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Description

The Gibson Firebird Vintage is not just an electric guitar; it's a sonic statement piece. Born from the fusion of classic car aesthetics and groundbreaking musical innovation, this guitar has been a staple in iconic performances since its inception. Celebrated for its neck-through-body construction, the Firebird delivers unparalleled sustain and resonance, ensuring every note you play is a testament to tonal excellence.

The Firebird's design is a nod to its 1960s roots, featuring the unmistakable reverse styling that captivates both players and audiences alike. The dual mini humbuckers are the heart of this beast, delivering a punchy and dynamic range of tones that span from bright, bell-like highs to a complex midrange humbucker growl. And with the SlimTaper neck, you’ll find your fingers flying across the fretboard with ease, making those extended jam sessions feel effortless.

Crafted with a mahogany body and a 9-piece mahogany/walnut neck, the Firebird is as robust as it is beautiful. The Steinberger gearless tuners add a modern twist, offering stable tuning no matter how hard you rock out. Whether you're on stage or in the studio, the Gibson Firebird Vintage is your ticket to a new level of musical expression.

Key Features:

  • Classic reverse Firebird design
  • Neck-through-body construction for remarkable sustain
  • 9-piece mahogany/walnut neck with a SlimTaper profile
  • Dual mini humbuckers for versatile tonal range
  • Steinberger gearless tuners for precise tuning stability
  • Bound rosewood fretboard with detailed craftsmanship
Wildwood Guitars

Wildwood Guitars

Gibson USA Firebird • Wildwood Guitars

Video thumbnail for Gibson USA Firebird  •  Wildwood Guitars by Wildwood Guitars

Gibson USA Firebird • Wildwood Guitars

Wildwood Guitars

Wildwood Guitars

Reviews

Owner Insights

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

Value and pricing

  • The 2015 Gibson Firebird V with non-original bridge routing is considered a good deal at $1,300, especially given the current scarcity of new models.

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Features and functionality

  • The 2015 Firebird has a wider 1.795” nut width, which some players find less comfortable compared to standard Gibson necks.

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  • The Firebird VII uses three mini-humbuckers, identical to those on later Les Paul Deluxe models, lacking individual controls for the middle pickup.

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  • Firebirds are available with mini-humbuckers, full-size humbuckers, or P90s, each offering distinct tonal characteristics.

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Mods and upgrades

  • Adding a treble bleed circuit to the neck pot can enhance tonal versatility, making it sound like a "Tele on steroids."

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Comparisons

  • The 2015 Firebird's Steinberger tuners are preferred by some over traditional banjo tuners for better tuning stability.

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  • A modern SG's neck profile closely resembles the comfortable feel of the '64 Firebird VII's neck.

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  • Firebird's mini-humbuckers provide a brighter, cleaner tone compared to full-size humbuckers, making them suitable for funk and rhythm parts in mixes.

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User experience

  • The slim neck profile of the 2015 Firebird is contrasted with the thicker 50s style necks, catering to different playing preferences.

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  • Despite its aged appearance, the electronics remain original and functional, offering a unique tonal blend when using the middle pickup.

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  • Some players find the Firebird's body shape uncomfortable and experience neck-dive issues, particularly with non-reverse models.

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  • The Firebird's large size might not be ideal for players under 5'8", as it can feel awkward to handle.

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Build quality

  • The 1964 Firebird VII features a neck-through construction with V-shaped joints, making it a solid yet lightweight guitar at 8 lbs.

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  • Original gold hardware on the '64 Firebird VII has tarnished to silver, indicating typical aging issues with vintage gear.

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Setup and maintenance

  • The original frets exhibit minimal wear, mostly on the first four frets, suggesting limited full-neck use.

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Use cases and applications

  • Despite being associated with rock, Firebirds have been effectively used in funk, as evidenced by their use in Motown recordings.

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 4 Reviews and 21 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
mercutiotwitch86

Good for a classic rock tone.

Alone, this guitar provides a nice, clean, vintage sound, due to the "firebird" pickups. Add a overdrive pedal or a tubescreamer, then you're talking a rock tone that'll blow your mind!

steve_snider

Love this thing. It's a rock n roll monster. Plays great and cuts through like a mutha.

