The Gibson Firebird Guitar www.stevemoore.addr.com
 A Tribute to a Fascinating American Guitar and All Firebird Musicians |
 In Memory of Ted McCarty and Ray Dietrich |
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A new "Hey"
to all Firebird friends from around the world. Thanks to you,
we are now the number one Firebird web site.
Keep those e-mails pouring
in, and I'll do my best to continue improving these pages. See New DVD section here HOT Firebirds 4 Sale List on eBay: NOW !!!!!!! Please be sure to go here to join the new Firebird Guitar Registry For
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At
the time I wasn't aware of the Firebird history. I didn't realize
that I had just missed the boat on the "good" Firebirds
- the reverse model with a single piece of mahogany for the
neck and body, banjo tuners, and a beveled reverse head stock.
These were produced from 1963 through 1965 in relatively limited
quantities. It turned out that the reverse models were rather
expensive to manufacture and Gibson was having a hard time getting
quality wood to keep the series going. The
BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE: A few years ago I bid on a 1968 White Firebird on eBay and I won it. ..Instant heaven. It was rather amazing to play this guitar after so long. I immediately recognized the feel of the neck and the sound, and I even began to remember old riffs that I hadn't played in over thirty years. I added a Roland Gr-33 pickup and split the signal into one straight guitar output to my Peavey, and a second synth output to a Sunn PA. I figure that my original pro guitar is now "cutting edge," and unless someone steps forward, I may be the first person on the planet to use a 68 Firebird in this way. UPDATE: Oct 2006: I have since retired both of my Firebirds from active gigging, replacing them with a James Burton Telecaster (which I added the synth to) and a 1982 Gibson Les Paul Standard. This way, I can protect my Firebirds from the road.
Finally,
for my 64 Bird, I put new Gibson bursts humbuckers (replacing
the Dimarzios the previous owner had installed) and dedicated
the 64 to slide. Here's a new
picture of them. So now l continue to work hard to make this the best Gibson Firebird web site on the net, and will post any photos of you playing a Gibson Firebird, or closely-related Gibson instrument below. If you'd like, I'll add your name and your web site URL and/or a personal ad. Again, my thanks for your consideration.
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ying
V and the zigzagged, space-age "Explorer" had been commercial
failures. The late Ted McCarty, who was running Gibson
at the time, brought in a Detroit car designer
named 
Blues
guitarist Johnny Winter is probably best associated
with the model. He uses it exclusively for slide work
these days.
<
company
opted to somewhat "cheapen" the line by altering the
body design, and moving down to gluing the neck into place which
reduced the sustaining bite of the original reverse series.
Gibson also replaced the cool toggle switch with a really lame
slider. About a month after playing my white Firebird III, the
switch started to make noise. Nevertheless, I was thrilled with
my new guitar and played it regularly in bands until I traded
it in '72 for a Gibson ES335, a Fender piano, and a pair of
tennis shoes. The guy who traded with me immediately customized
the 'Bird' with new Humbucking pick-ups and he replaced the
slider with a toggle switch. When I saw what he had done, I
knew the trade was a mistake. Since 1972, I have searched guitar
trader catalogs (and most recently eBay) for a white non-reverse
III -- with no luck.
In
the late-70s I decided to seriously go for a reverse 'Bird'
but I soon found out that these were very collectible and the
prices had skyrocketed. The guy who ran Guitar Trader in Cherry
Hill told me that he rarely saw an original but when he did
there were so many collectors that it flew out of his shop.
(This was long before eBay). Eventually, I kind of gave up on
my quest. Then in 1997, I walked into Atomic Music in College
Park, Maryland -- a great start-up used guitar shop at that
time and now a fabulous store-- and there was a vintage 1964
Gibson Firebird on consignment for a reasonable price. I grabbed
it and it's been my main ax ever since.
the
logo tatooed on his arm,but I got the guitar itself on my right
bicep.It's on the Music page. Last but not least I want to put
an end to the mis-information regarding "Freebird."It
WAS recorded on a Fireird!It was a one pickup model with the pickup
moved to the,I assume,customized front position,and a P-90 replacing
it in the rear.The P-90 had what looked like a metalic cover,so
I'm assuming it was an Epiphone.That was Allen Collin's main guitar
on all five of the six albums they cut from '73-'76,"Pronounced","Second
Helping","Nuthin' Fancy","Gimme Back My Bullets",and
the live album "One More From The Road."After the live
album he switched to the Explorer that is seen in "Freebird;the
Movie".So while he's commonly associated with Explorers,the
Firebird is what you hear on most records.Judging by the photos
inside the vinyl "First...And Last" he got it in '69
and customized it within a year. Because I'm a Blues guy most
people think I started playing Firebirds because of Johnny Winter,but
actually it was Allen Collins.He was a MOTHERF**KER. Keep up the
good work on the site and feel free to use my photos if you like.
