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
Corps
Corps
Finition du corps Nitrocellulose lacquer
Corps Mahogany
Forme du corps Non-reverse Firebird
Styles de corps Solidbody
Manche
Manche
Matériau de la touche Indian rosewood
Radius de la touche 304.8mm / 12.0in
Nombre de frettes 22
Frettes Medium/vintage
Incrustations Dot, celluloid
Jonction corps/manche Glued-in, set neck
Matériau du manche Mahogany
Matériau du sillet de tete Plastic
Largeur du sillet de tete 40.7mm / 1.6in
Profil Medium C
Diapason 628.65mm / 24.75in
Électronique
Électronique
Micro chevalet P-90 pickup, soapbar, black coil (8.32k)
Les contrôles 2 volume, 2 tone CTS potentiometers with Sprague ceramic disc capacitors
Micro central P-90 pickup, soapbar, black coil (8.70k)
Micro manche P-90 pickup, soapbar, black coil (8.23k)
Prise de sortie Jack Switchcraft 1/4" mono output jack
Sélecteur de micro Switchcraft slide selector switch
Hardware
Hardware
Chevalets Custom Shop Lightning Bar wraparound tailpiece, original Lightning Bar wraparound bridge included in case
Boutons de contrôle Gold Top Hat knobs with gold inserts (tall wall)
finish Chrome
Pickguards 3-Ply white/black pickguard with Firebird hotstamp
Capots Micros Black soapbar pickup covers
Pièces en plastique Black
Matériau du chevalet Zamak
Boutons De Sangle Aluminum strap buttons
Bouton du sélecteur micros Black plastic switch tip
Cordiers Maestro vibrola, short
Tige de réglage Truss Rod Adjustable
Cache Truss Rod Gibson hot-stamped Firebird truss rod cover
Placage des Mécaniques Nickel
Mécaniques Kluson Deluxe double line 6-on-a-plate tuners with white buttons
Divers
Divers
Accessoires COA, LOA, Limited Lifetime Warranty, GCV leather guitar strap, GCV leather luggage tag, original Lightning Bar wraparound bridge
Model: GCVP0182
Etuis New Gibson Custom non-reverse Firebird hardshell case and original black and goldenrod Firebird hardshell case
Headstock Non-reverse Firebird
Taille des cordes 10-46
Gibson Certified Vintage 1965 Gibson Firebird III, Tobacco Sunburst
Gibson Certified Vintage 1965 Gibson Firebird III, Tobacco Sunburst
Livraison gratuite et rapide
Livraison gratuite et rapide
Les commandes passées avant 13 h 00 (heure CST) du lundi au vendredi (hors jours fériés) sont expédiées le jour même. Les commandes passées après cette heure seront expédiées le jour ouvrable suivant. Toutes les commandes de plus de 50 € bénéficient de la livraison standard gratuite.
Garantie limitée à vie
Garantie limitée à vie
Achetez et jouez l’esprit tranquille : votre instrument est protégé par notre garantie limitée à vie. Pour en savoir plus sur les garanties et les exclusions, cliquez ici .
Étui ou housse inclus(e)
Étui ou housse inclus(e)
Votre instrument est livré avec un étui rigide ou une housse pour un rangement et un transport en toute sécurité. Veuillez vous reporter aux spécifications du produit pour plus de détails.
Réglage inclus
Réglage inclus
Nos techniciens formés en atelier effectuent une inspection minutieuse et un réglage complet juste avant que votre instrument ne soit emballé et expédié.
Trois Mois Gratuits de l’Application Gibson
Trois Mois Gratuits de l’Application Gibson
Pour une durée limitée : recevez un abonnement gratuit de trois mois à l’application Gibson à l’achat de ce produit. Cliquez ici pour en savoir plus sur l’application 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
Corps
Corps
Finition du corps Nitrocellulose lacquer
Corps Mahogany
Forme du corps Non-reverse Firebird
Styles de corps Solidbody
Manche
Manche
Matériau de la touche Indian rosewood
Radius de la touche 304.8mm / 12.0in
Nombre de frettes 22
Frettes Medium/vintage
Incrustations Dot, celluloid
Jonction corps/manche Glued-in, set neck
Matériau du manche Mahogany
Matériau du sillet de tete Plastic
Largeur du sillet de tete 40.7mm / 1.6in
Profil Medium C
Diapason 628.65mm / 24.75in
Électronique
Électronique
Micro chevalet P-90 pickup, soapbar, black coil (8.32k)
Les contrôles 2 volume, 2 tone CTS potentiometers with Sprague ceramic disc capacitors
Micro central P-90 pickup, soapbar, black coil (8.70k)
Micro manche P-90 pickup, soapbar, black coil (8.23k)
Prise de sortie Jack Switchcraft 1/4" mono output jack
Sélecteur de micro Switchcraft slide selector switch
Hardware
Hardware
Chevalets Custom Shop Lightning Bar wraparound tailpiece, original Lightning Bar wraparound bridge included in case
Boutons de contrôle Gold Top Hat knobs with gold inserts (tall wall)
finish Chrome
Pickguards 3-Ply white/black pickguard with Firebird hotstamp
Capots Micros Black soapbar pickup covers
Pièces en plastique Black
Matériau du chevalet Zamak
Boutons De Sangle Aluminum strap buttons
Bouton du sélecteur micros Black plastic switch tip
Cordiers Maestro vibrola, short
Tige de réglage Truss Rod Adjustable
Cache Truss Rod Gibson hot-stamped Firebird truss rod cover
Placage des Mécaniques Nickel
Mécaniques Kluson Deluxe double line 6-on-a-plate tuners with white buttons
Divers
Divers
Accessoires COA, LOA, Limited Lifetime Warranty, GCV leather guitar strap, GCV leather luggage tag, original Lightning Bar wraparound bridge
Model: GCVP0182
Etuis New Gibson Custom non-reverse Firebird hardshell case and original black and goldenrod Firebird hardshell case
Headstock Non-reverse Firebird
Taille des cordes 10-46
Overall rating: 0.0 / 5 from 0 reviews.
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