Gibson Firebird I ( 1963 - 1969 )
The Gibson firebird electric guitar is a combination between fender style guitars and the gibson explorers . In early 60s gibson firebirds were built to compete with fender electric guitars which at that time were main stream guitars .In 1963 gibson introduced the gibson firebird I , It had a reverse body shape , one humbucking pick up , no vibrato ,dot inlaid unbound fingerboard and a bar bridge-tailpiece , the firebird I at that time was the least expensive and was considered the economy model .
In mid 1965 gibson redesigned the gibson firebird I electric guitar with a non reversed body shape ( see pic) , 2/ p90 pickups and were discontinued in 1969 .
Vintage Price Value For 2007 :
1963 - 1965 > $6500 to $7500 ( reverse body )
1965 - 1969 > $2500 To $4500 ( non reverse body )
Note : Prices can vary depending on guitar finishes (color). Custom colors can be sold for double the value .
Avg Upward Trend Of 16% a Year since 2000Non Reverse > 11%
Gibson Firebird III ( 1963 - 1969 )
During the same time gibson also introduced the the firebird III , the guitar featured 2 humbucking pickups , reverse body shape ,three way toggle switch , a bound fingerboard , a bar bridge with compensating ridges and a short gibson vibrola .In mid 1965 to 1969 the firebird III was redesigned with a non reversed body , and 3 black p 90 pickups
Vintage Price Value For 2007 :
1963 - 1965 > $13 000 to $16 000
( reverse bodies )
1965 - 1969 > $3500 to $5500
( non reversed bodies )
Note : Prices can vary depending on guitar finishes (color). Custom colors can be sold for double the value .
Avg Upward Trend Of 12% a Year since 2000Gibson Firebird V ( 1963 - 1969 )
The firebird V had crown inlays , 2 humbucking pickups , a tune o matic bridge , gibson deluxe vibrola , and a metal tail piece cover engraved with gibson . These guitars were available in many unique colors such as cardinal red , pelham blue , frost blue , polar white , sunburst ... etc ( mid 1965 to 1969 were redesigned with non reversed bodies and nickel plated hardware )
Guitar Price Value For 2007 :
1963 - 1965 > $16 000 to $21 000 ( reversed bodies )
1965 - 1969 > $3500 to $4500 ( non reversed bodies )
Avg Upward Trend Of 9% a Year since 2000Gibson Firebird VII ( 1963 - 1969 )
The gibson firebird VII guitar was the only firebird in that era to feature 3 humbucking pickups and gold plated parts , the guitar also had a block inlaid ebony fingerbooard . ( mid 1965 to 1969 were redesigned with non reversed bodies )
Vintage Price Value For 2007 :
1963 to 1965 > $15 000 to $18 000
1966 to 1969 > $4500 to $7000
Avg Upward Trend Of 11% a Year since 2000The guitars above were the original firebird models from gibson , and later on they reintroduced more firebird guitars such as the :
Gibson Firebird V Medallion ( 1972 - 1973 )
The firebird V medallion was a reissue of the original firebird V , It had a reverse body shape , 2 humbuckers , logo embossed on pickup covers and a 2 piece neck . Limited edition ( 366 made ) and had a medallion mounted on the body .
Price Value For 2007 :
1972 - 1973 > $4000 to $5000
Avg Upward Trend Of 8% a Year since 2000Gibson Firebird 76 ( 1976 - 1978 )
The firebird 76 had a reverse body shape, gold hardware , 2 pickups , an unbound rosewood fingerboard , 4 knobs , and straight through banjo tuners with metal buttons . These guitar were made in various colors .
Vintage Price Value For 2007 :
1976 - 1977 > $3500 to $4000 ( white finishes)
1977 - 1978 > $2500 to $3000
(1976 white finish) Avg Upward Trend Of 19% a Year since 20001976 - 1978 Avg Upward Trend of 5% a year since 2000
Gibson Firebird V Celebrity Series ( 1991 -1993 )
The firebird V Series had reverse body shapes , gold hardware , white pick guards and 2 humbuckers . ( colors were available only in black )
Vintage Price Value :
1991 - 1993 > $1200 to $1500
Avg Upward Trend Of 5% a Year since 2000During the past years gibson firebird electric guitars were played by many artists like Johnny Winter , Eric clapton , Paul Mcartney , and many more . The original firebird guitars ( 63-69 ) are very much in demand and sought after by collectors .
