The Firefly brand has become known for delivering surprisingly affordable instruments, and the Firefly Baritone Guitar with P90 pickups is no exception. This review dives into the details of this budget-friendly baritone, examining its features, playability, and overall value for guitarists looking to explore lower tunings without breaking the bank.
Neck and Playability
The neck of the Firefly baritone presents a comfortable, chunky profile. While the finish is generally well-applied, closer inspection reveals minor imperfections, such as slight finish separation near the fret ends, possibly from fret dressing. However, these are cosmetic and don’t impact playability. The neck dimensions are substantial, measuring 22.5mm thick at the middle of the first fret and 42mm wide at the nut, which is crafted from bone. A minor visual flaw is a slightly wide and V-shaped cut for the high B string slot on the nut, though it doesn’t affect performance. The fretwork is smooth, and the inlays are cleanly installed. Evidence of polishing compound in the fretboard grain suggests room for improvement in finishing processes. Despite its baritone scale, the guitar is reasonably lightweight at 8 pounds. It exhibits a slight neck-dive tendency when using a nylon strap, suggesting a switch to a leather strap would improve balance.
Side view of Firefly baritone guitar neck and headstock
Body and Finish
The body finish is generally commendable. What might appear as swirls in photographs is actually residual polishing compound from the electronics cavity, easily removable with a bit of cleaning. However, closer inspection reveals cost-cutting measures in certain areas. The pickguard exhibits rough edges, particularly at the horn, indicating imprecise cutting. Similarly, the cavity cover is poorly cut and only fits in one orientation. Inside the electronics cavity, the wiring is typical of Firefly guitars, featuring full-size potentiometers and a robust Japanese-style three-way switch, reminiscent of those found in vintage Matsumoku guitars. These switches are appreciated for their durability and ease of maintenance. The controls operate smoothly and consistently across their range. Masking during finishing is evident inside the cavity, with bare wood circles around components. A notable corner-cutting detail is the deeply routed lip for the cavity cover, necessitating shims to achieve a flush fit with the guitar’s back.
Close up of Firefly baritone guitar body, pickguard and P90 pickups
Pickups and Sound
The P90 pickups are a standout feature, delivering a potent and articulate tone. They are not microphonic and possess a pronounced growl, perhaps even bordering on excessive for standard guitar amplifiers. They respond exceptionally well to bass amplifiers, suggesting they are voiced for the lower frequencies of a baritone guitar. Fine-tuning the pickup height, lowering the bass side and raising the treble side, helps achieve a more balanced sonic output. Experimentation with amp presets designed for baritone guitars, or even tweaked regular guitar presets, can yield impressive results, effectively capturing baritone guitar tones. The guitar comes equipped with D’Addario strings that appear relatively new, a welcome touch. The initial tuning was approximately a half step down, and while string stretching was needed for initial stability, the tuning settled quickly. The tuners are functional and represent an improvement over earlier Firefly tuner models.
Electronics cavity of Firefly baritone guitar showing components and wiring
Setup and Overall Impression
The factory setup is adequate but requires adjustments. A noticeable buzz on the low B string at the first fret when played aggressively indicates a need for setup refinement, a common occurrence even on more expensive guitars out of the box. Despite minor shortcomings in finish and setup, this Firefly baritone guitar surpasses previous Firefly models in overall quality. The neck exhibits impressive stability with minimal flex, the pickups are a significant upgrade, and the overall playing experience is notably improved. For guitarists seeking an affordable entry into the world of baritone guitars, the Firefly baritone with P90s presents a compelling option, offering good sound and playability with some minor compromises in fit and finish.