Got this as my main piece for live performance and couldn't be happier. Plays great, hangs well, sounds unlike anything else. All around great guitar

manolarra

Rock, Blues

Rock, blues is not excessively powerful like the Les Paul, nor as shrill as the SG, it's a good middle ground.

This review has been translated automatically into English. See original
andrewshier

Gibson Firebird - Vintage Sunburst

Her name is Chloe. She is a dirty little #$%# and is used in most of my hard rock , grungy tunes!

Artist usage

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See how Tommy Castro uses Gibson Firebird Vintage

Tommy Castro

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

Guitars and Gear Vol. 29 - Tommy Castro Interview

SweetwaterSound Published on Apr 17, 2013

See how Ryan Guldemond uses Gibson Firebird Vintage

Ryan Guldemond

Guitarist

Mother Mother

...
Verified via YouTube

At 4:49 Ryan can be seen using a Gibson Firebird

See how Pablo van de Poel uses Gibson Firebird Vintage

Pablo van de Poel

Singer, Guitarist

DeWolff

...
Verified via YouTube

In the video titled "My Go-To Guitars: Pablo van de Poel of DeWolff," at the 8:53 mark, Pablo van de Poel discusses a vintage Gibson Firebird guitar that he owns.

See how John Jorgenson uses Gibson Firebird Vintage

John Jorgenson

Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

...
Verified via Premierguitar

This PG article lists the gear John Jorgensen used on the CD titled „Gifts from the flood”. The list includes this item too.

See how Miku Nakamura uses Gibson Firebird Vintage

Miku Nakamura

Singer, Guitarist

Cö Shu Nie

...
Verified via Photo

In this Instagram post and others before it, she is seen using this guitar live.

See how Rogers Stevens uses Gibson Firebird Vintage

Rogers Stevens

Guitarist

Blind Melon

...
Verified via Google

Rogers Stevens used a Gibson Firebird Vintage during a 1993 concert in California, as shown in the images available on Google.

See how Andy Scott (Sweet) uses Gibson Firebird Vintage

Andy Scott (Sweet)

Guitarist

Sweet

...
Verified via YouTube

In 1978 love is like oxygen promo Andy Scott is playing a Gibson Firebird

See how Matt Webb uses Gibson Firebird Vintage

Matt Webb

Singer, Guitarist

Marianas Trench

...
Verified via Photo

Matt Webb is seen using a Gibson Firebird Vintage in a photo shared on Twitter.

See how Clay Cook uses Gibson Firebird Vintage

Clay Cook

Guitarist, Keyboardist

Zac Brown Band

...
Verified via Photo

Exact model unclear but definitely a Firebird.

See how Joey Molland uses Gibson Firebird Vintage

Joey Molland

Guitarist

Badfinger

...
Verified via YouTube

Joey Molland is seen playing a Gibson Firebird Vintage guitar in the promotional film for Badfinger's "No Matter What," as well as during live TV performances of "Better Days" and "Believe Me."

See how Matthew Curry uses Gibson Firebird Vintage

Matthew Curry

Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

Matthew Curry - Tell The Truth - 7/3/21 The Ride Festival - Telluride, CO

See how Sam Getz uses Gibson Firebird Vintage

Sam Getz

Welshly Arms

...
Verified via cleveland.com

Sam Getz mentions on Instagram that his Gibson Firebird Vintage is his primary guitar, humorously adding that he considers it male.

Used With

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

Gibson Firebird V
Gibson Firebird V Solid Body Electric Guitars
2
Gibson SG Standard
Gibson SG Standard Solid Body Electric Guitars
2
Line 6 MM4 Modulation Modeler
Line 6 MM4 Modulation Modeler Multi Effects Pedals
1
Boss RC-20XL Loop Station
Boss RC-20XL Loop Station Looper Effects Pedals
1
Gibson Explorer Electric Guitar
Gibson Explorer Electric Guitar Solid Body Electric Guitars
1
DigiTech Whammy II
DigiTech Whammy II Harmonizer & Octave Effects Pedals
1

Community setups

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alexjb

alexjb

Gear IQ 352

bryankielty

bryankielty

Gear IQ 86

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