Posted By :
gibson made various models of the firebird and im presuming you have the firebird 1 which was a reissue of the firebird 76 , these reissues were only made from 1980 to 82 .
they are now valued at $2100 to $2500
they also made the firebird 2 in 1981-82 with a maple body and tp6 tailpiece >> valued at $1700 to $2000
Posted By :
the firebird v-12 is actually very sought after by collectors , they only made them in small quantities in 1966 to 67 , the guitar had a split diamond headstock inlay and special humbuckers sort of like mini humbuckers . These firebird gutars are valued at $10 000 to $12 000 ( custom colors ) , sunburst colors can be sold for $5000 to $6500 ... AWESOME and RARE guitars , under 300 were made.... domenic
Posted By : JIM
Posted By :
Just bought a firebird V (new). Two questioins:
1) what do you think of the new ones and will their value increase with time.
2) I bought the V , cherry red, but I can't figure out why it was $200 less than the three other color choices?
1499, vs 1689 for the other three. checked out the specs and they're the same?
thanks.
R D Smith, Ct.
Posted By : Larry H
Hi, I own an original 1964 Firebird VII in SG Cherry Red finish.
Did Gibson offer this finish or do you have to request it special back then.
Secondly, does SG cherry finish all original on a 64 Firebird VII boost it's value if condition is the same as standard sunburst?
What would estimated value be of SG cherry 64 VII.
Posted By : Larry H
Posted By :
Hi, I own three Firebirds, one recent nineties model, one mint condition '76 'centennial' bird and the other is an orginal sunburst FB XII from 1966. This guitar plays very well, has all it's original parts and a lot of original and very cool finish checking. The original pickguard is not cracked at all and the pots date 0766. It's a very light guitar and despite the large headstock it's not neck-heavy at all. The original crocodile leather case is OK, but roadworn. If you want, I can post a picture of it. You mention $5000 to $6500 as a value. Which I think is a bit overrated. There's one for sale on Ebay since ages for $5500 though not in too good condition. FYI: I paid under 3k. Guess the bird was meant for me...
Posted By : wloon
I have a '64 Firebird l that was modified by adding a second humbuker (same firebird type) complete with 3-way switch and pots. The body milled at the factory to accommodate the 4 pots and a channel was routed underneath the pick guard for the wiring of the neck pick up. It looks like a FB-3 and is in excellent cond. How much was it devalued by these mods?
Posted By :
Hi- I came across an older Gibson Firebird, I need some help identifying model, age, approximate value. It has;
1. Reverse Body Shape
2. 2 Humbucker Pick-ups
3. Bounded Finger Board with Crown Inlays.
4. Looks like made from mohogny-1 piece neck. Dark color.
5. White pickguard with Firebird Logo.
6. I believe it has a metal tailpiece but was covered over with a stick-on woodgrain decal.
7. It had four knobs but looks like two were removed and hole plugged but a very good job. Backside has a black acces plate.
Thanks-Rick (r.kuriger@cox.net)
Posted By : vintageidiot
Firebird I's did come with Gibson vibrola, and some without. I gigged with Firebirds exclusively for ten years, a 63 burst III and a very early powder blue I, which I bought from the original owner in 1972, who was the bass player in my high school band years earlier. Not marked prototype, it was reverse body in rare ice blue, with non-reverse Fender style headstock sporting white plastic tipped Klusons! I don't know how few they made like this, but Fender threatened them with a lawsuit, and they came up with the reverse headstock w/banjo tuners, heavy enough to knock the teeth out of anyone on stage with you. Any bird player will tell you balancing them takes some getting used to. The ice blue Firebird I w/vibrola and non-reverse headstock is authenticated original by coming from the original owner, and by the fact that when I needed to trade something for a Super Reverb in California in 1975, Norm Harris of Norm's Rare Guitars said in about ten seconds: "I'll take THAT!" out of all my stuff, the blue bird. I believe it was destroyed when his warehouse collapsed in an earthquake. Later reverse-head Firebird I's were also available with vibrola for about $100 more, I've seen as many as stops. I would have paid $100 to leave it off. My III was converted to stop, infinitely better. Stolen.
