1965 Gibson Firebird III, Serial Number 506980
Introduced in 1965, the non-reverse Firebird™ represented the reimagining of the Firebird platform, replacing the neck-through construction and reverse body shape of earlier models with a lighter, more streamlined mahogany design. This exceptionally clean Firebird III is a wonderful example of the model, showing only light wear consistent with careful ownership. Finished in Tobacco Sunburst, it is an attractive and exceptionally playable example of one of our most distinctive mid-1960s designs.
The finish exhibits light, even lacquer checking throughout along with a handful of small dings concentrated around the headstock corners and body edges. The original chrome hardware shows only very light tarnishing and remains in excellent condition throughout. As is common on non-reverse Firebirds, the original pickguard has experienced noticeable shrinkage over time. The shrinkage has resulted in cracks at four mounting screws and the loss of a small section of material near the treble-side corner adjacent to the pickup selector switch. Light wear is also present around the selector switch area. Despite these issues, the Firebird hot stamp remains crisp and retains strong color, while the original hot-stamped truss rod cover remains very clean. The guitar presents remarkably well overall and remains exceptionally clean throughout.
The original chrome hardware remains in very good condition. The original lightning bar wraparound tailpiece remains fully functional and is included in the case, while a Gibson Custom lightning bar tailpiece is currently installed for improved intonation with modern string sets. To further optimize performance, the bridge and middle pickups have been non-invasively shimmed to improve balance across all three pickup positions. A rosewood shim has also been installed beneath the short Maestro™ Vibrola™ to increase break angle across the bridge. Like the pickup shims, this modification is entirely reversible and requires no alteration to the instrument. The original Kluson® double-line tuners function smoothly, while the gold reflector knobs retain clean and clearly legible lettering throughout.
While the Medium C-shaped neck profile features the later 1 9/16" nut width found on most Gibson instruments post-1965, the profile fills out the hand nicely and provides a full, comfortable feel. The lightly polished original frets remain in very good condition, and the guitar plays cleanly up and down the fretboard with excellent action and a smooth, effortless feel that makes it a joy to play.
The electronics remain fully original throughout with clean, untouched solder joints. The three P-90 pickups measure approximately 8.23k ohms in the neck position, 8.70k ohms in the middle position, and 8.32k ohms in the bridge position. Original CTS® potentiometers, Sprague ceramic disc capacitors, and Switchcraft® components remain in place. Tonally, the guitar delivers everything that makes the three-pickup Firebird III such a compelling instrument, offering warm neck tones, articulate middle-position sounds, and cutting bridge pickup response. The result is an exceptionally versatile guitar with outstanding clarity, responsiveness, and character.
The guitar ships in a new Gibson Custom non-reverse Firebird hardshell case and includes its original black and goldenrod Firebird hardshell case, which remains in exceptionally clean condition. It is accompanied by the original Gibson warranty card hang tag stamped "FB #3" along with the original purchase receipt documenting its sale in July 1967. Together, these original documents provide a wonderful connection to the guitar's earliest history and ownership.
An exceptionally clean player with outstanding originality, this 1965 Firebird III combines the visual appeal of the non-reverse Firebird design, the versatility of three original P-90 pickups, thoughtful reversible playability enhancements, and desirable original documentation.
This instrument has received a professional setup and thorough inspection from Gibson Certified Vintage and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, Letter of Appraisal, new Limited Lifetime Warranty, and exclusive Gibson Certified Vintage accessories including a black leather guitar strap, matching black leather luggage tag, and vintage-style Gibson pick container.
Weight: 7.58 lb.
