The Firebird is so different from the usual Gibson range in terms of appearance, construction, sound and handling that it could easily have suffered the same fate as the Flying V or the Explorer. These designs were simply too radical or ahead of their time to be successful early on. The Firebird, however, remained unimpressed. Developed in the early 1960s by Ray Dietrich, a well-known automobile designer, the model was in great demand and is now an integral part of the Gibson range.
With different hardware and pickup configurations as well as two basic body designs, the Firebird is still produced today in numerous model variants. The body design changed in 1966 after three years of production. This design, now known as non-reverse, was then produced for a further three years until 1969. When the Firebird was reintroduced to the range in 1974, however, the first design was reverted to the reverse body, which is more widespread today.
This Firebird V in Tobacco Sunburst dates from 1990 and is equipped with two mini humbuckers, which perfectly reproduce the typical, somewhat warmer and mid-toned mahogany sound. The neck, with glued-on “body wings” throughout in the reverse version, has a “C” neck profile, which is very comfortable to play. Due to the construction, reaching the upper registers is of course no problem.
The headstock is also reversed on this Firebird, whereby the wonderfully vintage-looking ‘banjo tuners’ were installed here. These work perfectly and simply look cool.
The condition of this Firebird is excellent considering its age of 30 years. Slight signs of use are unavoidable on an instrument of this age, but these are limited to a few very slight traces of playing. The frets are also in very good condition.
The original Gibson case is included, which is also in very good condition.