Gibson introduces the Firebird 7, featuring the same neck-through-body design but with three ’57 Classic humbuckers. Related Feature:Gibson Firebird V 2015 The company utilized an interesting mix of traditional design and modern hardware elements to build this new bird, all wrapped up in a grayish shade of blue finish called Blue Mist. If you came here thinking that this is a 7-string Firebird then know that you are joining many of us who were mislead by the name. Still, the company is merely following the naming convention that they’ve been using with the Firebird line, so the label 7 is justifiable. It will probably just be awkward when they actually release a 7-string Firebird – because the number 7 is already taken. The core design that made the Firebird popular is present, having a neck-through-body that is built from a 9-ply combination of mahogany and walnut. The company says that when combined with the guitar’s mahogany wings, it “establishes a solid core for optimum resonance and sustain”. The neck is carved into Gibson’s SlimTaper profile for a modern feel and is topped by a 12″ radius rosewood fretboard. It has 22 frets, acrylic block inlays and the fingerboard is wrapped

Gibson celebrates the golden anniversary of the Firebird with a gold finished 50th anniversary edition. This golden instrument is a fitting tribute to the original chrome and tailfins inspired guitar that was released in 1963. This gold-on-gold tribute to the original Firebird bears all the essential markers of the original, including its unique neck-through construction, Firebird mini-humbuckers, and reversed headstock. What distinguishes this new guitar however is that it is wrapped in sparkling Bullion Gold nitrocellulose finish. To match its gold finish, the 50th Anniversary Firebird comes with genuine gold-plated hardware, while the black pickguard and control knobs match the rosewood neck and headstock. The pickguard is stamped in gold with “50th Anniversary 1963-2013”, and the Firebird Phoenix logo. Underneath the gold and glitter is a body made of mahogany, the same wood that helped propel Gibson to its iconic status today. The neck is also made of mahogany topped with a rosewood fingerboard, completing the tried and tested guitar design that is at the core of Gibson’s most successful instruments. The reversed six-a-side headstock were originally equipped with banjo tuners, but on this guitar, Gibson employed modern Steinberger gearless tuners which gives it a no tuning keys look, while

In celebration of their 20th Anniversary, Gibson Custom introduces a collectible remake of the 1965 Firebird VII. This guitar will have a limited run of 100 worldwide, featuring period correct specifications and aesthetic embellishments. Labeled as “reverse bodied” because of its odd body shape, the Firebird is not a conventional looking instrument. Yet it stood its ground among the more popular Gibson models, and it has become one of the few enduring old model guitars. Love it or hate it, the Firebird continues to be sought after for its elegance and uniqueness. Gibson Custom wanted to capture the original feel and vibe of the Firebird when it was released, so they aimed for strict period-correct measurements and design elements, while incorporating their level of handcrafting and quality materials. In line with this, the 1965 Firebird VII Reissue follows the same body shape, which looks like an offset double-cutaway guitar flipped front to back. It also follows the same “neck-through” construction used on the original, featuring a solid neck and body center section that is made of multi-ply mahogany and walnut, and extended with solid mahogany wings. This unobstructed neck-and-body design helps in improving resonance and sustain. The neck is carved

Gibson introduces the Skunk Baxter Firebird, featuring artist approved specs and three mini-humbucker pickups. Related Feature:Gibson Elliot Easton “Tikibird” Firebird The mini-humbuckers serve as sonic and visual centerpieces for the guitar, designed by Gibson Guitars’ head luthier Jim Decola to be the hottest mini-humbucking pickups from the brand. The Skunk Baxter Firebird follows the reverse-body look of the original Firebird, featuring a neck-through-body construction that gives the guitar its distinctive look and sustain. The central block and wings of the body is carved from mahogany, following traditional wood combination. The neck is made of a combination of walnut and mahogany, topped by a rosewood fretboard. It has a radius of 12″, a Corian nut with a width of 1.695″ and white binding. Acrylic block inlays are used as fret markers. Giving the guitar Skunk Baxter approved tones is a trio of Mini-humbuckers. The brand describes them as being hot while retaining the sweet and dynamic tone of Gibson’s original ’57 humbuckers. A full complement of controls will let you create a variety of voices, with independent on/off switches and modern split-coil switching for all three pickups. The Skunk Baxter Firebird is said to be the most versatile instrument to carry