Hello-| |
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In a message posted 9/04:
Hi, I was checkin' out your Firebird page and thought
you might
consider adding another entry. Steve Clark played guitar for Def
Leppard on their first four albums (On Through The Night, High
'N' Dry,
Pyromania and Hysteria).
Here's a link to a site I found that's all about
him:
http://www.steveclarkguitar.com/maindirectory.html
another link with some more info about his guitars,
including the
firebirds: http://www.steveclarkguitar.com/StevesHysteriaTourGuitars.html
Rock on,
Mike
Someone sent me a great letter and this pic of a young Billy Gibbons from ZZ Top playing a Firebird 1. However, I lost the letter, so please contact me so I can add your name etc. Thanks.
Steve,
Your web site is fantastic. I've been waiting
for something like you have created for over 30 years. I bought
my first Firebird, a FBIII in 1963 and still have it. I was 16
years old and had my own garage band in southern Illinois. We
didn't see many instruments there but a buddy of mine showed up
at a gig with this exotic and beautiful guitar, a FB III.
It wasn't but a few months I was ordering one
myself but my love of Firebirds didn't stop there. Later I acquired
a 1963 Firebird I, a 1964 Firebird VII in rare SG cherry finish,
A 1973 reissue Firebird V with the medallion on the top bout,
and a strange Firebird 7 with a cherry tiger stripped maple top.
It is very different than the real firebirds but interesting in
itself. Then in the 80s, I acquired a black Firebird which had
seriously been altered. It belonged to Duane Roland of the original
'Molly Hatchet' southern rock band. It had an applied neck instead
of the straight through body original design and it has an ebony
fingerboard with hex pearl blocks. It had a BADASS bridge replacing
the original. I tracked Duane down in central Florida and asked
him to explain how the Firebird got that way. It was originally
a 64 Firebird III. He explained that in the early 70s, he stood
it against his mother's piano and somehow it fell, shattering
the head stock. He had it reconstructed, the luther doling and
pegging the original head stock to the new neck and also slotting
it for the body like the non reverse models. it was then painted
black. it is distinctive to say the least and comes from the days
when the banjo tuners were not manufactured anymore and very hard
to replace. Duane replaced the e string tuner with a gold one
from a Firebird VII. So it has one gold tuner and five nickel
original ones.
Well, that's my story, I play all of my Firebirds.
I've ended up collecting them but spent hundreds of ours in bands
over the years playing them. There is nothing like a Gibson Firebird.
All the best
Larry Haley
Lake Park, Fla. (Oct. 5, 2003)
Hi,
Steve.
I'm a fellow "reverse bird'' owner. While reading your article,
I noticed that you said the reverse birds were made as far back
as 1960. The first reverse birds to come off the assembly line
were in 1963, and continued till mid 1965. However, in 1964 the
"reverse" head stock was reversed and looked like a Fender! So
this reversed the tuning keys also.
How would you like to own one of each "reverse" style? You'd never get used to the tuning order! I don't know why they did this, but it only lasted for one year. The "non-reverse" birds came along in late '65 and fizzled out biyearly '69. Talk about cheap attributes, the late '60's birds didn't even have neck binding (Firebird VII included). The V had dot inlays, and the body was an unsculpted slab of mahogany. For a top of the line Gibson that's pretty damn cheap!
Looking
at the shipping totals for reverse birds, it seems that they made
many more I's and III's than they did V's and VII's. That's a
shame as I've always been an inlay and neck binding lover. To
me, that's what set Gibson apart was their attention to hand craftsmanship.
It took extra time and ability to create those better models.
Anyway, I hope this gives you a bit of insight.
Ed Meyers, Nov. 24. 2001 (P.S. DON'T LET THAT HEADSTOCK GET BROKEN!
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In
a message dated 12/15/02 , Mike writes:
Did you know that one of the most famous if not the most famous
rock solo ever was played on a Firebird? That would be "Freebird"
and the soloist was the late, great Allen
Collins,. Allen switched to an Explorer later but the Firebird
was used on the early albums including the "Pronounced..."
album that Freebird was on. Anyway, just thought you might want
to know.
Mike
Thanks Mike. Does anyone have a picture of Allen Collins playing a Firebird?
In a messge dated 02/14/03, "Jpoe9" writes "Here's one of my favorite pictures of Allen on his Firebird. Hope you like it."
BUMMER: In a message dated 06/16/03 , Anthony writes:
Steve
On your Firebird tribute page you have a letter from a fan regarding the "Free bird" solo. This letter alleges that the solo was recorded on a Gibson Firebird. Sorry to bust your bubble, but in Issue #46 of Guitar World ("Special Collector's Issue: The 100 Greatest Guitar Solos," page 16), they interview Gary Rossington and summarize his words as "On the studio version of the song, which appeared on Skynyrd's debut album, Collins played the entire solo himself on his Gibson Explorer, with Rossington playing rhythm on his Les Paul, "Bernice," and adding slide fills on his SG."
