Sometimes all you need is a worn in 1965 Gibson Firebird III, but with a non-reverse headstock…!

Not many survive the decades without some kind of issue, usually the dreaded headstock break due to bad case design or some sort of modification. This one luckily has survived without breaks and only a few minor modifications.

There is some wear to the guitar but no sign of touchup.

The holes for the original wraptail have been filled and a period correct patent number tune-o-matic bridge fitted along with a long lyre trem to replace the original, shorter maestro vibrato unit. The holes for this can be seen under the lyre. 

The neck too shows signs of honest wear. The fretboard is in great condition and there is some life left in the original frets. You will have noticed the non-reverse headstock which was a feature of these firebirds as Gibson phased them out in favour of the non-reverse body shape introduced in the same year. 

The remaining hardware and plastics are correct. The pickguard shows no cracks.

Electrically everything is mostly correct though the bridge pickup has been replaced for a later example, probably the late 70s, as you can see from the stamped patent number. Elsewhere there are no signs of any changes and the pot dates read week 14 of 1965.

The guitar comes with what looks to be a 70’s case with purple lining.

Nothing really sounds like a firebird. The pickups have a quality that combines humbucker-like output and single coil clarity, a sparkle and bite that just cuts through. The guitar balances surprisingly well and after a few minutes you’ll wonder why you hadn’t played one before.  

Not for everyone but a guitar we all need to tick off the bucket list. Is there a firebird shaped hole in your collection? Grab this one before it gets away…