{"product_id":"gibson-firebird-i-solid-body-electric-guitar-1968-7548","title":"Gibson Firebird I Solid Body Electric Guitar (1968)","description":"Gibson Firebird I Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1968), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 521830, Cardinal Red lacquer finish, mahogany body and neck, rosewood fingerboard, gig bag case. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOne of Gibson's less heralded 1960's classics, the second-try \"non-reverse\" Firebird models were lower-priced, simplified versions of the earlier \"reverse\" body guitars. Introduced in summer 1965, these new Firebirds were available into the late 1960's in dwindling quantities, but were never really considered a sales success. This example of the basic Firebird I is finished in a striking Cardinal Red, one of the special custom colors advertised as available on the line but in practice not often ordered. The body is one-piece mahogany with a standard glued-in neck, far simpler to build than the earlier laminate neck-through-body Firebird design. The I features two plastic-covered P-90 pickups and all chrome plated hardware, including Gibson's \"short\" Vibrola unit. This guitar also has an original standard Switchcraft toggle switch for pickup selection, much more functional than the cheap slider used on most non-reverse Firebirds.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe visible pot codes on this particular guitar date to the 25th week of 1967 and the serial number indicates 1968, so this is a fairly late example of this style 'bird-one of only 192 shipped that year. The knobs are the \"witch hat' amp-style knobs that appeared in 1967-all other features are unchanged from 1965-6. The neck is considerably narrower than earlier reverse Firebird necks, but not quite as insubstantial-feeling as period SG necks. This is a great sounding guitar, with very powerful P-90 pickups that really growl when cranked. While the \"non-reverse\" Firebirds have often been discounted in Gibson history, they are very distinctive guitars unlike any other and are often excellent instruments. Extremely light, fast and very stylish, this super-striking custom -color Firebird I is a fine example of an oft-underappreciated Gibson model, an unrepentant rocker's guitar.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003eOverall 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 Firebird has some old typical repairs but not a lot of finish wear, and the original Cardinal Red lacquer still gleams with some light checking but hardly any fade at all. The tuners appear to have been neatly restored to the original Kluson Deluxe strip, from something else-there are slight pressure marks around the bushings on the face but no other signs of this. All other hardware is original and unmodified, except the \"Firebird\" emblem on the pickguard has been neatly touched up with the appropriate color paint. The three-ply white guard itself is completely intact with none of the shrinkage and split corner screwholes often encountered. As is typical with the Firebird family there is an old very well-executed headstock repair, with some extremely clean and perfectly blended finish work in the area. The serial number is fully intact, and one has to look closely to see the repair at all-this is one of the nicer of these unfortunately all-too-common Firebird headstock jobs we have seen. The body also shows a repaired crack through the jack and top two pots-solidly sealed but more visible than the one on the headstock. There are some small dings and dents-mostly to the headstock-but overall the finish does not show much wear. The frets are solid as well, showing some light wear and re-crowning and playability is excellent. A super cool example of a Custom Color 'bird, more affordable (and giggable) than many due to the previous repairs but still a 100% player's machine. Excellent - Condition.","brand":"Gibson","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853334892684,"sku":"7548","price":4750.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/8702\/3756\/files\/01_20e008e5-a0d4-4d62-8cca-9351920c2320.jpg?v=1774334885","url":"https:\/\/retrofret.com\/products\/gibson-firebird-i-solid-body-electric-guitar-1968-7548","provider":"RetroFret","version":"1.0","type":"link"}