Sorry to be the one to tell you, but it looks as though the Firebird didn't make an appearance on "Free Bird."
Anthony Jones
BUMMER ANTIDOTE
In a message dated 7/16/03 , Ian writes:
The
story that Allen played the Explorer on the first recorded version
of Freebird is not true. He used the Firebird V when he did this
one on the first album. He did not own the Explorer then. I know
this because I lived with the man and that same guitar in the
picture is the Firebird. I glued the neck back together on it
and restored it to its case in one piece. Allen had left the guitar
leaning against the back of the car after retrieving it from the
trunk forgetting it and backed over it !!!!!! This guitar was
restored to a playable condition to play Freebird once again.
Thanks for the story !!!!!
Ian
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In a message dated 1/15/03 , DP writes:
Thanks
for this page. I bought the Firebird that I owned used in 1969
for $160.00. I have yet to play another guitar that sounded so
smooth at the higher registers. Unfortunately because of financial
problems I had to let that guitar go. I have always kept my eye's
open for another but never came across one until I was in LA a
few months back and visited the Guitar Center on Sunset Blvd and
went down into their vintage guitar area. I had never seen my
model because it was a 1965 with the black pickups and I didn't
realize it was a limited run. They had 2 '65's there but I didn't
have the money right then but I do plan on going back soon.
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In a message dated 1/31/03 ,Trevor writes:
Hi
Steve,
I saw your auction go off. That rocks! Interestingly enough, I
ordered my bird on the exact same day. I got her from AMS for
just $420 w/ free shipping and they even extended my warranty
by a year. You should put something about that on your website,
it's a really good deal compared to the Musician's Friend offer.
American
Music Supply (Steve's reply: "Thanks
for telling me about the eBay auction and the AMS suggestion .)
At any rate, my bird.. Man alive Steve, it plays me. Short story
for the website (edit as necesary):
When I was 13 years old a friend's dad handed me an Epiphone catalog.
Out of curiosity, I began flipping through it looking at the guitars.
My eyes instantly fell to the Firebird VII. I had never seen anything
so beautiful. I went home that afternoon and instantly told my
mother that I wanted a guitar for my 14th birthday which was a
month away. She laughed and mocked the idea that I could learn
an instrument saying that I didn't have the patience to learn
to play the guitar. When my father came home that night, I asked
again, making perfectly clear that I was serious about this. They
talked about it and came to the agreement that they would buy
me an acoustic guitar and that if I could learn to play that,
we would progress from there.
They
gave me a Yamaha(I still love that guitar). I began taking lessons
and soon discovered that I was extremely partial to rock 'n' roll.
I asked my parents in November, after only playing for a month,
if I could have an electric guitar for Christmas. They took me
as seriously as they took me the first time and jokingly said
that if I could learn fifty songs before Christmas, they would
buy me an electric guitar. Within 2 weeks, I had a complete list
of 50 songs ranging from Christmas carols to church music to the
Rolling Stones. That Christmas I got an early 90's Squier Bullet(the
most flat toned conglomerate of wood and strings in existence).
At any rate, now, six years later, I've finally acquired my Firebird.
The connection between this guitar and myself is both amazing
and completely satisfying. Playing it now, I remember back all
those years ago. Somehow I just knew.
(I'll send a picture from a show at a later date)
OK, so that was more of a short book. Don't know if you really want to add all of that to your site, but I thought you might find my story interesting. I'm glad I could help you finally come back to your bird. I still need to buy a case for mine, but I saw how much you paid for yours so if I have a few bucks extra, I'll send them your way, just hit me with an address. Listed below is the URL for my band's site. I hope to have some pictures of me playing my bird up there pretty soon. Once again, I'm glad I could help you come back to your bird. Have a good one and I'll talk to you later.
Trevor Quinby, www.bullettrane.cjb.ne
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In a message dated 2/21/03, ,K.M. writes:
Absolutely love this site!!!! Just came across it. I only own Firebirds. I have been devoted to them since seeing The Allen Collins band play in early 80's here in Florida. I reckon you could say I collect them, but also I have used a Gibson Firebird II all over the world gigging. I was in the US Army in Europe in the late 80's and played in a killer band. The Germans always commented on the beauty of my guitar. I love Lynyrd Skynyrd and was hugely influenced by them. Especially Allen Collins. The logo on the pick guard has been tattooed on my arm for many years now. I wonder how many other Firebird devotees tattooed the flaming bird somewhere on their bodies? I like the Epiphone re-issues also. They sound good. Love this site. Thanks a lot. K.M. (Steve's reply: "Thanks K.M. Any other tattoos out there?)
