The Gretsch Firebird is a modern take on the classic Gretsch Jet guitar. The original Duo Jet was very popular in Pop/Rock circles in the 50s and 60s, mostly because of the bigsby arm to create a Vibrato effect and its clean, mid-rangey pickups.
The Firebird has the styling of those old DUo Jets with some enhancements for modern music. The TV Jones Powertron pickups are great for Pop/Rock as normal but will hold their own in a Hard Rock or similar context. If you need a bit more juice, then the Firebird is more suited than your standard Duo Jet.
More Power
The powertron pickups give you more grunt than the standard TV Jones classics associated with Gretsch. They're wound with more magnet wire than normal to create a stronger midrange presence and far higher output.
Bigsby Tremolo
The Bigsby is one of the smoothest tremolo systems ever made and has been used by countless artists to create subtle movement in chords and sweet bends. Nothing quite feels like Bigsby tremolo due to the single large spring that creates the movement evenly across all of the strings. If you have loved the sounds of pop and rock throughout the 50's and 60's chances are you have heard plenty of Bigsby playing.
Chambered Build
This guitar is built very closely to the same design as the 1955 original. The body has been crafted out of Mahogany with chambering to keep the weight down and add this woods, resonant tone in the midrange that is similar to what you get out of semi hollow guitars.
The neck is like the body made out of Mahogany and has been carved to the usual Gretsch specs of a 24.6" scale length with an Ebony 12" radius fretboard for smooth playing action to suit all players.
Here's what Gretsch say about the Power Jet Firebird
That Great Gretsch Sound - with a snarl! We've modified the classic Jet Firebird to a new sonic level! So strike your best rockin' pose and turn up your amp - this is a hard rocker in a classic Gretsch package! Features include a single-cutaway semi-hollow mahogany body that's super lightweight, one-piece mahogany neck with Neo-Classic "thumbnail" inlays, TV Jones Power'Tron pickups, chrome hardware, Sperzel locking machine heads, Schaller strap locks, pinned Adjusto-Matic bridge.
Specifications
Series: Professional Collection
Color: Firebird Red
Body
Body Shape: Jet
Body Binding: Multiple
Body Depth: 1.75" (44.45 mm)
Body Material: Chambered Mahogany
Body Finish: Gloss Urethane
Body Back: Mahogany
Body Top: Arched Laminated Maple
Neck
Neck Material: Mahogany
Neck Binding: Bound Fingerboard
Scale Length: 24.6" (625 mm)
Fingerboard Radius: 12" (305 mm)
Number of Frets: 22
Fret Size: Medium Jumbo
String Nut: Synthetic Bone
Nut Width: 1.6875" (42.8 mm)
Neck Plate: None
Neck Finish: Gloss Urethane
Fingerboard: Ebony
Position Inlays: Neo-Classic "Thumbnail"
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: TV Jones® Power'Tron
Neck Pickup: TV Jones® Power'Tron
Controls: Volume 1. (Neck Pickup), Volume 2. (Bridge Pickup), Master Volume.
Pickup Switching: 3-Position Toggle: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge and Neck Pickups, Position 3. Neck Pickup
Pickup Configuration: Filter'Tron? / Filter'Tron?
Hardware
Bridge: Adjusto-Matic with Pinned Rosewood Base
Tuning Machines: Gotoh Cast/Sealed Locking
Orientation: Right-Hand
Pickguard: Black
Control Knobs: G-Arrow
Miscellaneous
Strings: NPS, .011, .014, .018, .028, .038, .049
Unique Features: Neo Classic "Thumbnail" Inlay Position Markers, Bound Fingerboard and Headstock, Multiple Body Binding, Inlaid Pearloid Gretsch Logo on Headstock, Silver Plexi Pickguard, Knurled Strap Retainer Knobs, Schaller Straplocks, Adjustable Truss Rod
Included Accessories: Includes G6238 Deluxe Hardshell Case