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 III used chrome hardware, a bound neck with dot inlays, a "short" Maestro vibrato tailpiece, and two Firebird pickups -- not to be confused with more standard "mini-humbuckers" that Gibson would use later on Les Paul Deluxe models.

By mid-1965, Gibson changed the Firebird (as well as its counterpart Thunderbird bass) to a more traditional "non-reversed" body shape.  

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

Note: A large number of early Firebirds have had broken headstocks repaired -- for pricing purposes, we encourage all sellers (and edit when necessary) to use "Good" condition or below when these guitars have had repaired headstock cracks or breaks.