Gibson Firebird I Solid Body Electric Guitar (1965)
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Gibson Firebird I Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1965), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 504894, sunburst lacquer finish, mahogany body and neck, rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case.
For a long time one of Gibson's less heralded 1960s classics, the second-try "non-reverse" Firebird models were lower-priced, simplified versions of the earlier "reverse" body Firebird series guitars. Introduced in at the summer NAMM show in 1965, the new Firebirds were available through the late 1960s in dwindling quantities, but never really caught on with pro players at the time.
This clean and all original example of the basic model Firebird I is finished in the standard sunburst, by far the most common livery. Gibson lore holds that most dealers simply ignored the special Firebird color chart brochure Gibson helpfully provided, as they were more interested in selling stock models off the wall. "If you've got a red one, they want a blue one" was the complaint, and whatever the truth, the solid color guitars are exponentially rarer than the standard sunburst models.
This Firebird I has a body of fluidly sculpted Honduras mahogany with a one-piece glued-in neck, far simpler to build than the original laminate neck-through-body Firebird design. The rosewood fingerboard is unbound and dot inlaid, the same for all models. The non-reverse I is distinguished by offering two plastic-covered P-90 pickups instead of the mini-humbuckers used on the earlier models.
Typically for later 1965 this 'bird has chrome plated hardware, including Gibson's "short" Vibrola unit with a plastic-tipped handle and the stud-mounted solid bridge. These Firebirds were fitted with a fairly cheap slider switch for pickup selection that often broke; this one is still intact and working as well as it ever did. The tuners are metal-button Kluson Deluxe in a single 6-unit strip.
The visible pot code dates to the 39th week of 1965; all but one are mostly soldered over. The serial number is in a series used by Gibson in both 1965 and '68 but the features of this instrument indicate shipment in late 1965 or early 1966. The knobs are the older capped early '60s style pieces, usually replaced by "Witch Hat" style in 1966-7. The nut width is the slimmer 1 9/16" shared by all second generation Firebirds, narrower than earlier "reverse" Firebird necks but overall not as insubstantial-feeling as many super-skinny period SG necks.
This is a great-sounding guitar, with powerful P-90 pickups that really growl when cranked. While the "non-reverse" Firebirds often used to be discounted in Gibson history, they have found a growing cadre of enthusiasts in the 21st century, enough for Gibson to finally re-issue the model recently. They remain distinctive guitars unlike any other in look or feel and excellent players instruments. Extremely light, fast playing, and super stylish, this Firebird I is a fine example of an oft-underappreciated Gibson model, one of the nicest we have had and an unrepentant rocker's guitar.
Overall length is 43 3/8 in. (110.2 cm.), 13 7/16 in. (34.1 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/8 in. (3.5 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 9/16 in. (40 mm.).
This is a nicely well-preserved 'bird overall, all original and showing some minor wear but none of the common damage these models often suffer. There have never been any headstock or control cavity cracks, or any other structural issues. The all-original finish shows typical checking and small dings, dents and chips in spots, mostly on the edges but still retains a shiny original patina. The reddish/brown sunburst on the face is well-preserved with no major fading and or yellowing. The headstock has some small edge chips.
All hardware is original, even the oft-missing vibrato arm; the chrome still shines practically like new. The original pickguard shows typical shrinkage with several cracks by the screws; the upper and rearmost corners are totally detached. The etched-and-filled bird emblem is strong and intact.
The original frets show some minor wear and still have plenty of meat to them, and crucially the neck angle is much better than many of these, allowing the vibrato to function properly. Overall a great looking, playing and sounding Firebird, in the original reverse-pattern deep-bodied case usually only found with the earlier '65 models. Overall Excellent - Condition.
For a long time one of Gibson's less heralded 1960s classics, the second-try "non-reverse" Firebird models were lower-priced, simplified versions of the earlier "reverse" body Firebird series guitars. Introduced in at the summer NAMM show in 1965, the new Firebirds were available through the late 1960s in dwindling quantities, but never really caught on with pro players at the time.
This clean and all original example of the basic model Firebird I is finished in the standard sunburst, by far the most common livery. Gibson lore holds that most dealers simply ignored the special Firebird color chart brochure Gibson helpfully provided, as they were more interested in selling stock models off the wall. "If you've got a red one, they want a blue one" was the complaint, and whatever the truth, the solid color guitars are exponentially rarer than the standard sunburst models.
This Firebird I has a body of fluidly sculpted Honduras mahogany with a one-piece glued-in neck, far simpler to build than the original laminate neck-through-body Firebird design. The rosewood fingerboard is unbound and dot inlaid, the same for all models. The non-reverse I is distinguished by offering two plastic-covered P-90 pickups instead of the mini-humbuckers used on the earlier models.
Typically for later 1965 this 'bird has chrome plated hardware, including Gibson's "short" Vibrola unit with a plastic-tipped handle and the stud-mounted solid bridge. These Firebirds were fitted with a fairly cheap slider switch for pickup selection that often broke; this one is still intact and working as well as it ever did. The tuners are metal-button Kluson Deluxe in a single 6-unit strip.
The visible pot code dates to the 39th week of 1965; all but one are mostly soldered over. The serial number is in a series used by Gibson in both 1965 and '68 but the features of this instrument indicate shipment in late 1965 or early 1966. The knobs are the older capped early '60s style pieces, usually replaced by "Witch Hat" style in 1966-7. The nut width is the slimmer 1 9/16" shared by all second generation Firebirds, narrower than earlier "reverse" Firebird necks but overall not as insubstantial-feeling as many super-skinny period SG necks.
This is a great-sounding guitar, with powerful P-90 pickups that really growl when cranked. While the "non-reverse" Firebirds often used to be discounted in Gibson history, they have found a growing cadre of enthusiasts in the 21st century, enough for Gibson to finally re-issue the model recently. They remain distinctive guitars unlike any other in look or feel and excellent players instruments. Extremely light, fast playing, and super stylish, this Firebird I is a fine example of an oft-underappreciated Gibson model, one of the nicest we have had and an unrepentant rocker's guitar.
Overall length is 43 3/8 in. (110.2 cm.), 13 7/16 in. (34.1 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 3/8 in. (3.5 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 9/16 in. (40 mm.).
This is a nicely well-preserved 'bird overall, all original and showing some minor wear but none of the common damage these models often suffer. There have never been any headstock or control cavity cracks, or any other structural issues. The all-original finish shows typical checking and small dings, dents and chips in spots, mostly on the edges but still retains a shiny original patina. The reddish/brown sunburst on the face is well-preserved with no major fading and or yellowing. The headstock has some small edge chips.
All hardware is original, even the oft-missing vibrato arm; the chrome still shines practically like new. The original pickguard shows typical shrinkage with several cracks by the screws; the upper and rearmost corners are totally detached. The etched-and-filled bird emblem is strong and intact.
The original frets show some minor wear and still have plenty of meat to them, and crucially the neck angle is much better than many of these, allowing the vibrato to function properly. Overall a great looking, playing and sounding Firebird, in the original reverse-pattern deep-bodied case usually only found with the earlier '65 models. Overall Excellent - Condition.