Gibson Firebird III Solid Body Electric Guitar (1964)
LOADING IMAGES
This item has been sold.
Item # 10610
Prices subject to change without notice.
Gibson Firebird III Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1964), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 179633, 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 unique 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" versions. 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. The neck is a bit bigger than the contemporary SG series with a relatively chunky feeling but a comfortable round-backed profile and faired-in heel. This one feels flatter back-to-front then some '64s, a bit reminiscent of the 1960-62 style Gibson necks.
Fittings include the two special Firebird mini-humbucking pickups in flat metal mounting rings, a short Vibrola tailpiece, solid stud-mounted compensated bar bridge and the unique "backwards" headstock with individual Kluson banjo tuners. All the hardware is nickel plated. This one has the more deluxe plastic-tipped Vibrola arm more usually seen on the Firebird V; it appears original to the instrument and this is not the first III we have seen with this. The pickguard covers the lower body horn and carries the selector switch; it is decorated with a nifty Firebird emblem which on this guitar has seen the paint pretty much rubbed away, though the delicate outline is still visible.
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 with the low E farthest from the nut. These 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 nicely original with no major damage, repairs, or alterations. The finish shows some minor broad checking and small chips and dings, mostly on the edges. A couple of deeper finish chips on the upper edge are about the heaviest wear. There is some light buckle wear on the back with the finish worn off the lower edge of the raised center section, other than that the back is relatively clean. The headstock has a few dings and chips but overall this 'bird's finish is better preserved than many.
The most common Firebird malady is absent -- the neck has NEVER been cracked or broken. There is some minor typical pickguard shrinkage, with the screws pulling a bit but the only crack is at the forward tip. The engraved and painted bird emblem on the pickguard has lost nearly all of its red pigment but the outline is still strong. The nickel plating shows typical wear but remains largely intact, with some typical rubbed-away spots from contact with players' hands.
The guitar is all original and complete down to the oft-missing vibrato arm, including the original oft-missing nylon bushings. The mounting screw appears replaced. The more deluxe "V" style arm appears original to the guitar, or at the very least a period switch-out. The original large frets have been crowned down just a bit, they and the fingerboard have very little subsequent 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 with a repair at one end of the handle. This is definitely one of the nicer Reverse Firebirds we have seen, a great sounding and playing example of this super stylish Gibson classic. Overall Excellent Condition.
This is a superb original 1964 example the most popular original "reverse" body Gibson Firebird model, the Firebird III. This entire unique 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" versions. 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. The neck is a bit bigger than the contemporary SG series with a relatively chunky feeling but a comfortable round-backed profile and faired-in heel. This one feels flatter back-to-front then some '64s, a bit reminiscent of the 1960-62 style Gibson necks.
Fittings include the two special Firebird mini-humbucking pickups in flat metal mounting rings, a short Vibrola tailpiece, solid stud-mounted compensated bar bridge and the unique "backwards" headstock with individual Kluson banjo tuners. All the hardware is nickel plated. This one has the more deluxe plastic-tipped Vibrola arm more usually seen on the Firebird V; it appears original to the instrument and this is not the first III we have seen with this. The pickguard covers the lower body horn and carries the selector switch; it is decorated with a nifty Firebird emblem which on this guitar has seen the paint pretty much rubbed away, though the delicate outline is still visible.
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 with the low E farthest from the nut. These 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 nicely original with no major damage, repairs, or alterations. The finish shows some minor broad checking and small chips and dings, mostly on the edges. A couple of deeper finish chips on the upper edge are about the heaviest wear. There is some light buckle wear on the back with the finish worn off the lower edge of the raised center section, other than that the back is relatively clean. The headstock has a few dings and chips but overall this 'bird's finish is better preserved than many.
The most common Firebird malady is absent -- the neck has NEVER been cracked or broken. There is some minor typical pickguard shrinkage, with the screws pulling a bit but the only crack is at the forward tip. The engraved and painted bird emblem on the pickguard has lost nearly all of its red pigment but the outline is still strong. The nickel plating shows typical wear but remains largely intact, with some typical rubbed-away spots from contact with players' hands.
The guitar is all original and complete down to the oft-missing vibrato arm, including the original oft-missing nylon bushings. The mounting screw appears replaced. The more deluxe "V" style arm appears original to the guitar, or at the very least a period switch-out. The original large frets have been crowned down just a bit, they and the fingerboard have very little subsequent 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 with a repair at one end of the handle. This is definitely one of the nicer Reverse Firebirds we have seen, a great sounding and playing example of this super stylish Gibson classic. Overall Excellent Condition.