Gibson Firebird X Owner's Manual
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Gibson Firebird X Owner's Manual

Electric guitar
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Gibson Firebird X
Gibson Firebird X
Owner's Manual
Owner's Manual
copyright 2011 Gibson Guitar Corp.
owner's manual version 1.3h
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  • Page 1 Gibson Firebird X Gibson Firebird X Owner’s Manual Owner’s Manual copyright 2011 Gibson Guitar Corp. owner’s manual version 1.3h Page 1...
  • Page 2 FCC and IC Compliance This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules and RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 1. This device may not cause harmful interference 2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. Le présent appareil est conforme aux CNR d'Industrie Canada applicables aux appareils radio exempts de licence.
  • Page 3 2. Click on the Registration link to submit your warranty information (see the Firebird X Certificate of Authenticity included with your guitar). 3. After registering, you’ll receive licenses for the Firebird X software bundle, as well as a username and password to access the Firebird X Visionaries Club site at http://fbx.gibson.com...
  • Page 4 Both you and your Firebird X will be much happier if you store and operate this product under safe conditions.
  • Page 5 Warranty Protection It is extremely important to us that you are satisfied with Firebird X. Register it and activate your warranty protection by mailing the warranty card included with Firebird X to Gibson USA, Department W, P.O. Box 100087, Nashville, TN 37210-0087. If you encounter any kind of problem, contact us as soon as possible so we can make things right.
  • Page 6 Never send a unit in for repair before contacting Gibson. You will be advised of the proper procedure for a quick and efficient repair, as well as provide information on where and how to send your Firebird X. Gibson® is a trademark of the Gibson Guitar Corp.
  • Page 7 Firebird X combines revolutionary features with Gibson’s traditional construction quality and superior sound. It’s the most technologically-advanced guitar in the world—yet remains familiar and playable. You don’t have to adapt to Firebird X; it adapts to you.  Tune your guitar strings automatically, including alternate tunings, in seconds ...
  • Page 8 Preparation Accessories Checklist Your Firebird X is a complete system with all needed accessories. After removing the guitar case from the shipping box, take out the Accessory Pack in the bottom of the box. Check that between the Accessory Pack and guitar case pocket, the following are all included.
  • Page 9 Firebird X. Pull the Gear Shift up (furthest from the guitar body) to apply power to Firebird X. Push down on the Gear Shift knob (pushing toward the body until it clicks) to turn off Firebird X.
  • Page 10 The Battery Firebird X must be turned on, with a charged battery, to work. Batteries can lose charge over time, so please check the batteries when you receive Firebird X. Pull up on the Gear Shift knob to turn on Firebird X. Within five seconds, a...
  • Page 11 For optimum Robo-Tuner tuning speed and reliability, please use the correct gauge strings. Firebird X ships with the recommended string gauge set: High E = .010, B = .013, G = .017 (wound), D = .026, A = .036, low E = .046.
  • Page 12 4. When tuning is finished, Firebird X automatically exits tuning mode, unmutes the audio, and returns to whatever patch was selected when you started tuning. A Gear Shift light...
  • Page 13 DblDrop D D A D G B D Manual Tuning with the Robo-Tuners You can tune Firebird X’s Robo-Tuners by hand as an alternative to using Robot tuning technology. Caution! Never use a manual or mechanical string winding tool, or attempt to tune the Robo-Tuners manually while they are operating robotically.
  • Page 14 Select Sound Banks Select Sound Banks Firebird X has 11 Banks (1-9, A, and B), which you select with the Gear Shift knob. Each Bank has five patches (1-5), also called presets, that you select with the 5-way Pickup Selector/Patch Selector. You can freely save, load, and edit patches with the included FBX Editor software.
  • Page 15 1. After selecting a Bank and patch, move the silver tog-pot to the up position. 2. The Pickup Selector/Patch Selector switch now selects Firebird X’s five default pickup options. The Gear Shift knob’s center shows the pickup combination (Pickup Selector/Patch Selector switch position 1 = neck, 2 = neck+middle, 3 = middle, 4 = middle+bridge, 5 = bridge).
  • Page 16 Patch Play Mode and Edit Mode Patch Play Mode and Edit Mode Firebird X has two playing modes. Patch Play Mode is Firebird X’s default mode. It provides “foolproof” playing on stage by locking out the sliders and most blue tog-pot functions—even if you hit them...
  • Page 17 Note: A slider will not take effect until it passes through the existing parameter value. If a slider does not appear to be working, move it back and forth over its full travel. Also, when editing Reverb and Echo parameters, there may be a slight delay between moving a slider and hearing a change.
  • Page 18 The onboard computer will calculate the delay time from these peaks. 5. Play Firebird X and determine that the delay time is correct. If not, repeat steps 1-4 and make you you strike the strings with sufficient force to create strong peaks.
  • Page 19 The pedals can use batteries or the supplied AC adapter, and operate a minimum of 30 feet (10 meters) from Firebird X to a maximum of 100 feet. These devices need to recognize each other—a process called “pairing”—which is done at the factory.
  • Page 20 9V battery occurs automatically. However, switching on the pedal with only a 9V battery is not supported. Setting Up the Pedals for Firebird X 1. Remove the Pedal Power/Data Connector, which carries power from the Pedalboard to the Switchboard, from the bottom of the Pedalboard.
  • Page 21 Bone Link Up. The confirms that all devices are communicating. Note: If you turn off Firebird X (e.g., to save battery power or change batteries) this will stop communications to the pedals. However, turning Firebird X back on will re-establish the link automatically after several seconds.
