• Custom Shop Firebird electric guitar, serial number 402823
• 9-strip neck-thru neck made of mahogany and walnut
• Offset mahogany body wings
• Authentic '63 Medium C Neckshape
• Nylon nut, 42.86 mm wide
• Two Gibson Firebird Anico V Mini Humbuckers
• Hand-wired wiring with CTS potentiometers
• Gibson ABR-1 Tune-o-Matic
• Gibson Maestro Vibrola
• Pelham Blue Nitrocellulose finish with Murphy Lab Ultra Light Aging
• Includes case and certificate
  
  

The Gibson 1963 Firebird V Maestro Vibrola Ultra Light Aged Pelham Blue #402823 is a faithful reproduction of the iconic 1963 design, one of the most revered guitars in history. With its resonant neck-thru construction, distinctive offset body shape, and two mini humbuckers, the Firebird offers a sound full of character and a playing feel that has shaped legendary recordings by artists like Johnny Winter and Eric Clapton. This reissue from the Gibson Custom Shop in Nashville captures the spirit of the early Firebird V, reviving the Firebird legend more authentically than ever before.

The foundation of the Firebird's distinctive sound and feel is its neck-thru construction, a unique design among Gibson instruments. This allows for seamless resonance transfer from the headstock all the way to the strap pin. The neck is made from nine strips of mahogany and walnut, with an authentic medium-C profile, closely modeled after the originals from 1963. It also features a 22-fret rosewood fingerboard, complete with all-around binding, classic trapezoid inlays, and the proven Gibson 12-inch radius, ensuring smooth playability across the entire fretboard.

The two mini humbuckers at the neck and bridge positions are central to the classic Firebird V sound. For this reissue, the Gibson Custom Shop uses Firebird Alnico V mini-humbuckers, implemented via a hand-wired circuit with CTS potentiometers for independent control of volume and tone for each pickup. The narrower coil winding of the mini humbuckers, compared to conventional humbuckers, produces a more focused and articulate sound, making them perfect for soulful blues licks and driving rock riffs.

The standout feature of the Gibson 1963 Firebird V Maestro Vibrola Ultra Light Aged Pelham Blue #402823 is its combination of the Gibson ABR-1 Tune-o-Matic bridge and the Maestro Vibrola. The "Long Maestro" replaced the earlier Sideways Vibrola in 1961, offering players more control over the vibrato effect. The Maestro vibrato system, with its distinctive Lyra engraving, remains one of the most coveted hardware pieces in guitar history. The instrument is finished in a stunning Pelham Blue nitrocellulose finish, and the Ultra Light Aged treatment from the Gibson Murphy Lab authentically recreates the subtle wear and tear of a well-loved vintage piece.