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Average Price: $5,599

High-end/Boutique

$400

$1001+

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Standard

High-end

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Description

Experience the thrill of playing a classic with the Gibson Firebird III. Expertly crafted in the Gibson Custom Shop, this electric guitar is a faithful recreation of the '64 original, showcasing a blend of vintage looks and modern playability. The guitar's body is made of a unique mahogany/walnut blend, ensuring a resonating sound quality. Topping it off are two mini-humbucker pickups, providing a rich tonal spectrum that will make your riffs and solos truly sing. Available in a range of vibrant colors, the Firebird III is a feast for both the ears and the eyes.

Key Features: - Custom Shop '64 Firebird III - Mahogany/walnut body - Rosewood fretboard - Two mini-humbucker pickups - Available in multiple colors including TV Yellow, Silver Mist Poly, Polaris White, Pelham Blue, Kerry Green, Inverness Green, Heather Poly, Golden Mist Poly, Faded Cherry, Frost Blue, Ember Red, Cardinal Red, Ebony, and Vintage Sunburst

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

1964 Gibson Firebird III | Guitar of the Day

Video thumbnail for 1964 Gibson Firebird III | Guitar of the Day by Normans Rare Guitars

1964 Gibson Firebird III | Guitar of the Day

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Video thumbnail for 1964 Gibson Firebird III played by Joey Landreth by Carter Vintage Guitars

1964 Gibson Firebird III played by Joey Landreth

Carter Vintage Guitars

Carter Vintage Guitars

Video thumbnail for 1964 Gibson Firebird III played by Hudson Davis by Carter Vintage Guitars

1964 Gibson Firebird III played by Hudson Davis

Carter Vintage Guitars

Carter Vintage Guitars

Video thumbnail for 1964 Gibson Firebird III from John Osborne! by Emerald City Guitars

1964 Gibson Firebird III from John Osborne!

Emerald City Guitars

Emerald City Guitars

Video thumbnail for 1964 Gibson Firebird III # 174082 | The Music Emporium by The Music Emporium

1964 Gibson Firebird III # 174082 | The Music Emporium

The Music Emporium

The Music Emporium

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson Firebird III.

Features and functionality

  • The Firebird's tuners are highly praised and considered by some as superior to standard tuners found on other guitars.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Firebird's 25.5 scale length combined with its unique pickups delivers a distinct twang on low strings, ideal for capturing Phil Manzanera's sound.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners with smaller hands may struggle with muting, particularly on models with the adjustable brass nut.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • A strap with built-in strap locks is recommended to counteract the guitar's neck-heavy nature when playing standing up.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Vintage Bench Test: 1964 Gibson Firebird III

guitar.com

The 1964 Gibson Firebird III exudes vintage charm with its striking Cardinal Red finish and unique features. Celebrated for its sustained tones and versatile sound, it shines in clean and mildly overdriven settings, adept at indie jangle and country picking. However, its design poses challenges; the vibrato can be unreliable, and reverse Firebirds lack ergonomic comfort, requiring a bridge replacement for proper intonation. While the Firebird III is visually impactful and sonically intriguing, practical issues may deter everyday use. Despite these quirks, its rarity and well-preserved condition make it a coveted piece for collectors.

Classic Gear: ‘Non-Reverse’ Gibson Firebird III | GuitarPlayer

guitarplayer.com

The Gibson Firebird III's "non-reverse" model offers a classic twist on its "reverse" predecessor with changes like a glued-in neck and P-90 pickups. Its unique style and appeal make it a hit among players like Noel Gallagher and Warren Haynes. However, the original wiring limits its three-pickup potential, offering only three switch positions. While it lacks the radical design of the reverse models, it remains a groovy, stylish choice for some, though this might not satisfy those seeking the traditional dual-pickup versatility. A vintage gem, but with practical limitations.

Classic Gear: the rise and fall of Gibson's Firebird III | Guitar World

guitarworld.com

The Gibson Firebird III, launched in the early '60s, is a daring blend of automotive-inspired design and musical craftsmanship. While its angular, car-like aesthetics and innovative through-neck construction set it apart, the Firebird's original design was met with mixed reception and production challenges. Despite being a unique offering with bespoke mini humbuckers and standout finishes, its "wacky" design and complex build made it a tough sell for traditionalists and a difficult guitar to manufacture. The non-reverse redesign improved playability but didn't fully revive its popularity, leading to its discontinuation in 1970.

