Gibson’s Phoenix Rises in Exceptional Epiphone Form
Swooping in from the early 1960s, Epiphone’s 1963 Firebird V marks a spot-on tribute to Gibson’s iconic Firebird V in all its vintage glory. This guitar’s premium 9-piece laminate mahogany/walnut neck-through construction and mahogany wings perfectly re-create the Firebird V as it was imagined by automobile icon Ray Dietrich in Gibson’s golden age, supplying superb sustain to rival (or even exceed) any of Gibson’s classic set-neck models. Dual Firebird pickups split the difference between humbucker weight and single-coil sparkle, while the Maestro Vibrola tailpiece enables surfy shimmer and expressive vibrato. It’s all finished off with all of the Firebird V’s historic quirks, including a stepped headstock, phoenix-adorned pickguard, and banjo-style planetary tuners from Kluson. A masterful re-creation of arguably Gibson’s most idiosyncratic instrument of the 1960s, the Epiphone 1963 Firebird V is a must-have for Firebird fans of all persuasions.
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Sustain-rich neck-through construction
While the Firebird is clearly inspired by Gibson’s early angular Explorer model, what truly sets the ’bird apart from the flock? Sure, the banjo tuners and stepped headstock design are unique among Gibson and Epiphone’s historic offerings, but the Firebird’s signature feature is found in its 9-piece laminate neck-through construction. Consisting of alternating mahogany and walnut stripes from the strap pin to the tip of the headstock, the Firebird’s neck-through construction delivers mammoth sustain and an exceptionally responsive, lively feel even when strummed unplugged. Coupled with two lightweight mahogany wings, the Epiphone 1963 Firebird V’s nearly never-ending cry is sure to please even the most sustain-obsessed guitarist.
Vintage-correct Firebird humbuckers
Often mistaken for Gibson’s similar-looking mini humbuckers of the late 1960s and 1970s, the sleek pole piece-less pickups Gibson’s Firebird took flight with in 1963 are wholly original humbucking creations. The Epiphone 1963 Firebird V’s dual Gibson USA-made Firebird pickups are a top-class tonal tribute to those very vintage pickups, re-creating their clear, bright, and cutting sound with the utmost tonal authenticity. Truly an outlier in Gibson’s pickup pantheon, Firebird pickups are revered among Sweetwater’s Firebird fans as perhaps the most successful marriage of humbucker depth and single-coil sparkle in Gibson history. From country-style twang to Jazz-ready warmth to screaming blues leads a la Johnny Winter, the Epiphone 1963 Firebird V does it all with slick 1960s style.
The ’bird at its most brilliant
Right out of the gate, Gibson’s original 1963 Firebird arrived with several distinct variations, from single-pickup stunners to triple-pickup powerhouses equipped with high-end vibrato units. The Epiphone 1963 Firebird V represents what most Firebird fans consider the guitar’s most iconic iteration — the “V” model, packing two Firebird humbucking pickups, upscale mother-of-pearl trapezoid inlays, and elegant neck binding. However, our favorite feature is surely the Maestro Vibrola tailpiece —remarkably stable and expressive vibrato system that sends this ’bird right over the aesthetic edge.
Epiphone 1963 Firebird V Electric Guitar Features:
- An incredibly accurate tribute to Gibson’s Firebird V as it launched in 1963
- 9-ply mahogany/walnut neck delivers superior sustain and incredible body resonance
- Bound 12-inch-radius Indian Laurel fingerboard studded with mother-of-pearl trapezoid inlays
- Dual Gibson USA-made Firebird humbucking pickups perfectly split the difference between humbucker warmth and single-coil articulation
- Maestro Vibrola tailpiece for wavy vibrato and expressive pitch bending
- Classic Firebird V appointments include planetary banjo tuners from Kluson, a stepped and painted headstock, and a signature Phoenix-adorned pickguard
