Gibson Firebird III Solid Body Electric Guitar (1964)
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Item # 10106
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Gibson Firebird III Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1964), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 217507, sunburst lacquer finish, laminated mahogany body and neck, rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case.
This is a superb original 1964 example the most popular original "reverse" body Gibson Firebird model, the Firebird III. This entire instrument line was originally sadly short-lived, introduced in late 1963 and discontinued after the mid-1965 NAMM show. The original pattern Firebird is 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 really equaled in the Gibson pantheon.
The Firebird III was the mid-line model of the original 'birds, but has a full set of professional features. The bound, dot inlaid fingerboard is the defining element as much of the layout is otherwise shared with the next model up, the Firebird V. Other fittings include two special mini-humbucking pickups, a short Vibrola tailpiece with the "spoon" trem arm, solid stud-mounted bridge and the unique "backwards" headstock with individual Kluson banjo tuners. All hardware is nickel plated. The pickguard covers the lower body horn and carries the selector switch; it is decorated with a nifty Firebird emblem. The neck is bigger than the contemporary SG series with a relatively chunky feeling but a comfortable round-backed profile.
Practically everything about the original Firebirds was unique; the long laminated neck-through-body centerpiece with "wings" glued to the sides, the fluid body shape with the longer lower cutaway horn and that headstock with the tuner buttons hidden from the front and low E farthest from the nut. 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.
Despite use with a number of major bands of the day (including the Rolling Stones. Four Seasons, Merseybeats and briefly the Lovin' Spoonful) these beautiful birds flew off into oblivion way too quickly. It's estimated that about 2000 of the 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 a unique and powerful sound.
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 guitar shows some light general wear overall but remains fully original with no major damage, repairs, or alterations. The finish shows light checking and small chips and dings, mostly on the edges. Some deeper scratches on the back are the heaviest wear. 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 a bit but no cracks. The engraved and painted bird emblem on the pickguard has lost some red pigment but still reads well. The top corner of the special truss rod cover is chipped off. The nickel plating shows typical wear but remains largely intact.
The guitar is all original and complete down to the oft-missing "spoon" vibrato arm, including the original mounting screw and nylon bushings. The frets and fingerboard have hardly any wear and this is an excellent player, with the typical snarly Firebird sound. It includes the yellow-lined black rectangular original case, relatively clean as well but with the center section of the handle replaced. There are "evidence" tape tags on the sides indicating some adventure in the past. Wherever it has been this is definitely one of the nicer Reverse Firebirds we have seen, a great sounding and playing example of this super stylish Gibson classic. Excellent Condition.
This is a superb original 1964 example the most popular original "reverse" body Gibson Firebird model, the Firebird III. This entire instrument line was originally sadly short-lived, introduced in late 1963 and discontinued after the mid-1965 NAMM show. The original pattern Firebird is 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 really equaled in the Gibson pantheon.
The Firebird III was the mid-line model of the original 'birds, but has a full set of professional features. The bound, dot inlaid fingerboard is the defining element as much of the layout is otherwise shared with the next model up, the Firebird V. Other fittings include two special mini-humbucking pickups, a short Vibrola tailpiece with the "spoon" trem arm, solid stud-mounted bridge and the unique "backwards" headstock with individual Kluson banjo tuners. All hardware is nickel plated. The pickguard covers the lower body horn and carries the selector switch; it is decorated with a nifty Firebird emblem. The neck is bigger than the contemporary SG series with a relatively chunky feeling but a comfortable round-backed profile.
Practically everything about the original Firebirds was unique; the long laminated neck-through-body centerpiece with "wings" glued to the sides, the fluid body shape with the longer lower cutaway horn and that headstock with the tuner buttons hidden from the front and low E farthest from the nut. 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.
Despite use with a number of major bands of the day (including the Rolling Stones. Four Seasons, Merseybeats and briefly the Lovin' Spoonful) these beautiful birds flew off into oblivion way too quickly. It's estimated that about 2000 of the 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 a unique and powerful sound.
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 guitar shows some light general wear overall but remains fully original with no major damage, repairs, or alterations. The finish shows light checking and small chips and dings, mostly on the edges. Some deeper scratches on the back are the heaviest wear. 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 a bit but no cracks. The engraved and painted bird emblem on the pickguard has lost some red pigment but still reads well. The top corner of the special truss rod cover is chipped off. The nickel plating shows typical wear but remains largely intact.
The guitar is all original and complete down to the oft-missing "spoon" vibrato arm, including the original mounting screw and nylon bushings. The frets and fingerboard have hardly any wear and this is an excellent player, with the typical snarly Firebird sound. It includes the yellow-lined black rectangular original case, relatively clean as well but with the center section of the handle replaced. There are "evidence" tape tags on the sides indicating some adventure in the past. Wherever it has been this is definitely one of the nicer Reverse Firebirds we have seen, a great sounding and playing example of this super stylish Gibson classic. Excellent Condition.