Is the Firefly FFLG Sg Guitar a hidden gem or just another cheap imitation? In this in-depth Firefly FFLG review for 2024, we’ll tackle the burning question on every budget-conscious guitarist’s mind: Is the Firefly FFLG a good sg guitar and is it truly worth your money?
Before diving into this review, you might find our broader article on Firefly Guitars insightful, where we explore the brand’s overall reputation and quality.
Unlike many reviews you’ll encounter, this Firefly FFLG SG-style guitar review is based on firsthand experience. I purchased the guitar myself (in the striking red-black finish) with my own money. This is an independent review – I have not been paid for this and I don’t benefit financially if you decide to buy a Firefly guitar through any links on this page.
Guitar purchase receipt showing price
Note: Prices can fluctuate, so the price shown at the time of purchase may differ from the current price.
This transparency sets the stage for an honest assessment. I’ve dedicated over 40 hours playing the FFLG sg guitar, putting it through its paces. Like its sibling, the Firefly FFLPS, it required a setup, which we’ll discuss in detail. Remember, the sound demos in the video and on SoundCloud were recorded after the setup, so your initial out-of-the-box experience might vary.
About the Reviewer
Hi, I’m Karol. Guitar has been a passion of mine for over 20 years. While I consider myself an amateur, I’m constantly learning and honing my skills. In my younger days, I was part of a band (listen here), but now guitar playing is purely for personal enjoyment.
Why should you trust this review? Because I have no agenda to sell you anything. My motivation for creating Art Of Shred stems from a dissatisfaction with the often-biased nature of online guitar and musical equipment reviews. It’s crucial to remember that these are my personal opinions, shaped by my experience. I’m not an authority on everything, and my views are subjective.
Firefly FFLG SG-Style Guitar: Quick Overview
7.6 out of 10
$216.91 (Price at purchase)
Firefly FFLG SG style guitar in red and black finish
The Firefly FFLG sg guitar in Red & Black finish – a budget-friendly SG copy.
Country of Origin: China
| Feature | Rating |
|---|---|
| Looks | 8 out of 10 |
| Setup (Out of box) | 5 out of 10 |
| Feel | 8 out of 10 |
| Sound | 7 out of 10 |
| Value | 10 out of 10 |
Pros:
- Visually appealing sg guitar design
- Suitable for beginner to intermediate sg guitar players
- Extremely affordable sg guitar
- Decent sound quality for the price
Cons:
- Stock pickups are not high-quality
- Required truss rod adjustment upon arrival
- Frets needed significant polishing
- Upgrades recommended for experienced players seeking more
Where to Buy:
Check Current Price (New)
Check Used Market Price
Video Review of the Firefly FFLG SG Guitar
For a more dynamic perspective, check out the accompanying video review of the Firefly FFLG sg guitar. This written review serves as a detailed companion to the video, offering a comprehensive understanding when combined.
Firefly FFLG SG Guitar: The Basics
The Firefly FFLG is undeniably an SG-style guitar, equipped with two humbucker pickups, a 3-way pickup selector switch, dual volume knobs, and dual tone controls – the classic SG configuration.
GuitarsGarden’s website specifies a mahogany body and neck, rosewood fretboard, and bone nut. While I can’t definitively confirm these materials, the fretboard is likely ovangkol, a common and sustainable alternative to rosewood.
This sg guitar is available in various finishes, including traditional SG colors and more contemporary options. I opted for the red finish, aiming for a classic SG aesthetic (though, let’s be honest, is there anything that truly rivals a Gibson SG’s heritage cherry finish?). However, Firefly offers a range of bolder colors to suit different tastes.
Close up of the red black finish on the Firefly FFLG sg guitar
A detailed look at the Firefly FFLG sg guitar‘s red-black finish, showcasing its visual appeal.
Initial Thoughts on the FFLG SG Guitar
Having been impressed by the FFLPS, I approached the FFLG sg guitar with high expectations. I certainly didn’t anticipate a significant drop in quality.
Out of the box, the FFLG’s appearance was… adequate. The frets were covered in grime and oxidation, the neck had a slight bow, and the action was high. However, the finish was flawless, free of any visible imperfections.
My initial impression of this sg guitar was lukewarm. But, don’t worry! No major issues were apparent, just typical setup needs. We’ll need to judge this guitar based on its “second impression” – after a proper setup. But before we delve into that…
Full body shot of the Firefly FFLG sg guitar
Firefly FFLG SG Guitar: The Downsides
- Pickups: The pickups are underwhelming. They seem to be the same as those in the FFLPS. (However, they have grown on me over time!)
- Frets: The frets were incredibly dirty and required extensive polishing.
- Fretboard: The fretboard was dry upon arrival, but easily remedied with lemon oil.
- Tuners: The tuners are basic and feel cheap, though functional.
- Neck Bow: The neck arrived with a slight bow, necessitating a truss rod adjustment.
- Action: The action was set too high, exceeding 2mm.
- Knobs: The volume and tone knobs look cheap, a similar issue to the FFLPS.
Firefly FFLG SG Guitar: The Positives
- Finish: The red-black finish is visually striking and well-applied.
- Inlays: The fretboard inlays are well-executed and enhance the guitar’s aesthetics.
- Fretwork: No fret sprout or sharp fret edges were detected.
- Dead Frets: The guitar is free of dead frets across the fretboard.
- Hardware: The bridge and tailpiece are solid and easily adjustable to personal preferences.
