Gibson Firebird III Solid Body Electric Guitar (1965)
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Item # 10486
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Gibson Firebird III Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1965), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 312122, sunburst lacquer finish, laminated mahogany body and neck, rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case.
This is a lightly played-in but superb 1965 example the most popular of the original "reverse" body Gibson Firebird models, the Firebird III. This line was originally sadly short-lived, launched in late 1963 and discontinued after the mid-1965 NAMM show. The original Firebird is now considered a Gibson classic with its futuristic sweeping lines and innovative through-body neck construction, but the limited production time meant they barely had a chance to get established in the market before being replaced by the more conventional "non-reverse" version. The originals have been a sought-after guitar since, re-issued, revamped but never quite equaled in the Gibson pantheon.
This is beautiful and rare late-issue "reverse" Firebird III, the classic two pickup midline model in the Firebird series that sold in the highest numbers. This particular guitar is a very rare variant, the final version shipped only in for a couple of months the spring/summer of 1965. In his 1978 "Rare Bird" column and the classic AMERICAN GUITARS author Tom Wheeler coined the term "Platypus Firebirds" for the unusual transitional instruments made at this time, and it has become an affectionate collector's byword. This "Platypus", is one of two transitional styles issued as Gibson was switching to the redesigned "non-reverse" Firebirds in fall '65. Just over 1000 total Firebird III's were shipped that year, but the exact proportions of Reverse, non-Reverse and interim "Platypus" version is not known. The exact number of these is unrecorded but in the dozens rather than hundreds.
The headstock is the unique feature; it is sculpted like the original 1963 Firebirds with banjo tuners and a carved outside ledge on the face but with the low E tuner closest to the nut. This is a "reversal" of the original "reverse" Firebird design which had the headstock "upside down" with the high E in that position. The heavy Kluson banjo tuners are retained, but to most players the tuning and stringing are more convenient (or at least more familiarly Fender-like) with this setup.
Several theories on why this was done exist, ranging from acceding to customer and dealer complaints about the original design to using up theoretical left-handed neck blanks that had been prepared but never ordered. Whatever the reason, it resulted in what many players find to be the most player friendly of all "reverse" Firebirds, with all the advantages of the original design combined with a more familiar tuning stance.
Otherwise the guitar has all the features of the standard Firebird III. The laminated neck-through-body construction is especially noticeable on this guitar, as the center pieces are a bit lighter than the "wings' glued to the sides. The neck has a big chunky feel, especially for 1965. The two mini-humbucking pickups sound great individually and together with the typical snarly and powerful Firebird sound. The vibrato arm is the fancier plastic-tipped version otherwise found on the higher-end guitars instead of the metal "spoon handle" used on earlier III models.
Practically everything about the original Firebirds was unique, but they hardly had a chance to catch on with players before being drastically revamped. A threatened lawsuit from Fender is often cited as the reason, but more likely the complex design simply proved uneconomical to produce. The elaborate sculpting of the body and headstock and the eccentric neck-through construction make for a beautiful instrument, but one that proved difficult for Gibson to build on a cost-effective basis. It's estimated that about 2000 original "Reverse" Firebird III were produced between late '63 and mid '65; many have suffered cracks in the headstock area and/or been played heavily or modified. This all-original 'bird is a splendid survivor as well as a great all-around guitar with the unique and powerful sound and feel of the best 'Birds, their final stand before the plainer "Non-reverse" models took over.
Overall length is 45 in. (114.3 cm.), 13 1/2 in. (34.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 1/8 in. (2.9 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.).
This rare "platypus" Firebird is nicely original with just enough dings and dents to feel authentic without being abused! The guitar shows some general wear overall but remains fully original with no damage, repairs, or alterations. The dark two-tone sunburst finish shows light checking and chips and dings, mostly on the edges. Some deeper scratches and buckle wear spots on the back are the heaviest. The most common Firebird malady is absent -- the neck has NEVER been cracked or broken
There is some very minor typical pickguard shrinkage, with the screws pulling just a bit but no cracks except the slightest hint of incipient separation on the lower pointed tip. The engraved and painted bird emblem is nearly perfect with very strong color. All hardware is original and complete, even the oft-missing vibrato arm is intact including the original mounting screw and nylon bushings. The nickel plating shows light typical wear but remains largely intact. All wiring is original with untouched solder joints and pots dated the 14th week of 1965.
The original frets and fingerboard have only minor wear and this guitar is an excellent-playing and sounding example of this sleek and singular Gibson rarity, gigged but still ready to rock out, as the saying goes. It includes the original yellow-lined hard case, very solid with the somewhat fragile handle and all four latches still intact. Excellent Condition.