Gibson welcomes another signature guitar for “The Cars” guitarist Elliot Easton – The “Tikibird” Firebird, where classic looks meets modern features. Although this new guitar comes with artist-approved specs, it will be quite a change of pace for Elliot, who is mostly known for using his Signature SG. At first glance, this new signature fronts a traditional look – but if you look more closely, you will find that it has a lot of modern electronics and hardware to offer. It is a fitting instrument for Elliot’s unique playing style. This new signature guitar has Firebird’s trademark reverse body shape, as seen on instruments released back in the mid-’60s. The center of the body is carved from solid mahogany. Mahogany body wings are glued on to the center part to create the guitar’s unique shape. The guitar features a “through neck” design, which means that the center of the body connects directly to the multi-piece mahogany neck. The neck follows Elliot’s preferred profile, measuring 0.850″ at the 12th fret and 0.800″ at the 1st. It is topped by a rosewood fretboard that has 22 medium jumbo frets. Traditional trapezoid inlays provide classic visual embellishments to the guitar. Being used to

Gibson unveils the latest iteration of the production model Firebird electric guitar, with upgraded features for 2015. Related Feature:Gibson Skunk Baxter Firebird The Firebird V 2015 is part of Gibson’s latest unveiling of their new 2015 guitar line, of which they highlighted some of the new features that are found on their latest production line instruments. The most prominent change that this new model brings is the addition of a Zero Fret Adjustable nut, which allows for action and intonation stability and adjustments. No need to file the nut to adjust action or string gauge, just simply lower or raise the nut to adjust the string height, it also does not have the string cavities as found on traditional nuts, so it can be used with different string gauges. Unfortunately, the new Firebird did not get the “G-Force” treatment, an automatic mechanical tuner option that is said to be the next generation of their Min-ETune system. But it does have new Steinberger tuners, which are known for their ability to improve resonance. Still at the core of this new guitar is the time-tested neck-through body design with mahogany off-set shape wings. For improved stability, Gibson utilized a 9-ply multi-laminate mahogany/walnut

Music instrument retailer Make’n Music and Fender team up to release the limited run American Standard Offset Telecaster. Related Feature:Fender The Edge Strat This guitar combines the features of two popular Fender guitars, the Telecaster being the core design and pickup configuration, while taking inspiration from the Jazzmaster’s offset body shape. The result is a unique and still familiar variation of the Telecaster. Described by the retailer as the “8th Wonder of Fender’s Magnificent 7”, whatever that means, the initial run of this guitar will only be limited to 25 pieces, all of which will be exclusive to them. While the idea of combining the Telecaster with the Jazzmaster is not necessarily a new idea, this is an interesting attempt at making this design more accessible. You can have a Tele-Master hybrid personalized via Fender Custom Shop, but that will set you back by a lot, so having one from a production line is the more practical way to go. But since its business, Fender needs to test the water first, so to speak, to see if there is indeed a good demand for this particular guitar design, before taking the plunge and mass producing them. The guitar has a

Fender unveils the Custom Shop Mike Campbell Limited Edition “Heartbreaker” Guitar, a meticulous recreation of Campbell’s original Broadcaster. Related Feature:Fender Jimi Hendrix Stratocaster This latest limited run vintage replica guitar Spear headed by Master Builder Dale Wilson, the Custom Shop team replicated Mike’s guitar down to minute details, resulting in limited run vintage replicas that are virtually indistinguishable with the original. The story goes that Mike bought the original Broadcaster for around $600, after he loaned his Stratocaster to Tom Petty. This was around the time when they were in the studio working on the first Heartbreakers record. It has since been among Mike’s main guitar, and has been put to good use for more than 40 years now. This workhorse guitar has been used in many Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers’ hit songs, and has also been heard on tracks by other big name music icons like Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan and George Harrison. Now Fender Custom Shop have made a deal with Mike Campbell to replicate his original Heartbreaker and produce a limited run of “relic’ed” replicas. Everything about the original guitar is captured by the new Heartbreaker, including all the bumps, dings, scratches and stains that the