I'm sure there is, that was some time ago. Ohms is useful info, but really Henries is what tells you the real hotness, and measuring Henries isn't easy. Everyone talks ohms because it is easy, but it's only about 50% as useful as you might thing. Inductance (measured in Henries) is more important.
I wish there was another forum you would use anything other than facecrook. I have a FF-338 Green Burst Gold tone B6 Towner Bigsby. I bought it off amazon, she arrived damaged.
Good thing is they will take it back, no questions asked. Lot of problems shipping lately, with covid and the like. I've had damage from me shipping out jump almost 10x higher than normal. I'm not a huge fan of FB, btw, it's just where the people are, so I go there.
Stock pups are cleaner. Prototype adds fat midrange .Thicker sound
Ok I will chime in with my opinion, both have qualities it really depends on a personal choice and what genre you use your sound for, I own a LP style Firefly (blood red) I picked up a few weeks ago and a Les Paul Deluxe with the new slim pickups and in my opinion what it comes down to is comparing the Firefly to a Les Paul because this is the standard for all copy guitars be they Fender or whatever. I had to make some changes to the Firefly (nut, truss rod adjustments, bridge) to where it was playable to me I will be replacing the bridge with a roller type for more accuracy in tuning issues and I had to slim down the frets on the Firefly they were simply not comfortable for me once these minor adjustments were made I was pleased with the results and the tones. Now the big question is how does it compare to a Les Paul? The fret board on a Les Paul is wider and the pickups are more active that seems to be the only difference I found.
There is definitely a difference between the pickups. To my ear the sunburst sounded better overall. The blue burst sounded good I just preferred the sunburst sound. A massive improvement over my 338 that I replace the pickups on.
Do you know if those pickups are in the current Elite's or not? I just bought an Elite LP and was curious on the sound.
How'd you like your guitar?
@@alphanumeric1529 I've since moved on from it, but I took it to professionals at one point and I overheard them talking to each other and one of them said they liked the sound of it better than his own Les Paul.
I have only begin playing guitar a few years now so I can find the right word to describe what I'm hearing , but I'm falling I love with the sound of the blue one.
I just got an elite LP Firefly, it has two pickups, and sounds pretty good. The Bridge pickup is notquite as good as I'd like, but acceptable, it's a bit tinny sounding.
The Elite Firefly Pickups sound richer than the older version Firefly, which to me is a great improvement...
How do I get notified when a new batch of guitars comes out? There’s nothing available on their site.
In the midst of the current sellout, I was able to get my hands on a brand new FFLP in Lizard Green finish. Can't wait to get it, and compare with my Epiphone LP Studio. A friend has one, and he loves it!
how’s the difference?
@@betrulyyou I prefer the Firefly simply because the frets are a little smaller.
@@ragingskeptic9753 thanks just ordered a blue burst 🫐🫐
Hi. How can i buy One those? Do they ship the guitars in italy
Any chance the new sg style has the elite pickups?
Pretty close sounding dirty. I think I like the cherry clean a little more. The blue clean sounds a little twangy to me. But they both sound awesome.
i bought one but i am going to put better pickups in mine. any suggestions? i am considering lace dirty heshers....
The prototype sound kind of muddy to me I like the older ones also they need to get away from the microphonic pickups, they suck.
I have the Blueberry Fade FFLP and i like it alot.
Those Firefly FFLPs sounds good. I would buy 3 or 4 of them. I like Gibsons, one particular Fender which is the Telecaster, and few of the Paul Reed Smith's not the PRS which is made by Cort which surprised me, but for the money, you really can't go wrong. Fireflys fflp are nice and would buy many of them.
The blue one is little brighter, but they both sound good. And when doing tone demos don't use any effects other than clean and dirty.
are the pickups in 2021 the same or different between classic and elite? also wish they would note that on the web page only way to identify is via photos
Hey Dennis I love your videos on Firefly guitars. I joined Facebook specifically to join the fan group but I haven't heard back from anyone yet. Anything special I need to do to be able to join the Firefly fan group?
Looking at the admin log and your profile, they declined because they could see anything, no friends, no photos, etc. Randy Moore II is who declidned, you need to just /msg him. They get a lot of people with new accounts that just come in to cause trouble, so they tend to decline them unless you /msg them and let them know you are sincere.
@@dennislbrown I assumed that was the problem. I'll message him. Thanks so much for the info!
