Gibson firebird

The Firebird line went on sale in mid-1963 with four models distinguished by pickup and tailpiece configurations (see below). The Firebird used the Roman numerals “I”, “III”, “V” and “VII”. Gibson’s line of Thunderbird basses is rooted in the design of the Firebird, and uses even Roman numerals (“II” and “IV”) to distinguish it. From 1965 to 1969, Gibson introduced “non-reverse” models after failing to achieve marketing success with the unusual reverse-body design.

The “non-reverse” body is a more standard double-cutaway design. With the bass horn being longer than the treble horn and the headstock having the tuners on the bass side. It also has a standard glued-in (“set”) neck rather than neck-through construction, as well as other. Less noticeable changes in design and build. Pickup and tailpiece configuration for the V and VII were the same as the earlier “reverse” models, although the I- and III.