Tried out a Gibson Firebird and instantly realised why thay weren't more popular.

They were an odd duck for Gibson, that’s for sure.

I’ve never owned or even played one.

Bear in mind there’s the regular Firebird and the Non Reverse Firebird.
I envisage that the 2 would hang rather differently.
From the issue, I suspect that post #1 is in regard of the Non Reverse version.

I like the way Firebirds look, but find them uncomfortable to play.

They were notoriously also hard to build in a factory setting.

Some old guitar designs are just quirky and destined to be one-trick-ponies. Jaguars and Jazzmasters are similar. You either learn to deal with their quirks (or embrace them) or you give up and go back to the staple guitars.

Rickenbacker is an interesting case study. They're quirky, but the manufacturer has shown little-to-no interest in ironing out the quirks. It is like if Fender never made a Tele any way except with a heel adjust truss rod, 7.25" radius and straight 3-barrel saddles; sure, the classic is great, but it would be frustrating to never have the option of more modern specs. I think a Firebird could be a good candidate for a more vanilla version with more normal hardware. But, maybe it would lose some charm, too.

I have never played a Firebird guitar but I borrowed a Thunderbird bass from a buddy once for a recording session. It didn't bother me but it was a bass. The thing that got me was the case it was in. It was big enough to put a pool table inside of it.

Never cared for the Firebird, but I fell in love with the Explorer, I got a new black gold hardware 1979 in 1981, hung at the store for 2 years before I saved it.
Still have it, and still love it.
VERY comfortable, and it's a fretless wonder which I take to very well.

I like my Flying Vee, but nowhere near as much as my Explorer. Almost bought a Moderne, a no sell hanging around from 1983 in 1988, could've got it for $785, big mistake passing on that one, they go for big bucks now.
Funny no one wanted em back then.
They have horrible tuning with that "Gumby" headstock.

I have a Firebird I '63 reissue. When non-guitar people see it they always say it's their favorite looking one that I own. Especially women folk, the most important of the non-guitar people breed. I admit it is a killer design.

Mine has two strap buttons on the forward part of the guitar. I use the one centered on the base of the neck, rather than the one on the bout. Also, I had to adjust the strap I use more than any guitar I've ever owned to find the right length for me to play it comfortably.

It has a great feeling neck, it's not too heavy and the layout is so simple. I'm finally going to replace the pickup with a proper authentic type. There's a mini hum-bucker on there now which is not even close to what was on the originals. I don't know why Gibson uses that pup. Too cheap, I guess, as the would have to tool to make a pup specifically for reissue Firebirds. It's output is way too hot. Over 10 ohms. Originally it had a specially designed single coil pup around 6-7ohms.

Anyway, I love playing it.

P1000672