  • Page 22 Pedalboard Display When you rotate the Gear Shift to change Banks or the Pickup Selector/Patch Selector switch to change patches, the display shows the Bank and Patch in large type for about two seconds, then reverts to the default display. The default shows the following (numbers in the descriptions are keyed to the display image).
  • Page 23 Note: The section on using the Switchboard with the Echoplex Looper starts on page 25. Switchboard Display The default display shows the following. Note: The effects chain settings change only when Firebird X is in Edit mode, not Patch Play mode. Page 23...
  • Page 24 Top Line (1) Tuning number (2) Modulation wet/dry mix (00-99) as selected by the blue tog-pot when switched to the Mod position (3) Compressor wet/dry mix (00-99) as selected by the tog-pot when switched to the Comp position Middle Line (4) Tuning name (5) Delay wet/dry mix (00-99) as selected by the blue...
  • Page 25 (sound on sound recording) on two of the tracks. Activate the Echoplex Looper 1. Verify that Firebird X, Pedalboard, and Switchboard are turned on and connected. 2. Press the Upper Right footswitch. If the display shows Looper, proceed to the next step.
  • Page 26 Overdub on Tracks 2 and 3 You can record new sounds into what you’ve already recorded onto Tracks 2 or 3; this mixes the new sounds with the previously-recorded ones (“sound-on-sound” recording). 1. To overdub, start playing the loop. 2. To overdub on Track 2, double-click footswitch 5--B. 3.
  • Page 27 If you switch guitars or replace some system component, re-pairing may be necessary. 1. Set up the Pedalboard and Switchboard as described previously in steps 1-5 of Setting Up the Pedals for Firebird X on pages 19 and 20 (linked, AC power connected, and antennas up). However, they should not be powered-on.
  • Page 28 Chapter 5: Red Bank Functions In addition to tuning and patch Banks, a third Bank provides utilities and customizations. It’s called the Bank because when you initially enter the Bank, the Gear Shift knob displays mostly characters. Select a Red Bank Function Select a Red Bank Function 1.
  • Page 29 2. Push down once on the Digital Varitone knob. 3. Push down briefly on the Digital Varitone knob to toggle between Offset Mode (display shows O) or Strobe Mode (display shows (S). Firebird X stores this preference on power- down.
  • Page 30 For best results, use a consistent force and position.  During intonation Firebird X takes a little bit longer to detect pitch. This is normal, as Firebird X switches automatically to a special high-accuracy mode.
  • Page 31 Custom Tuning (Position = C, ID = C) Firebird X has eleven onboard tunings. The easiest way to create custom tunings is with the FBX Editor; however, if you don’t have access to a computer, you can create custom tunings within Firebird X itself, and replace onboard tunings with your custom tuning or tunings.
  • Page 32 A=440Hz. For these situations, Firebird X can tune to any arbitrary reference. The basic process is to tune Firebird X to the desired tuning, adjust one string to the reference pitch, then instruct Firebird X to tune the remaining strings relative to the reference string.
  • Page 33 Also, do not use any strings which have frayed wraps at the ball end (Firebird X will not function if any part of the string touches beyond its insulated holder), and don't let steel bottleneck slides contact the strings during tuning operations.
  • Page 34 3. Rotate the Gear Shift knob to the string position corresponding to the first string you want to tune up. The string LED will shine blue. 4. Pluck the selected string. If Firebird X does not respond, that means the string tension is too low to read its pitch.
  • Page 35 4. When complete, return the silver tog-pot to its center position. Bluetooth ID (Position = B, ID = B) The pedals read the Bluetooth ID to enable wireless control with Firebird X. This function provides the ID for reference during the Bluetooth “pairing” process, and requires no user interaction.
  • Page 36 Gear Shift knob. (If the string LEDs flash red, Firebird X did not reset. You will ned to start over from step 1.) 16. Return the silver tog-pot to its center position.
  • Page 37 Appendix A: G-Node USB 2.0 Interface and FBX Editor Software Appendix A: G-Node USB 2.0 Interface and FBX Editor Software The G-Node advanced USB 2.0 audio interface, included with your Firebird X, is designed specifically for Firebird X. However, it also functions as a standard audio interface for Windows (ASIO 2.0, WDM) and Mac (Core Audio) computers.
  • Page 38 Firebird X’s power source is an on-board, rechargeable, Lithium Ion (Li-Ion) 7.2V battery. Firebird X can tune itself up to 500 times on a single charge, and recharges in about 70 minutes. Note: Because this battery is a precision device, please follow these instructions carefully on charging, storage, and optimizing performance.
  • Page 39 If you play Firebird X and discharge it 50% during a concert, then charge it to full capacity, that is only half of a charge/discharge cycle. If you play Firebird X every day and discharge it to 75% of capacity then charge it back to 100%, it would take four days before the battery would experience a full charge/discharge cycle.
  • Page 40 Appendix C: Troubleshooting Appendix C: Troubleshooting If you encounter problems with Firebird X, Gibson recommends that you take it to an authorized service center. Although there are some procedures you can try yourself, be careful—if you have any doubt about your ability to do any of these fixes, please consult Gibson tech support.
  • Page 41 33. Firebird X doesn’t seem to connect to the G-Node interface. Unplug the stereo cable from the Firebird X, wait a few seconds, then plug it back in again. This solves most connection problems. Page 41...

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