Posted By : Kevin
Posted By : Kevin
I have a 1976 Suburst Firebird Ltd Edition w/ orignal case. It's in good shape, minor heastock repair and a few surface scratches but all original. I'm trying to place an approx. value on it. I noticed that the estimated price above was for a white '76. If anyone could help me out that would be great. Thanks
Posted By :
I have a 1968 Non Reverse Firebird. It is in close to mint condition, and it served me very well playing Rock n Roll gigs for almost 40 years.
In trying to learn more about the various Firebirds, I guess that this would be a Firebird V.
Since I have recently become an acoustic player, and have not been playing rock anymore, I am thinking of selling it - though I'm not sure I can part with it. Does anyone have an idea about the worth of a guitar like this. I have seen e-bay auctions running from $3,000 to $13,000.
Posted By :
hello i own a 1963 firebird in frost blue with very unusual appointments ....it has plastic banjo keys[not nickel] the routes are all done by hand ,different shaped truss rod cover with gibson in a font that ive seen on super 400s.....the pickup covers are handcrafted nickel .they are not from the press that all firebird pickups were pressed from ...i have been told the guitar is a prototype any info would be appreciated ,,,,thanks guitarsr4u@wowway.com
Posted By : Kenneth
Posted By : jarkko
Posted By : Michael Holt The Trophy 500's
Posted By :
i have just purchased a 1980 gibson firebird reverse with 3 pickups i have emailed gibson with photos and they do not have any records of having produced an instrument with those specs in 1980
from the photos i sent of the pickup cavities they believe it is a genuine 3 pickup model
does anybody know anything more about what firebirds were produced in 1980-81-82 cheers barry
Posted By : sohrab
Posted By :
I bought a used Firebird reverse with medallion through a friend living in London. That was in the Fall of 1975.
Medallion was numbered 282. Banjo tuning pegs, Bigsby vibrato. Neck through body. Trapeze inlays. No visible "stamps" on the pickups.
The guitar had neck problems. Suspect banjo pegs were the cause, as they'd bend the head up a little when placed in the original Gibson case.
Eventually traded it for a very good, brand new Gibson RD. World class neck on that guitar, but very ugly.
The Firebird was a thing of beauty. A real work of art.
Jimmy McCulloch of Wings had another one of those ltd. edition Firebirds with medallion. He was the only one I ever saw pictured playing one.
So... I thought the guitar was a '68 re-issue, but more likely from 1972-73?
Kalle, Norway
Posted By : Michael Holt The Trophy 500's
Posted By : Gibson Firebird
Posted By :
I looked high and low on the internet for a bird then walked into a local guitar shop and found a worn 81 red reverse III with Duncan pickups. This baby had been played, a lot. They let me plug it into a Marshall and I fell in love. I paid $1,400 and will never sell this guitar. It's my main stage/studio guitar now. The only drawback was the case which looked like it had been in Beruit with big white letters spelling MURDER CITY DEVILS. I've contaced the band but no feedback yet.
Posted By : Ádám
Posted By :
I'm thinking about buying a 1976 gibson firebird Bicentennial Limited edition. It is all original parts and it comes with the original hard shell case with the Bicentennial logo on it. I'm not sure what the finish on it is, but it looks like sunburst. There are few scratches on it and the headstock was "professionally repaired". The owner is asking for $2,500. Should i pay that much for it/ is it worth it?
Posted By :
"76 Firebird"- Headstock repairs were very common on the earlier firebirds due to a design flaw. As for $2500 I would say that's the average I've seen them going for. The sunburst was the more common of the Bi-Centennial Limiteds but still a very nice collector piece! If it was a white one I would say jump on it as quickly as you can, they are extremely rare and worth significantly more!! Hope this helps!
