Pre-Sold‼ Gibson Clapton Firebird I 1964 Model Sunburst, 2019

This fantastic instrument is pre-sold, but we wanted to share it. It’s a brand new Gibson Clapton Firebird, number 100 of just 100 built to re-create Clapton’s 1964 Firebird I as used in Cream.

Gibson introduced the Firebird in 1963, initially using neck-through construction – while the neck section is built of several sections of Mahogany separated by Walnut for stability, it extends the full length of the guitar. The body ‘wings’ are also Mahogany, and fit into V-shaped grooves in the center section. Narrow, closed-cover mini humbuckers were used, varying from one to three pickups depending on model. Unusually, Kluson banjo tuners were installed at the head.

The Firebird was quickly picked up by influential British rock guitarists, particularly Clapton, but also by Brian Jones. In the USA, Howlin’ Wolf sometimes used one, particularly on sessions, and it was a popular model for funk / R&B and pop session players.

Here is what the builder has to say about the Gibson Clapton Firebird:

“Eric Clapton 1964 Firebird I – Clapton’s Famous Firebird Recreated

Eric Clapton’s use of a Gibson Firebird I in the 1960s and 70s represents some of the most inspired, fiery, and influential playing of his legendary career. Though he had previously played a Les Paul, ES-335, and SG, it’s the 1964 Firebird I that Eric remembers as being truly outstanding.

“I remember one night in particular with the Firebird…it was a Cream show in Philadelphia and it was one of the greatest gigs I ever played.”

Gibson Custom Shop is proud to present this limited-edition reissue of Clapton’s famous Firebird, made using authentic construction methods and precise dimensions scanned from vintage 1964 Firebird models.

Each is outfitted with a newly-developed Alnico V Firebird pickup to recapture the scorching output and searing tones of the original. And each features an Eric Clapton signed backplate, a replica of the strap he used, a replica of the guitar’s original case, a Certificate of Authenticity booklet, and more.

Fifty (50) Eric Clapton Firebird models will be sold through Guitar Center in the United States and another fifty (50) will be sold through select International Gibson dealers. “