Gibson Firebird III Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1966), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 700651, sunburst lacquer finish, mahogany body and neck, rosewood fingerboard, black hard shell case.
Gibson's second-try "non-reverse" Firebird were downpriced and simplified versions of the earlier "reverse" body guitars. Introduced in summer 1965, these new models were available into the late 1960's in dwindling quantities, but were never really considered a sales success. 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 III features three plastic-covered P-90 pickups and all chrome plated hardware, including Gibson's "short" Vibrola unit.
The pots on this particular guitar date to the 52nd week of 1965 so the guitar would likely have been assembled and sold sometime in 1966. The knobs are the earlier gold-capped variants seen on the previous generation, not the later less aesthetic "witch hat' amp-style knobs. The neck is considerably narrower than earlier Firebird necks, but not quite as insubstantial-feeling as period SG necks. The tuners are the Japanese-made openback strips that are peculiar to Gibsons of this period.
A quirk of the Firebird III is the out-of-phase pickup combination selected in the middle switch position-in the 1960's only this model features the old P-90 pickups in this mode. This is a great sounding guitar in all positions, with a very powerful neck PU. While the "non-reverse" Firebirds have often been discounted in Gibson history, they are very distinctive guitars unlike any other and can be excellent instruments. Extremely light, fast and very stylish, this 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.). Completely original, no alterations at all only some very some play wear and small dings to the finish. There are a couple of the typical pickguard shrinkage cracks at the screw holes and two small pieces of then 'guard missing, as is usual for this model. Otherwise an extremely fine example, superbly playable with an excellent neck angle. Includes a newer Gibson HSC that is a functional if inexact fit. Overall Excellent + Condition.
