Music Services Inc.
2008 Wantagh Ave.
Wantagh , NY 11793
(516)826-2525

FIREBIRDS - THE NEXT GENERATION

So here we are in 1965. The first Firebirds the so-called "reverse" Firebirds - have failed to capture the publics fancy. Instead of letting these elegant creatures slip away quietly into Gibson’s folklore, the company apparently decides the Firebird is just not "Fender" enough. And to hedge their bets, they devise ways to make the new series less expensive to produce but offer no roll back in suggested prices.

First to go is the neck thru construction, arguably the most unique thing about the first Firebird. Now we have glued in (S.G. style) necks. The classy "reverse" body and headstock design are in effect flipped over giving them a more Fenderish profile. Where the original Firebirds all had their pickups mounted directly in the body with stylized pickguards underneath, the new generation sport pickups mounted on massive guards that cover virtually half the front of the instrument. This is done to cover a universal body rout that enables Gibson to use the same body blank for any of the four new guitars. Other than type and number of pickups, the cosmetics are almost identical for all four models.

Firebird I - Gone is the unique single pickup model replaced by two P-90’s (well that’s something). The "invisible" banjo pegs replaced by right angle Fender looking Klusons. Stud bridge with short vibrola. Four knobs and selector (usually slide type - ugh !) switch. Mahogany body and neck. Dot inlays on rosewood board. Nickel hardware.

Firebird III- Same as above but three P-90’s

Firebird V- Same as above but two mini humbuckers and longer (lyre) Vibrola with tunematic

Firebird VII-Same as above (sigh!) but three minis and gold hardware.

One begins to see a pattern here. These later Firebirds were not necessarily awful guitars its just that they are cheesy compared to the first generation. Apparently Gibson agrees too because all subsequent reissues have been reverse types. In a fair world the second generation would come first. Instead we have another concrete example that the bottom line matters above all and that by the end of the 1960’s these companies were being run by people who were either clueless or just disinterested about the needs and desires of guitarists.

A decade that began with a cocky can-do attitude fostered by the successes of the major (and minor) guitar manufactures ended with - hmmm- consider a 1970 Les Paul or a 1970 Stratocaster or a 1970 Gretsch Nashville. You get the picture ? Now I’m scaring myself. let’s look on the bright side. By 1970 guitar service and modification was becoming a thriving business. With headstock repairs, tremelo removal, tuning peg replacement and slide switch replacement among others, the entire Firebird line - first and second generation - kept guitar techs everywhere honing their skills.