Here we have a Gibson Firebird II, Rare Artist Issue kitted our with  active Moog Electrics. These produce a built in Compressor and Expander system, allowing for punchy sound as well as long sustain, This rare Firebird/RD Artis hybrid was briefly produced in 1982/3 and produced in around 250 units. Kitted out with two powerful Humbuckers it is a powerhouse of sound. Gibson Firebirds have their origin in the 1960s and have been the guitar of choice for music icons such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers, Phil Manzanera of Roxy Music, and Johnny Winter to name but a few. Most Firebird models Reverse and Non-reverse were all issued with 2 humbuckers, and some with 3-pups. It’s a heavy guitar due to the so,I’d mahogany slab, but balances well and doesn’t seem to suffer from neck dive or so. Guitar lives in its hard-case.

Gibson Firebird Woodstain 1976, new to the collection. This is one of a limited run from 1976 and produced in fewer than 200 units as a part of the  bicentennial series. Kitted out with two powerful Mini Humbuckers, it is a match for the Les Paul Deluxes and Customs twin Hum-bucker Gibson Les Paul models. This one like most Firebird models were issued with 2 humbuckers, however this one is the Mini Humbucker version. The condition is great, quite remarkable for a 40 plus year old guitar. Not quite mint but not vastly different. The original case is in good nick too.

Here we have a Gibson Firebird VII, Commemorative Issue in Wood-stain made in USA in 1994. This guitar is one of a limited run to commemorate the 100 Year anniversary of Orville Gibson as founder of the Gibson Guitar and Mandolin Co.,  and produced in around 100 units. Kitted out with three powerful Mini Humbuckers it is a powerhouse of sound. Gibson Firebirds have their origin in. The 1960s and have been the guitar of choice for icons such as Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Allman Brothers, Phil Manzanera of Roxy Music, and Johnny Winter to name but a few. Most Firebird models Reverse and Non-reverse were issued with 2 humbuckers, however the 3-pup version was quite common too. It’s a big heavy guitar but balances well and doesn’t seem to suffer from neck dive or so. Guitar lives in its leather hard-case with plush blue and purple lining.

Gibson Firebird III, Woodstain 1965, new to the collection, thx to Gaz Ayers. This is one of a limited run and produced in fewer than 200 units. Kitted out with three powerful P-90s, it is more than a match for the later 3-Humbucker Gibson Les Paul models. Most models were issued with 2 humbuckers, however this one is the 3-pup version. It’s a big guitar but balances well and doesn’t seem to suffer from neck dive or so. The condition is great, quite remarkable for a 50-plus year old guitar. Not quite mint but not vastly different. Even the original case is in good nick albeit covered in stickers acquired over the past 5 decades. For the time being in the collection, however if you twist my arm.