Epic Axes is a musician-driven showroom in Los Angeles. Each guitar is personally selected, inspected, and tested to ensure top performance - only instruments we would play ourselves become part of our collection. Text us to book a visit.

A rare and seriously cool 1999 Epiphone Firebird III, Made in Korea, finished in classic Vintage Sunburst. These late-’90s Korean Firebirds were produced for a relatively short period and don’t show up nearly as often as the more familiar Firebird models, making this a particularly interesting piece from Epiphone’s Korean era.

One of the defining features of this generation is its bolt-on neck construction. Rather than trying to replicate the traditional neck-through Firebird formula, this Korean Firebird III has its own personality - a quick, punchy response with plenty of attack and definition. Paired with the original mini-humbuckers, it delivers everything that makes a Firebird fun: clear and articulate highs, focused mids, tight lows, and enough bite to cut through a mix while still sounding full when pushed.

Cosmetically, the guitar is in good condition for its age. There are some minor scratches, small marks and other light signs of normal use throughout - please check the photos for a detailed look at the condition. Overall, it has been well preserved and feels remarkably clean in the hands for a 1999 instrument.

The pickups and electronics are original, and everything works as it should. The frets are in good condition with even wear, no significant grooves or dead spots, and plenty of life remaining. The guitar is currently set up with low, comfortable action and plays smoothly across the neck.

A killer example of a less common Korean-made Firebird III - distinctive construction, unmistakable Firebird looks, great playability, and plenty of character. A cool piece of late-’90s Epiphone production that you simply don’t see every day.

Includes the original Epiphone padded gig bag.

The following work has been done: full fretboard conditioning with lemon oil, fret polish, pickup height adjustment for balance and clarity, and a fresh set of D’Addario 10-46s installed. String height at the 12th fret on the low E is right at 2.2 mm - set for comfortable playability. 

Body

• Construction: Solid body, bolt-on neck
• Body: Laminated mahogany/alder construction
• Finish: Vintage Sunburst, gloss
• Pickguard: White Firebird-style pickguard with red Firebird graphic
• Binding: None
• Contours: Traditional reverse Firebird body shape
• Condition: Good for its age, with minor scratches, small marks, and light cosmetic wear consistent with normal use; overall very clean in the hands

Neck

• Material: Mahogany
• Joint: Bolt-on, 4-bolt neck plate
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Inlays: Dot inlays
• Frets: 22
• Fret Condition: Good, with even wear and no significant deep grooves or dead spots; plenty of life remaining
• Scale Length: 24.75" (628 mm)
• Nut Width: approx. 1.68" / 42.7 mm
• Binding: None
• Neck Finish: Gloss
• Neck Condition: Straight, with no cracks or previous repairs

Hardware

• Bridge: Tune-O-Matic bridge
• Tailpiece: Stopbar tailpiece
• Tuners: Chrome
• Hardware Finish: Chrome
• Control Knobs: Amber bell knobs
• Pickguard: White with red Firebird graphic
• Switch: 3-way toggle switch

Electronics

• Pickups: 2x original OBL mini-humbuckers
• Controls: 2 Volume, 2 Tone
• Switching: 3-way pickup selector
• Electronics: Original
• Configuration: 2 mini-humbuckers

Other

• Model: Epiphone Firebird III
• Country of Manufacture: Korea
• Year: 1999
• Serial Number: I99060035
• Finish: Vintage Sunburst
• Orientation: Right-handed
• Included: Original Epiphone padded gig bag