Gibson Firebird V 1965 Reissue Tobacco Burst, 2011

The Gibson Firebird V appeared in 1963 as part of a wave of new models inspired by Ray Dietrich, a prominent Detroit auto designer. Unfortunately, its ‘reverse’ shape wasn’t as popular as Dietrich’s cars were, and after 1965 the body was flipped to a more conventional ‘non reverse’ orientation. Those in turn caught Fender’s attention for their fender-esque headstock and similarity to Fender’s offset-body design. The model was dropped in 1969, but has been reissued several times, and is back in regular production.

This Gibson Firebird V 1965 Reissue is built in the Gibson Memphis Custom Shop during 2011. These were built from 2000 to 2013. It has the full Firebird V feature set – neck-through construction, with the center section built of 5 full length pieces and two mahogany ‘wings’. The head carries the iconic Kluson banjo tuners with nickel plating, the bridge is a standard tune-o-matic model, and the tailpiece is a full Maestro Vibrola nickel plated model with Lyre engraving. For electronics, two mini-humbucking pickups with nickel covers are wired to the lower horn’s pickup selector; standard individual volume and tone controls.

The finish is Gibson’s classic nitrocellulose lacquer tobacco sunburst, and it’s in very good condition.

This Gibson Firebird V guitar is in quite good condition with very little wear. Nickel has a tendency to naturally tarnish, and that’s visible, but it is a surface condition and can be polished up. The original black rectangular case with burgundy lining has a Gibson logo, and contains the Custom Shop Certificate of Authenticity.

The action is good, and the vibrola works well. The neck set is high enough that there is a good amount of downbearing at the bridge – not too much, not too little – allowing the vibrola to work properly and not affect sustain or clarity.