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Steve Clark uses Gibson Firebird III

Steve Clark

Guitarist

Def Leppard

...
Verified via Steveclarkguitar

Steve Clark used a limited production 1976 Gibson Firebird, as seen in photo 8 on Steveclarkguitar's "Steve's Hysteria Tour Guitars" page. This model features a Kahler #2200B tremolo and a distinctive red, white, and blue Firebird logo with stars and a "76" on the scratch plate, distinguishing it from vintage Firebird III designs. Notably, this guitar lacks fingerboard binding and has "Limited Edition" stamped on the back of the headstock, with a serial number starting with "00" if produced in 1976.

See how Tom Keifer uses Gibson Firebird III

Tom Keifer

Singer, Guitarist

Cinderella

...
Verified via Photo
Color/Finish: Red Year: 1964

Tom used a Firebird III during the 80’s.

See how Alex Chilton uses Gibson Firebird III

Alex Chilton

Singer, Guitarist

Big Star

...
Verified via Photo

Alex Chilton is pictured on the back cover of Big Star compilation Nobody Can Dance with a Gibson Firebird III, during their performance at the Overton Park Shell in Memphis, TN in May 1974. He also possibly used it on Radio City. Occasional Big Star collaborator Van Duren believes it was borrowed by Chilton after the band's equipment was stolen in 1974.

See how Mitch Rowland uses Gibson Firebird III

Mitch Rowland

Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

Seen played on love on tour with Harry Styles.

See how Marco Pirroni uses Gibson Firebird III

Marco Pirroni

Guitarist

Siouxsie & the Banshees

...
Verified via Guitar World

Marco Pirroni, the guitarist, uses the Gibson Firebird III, as confirmed in an interview with Guitar World where he mentions, "I bought a couple of old Firebirds, one of which I had painted red."

See how Fredrik Kihlberg uses Gibson Firebird III

Fredrik Kihlberg

Singer, Guitarist

Cult of Luna

...
Verified via Photo

Fredrik's white Firebird (with mini humbuckers) is seen in this photo.

Source: http://risemetal.com/2013/06/12/entrevista-khoma/

Alternative image: http://www.post-rock.ro/images/cult_of_luna.jpg

See how Joey Molland uses Gibson Firebird III

Joey Molland

Guitarist

Badfinger

...
Verified via Photo

Joey Molland frequently used a Gibson Firebird III as his main guitar during the 1974 tours, as evidenced by several photos, including one taken in Cambridge and Vancouver.

See how James Lynch uses Gibson Firebird III

James Lynch

Guitarist

Dropkick Murphys

...
Verified via Photo

James Lynch is associated with a Gibson Firebird III, featuring ebony finish, dot inlays, and a stop-bar tailpiece, as highlighted in a post by @jameslynchrules on Instagram.

See how Eddie Willis uses Gibson Firebird III

Eddie Willis

Guitarist

The Funk Brothers

...
Verified via YouTube

This video documents the heavily moddiefied Firebird used by Eddie Willis. At 4:12 a photo of the guitar before the third pickup was installed is shown.

See how Grayson Capps uses Gibson Firebird III

Grayson Capps

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

In this picture Capps can be seen playing his Firebird on stage.

See how Dennis Coffey uses Gibson Firebird III

Dennis Coffey

Guitarist

The Funk Brothers

...
Verified via nationalpost
Year: 1964

In an interview with the National Post, guitarist Dennis Coffey confirmed his use of the Gibson Firebird III, stating, "I had been playing Gibson all my life anyway — at Motown I was using a Gibson Firebird."

See how Neil Hubbard uses Gibson Firebird III

Neil Hubbard

Guitarist

Roxy Music

...
Verified via Photo

As seen in the photo performing with Joe Cocker.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

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

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1
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1
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1
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1
Martin 0-17 (1906-1945)
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1
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    austinmw

    Gear IQ 5227