Neck Depth: 1st Fret: .83", 12th Fret: .98"
Guitar Specifications
Cuerpo
Cuerpo
Acabado del cuerpo Nitrocellulose lacquer
Cuerpo Mahogany
Forma del cuerpo Non-reverse Firebird
Estilos de cuerpo Solidbody
Mastil
Mastil
Material del diapasón Indian rosewood
Radio del diapasón 304.8mm / 12.0in
Recuento de trastes 22
Trastes Medium/vintage
Incrustaciones Dot, celluloid
Union Glued-in, set neck
Material del mastil Mahogany
Material de la cejilla Plastic
Ancho de la cejilla 40.7mm / 1.6in
Perfil Medium C
Longitud de la escala 628.65mm / 24.75in
Electrónica
Electrónica
Pastilla de puente P-90 pickup, soapbar, black coil (8.32k)
Controles 2 volume, 2 tone CTS potentiometers with Sprague ceramic disc capacitors
Pastilla intermedia P-90 pickup, soapbar, black coil (8.70k)
Pastilla de mástil P-90 pickup, soapbar, black coil (8.23k)
Conector de salida Switchcraft 1/4" mono output jack
Pastilla de diapasón Switchcraft slide selector switch
Hardware
Hardware
Puentes Custom Shop Lightning Bar wraparound tailpiece, original Lightning Bar wraparound bridge included in case
Controles Gold Top Hat knobs with gold inserts (tall wall)
finish Chrome
Golpeadores 3-Ply white/black pickguard with Firebird hotstamp
Cubierta de pastilla Black soapbar pickup covers
Partes plásticas Black
Material de la selleta Zamak
Botones de correa Aluminum strap buttons
Selector de pastillas Black plastic switch tip
Cordales Maestro vibrola, short
Alma Adjustable
Cubierta del alma Gibson hot-stamped Firebird truss rod cover
Revestimiento del afinador Nickel
Clavijeros Kluson Deluxe double line 6-on-a-plate tuners with white buttons
Miscelánea
Miscelánea
Accesorios COA, LOA, Limited Lifetime Warranty, GCV leather guitar strap, GCV leather luggage tag, original Lightning Bar wraparound bridge
Model: GCVP0182
Estuche New Gibson Custom non-reverse Firebird hardshell case and original black and goldenrod Firebird hardshell case
Headstock Non-reverse Firebird
Fuerza cuerdas 10-46
Gibson Certified Vintage 1965 Gibson Firebird III, Tobacco Sunburst
Gibson Certified Vintage 1965 Gibson Firebird III, Tobacco Sunburst
Garantía limitada de por vida
Garantía limitada de por vida
Toca tu instrumento con la seguridad de nuestra garantía limitada de por vida. Obtén más información sobre las garantías y sus excepciones aquí .
Estuche incluido
Estuche incluido
Tu instrumento incluye un estuche rígido o blando de fábrica para guardarlo y transportarlo con seguridad. Consulta las especificaciones del producto para más detalles.
Ajuste incluido
Ajuste incluido
Nuestros técnicos artesanos llevan a cabo una pormenorizada inspección final y configuran los instrumentos antes de que se embalen y envíen.
3 meses gratis
3 meses gratis
Por tiempo limitado, recibe una suscripción de tres meses a la App Gibson gratis con la compra de este producto. Haz clic aquí para obtener más información sobre la App Gibson.
1965 Gibson Firebird III, Serial Number 506980
Introduced in 1965, the non-reverse Firebird™ represented the reimagining of the Firebird platform, replacing the neck-through construction and reverse body shape of earlier models with a lighter, more streamlined mahogany design. This exceptionally clean Firebird III is a wonderful example of the model, showing only light wear consistent with careful ownership. Finished in Tobacco Sunburst, it is an attractive and exceptionally playable example of one of our most distinctive mid-1960s designs.
The finish exhibits light, even lacquer checking throughout along with a handful of small dings concentrated around the headstock corners and body edges. The original chrome hardware shows only very light tarnishing and remains in excellent condition throughout. As is common on non-reverse Firebirds, the original pickguard has experienced noticeable shrinkage over time. The shrinkage has resulted in cracks at four mounting screws and the loss of a small section of material near the treble-side corner adjacent to the pickup selector switch. Light wear is also present around the selector switch area. Despite these issues, the Firebird hot stamp remains crisp and retains strong color, while the original hot-stamped truss rod cover remains very clean. The guitar presents remarkably well overall and remains exceptionally clean throughout.
The original chrome hardware remains in very good condition. The original lightning bar wraparound tailpiece remains fully functional and is included in the case, while a Gibson Custom lightning bar tailpiece is currently installed for improved intonation with modern string sets. To further optimize performance, the bridge and middle pickups have been non-invasively shimmed to improve balance across all three pickup positions. A rosewood shim has also been installed beneath the short Maestro™ Vibrola™ to increase break angle across the bridge. Like the pickup shims, this modification is entirely reversible and requires no alteration to the instrument. The original Kluson® double-line tuners function smoothly, while the gold reflector knobs retain clean and clearly legible lettering throughout.