This is a lightly played-in but superb 1965 example the most popular of the original "reverse" body Gibson Firebird models, the Firebird III. This line was originally sadly short-lived, launched in late 1963 and discontinued after the mid-1965 NAMM show. The original Firebird is now considered a Gibson classic with its futuristic sweeping lines and innovative through-body neck construction, but the limited production time meant they barely had a chance to get established in the market before being replaced by the more conventional "non-reverse" version. The originals have been a sought-after guitar since, re-issued, revamped but never quite equaled in the Gibson pantheon.
This is beautiful and rare late-issue "reverse" Firebird III, the classic two pickup midline model in the Firebird series that sold in the highest numbers. This particular guitar is a very rare variant, the final version shipped only in for a couple of months the spring/summer of 1965. In his 1978 "Rare Bird" column and the classic AMERICAN GUITARS author Tom Wheeler coined the term "Platypus Firebirds" for the unusual transitional instruments made at this time, and it has become an affectionate collector's byword. This "Platypus", is one of two transitional styles issued as Gibson was switching to the redesigned "non-reverse" Firebirds in fall '65. Just over 1000 total Firebird III's were shipped that year, but the exact proportions of Reverse, non-Reverse and interim "Platypus" version is not known. The exact number of these is unrecorded but in the dozens rather than hundreds.
The headstock is the unique feature; it is sculpted like the original 1963 Firebirds with banjo tuners and a carved outside ledge on the face but with the low E tuner closest to the nut. This is a "reversal" of the original "reverse" Firebird design which had the headstock "upside down" with the high E in that position. The heavy Kluson banjo tuners are retained, but to most players the tuning and stringing are more convenient (or at least more familiarly Fender-like) with this setup.
Several theories on why this was done exist, ranging from acceding to customer and dealer complaints about the original design to using up theoretical left-handed neck blanks that had been prepared but never ordered. Whatever the reason, it resulted in what many players find to be the most player friendly of all "reverse" Firebirds, with all the advantages of the original design combined with a more familiar tuning stance.
Otherwise the guitar has all the features of the standard Firebird III. The laminated neck-through-body construction is especially noticeable on this guitar, as the center pieces are a bit lighter than the "wings' glued to the sides. The neck has a big chunky feel, especially for 1965. The two mini-humbucking pickups sound great individually and together with the typical snarly and powerful Firebird sound. The vibrato arm is the fancier plastic-tipped version otherwise found on the higher-end guitars instead of the metal "spoon handle" used on earlier III models.
Practically everything about the original Firebirds was unique, but they hardly had a chance to catch on with players before being drastically revamped. A threatened lawsuit from Fender is often cited as the reason, but more likely the complex design simply proved uneconomical to produce. The elaborate sculpting of the body and headstock and the eccentric neck-through construction make for a beautiful instrument, but one that proved difficult for Gibson to build on a cost-effective basis. It's estimated that about 2000 original "Reverse" Firebird III were produced between late '63 and mid '65; many have suffered cracks in the headstock area and/or been played heavily or modified. This all-original 'bird is a splendid survivor as well as a great all-around guitar with the unique and powerful sound and feel of the best 'Birds, their final stand before the plainer "Non-reverse" models took over.
Overall length is 45 in. (114.3 cm.), 13 1/2 in. (34.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 1/8 in. (2.9 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.).
This rare "platypus" Firebird is nicely original with just enough dings and dents to feel authentic without being abused! The guitar shows some general wear overall but remains fully original with no damage, repairs, or alterations. The dark two-tone sunburst finish shows light checking and chips and dings, mostly on the edges. Some deeper scratches and buckle wear spots on the back are the heaviest. The most common Firebird malady is absent -- the neck has NEVER been cracked or broken
There is some very minor typical pickguard shrinkage, with the screws pulling just a bit but no cracks except the slightest hint of incipient separation on the lower pointed tip. The engraved and painted bird emblem is nearly perfect with very strong color. All hardware is original and complete, even the oft-missing vibrato arm is intact including the original mounting screw and nylon bushings. The nickel plating shows light typical wear but remains largely intact. All wiring is original with untouched solder joints and pots dated the 14th week of 1965.
The original frets and fingerboard have only minor wear and this guitar is an excellent-playing and sounding example of this sleek and singular Gibson rarity, gigged but still ready to rock out, as the saying goes. It includes the original yellow-lined hard case, very solid with the somewhat fragile handle and all four latches still intact. Excellent Condition.