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In a message dated 3/01/03 , Threedollarwatch writes:
Just wanted to acknowledege
your site and send a friendly "hello" to all my fellow
Firebird owners/players. I am the proud owner of a '63 Firebird
I. Having researched it by way of it's serial number, I've learned
that mine is one of just 80 model I's shipped in '63; it is one
of the earliest of that lot, also, as it bears no logo on the
pickguard. It has some minor cosmetic flaws, but over all it is
in excellent, unmolested, original condition.
I have
owned it since 1973, at which time I purchased it from some guy
who just happened to walk in to a music store local to me, looking
to sell out of desperation. There are times when I feel sorry
for that guy; his loss was truly my gain.
To me,
the real beauty of this guitar lies not in its value as a collectible,
but in it's unmatched playability and sound. A guitarist of 38
years, I've owned quite a few, and still maintain a small stable
of really good instruments ( a '73 Les Paul Deluxe, '76 Stratocaster,
and a '65 Hummingbird).
At the time this photo (left) was taken, the guitar was wearing
a Leo Quann "Badass" tailpiece/bridge combo. They were
designed to replace the wrap-around stop tailpiece on early Gibsons,
and allow more accurate intonation. No modification was required
to install it; it simply slips right on to the stock tailpiece
studs.Notice the original pickguard - it suffers the notorious
"back corner snap-off", probably the only design flaw
the Firebirds have!
However, all
things considered, my Firebird is simply the best guitar I've
ever owned. It feels like silk, intonates perfectly, and stays
in tune almost indefinitely; it's tonal range is phenomenal -
from sweet to wicked. I've always been amazed at how a single
bridge position pickup could convey such tone, and at how much
natural bottom-end the guitar generates. I string it heavy by
most standards - 13, 17, 22, 38, 48, 58.
Hats
off to anyone else who knows the pleasure of owning and playing
a Firebird!!!
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In a message dated 4/10/03 , Jack writes:
Hey Steve, found your website.Great stuff. I've owned a 1964 reverse Firebird V with original hardshell rectangular case since 1966 when I bought it from an acquaintance for $200. It cost him around $500 at the time. It's the one with the Gibson lyre plate behind the bridge, it's the sunburst model, and I've been in love with this guitar the whole time. It seems to be the same one used by Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones that you have on your website. The guitar is a dream, and I'll never part with it. I also have a 1973 Gibson L6S that I use on gigs. I bought it because I became really uncomfortable using my Firebird in public. But the Firebird is a rare machine, beautiful to look at, and super to play. I play it through a 1981 50 watt Marshall head and 2 or 4 speaker Marshall cabinet (or through both sometimes) and WOW!!! I've had offers for it, even trade it for a Gibson SG standard, but no dice. This lady stays with me, and will be passed on. I'm feel really lucky to have it. Keep up the great website. Hope to hear from you. Jack
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Hi
Steve,
My name is Jeroen Maas and I play in a Dutch pop-band. I like your Firebird-site a lot and I hereby send you a picture of me playing my new Gibson Firebird VII in Blue Mist Metallic. It's a great guitar and I get great comments on it all the time. I play it through an original 1965 Fender Super Reverb (blackface) and the two make a truly great couple! By the way, my band is called "Sun Sour Hippie Qué" and you can check our site at www.sunsourhippieque.nl Succes with your website!
kind regards, Jeroen
Thanks Jeroen, and I got your latest CD, and I thought it wa really great, especially track 4 which may have the sweetest Firebird tone I've ever heard recorded. Incredible!!!
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Hi Steve,
Love your site - I have a Black 1976 Reissue Reverse Firebird (Which I bought new when I was 15).
I recently read a book called " Without You : The Tragic Story of Badfinger by Dan Mantovina. On pages 105 and 239 there are pictures of Joey Molland (of Badfinger) playing a Firebird V and on page 237 a Firebird III. I don't have a scanner otherwise I would have sent them to you. I also spent some time on the web trying to find pictures of Molland with the guitar, but was not able to do so.
Best
regards,
Gene Ferrara
Thanks Gene. Anyone have these pics to share?
Please e-mail me additional information you wish to contribute to this page, and any photos of your own Firebird, especially you playing it, and I'll post them in LETTERS, or in the Artist Gallery. Thanks, Steve Moore
If you have ever dreamed of playing serious rock guitar, then I HIGHLY recommend joining the Guitar Alliance. This is one of the the best training program I've seen, and loaded with extras and bonuses. It is a real deal. Steve Moore
Barbie's Ken playing
a 1/6 scale Firebird. GO KEN. Burn it baby. (Ken
says "Who needs Barbie?)
Join the 10,000 Firebird Guitar Registry
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in the world are all the Firebirds? Make donation of $2.00 via PayPal above
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