FF guys are the best like old friends
Same boat... wish there was something other than “privacy killer” Facebook to use. I’ll just follow the videos I suppose. No FB ever again for me...
The Elite pickups seem to have more definition. Do they have less impedance?
I feel like the red guitar had a clearer sound amd more defined high end and the blue guitar had a more throaty or tubby or full mids (which also makes it sound louder). Really obvious difference in the clean test. Not nearly as obvious in the high gain channel
I wonder how much of the tubbiness is actually the Hot Rod amp?
I like them both. Depends on the band and the song which guitar I would reach for.
Loved the Boston cover! I understand about indecision! \m/
The cherry burst pickups are a fairly bright pickup, although not extraordinarily so, just more so than typical Gibsons. And I imagine you nailed it, in that some of that bottom end is due to the amp choice, HRDs are thick bottomed. I chose that amp because the Marshall is super bright in the clean channel, no real bottom end. Sounds great with single coils though.
The elites sounded much less muddy in the blue guitar, maybe they can start selling pickups too,actually I like both for clean sounds, the elites definitely had more clearity,both held up quite nicely with distortion.
The blue is awesome! But, I agree with Randy Mckee.
I really like your strap on the blue one where can I find it??
I like pickup sound on the blue lp ,the reason why is it has more mids in the all sound more people are changing pickups to get their mids higher I mean this is what I hear someone may hear something I dont but to me the blue one seems to have a more midrange sound the sunburst one has a more warmer rich sound
Wearing head phones you can tell a big difference the blue one sounds way better thanks for the comparison
I bought one of these. I have 3 other Firefly guitars as well. My FFLP had a significant blemish along the binding so I requested a return and refund. The Guitar Garden seems to use the Chinese "business model" so after sending pictures of the blemish they agreed to accept the return and paid for return shipping along with the purchase price but would not refund the $20 I paid for shipping on the original order. So it cost me $20 to receive and return a blemished guitar. Not right. The guitar itself was good and looked great other than the blemish. The pickups are nothing special and the hardware was okay, not great. The playability was good and the cosmetics were good, other than the blemish. For the money it's a pretty good deal if you get a good one. I would suggest buying only through Amazon if you want proper customer service regarding any problem you might have.
Talk to them again. Right now, it is very hard as the coronavirus has much of the internet shut down. Well, the govt does. I haven't been able to contact them often in the last few weeks due to that.
@@dennislbrown - I had a series of messages with them and they were quite clear that they would not refund the shipping cost to me. I addressed the issue 3 times and was told I would only be refunded the purchase price of the guitar and be sent a return label. She said, "thanks for understanding" each time she reiterated they would only be refunding the guitar price and provide return shipping. All I understand is that I had to pay $20 for them to send me a significantly blemished product.
Thanks for responding. That would have been my 4th Firefly, but it was definitely my last.
@@caelachyt That's because people want something for nothing. "oh it's a cheap guitar and I wanted perfection for under 200 dollars." Get over it.
I preferred the sound from the blue guitar, seemed more full and vibrant (bright?) sound than the blond guitar.
🗣️ I have the classic 3 double opencoil pickups Firefly FFLP.
I love to buy an Elite FFLP with the elite pickups WITH pickup covers on them...
I own 5 FF's of various models. I WAS in the FB group, but as it is with FB, I made a joke about working on my own guitars and the shitty comments started, then people started arguing ect. and I said "F this".
I have a direct connection to FF now. Faceboob is death.
I agree with you on FB. I've mostly been off of there for about a year. At this time last year (20), there were far too many friends and former classmates, arguing about the presidential election as well as covid. That was enough for me.
Good for you I some times miss being able to access a cpl of groups for products I have. But after quitting F'book cold turkey in 2015. I rarely ever look back for more than a cpl seconds lol...I figure I've actually lived and enjoyed 20% more of my life these last 6 years vs Investing it in facebook bullshit
Pretty close pitch on the 2. The Blue one has a slighly Tinnier Tone. The Cherry Burst has a Richer Tone.Good Comparison
I like the cherry burst, to me, that's the more classic rock tone - but I'm listening on a tablet so ..
I liked the blue one better. I'm getting a lizard burst. Do you know if it has those elite pickups in there?
