Gibson Firebird III Solid Body Electric Guitar (1965)
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Item # 10525
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Gibson Firebird III Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1965), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 500624, 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 in a big way.
This example of the midline-model Firebird III 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 III 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 III is distinguished by offering not two but three plastic-covered P-90 pickups, an unusual combination that Gibson had not used before on a solidbody instrument. They are wired in the typical Gibson 3-pickup layout, with the bridge and neck selected individually and the center switch position being the bridge and middle out of phase. With P-90's this gives a unique tone; on this particular guitar the combination is VERY out-of-phase, approaching "Wild Dog" territory.
Typically for late 1965 this 'bird mounts 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 intact. The tuners are plastic-button Kluson Deluxe in a single 6-unit strip that Gibson used on only a few models
The visible pot codes date to the 39th week of 1965; the serial number starting with 500 is a series used repeatedly by Gibson in the 1960s but the features on the instrument suggest 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 1965 and later 1 5/8" shared by all second generation Firebirds, narrower than earlier "reverse" Firebird necks but 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 in the single neck and bridge settings and a VERY out-of-phase middle as a contrast. 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 III is a fine example of an oft-underappreciated Gibson model, 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 5/8 in. (41 mm.).
This is a very well-preserved 'bird overall, all original showing some minor wear but no damage or repair. There have never been any headstock or control cavity cracks as are common with these. The finish shows typical checking and small dings, dents and chips in spots, but still retains a shiny original patina. Overall the fairly dark sunburst on the face is very well-preserved with no major fading and or yellowing. There is one noticeable spot of curly-cord burn on the edge of the forward treble bout. The headstock face has some small edge chips.
The pickguard shows a couple of small repairs to shrinkage cracks by the screws; the bird emblem is really strong and intact. Many of these pickguards have shrunken up far worse than this one has! The original frets show very minor wear and still have plenty of meat to them, and the neck angle is much better than many of these, allowing the vibrato to function properly. Overall a GREAT looking and sounding Firebird, complete in its original "reverse-style" yellow-lined HSC with some "case candy' including the original hangtag, a few Gibson and LaBella strings and an old strap. 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 in a big way.
This example of the midline-model Firebird III 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 III 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 III is distinguished by offering not two but three plastic-covered P-90 pickups, an unusual combination that Gibson had not used before on a solidbody instrument. They are wired in the typical Gibson 3-pickup layout, with the bridge and neck selected individually and the center switch position being the bridge and middle out of phase. With P-90's this gives a unique tone; on this particular guitar the combination is VERY out-of-phase, approaching "Wild Dog" territory.
Typically for late 1965 this 'bird mounts 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 intact. The tuners are plastic-button Kluson Deluxe in a single 6-unit strip that Gibson used on only a few models
The visible pot codes date to the 39th week of 1965; the serial number starting with 500 is a series used repeatedly by Gibson in the 1960s but the features on the instrument suggest 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 1965 and later 1 5/8" shared by all second generation Firebirds, narrower than earlier "reverse" Firebird necks but 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 in the single neck and bridge settings and a VERY out-of-phase middle as a contrast. 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 III is a fine example of an oft-underappreciated Gibson model, 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 5/8 in. (41 mm.).
This is a very well-preserved 'bird overall, all original showing some minor wear but no damage or repair. There have never been any headstock or control cavity cracks as are common with these. The finish shows typical checking and small dings, dents and chips in spots, but still retains a shiny original patina. Overall the fairly dark sunburst on the face is very well-preserved with no major fading and or yellowing. There is one noticeable spot of curly-cord burn on the edge of the forward treble bout. The headstock face has some small edge chips.
The pickguard shows a couple of small repairs to shrinkage cracks by the screws; the bird emblem is really strong and intact. Many of these pickguards have shrunken up far worse than this one has! The original frets show very minor wear and still have plenty of meat to them, and the neck angle is much better than many of these, allowing the vibrato to function properly. Overall a GREAT looking and sounding Firebird, complete in its original "reverse-style" yellow-lined HSC with some "case candy' including the original hangtag, a few Gibson and LaBella strings and an old strap. Overall Excellent + Condition.