While the Medium C-shaped neck profile features the later 1 9/16" nut width found on most Gibson instruments post-1965, the profile fills out the hand nicely and provides a full, comfortable feel. The lightly polished original frets remain in very good condition, and the guitar plays cleanly up and down the fretboard with excellent action and a smooth, effortless feel that makes it a joy to play.
The electronics remain fully original throughout with clean, untouched solder joints. The three P-90 pickups measure approximately 8.23k ohms in the neck position, 8.70k ohms in the middle position, and 8.32k ohms in the bridge position. Original CTS® potentiometers, Sprague ceramic disc capacitors, and Switchcraft® components remain in place. Tonally, the guitar delivers everything that makes the three-pickup Firebird III such a compelling instrument, offering warm neck tones, articulate middle-position sounds, and cutting bridge pickup response. The result is an exceptionally versatile guitar with outstanding clarity, responsiveness, and character.
The guitar ships in a new Gibson Custom non-reverse Firebird hardshell case and includes its original black and goldenrod Firebird hardshell case, which remains in exceptionally clean condition. It is accompanied by the original Gibson warranty card hang tag stamped "FB #3" along with the original purchase receipt documenting its sale in July 1967. Together, these original documents provide a wonderful connection to the guitar's earliest history and ownership.
An exceptionally clean player with outstanding originality, this 1965 Firebird III combines the visual appeal of the non-reverse Firebird design, the versatility of three original P-90 pickups, thoughtful reversible playability enhancements, and desirable original documentation.
This instrument has received a professional setup and thorough inspection from Gibson Certified Vintage and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, Letter of Appraisal, new Limited Lifetime Warranty, and exclusive Gibson Certified Vintage accessories including a black leather guitar strap, matching black leather luggage tag, and vintage-style Gibson pick container.
Weight: 7.58 lb.
Neck Depth: 1st Fret: .83", 12th Fret: .98"
Guitar Specifications
Cuerpo
Cuerpo
Acabado del cuerpo Nitrocellulose lacquer
Cuerpo Mahogany
Forma del cuerpo Non-reverse Firebird
Estilos de cuerpo Solidbody
Mastil
Mastil
Material del diapasón Indian rosewood
Radio del diapasón 304.8mm / 12.0in
Recuento de trastes 22
Trastes Medium/vintage
Incrustaciones Dot, celluloid
Union Glued-in, set neck
Material del mastil Mahogany
Material de la cejilla Plastic
Ancho de la cejilla 40.7mm / 1.6in
Perfil Medium C
Longitud de la escala 628.65mm / 24.75in
Electrónica
Electrónica
Pastilla de puente P-90 pickup, soapbar, black coil (8.32k)
Controles 2 volume, 2 tone CTS potentiometers with Sprague ceramic disc capacitors
Pastilla intermedia P-90 pickup, soapbar, black coil (8.70k)
Pastilla de mástil P-90 pickup, soapbar, black coil (8.23k)
Conector de salida Switchcraft 1/4" mono output jack
Pastilla de diapasón Switchcraft slide selector switch
Hardware
Hardware
Puentes Custom Shop Lightning Bar wraparound tailpiece, original Lightning Bar wraparound bridge included in case
Controles Gold Top Hat knobs with gold inserts (tall wall)
finish Chrome
Golpeadores 3-Ply white/black pickguard with Firebird hotstamp
Cubierta de pastilla Black soapbar pickup covers
Partes plásticas Black
Material de la selleta Zamak
Botones de correa Aluminum strap buttons
Selector de pastillas Black plastic switch tip
Cordales Maestro vibrola, short
Alma Adjustable
Cubierta del alma Gibson hot-stamped Firebird truss rod cover
Revestimiento del afinador Nickel
Clavijeros Kluson Deluxe double line 6-on-a-plate tuners with white buttons
Miscelánea
Miscelánea
Accesorios COA, LOA, Limited Lifetime Warranty, GCV leather guitar strap, GCV leather luggage tag, original Lightning Bar wraparound bridge
Model: GCVP0182
Estuche New Gibson Custom non-reverse Firebird hardshell case and original black and goldenrod Firebird hardshell case
Headstock Non-reverse Firebird
Fuerza cuerdas 10-46
Overall rating: 0.0 / 5 from 0 reviews.
AI Generated Review Summary
Summary topics
Review topics: [].