Gibson 1964 Firebird V

I consider myself a Firebird afficiondo. I have been playing them since I was 10 years old. I have never played a Firebird that quite matches up to my pride and joy, a 1964 Firebird V in trans cherry (like the SG). It features the usual Firebird appointments we all know and love, 9 ply mahogany neck through body, dual mini-humbuckers (that simply sing!) Gibson tune-o-matic and long leaf and lyre vibrato tailpiece. Nickle/silver hardware throughout. Brazillian rosewood fingerboard with plastic pearloid trapezoid inlays. Reverse headstock with banjo tuners (mine had an unfortunate break and repair some years back, but she's playing just fine now). 24 3/4 standard Gibson scale length. Medium neck (not too fat) I can't get my hands around a real fay neck, so this is why this particular bird works wonderfully for me.

As far as the Firebird's sound, You might find it limited to certain styles. It can sing and howl the blues with ease, It can get real clean and softspoken for jazzy stuff, Or it can rock out with a Marshall on full-bore (you would need to watch your volume here because the Firebird pickups have a tendency to squeal a bit with higher gain) So overall, The Firebird's tonal charecteristics lean towards lots of highs and no shortage of bass, but lacking a bit in the midrange. Great for soloing (for all styles, becuse of the clarity and punch). This all pertains to my particular Firebird, and I have heard others...the newer reissues have re-designed mini humbuckers, so they tend to gain back a bit of the warmth their original counterparts lack.

Action on my Firebird is phenominal (especially after the repair!) It is straight and true from the first to last fret, with no buzz anywhere at low/medium action. This guitar aged very well (others I have owned have NOT been this lucky) The original cherry finish (which is amazingly rare for Firebirds) has mellowed to the "orangy" end of the spectrum (some tend to go "root beer") But still is spectacular in the right light...brilliant red, with only minor finish checking, and the assorted small nick and belt buckling. The frets are original and in great shape with plenty of "meat" left, there is only minor tracking (ditches) on the fingerboard at the second and third frets.

This guitar (should I choose to take it out of the house, which is rare) Would be quite gig-worthy at lower volumes. Like I stated above,
I think this guitar aged very well, and has plenty of years left in it's life. Although it's not completely mint, it's quite rare, and in good solid shape. All hardware is original and intact, no signs of crumbling under my fingers yet (I shudder the thought), And the orignal pickgaurd is 95% intact (only the tiny tip at the southern most point os cracked, but still on the guitar) The red Firebird emblem is still blazing away proudly. I would be safe to say I would use it for a whole night out, without a backup.

I have been playing for 25 years, and 90% of that time...I have owned and played Firebirds. I usually play them through old Marshall JTM 45's, and 800's, but lately I have been getting more into Mesa/Boggies, and now use a Mesa Dual Rectifier Trem-O-Verb combo. I can honestly say, my playing style has evolved around the sound and feel of Gibson Firebirds, and I couldn't think of a better guitar to be associated with (Johnny Winter, look out!) If it were stolen or lost, I would be devestated, and would not be able to replace it. simply put. I love everything about this guitar, The look, the feel , the sound...this guitar is like an extension of my hands, my heart and my soul, I have found no other guitar that matches up to it ever. If I were to go back...I wouldn't change a thing about it. I strongly suggest to anyone thinkg about investing in a Vintage Gibson Firebird to do it!, but be careful about it, because they all tend to have their own personalities (unlike the newer reissues) It's a must have in any vintage collection.