Made in Collaboration With Gibson Custom
Epiphone and Gibson Custom 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.

Features

• 9-ply neck-through mahogany and walnut body
• Okoume (Gaboon Mahogany) body wings
• Kluson planetary tuners
• Wraparound Lightning Bar bridge
• Gibson USA Firebird mini humbucker pickup
• CTS pots
• Mallory cap
• Switchcraft 1/4″ output jack
• Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom hardshell case

Specifications

Body

• Body Style: Firebird
• Body Shape: Firebird
• Body Material: 9-ply Mahogany/Walnut Neck-Through
• Side: Mahogany Wings
• Body Finish: Gloss

Neck

• Profile: 1963 Firebird
• Scale Length: 628.65 mm / 24.75 in
• Fingerboard Material: Indian Laurel
• Fingerboard Radius: 304.8 mm / 12 in
• Neck Material: 9-ply Mahogany/Walnut
• Fret Count: 22
• Frets: Medium Jumbo
• Nut Material: Graph Tech
• Nut Width: 43.0 mm / 1.692 in
• Inlays: Mother of Pearl Dot
• Joint: Neck-Through-Body Construction

Hardware

• Finish: Nickel
• Bridge: Wraparound Lightning Bar
• Tuning Machines: Kluson “Banjo-style” Planetary
• Pickguard: 3-ply White; Firebird Logo Hotstamp in Red
• Truss Rod: Dual Action
• Truss Rod Cover: Black with Epiphone Logo in Gold
• Control Knobs: Gold with Silver Reflectors
• Control Covers: Black with Inspired by Gibson Custom Hotstamped Logo
• Strap Buttons: 3 – Bottom, Shoulder, and Neck Heel – Historic Firebird Strap Button Placement Locations
• Mounting Rings: Nickel

Electronics

• Bridge Pickup: Gibson USA Firebird Mini Humbucker with Alnico 5 Magnets
• Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone, Hand-wired with CTS Potentiometers and a Mallory Capacitor
• Output Jack: 1/4″ Switchcraft

Misc.

• Strings Gauge: .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
• Case: Hardshell Case