The have the same pickups as the cherry burst, but those are still pretty good pickups. I left them in my cherry burst
@@dennislbrown Cool, I actually liked them both, but the blue one seemed like it had a little more...depth? warmness? clarity? I'm not sure how to put these things into words, but they did sound a little different. I'll give the stock ones a try. Do you know if they will be releasing the others to purchase seperately? I don't think Firefly even sells parts. I guess it would be dragonfires or something like that for an upgrade...
@@MajorUpgrade they do sometimes sell parts like neck pickups for the thin lines. Right now they are struggling to get enough inventory fast enough just to keep up with demand.
Thanks man!
Suggestion: Can't firefly test pickups like the burstbucker from Gibson, and the JB from seymour duncan for humbuckers, re-engineer them? The important thing is I think the pole pieces have to be genuinely good magnets like alnico 5 or alnico 2 are my favorites. A good Dimarzio PAF is the way to go also. The pickups in the burst sounds better to me, has more sustain, but for an elite guitar, you will need a boost circuit probably a 25k active pickup configuration to wow your visitors or customers like Jackson did and emg sa pickup configurations and the like. Hope it helps the crowd pleasers...
They don't make their own pickups, they buy from companies that do nothing but by pickups. And copying a pickup isn't so easy. You can copy the design, but the thing you are really paying for with US pickups is consistency. Making every pickup exactly the same, +/- 1% is very expensive, no matter where you do it. It requires very exacting methods.
Just got my Firefly FFLP today...only 1 problem my Toggle Switch has No Handle On IT!!!!!!!! Really!?
Lol wtf
Should have been in the bag with the hardware..they don't ship with the tips on...
I really wish they would send out all of their guitars without the pickguard installed.
Just got two in from them ordered and delivered in a week both rec'd with out pg Installed.
I don't like either mainly because I can never seem to find one to buy ? Lol
guitarsgarden.com
I love this guitar. I have 3 fflps
Does Firefly fflp guitars have a short or long tenon joint?
I've heard both, so not sure. I haven't broken one down that far. For a sub $200 guitar, I'm sure it really matters, at least to me.
I want to see him plug into the same amp.
The SD Slash stuff is nice too
Elite pu brighter but seem to muddyup at higher gain lvls seem to act like tone rolled off lack note definition but brighter at low gain
As of 6/7/20 there are plenty of FFLP available on Guitarsgarden 2 colors are already sold out go to the site quick!!!!!!!!!!
I liked both, though I really WANTED to like the stock pick-ups better (brown LP). Truth is I favored the blue LP for a few licks. I'd be happy with either! :-D
This is the hardest Firefly guitar to get so far even on Guitar Garden i saw a Purple one on EBAY used with scratches and the Asshole!!! wants 300 plus 30 for S&H !!!
I would just wait. They are trying to ramp up production, but China is still doing rolling lockdowns.
@@dennislbrown Thanks for the Info i'll patiently wait i really want a blue or purple one to add to my Firefly collection
I have two LP's (as well as Strats, a Tele, etc.) and like them all but LOVE the Les Pauls. LP Is my first go-to model. These are both good but I prefer the deeper, stronger tone of the newer pickups in the blue guitar. ** My first Firefly is on the way as I write this. It's the double-cut version. :-)
The prototypes sound MUCH richer in clean.
I agree the current pickups sounded better more mellow more rounded pleasing highs
Dennis, I like the Blue Color of the prototype . But i like the Sunburst pick up better itt sounds warmer to me !!! Just my opinion. Im no pro begginer in fact!
The elite pickups sounded richer and fuller compared to the clean toned of the current pickups. Even overdriven the elite pickups sounded better and more like a Les Paul, the current standard pickups sounded more toppy and way too bright. That's how I heard it
LOL!
When??????????
Looks like early Jan 2020
The blue one sounds a lot hotter. Sunburst is cleaner, more top end in pickups.
I prefer the pickups on the blue I think to my ear are significantly better just felt cleaner with more personality in almost all playing conditions. Much better in my humble opinion. It’s that obvious to me but I have an I phone x .maybe my phone have better sound?
I had 2 lp in my cart and when I went to check out and pay it said sold out was really bummed out. Was a birthday present to myself. Asking for help from customer service. They could improve on that end. I have been in customer service for 25 years at very large companies and had unsurpassed training and I know because of where firefly is going they will improve or should improve in that area but I understand being a young company it takes a while to grow in all ways and they’re doing a great job but again it’s as important as the guitars themselves, customer satisfaction and really caring about their customers, it that important to there future success. I hope this helps.
Blue guitar sounds great
Blue al the way