SOLD - Gibson Firebird III 1964 Sunburst

SOLD!

Who buys vintage guitars?  We do! 

Call 530-570-1525 or email sales@maharsvintageguitars.com to sell your vintage guitar, bass, amplifier, etc - one piece or a collection!  We are always ready to buy instruments, amps and effects from Fender, Gibson, Martin, Epiphone, Rickenbacker, Gretsch, Marshall, Vox and just about anything else related to musical instruments.   You can also click here for more info on selling us vintage instruments, amps, parts, etc.  

No sales tax for customers outside California.

The Gibson Firebird - just about the coolest electric guitar design of all time.  The earliest models from the 1960s are also quite rare.  There were 2546 Firebird IIIs made in the three years that the "reverse" model was first produced: 1963, 1964, and 1965.  1964 saw the highest level of production with just 1254 made.

The other thing about Firebirds - many of them haven't survived with the bodes and necks intact.  They are somewhat prone to breakage, particularly at the transition between the neck and headstock.  Many fall victim to this while in the very case Gibson designed to protect them.   The cases are shallower than they should be, with less than adequate protection of the neck and headstock.  This causes the high E tuner to bottom out against the back of the case, and if the case were to fall over, a neck break can easily result.

There are no breaks or repairs on this example.

The guitar came in with a partial Maestro Vibrola, and it was set up with the strings wrapped around the original stop tailpiece, as pictured.  This is the best way to play the guitar really, so we restrung the guitar as such.  In the interim, we found an original claw for the tremolo and a mid 60s "shark tooth" arm.  The tremolo is included in the case, sans the small metal bushings that Gibson used beneath the plate around the mounting screws.  The mounting screws are original.

The bridge pickup has been removed and returned to the guitar.  It could have been rewound, partially or fully, though the tone doesn't jump out as being different.  These pickups are somewhat prone to issues - many examples have had this work done. The truss rod cover is an aftermarket part.

A professional refret was performed at some time in the past.  The pickguard is a Gibson part that is not original to the guitar.  It was applied without adding any new holes.  The holes that didn't line up with existing ones are not held down with screws.

The rest of the guitar is original with no extra holes, repairs, finish changes or otherwise.

A 1970s Gibson case is included.  It has seen better days but it holds the guitar safely.

• Color: Sunburst
• Weight: 7lbs 13.8ozs
• Body: Mahogany 
• Neck: Mahogany
• Fretboard: Brazilian Rosewood
• Inlays: Mother of pearl dots
• Frets: Professionally replaced
• Fret count: 22
• Nut: Original
• Nut width: 1 9/16"
• Scale: 24.75"
• Radius: 10"
• Neck thickness at 1st fret: 0.79"
• Neck thickness at 12th fret: 0.95"
• Action 1st String at 12th Fret: 1mm
• Action 6th String at 12th Fret: 1.5mm
• Total length: 43 1/2"
• Lower bout: 14 1/4"
• Waist: 9.25"
• Upper bout: 13"
• Body depth/thickness: 1 9/16"
• String gauge: .010-.046"
• Hardware Color: Nickel
• Bridge Pickup Brand: Gibson
• Bridge Pickup Reading: 6.16K
• Pickup Original?: Yes
• Neck Pickup Brand: Gibson
• Neck Pickup Reading: 6.66K
• Pickup Original?: Yes, cover has been off before
• Pickguard: Reproduction
• Bridge: Original with the Vibrola tremolo in case
• Tuners: Original
• Switch: Original
• Pots/Codes: Original
• Case: OHSC
• Notes:  The truss rod cover is an aftermarket.

Shipping policy:

Three day UPS air shipments will be automatic for buyers including these states and those to the east of them: Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas.  Shipments will require signature on delivery, no exceptions.  If there is damage, the buyer must retain all packing materials intact and picture them immediately and send them to sales@maharsvintageguitars.com.  Less than 1% of our shipments are damaged in transit, and we are committed to making sure your item arrives safely, but we are taking these additional measures to make sure you are happy with your purchase.