Gibson Firebird V 1965 Sunburst

Gibson launched the Firebird design in 1963 with four main models: the Firebird I, II, V, and VII. Each was distinguished by different pickup and hardware configurations, though they all shared thru-body construction and a unique "reversed" body shape with a large lower horn. The Firebird V in specific used nickel-plated hardware, a deluxe vibrato tailpece, and two mini-humbucker pickups. By mid-1965, Gibson changed the Firebird (as well as its counterpart Thunderbird bass) to a more traditional "non-reversed" body shape. 

Years of Production: 1963 - 1970, 1972 - 1973

Body Style: Double cutaway solidbody

Wood Composition: Mahogany body, Mahogany neck, Rosewood fingerboard

Design Elements: Two Mini-humbucker pickups, 24 3/4-inch scale length, dot inlays, four control knobs, Kluson banjo tuners, vibrato tailpiece, neck-thru

Finish Specifications: Sunburst was the standard finish for the Firebird V.

Notable Firebird Players: Johnny Winter, Allen Collins, Keith Richards, Eric Clapton