Premier Guitar features affiliate links to help support our content. We may earn a commission on any affiliated purchases.

1963 Gibson Firebird

1963 Gibson Firebird

Showing a little love to one of Gibson''s less revered models


The Gibson Firebird may not be as well known as its cousins the Les Paul and SG, but it does have a cult following of its own. Modeled after the then, futuristic-looking Explorer, the Firebird has a more subtle appearance. Ray Dietrich, best known for his work on a different type of classic— the automobile—was hired by Gibson president Ted McCarty to create a new guitar. Faced with this challenge, Dietrich went against the grain by making the lower bout more prominent than the upper. The guitar was also the first Gibson to have a neck-through construction, as earlier models had been set-neck designs.

Due to the nature of the design, all early Firebirds are considered “reverse,” both in the prominence of the bouts and the headstock. Later models, with the tuners on the bass side and a larger upper bout, are “non-reverse.” The Firebird seen here, however, is a rare gem featuring a transition headstock (with the tuners on the bass side), a reverse body and a gorgeous sunburst finish.

Thanks to Andy Gerber, Daniel Demchuk and Scott Silver of Chicago Music Exchange for listing this guitar on Gear Search. Be sure to visit their site to see their commercials!

Whether you’re looking for a vintage piece or a modern take on a classic, chances are it’s on Gear Search. There are more than 47,000 pieces of gear listed, including some of the hardest-to-get gear in the world. Head to premierguitar.com/gear to find your dream instrument!