Epiphone and the Gibson Custom Shop have teamed up again to create the Inspired by Gibson Custom 1963 Firebird I – an authentic replica of the guitar designed by legendary automotive designer Ray Dietrich. When it was launched in 1963, the Firebird™ was Gibson’s first neck-through-body model, and it went on to be used by players in a wide range of genres, including blues legend Johnny Winter, Keith Richards and Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, and Phil Manzanera of Roxy Music, to name a few.

The Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom 1963 Firebird I delivers vintage Firebird specifications at an accessible price, including a 9-ply neck-through-body made of mahogany and walnut with mahogany body wings to either side. Kluson® planetary geared “banjo” tuners anchor the strings at the headstock, while a Wraparound Lightning Bar bridge holds things down at the other end and ensures exceptional sustain.

While in keeping with the vintage 1963 Firebird I’s stripped-down specifications, the electronics are also premium and include a Gibson USA Firebird mini humbucker™ pickup with Alnico 5 magnets, CTS® potentiometers, a Mallory™ capacitor, and a Switchcraft® 1/4” output jack, giving this remarkable recreation not only the look but the sound of a classic Firebird I. An Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom hardshell case is also included.

Body
Shape: Firebird
Body Material: Mahogany (Wings)

Neck
Neck Material: 9-ply Mahogany/Walnut Neck-Through
Profile: 1963 Firebird
Nut Width: 43mm
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Scale Length: 628.65mm
Number of Frets: 22
Nut Material: Graph Tech
Inlay: Mother of Pearl Dot

Hardware
Bridge: Wraparound Lightning Bar
Knobs:
Tuners: Kluson "Banjo-style" Planetary
Plating: Nickel

Electronics
Neck Pickup: Gibson USA Firebird Mini Humbucker with Alnico 5 Magnets
Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone, Hand-wired with CTS Potentiometers and a Mallory Capacitor