- Sound (Pickups): While not exceptional, the pickups are decent, and the guitar produces a pleasing sound overall. (Yes, the pickups are both a pro and con – they are adequate for the price point).
Setting Up the Firefly FFLG SG Guitar
This sg guitar required some attention, but the setup process was less involved than the FFLPS. Crucially, there was no fret buzz on this FFLG, eliminating the need for fret leveling or crowning!
Filthy Frets:
As previously mentioned, the frets were remarkably dirty and demanded thorough polishing. This was the most time-consuming aspect of the setup, taking approximately 20 minutes. I’ve never encountered frets this oxidized, even on guitars left untouched for extended periods. However, post-polishing, the frets are now gleaming.
Dry Fretboard:
A simple fix. I used D’Addario lemon oil, but any brand will suffice. This is a quick process, taking around 5 minutes.
Neck Bow and Truss Rod Adjustment:
Neck bowing is common, especially with temperature fluctuations. Wood is a natural material, after all! The truss rod needed about a quarter to a half turn, resolving the issue. Firefly includes the necessary Allen wrench. Don’t be intimidated by truss rod adjustments! It’s difficult to cause damage if you proceed slowly and cautiously, making small quarter-turn adjustments at a time. (The direction to turn depends on the bow, but it will become apparent after the first adjustment.)
High Action:
Like many guitarists, I prefer action around 1.5mm at the 12th fret. This sg guitar arrived with action exceeding 2mm, even after truss rod adjustment! Not ideal for anything but slide guitar. Fortunately, adjusting the bridge height with a flathead screwdriver is straightforward and took less than 5 minutes to achieve my preferred action. (A brief demonstration of this is included in the video review.)
Beyond lubricating the nut with graphite and installing new strings, that concludes the setup. While it might seem like a lot, a 45-minute setup transformed this sg guitar into a gig-ready instrument!
Close up of the Firefly FFLG sg guitar headstock and neck
Firefly FFLG SG Guitar Sound Quality
Similar to the FFLPS, my primary critique of the FFLG sg guitar centers on the pickups. The stock humbuckers are somewhat muddy, lacking the clarity of higher-quality pickups. However, this is typical of budget guitars. Cost-cutting is necessary to achieve such low prices, and aftermarket pickups can easily cost more than the entire FFLG guitar. This is a common reality for guitar players at all levels.
But here’s the surprise: I genuinely like the sound! As with the FFLPS, the bridge pickup on the FFLG delivers a respectable crunch, perfectly capable of handling metal riffs. If I can play Black Sabbath without cringing at the tone, it passes my test. This sg guitar excels in that regard. Clean tones are also acceptable, though my preference leans towards distorted sounds (that’s what she said), so consider my clean tone assessment accordingly.
Would I replace the pickups for live performances with the FFLG sg guitar? Definitely. More on potential upgrades shortly.
In addition to the sound samples in the video review, I also used the Firefly FFLG to record a demo of the Pladask Elektrisk Feber guitar pedal.
So, yes, it sounds surprisingly good for the price!
Recommended Upgrades for the Firefly FFLG SG Guitar
While the FFLG sg guitar sounds decent in its stock form, some upgrades would be beneficial for long-term recording or live use. These are personal preferences and not essential, especially for beginners seeking an affordable electric sg guitar. (However, a proper setup is crucial!)
- Bridge Pickup: The EMG H1A is a great option I use in my main guitar, priced at $99: https://www.emgpickups.com/guitar/humbucking/h1a.html. Many more affordable pickups would also provide a significant improvement. And, of course, higher-end pickups are available for those seeking premium tone. Pickup choice is highly subjective.
- Locking Tuners: Sperzel EZ Mount tuners are user-friendly and require no drilling for installation! Locking tuners expedite string changes and enhance tuning stability. Budget-friendly locking tuners are also readily available on platforms like eBay.
- Optional: Graphtech Tusq Nut: I lubricated the bone nut with graphite, eliminating any “PING” sounds during tuning caused by string binding in the nut. This upgrade is not a priority unless you encounter nut-related tuning issues.
- Optional: Neck Pickup: Some might disagree with prioritizing only the bridge pickup upgrade, but a neck pickup upgrade is less critical for many playing styles.
- Optional: Volume/Tone Knobs: The knobs are visually unappealing, but this is purely cosmetic. Upgrade them if aesthetics are important to you.
Final Verdict on the Firefly FFLG SG Guitar
As you’ve likely gathered, I’m quite impressed with this sg guitar! As mentioned in the video review, I’d even compare it favorably to the Epiphone SG Standard, which is significantly more expensive. (Flame me in the comments if you disagree!)
If you’re willing to invest some effort in setting up the FFLG sg guitar to make it playable, I believe you’ll be very satisfied with your purchase, especially considering the price. If you’re unwilling to do the setup work yourself (or pay someone to do it), then it might not be the right choice. Out of the box, it wasn’t optimally playable for me, but the 45-minute setup transformed it into a guitar worth far more than the $216.91 I paid.
The Firefly FFLG sg guitar is easily worth $250-$300, but I’d hesitate to pay over $300 on Reverb unless the seller has already performed a setup or made upgrades. I wouldn’t be disappointed if I’d paid $350 for a properly setup FFLG. For context, the Epiphone SG Standard approaches $500 (and likely also requires some level of setup).
Overall rating? A near 8/10. If it had arrived perfectly playable out of the box, it would have been closer to a 9! I’ve been playing this sg guitar more than my main guitar lately, and I’m not complaining.
Do you own an FFLG sg guitar? Share your experiences in the comments below or email me.