Posted By : cash-x
Posted By :
Ok so my uncle died, and he had a 1964 Gibson Firebird Guitar, its a right handed guitar, great condition, and the serial number is 212557...do you know how much it would be worth, also a marshall amp from probably the 1970's, any idea on the cost their?
Email me back at Josiahrocco@yahoo.com THANY U SO MUCH
Posted By :
Hi:
I have a Cherry red Gibson Firebird (Serial # 51913_)
left last # off. It's in beautiful condition and in the original case. Has been in it's case for 99% of it's years to protect it..seldom played..stays in tune great. I bought in 1970 from a friend. Would like to
find out year built and possible value.
Can you help? Guitar Mama
Posted By :
Hi,
I need your advice.
Just bought a 65 non reverse Firebird I, 100%original.
One major issue: if I attach the strings on the wraparound bridge (therfore disconnecting the Vibrola), the action is ok and the guitar stays in tune.
If I attach the strings on the Vibrola, I have to raise the bridge but the strings are a mile away from the neck. Otherwise, the strings attached on the vibrola are over the bridge, without even touching the bridge!!
And of course, the guitar become out of tune afer 1 minute of playing when the strings are attached to the vibrol instead of the wraparound bridge.
What can I do if I still want to use the vibrola AND get low action AND stay in tune?? Thanks for your help!!
Posted By :
I have a 1963 Gibson Johnny Smith that I purchased new in 1963. It has a blonde finish (was also available in Sunburst), and one humbucking pickup. Case is hardshell, and there is a lined case for the hardshell case. Orig. designed as an 'acoustic' electric guitar.
I'm willing to sell this great instrument for the right price. It has been played pretty regularly for over forty five years. Nice finish and great neck/frets.
Posted By : Sirona
Posted By :
Hi
I bought my non reverse Firebird 3 about 35 years ago from Orange Music in Denmark Street, London.
It has a stamped serial number I've never been able to get to the bottom of, and wonder if anyone has one similar, or any information?
The s/n is PP46.
Gibson have confirmed the guitar is one of theirs, but can't help with the serial.
Cheers
Bob
Posted By :
Was the serial # of a '76 Firebird stamped on back of headstock? Also, how many digits? I have a converted to VII specs FB that has no serial # on the head stock. It was refinished by owner. The cts pots indicate a 1976 model, although the sales receipt says 1970. The control cavity has a 5 digit # stamped on it.
Posted By :
I have a Firebird VII with no serial number (maybe the guitar has been repainted) with pickups that have a Jan 16 1980 date, pots with 1981 dates.
There is no information anywhere, that Gibson had made Firebird VII's in 1981.
The guitar is Pelham Blue, with gold parts, the paint to so clean, it could be repainted.
What is this??
Posted By : RockinRocky & The Rollers
I am still crying in my beer, even after 20-some years after my 'MOJO' 1963 Sunburst Gibson Reverse Firebird-1 was stolen out of the place I was staying at back in the mid-80's. I call it my 'MOJO' Firebird because I bought it from the late, great, Danny Gatton, and he told me that it had previously belonged to a extremely famous guitarist, though he wouldn't tell me who! He could have ment himself for all I know! Anyway, I called it my 'MOJO' Firebird because I could play things on that guitar that to this day, I cannot play on ANY guitar! And I even went as far as saving up my pennies and bought a new Gibson Firebird V, thinking it would replace my stolen bird... NOT!! So, I got back to the place I was staying at one day after work, to find the door open, and my Firebird gone.... total depression for MANY weeks, months, years!! I still miss that axe, it was just plain magical, and I haven't been able to find another guitar that could 'fit' me like that guitar did. I'm still looking in the Vintage Guitar Magazine's, and website's hoping to one day maybe get reconnected to my 'MOJO' Firebird!! And I sure hope it happens soon, my finger's are getting crippled from being crossed for so long!!!
Posted By : lee wagner


i have a 1981 gibson firebird tobacco sunburst. just wondering what's it worth ?