The new limited edition Gibson Firebird X features built-in effects, robotic tuning and wireless pedal controllers. In addition to the Firebird X’s RoboHead tuners and Tune-o-matic/Piezo robot bridge to help keep the guitar in prefect tune, players are offered onboard, fader-fueled multiple effects such as distortion, EQ, reverb and compression and front facing toggle controls. Gibson says that players should be able to control numerous effects on the fly, with “a minimum of motion and disruption from playing the music.” An accessory pack includes Bluetooth pedals for wireless expression and tone control.
To the front of the lightweight, chambered ash body can also be found the familiar volume and control knobs and 5-way pickup selector and a not-so-familiar LED-lit Master Control Knob.
There’s also a threesome of FBX pickups – alnico II for the neck, ceramic for the middle and alnico V for the bridge. The brand new electronics come with a Pure-Analog Digital Signal Processing engine with Goldtone FX, and the single-piece maple neck sports a Brazilian Marblewood fingerboard sporting 23 frets.
Ableton Live 8 and Guitar Rig Pro 4 are supplied with the Firebird X, for digital tone processing via a PC or Mac, and the whole package comes with a special FBX vinyl case. The Gibson Firebird X will become available worldwide on December 11 and carries a recommended retail price of $5,570.
