One guitar leads to another guitar.
I just purchased this Firefly Thinline FFTL Semi-Hollow guitar. Get one before it’s gone (I receive no money for this link).
My Journey to Purchasing the Firefly FFTL
Leo Jaymz Popcaster tele
I initially purchased a Popcaster tele (not shown) for $150 from Amazon. It was a beautiful blue with two Alnico V pickups. Gorgeous guitar. Unfortunately it had microphonic pickups and excessive 60 cycle hum on switches 1 and 3. I loved that blue guitar, but had to return it to Amazon.
Harley Benton TE-62 aqnd TE-70 T-Type Guitars
The TE-62 tele got a great review from Elmo Karjalainen on YouTube. Great guy, great channel. But I didn’t like the colors.
The TE-70 looked gorgeous in black paisley and also rosewood, but it had a 14 inch radius and chunky neck. I didn’t need or want that chunky neck. Also, rumors of the guitar being more than 8 pounds. I didn’t want that.
Firefly FFTL Thinline P90
Then I thought, what about Firefly guitars. So I visited Guitars Garden and researched their telecasters. That’s when I found the Firefly Thinline FFTL Semi-Hollow with bone nut and P90 pickups. That’s when I found Jimmy Stewart’s YouTube Channel on guitars. See below.
Jimmy Stewart on YouTube persuaded me to purchase the Firefly. Watch Jimmy’s video at The Return Of The Firefly Thinline. That’s the number one reason I purchased this Semi-Hollow Thinline guitar with P90 pickups.
Did I Purchase the Last Firefly Thinline FFTL Semi-Hollow from GuitarsGarden?
I purchased the Firefly Thinline FFTL Semi-Hollow on September 24, 2025 around 1 PM after my wife and I had lunch. Thanks Sweetie.
Perhaps two hours later I checked the same website page.
The Firefly Thinline FFTL Semi-Hollow had disappeared from the Guitars Garden website.
The Firefly Thinline FFTL Semi-Hollow Arrives at my Bungalow
Around 4 PM this Tuesday I was practicing with my Fender acoustic and singing an Old Town School Song, I paused and heard a thump above me on the front porch. I ran upstairs and saw the FedEx truck and a guitar through the window. Hurray.
It’s a rectangular box which I think is a good sign. No obvious dents or cuts. On the Internet rectangular boxes often have a triangular box within for double packaging. I hope it’s double packed.
I thanked Anthony the FedEx driver, asked him if he played guitar, and he said he always wanted to do so. I encouraged him to visit the Old Town School of Folk Music. Nice guy.
The Firefly journey is over from Ontario, CA to Bloomington, CA to Utah to Colorado to Kansas to Champaign, IL to south Chicago to Niles, IL and to my home. I think I ordered it last Tuesday so that would be a full week for shipment. Hurray.
As I wrote earlier, I may have grabbed the last Firefly Thinline FFTL Semi-Hollow for September of 2025.
Acclimate the Firefly and Open it Tomorrow
I botched my YouTube video on opening the Firefly.
The Firefly came packed within a rectangular styrofoam box and then stuffed into a rectangular cardboard box. It was adequately packed. And I thought it looked very nice, initially.
Firefly FFTL Thinline P90 Physical Inspection
Here is my physical inspection of my Firefly.
Was the Firefly FFTL Thinline P90 Worth the Wait?
Well I unpacked the Firefly today and did some YouTube videos.
Sad to say my new Firefly FFTL Thinline P90 had a 1 inch scratch on its backside. It’s pretty obvious where its located.
Negatives about the Firefly
- One inch scratch on back.
- Neck seems a bit chunky.
- The build on my Firefly seems worse than my used Glarry GTL Semi-Hollow Electric Guitar Wine Red tele that I purchased for $60 with pro set-up. I know, that sounds like heresy but that’s my impression.
Positives about the Firefly FFTL
- Fret ends were perfect.
- P90 Alnico growl. Those pickups sure have a voice of their own. Pretty impressive.
Walked to my Used Guitar Store, Played a Squier Custom Vibe Classic Telecaster, and Decided not to Keep the Firefly FFTL Thinline P90 Guitar
So, finding a 1 inch scratch on the backside of my Firefly FFTL Thinline P90 was a bit depressing. I thought I would take a walk.
So I walked to Rare Birds Music, 3 blocks from my home, said hi to Brian the owner, and played guitars.
Then I found a $300 Squire Custom Vibe Telecaster that seemed out of my price range.
- Beautiful.
- Felt good in my hands.
- Played great.
So in the store I thought:
“I can keep the Firefly for $200 or I can purchase a great Squier Custom Vibe for $300. That’s $50 more. I choose the Squier Custom Vibe over the Firefly FFTL Thinline P90. I am sending the Firefly back to the west coast.” – Shoshin Guitarist
So There is No Recording of the Firefly in Action, Playing It
So I walked back to my home and played the Firefly knowing I would send it back to the west coast. After all, it has a one inch scratch on the back with the chunkiest neck I have ever played. And, it also doesn’t feel as well built as my cheap Glarry Semi-Hollow Thinline.
But the P90 sound of the Firefly was tempting. It had quite a growl. I tried recording it but I didn’t get a good recording so forgive me.
Did I Get a Defective Firefly FFTL Thinline P90 ?
Maybe, maybe not.
- Scratched. Yes, that scratch bothered me.
- Chunky neck. That neck was like a war club to me. Not pleasant.
- Felt cheaper. Yes, my $60 used Glarry Semi-Hollow felt better in my hands.
But the P90 might have made the Firefly a “keeper”. I will never know. I am trying to buy a Squier Classic Vibe Custom from 2011. Yes, hoping to buy a 14 year old guitar over a brand new guitar.
“But please give Firefly a chance. I have heard great things about their guitars. Maybe avoid the Firefly FFTL Thinline P90. That’s up to you. – Shoshin Guitarist”
That’s as honest as I can be. I do apologize if you were looking for a great playing demo of the Firefly.
GuitarsGarden was Prompt In Returning My Money – Thank You
GuitarsGarden had only one email address for communicating with their company. It was included in my online receipt.
They were courteous and prompt in their replies.
- $35 credit offer? They offered me $35 to live with the one inch scratch. I declined, no thank you.
- They provided a receipt for shipment to near Las Vegas, Nevada.
- I dropped off the Firefly in its original packaging at a Fed Ex near me and they processed the return shipment for me.
- My $199 was returned promptly.
So I thank GuitarsGarden for promptly returning my money. Honest, easy to work with them.
Thanks for Visiting Shoshin Guitarist Today
Hurray, having lots of fun with guitars, basses, and amps. And people, meeting people.
Just have be Shoshin and have a “beginner’s mind” as you learn new things every day.