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Description

The 1964 Gibson Firebird I is a striking embodiment of innovation and elegance, capturing the essence of a bygone era with its distinctive design and impeccable craftsmanship. Introduced in 1963, the Firebird I remains a symbol of rock 'n' roll rebellion, revered for its pioneering reversed body shape, which sets it apart from its contemporaries. Crafted with thru-body construction, this guitar delivers a resonant sustain and unparalleled tonal depth that has captivated legendary guitarists such as Johnny Winter and Eric Clapton.

This model is the embodiment of simplicity and power, featuring a single Firebird pickup in the bridge position, known for its bright and articulate sound. Unlike the later mini-humbuckers used in other Gibson models, this pickup provides a raw, biting tone that cuts through any mix. The unbound neck with dot inlays offers a sleek and minimalist aesthetic, complemented by chrome hardware that adds a touch of vintage charm. The wraparound bridge, with an optional factory vibrato, offers both stability and expressive potential, making it an ideal choice for players who seek both style and substance.

Whether you're a collector seeking a piece of musical history or a musician yearning for a unique voice, the 1964 Gibson Firebird I stands as a testament to Gibson's legacy of innovation and artistry.

Key Features:

  • Unique reversed body shape
  • Thru-body construction for enhanced sustain
  • Single Firebird bridge pickup
  • Chrome hardware
  • Unbound neck with dot inlays
  • Wraparound bridge with optional factory vibrato

Product specs

Brand Gibson
Model Firebird I
Finish Sunburst
Year 1963 - 1965
Made In United States
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Material Mahogany
Body Shape Double Cutaway
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Wrap-Around
Color Family Brown
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Model Family Gibson Firebird
Model Sub-Family Gibson Firebird I Reverse
Neck Construction Neck-Through
Neck Material Mahogany
Number of Frets 22
Number of Strings 6-String
Offset Body Offset Body
Pickup Configuration H
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 24.75"

FAQs

What is the neck profile like on the 1964 Gibson Firebird I?

The 1964 Gibson Firebird I features a slim taper neck profile, offering comfortable playability for fast and smooth transitions across the fretboard. This design is ideal for players who appreciate a sleek neck feel.

What kind of tones can I expect from the 1964 Gibson Firebird I's pickup?

The 1964 Gibson Firebird I is equipped with a single mini-humbucker pickup, delivering a bright and punchy tone with excellent clarity. This makes it well-suited for rock and blues genres, providing both cutting leads and strong rhythm sounds.

Is the 1964 Gibson Firebird I suitable for beginners?

While the 1964 Gibson Firebird I offers exceptional playability and tone, its vintage status and unique design may be better suited for experienced players or collectors. Beginners might prefer a more modern and accessible model for their initial learning experience.

How does the neck-through construction of the 1964 Gibson Firebird I affect its sound?

The neck-through construction of the 1964 Gibson Firebird I enhances sustain and resonance, providing a more seamless tonal transfer between the neck and body. This results in a fuller sound with increased sustain compared to bolt-on neck designs.

What is the scale length of the 1964 Gibson Firebird I, and how does it affect playability?

The 1964 Gibson Firebird I has a scale length of 24.75 inches, which is typical for Gibson guitars. This shorter scale length makes it easier to bend strings and offers a warmer tone, contributing to its distinctive sound and playability.

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Video thumbnail for Guitar of the Day: 1964 Gibson Firebird I Sunburst | Norman's Rare Guitars by Normans Rare Guitars

Guitar of the Day: 1964 Gibson Firebird I Sunburst | Norman's Rare Guitars

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Video thumbnail for 1964 Gibson Firebird 1 by Phils Vintage Guitars

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Video thumbnail for One of Eric Clapton's all time favorite guitars, the Gibson Firebird I - Original 1964 example by Walt Grace Vintage

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Walt Grace Vintage

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Video thumbnail for A Week With Ian Moore, Part 5: 1964 Gibson Firebird I by Emerald City Guitars

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Reviews

Critic Reviews

Gibson’s ’Birds of a Feather, Flocked Together - Premier Guitar

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1964 Gibson Firebird I - Premier Guitar

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Artist usage

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See how Charlie Starr uses 1964 Gibson Firebird I

Charlie Starr

Guitarist

Blackberry Smoke

...
Verified via YouTube

In the YouTube video by Vintage Guitar titled "Charlie Starr Plays His '64 Firebird I," Charlie Starr can be seen using his 1964 Gibson Firebird I.

See how John Osborne uses 1964 Gibson Firebird I

John Osborne

Guitarist

Brothers Osborne

...
Verified via Premierguitar

John uses a 1964 all stock Gibson Firebird on a few songs during their shows now. In the rig-rundown with premier guitar, he plays it and showcases the “spanky” pickups he has on it, along with why he loves it.

See how Gary Lucas uses 1964 Gibson Firebird I

Gary Lucas

Guitarist, Music Producer

Captain Beefheart & His Magic Band

...
Verified via Premier Guitar

Known from the following sources:

Guitar Player, September 1990, "Gary Lucas' Gods and Monsters" by Mark Dery

Lucas remains true to Beefheart's aesthetic. Backed by Gods and Monsters – country yodeler Julia Heyward, bassists Paul Now and Jared Nickerson, and alternate drummers Tony "Thunder" Smith and Tony Lewis – he rattles off strings of notes like a turret gunner spitting shells. He runs his sunburst '63 Fender Strat and red '65 Gibson Firebird (both strung with light-gauge D'Addario rock strings) through a maze-like signal chain: "My pedals sit on a percussion stand," he explains. "I go through a [Dunlop] Cry Baby wah into a T.C. Electronic Sustainer/Equalizer, a Boss Digital Metallizer, a Boss Flanger, another equalizer, which I use as gain-stage control, and then into a noise suppressor, a DeArmond volume pedal, a Whirlwind box – an effects loop with a gain stage – and then into a Boss Pitch-Shifter/Delay, a Boss Chorus, and then into another Pitch Shifter – which I manually manipulate – and then into a DigiTech 8-second delay, an Electro-Harmonix 16-second delay, an Alesis Midiverb, and a second Electro-Harmonix delay. At that point, I split the signal, running the direct sound into a Gallien-Krueger 250 ML and the effects into a Roland JC-120."

Premier Guitar, "Gary Lucas: Sincerely Strange" by Ted Drozdowski (June 13, 2016)

Guitars

  • 1964 Fender Stratocaster
  • 1966 Gibson Firebird
  • 1946 Gibson J-45
  • 1928 National Duolian

Gearnews, "Gary Lucas Interview: La Dolce Vita" by Paul Rigg (February 9, 2024; partially derived from an April 17, 2023 interview)

GN: You started playing guitar at nine. Some of your best-known include a 1920s National Steel, a Firebird, a Mexican Strat, and a vintage Tele – but you also use Italian Dophix overdrive pedals…

GL: Yes, my favourite is The Lussurria…it’s got a warmth and the sweetest tone of any distortion pedal. Plus, it is lit underneath, which enables me to see what I’m doing in the dark!

A

Anders Lindström

Guitarist

The Hellacopters

...
Verified via YouTube

In the YouTube video "The Hellacopters - Talking 'Overdriver': Boba's Gear," at the 0:20 mark, Anders Lindström discusses using a 1964 Gibson Firebird I as his main guitar.

Album Usage

The 1964 Gibson Firebird I has been featured on the following albums:

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use 1964 Gibson Firebird I, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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