✨2024✨ Epiphone Inspired By Gibson Custom 1963 Firebird I Silver Mist~ Maestro

✨ Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom 1963 Firebird I Silver Mist with Maestro Vibrola ✨

RRP £899.00

2024 model

This is an absolutely stunning take on one of Gibson’s most distinctive designs, and with the added Maestro Vibrola it looks even more special.

The Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom 1963 Firebird I was developed in collaboration with Gibson Custom to recreate the stripped-back first-generation Firebird, complete with neck-through construction, banjo-style tuners and a single USA-made Gibson Firebird pickup.

Finished in Silver Mist, it already has masses of presence, but this particular example has also been fitted with a WD Maestro-style Vibrola, transforming the look while adding smooth expressive vibrato.

It is in mint condition overall, with one notable cosmetic blemish around the bridge post caused when the bridge arrangement was changed. This has been clearly photographed. Aside from that, it presents exceptionally well with only the lightest signs of handling.

The current bridge arrangement uses adapter studs, allowing a Tune-O-Matic style bridge to be fitted alongside the Maestro Vibrola. Importantly, the modification is reversible. The guitar can be returned to the original wraparound Lightning Bar configuration by removing the adapter studs and installing Gibson-style stop tailpiece studs.

That gives the next owner the choice of keeping this dramatic Vibrola-equipped setup or taking it back closer to factory specification.

A Very Special Firebird

The original Firebird design arrived in the early 1960s and remains one of the most recognisable guitars Gibson ever produced. Its reverse-body styling, through-neck construction and unusual headstock layout set it apart from virtually everything else of the era.

Players including Johnny Winter, Allen Collins of Lynyrd Skynyrd and Warren Haynes helped cement the Firebird as a genuine rock icon.

This 1963 Firebird I recreation captures the simplicity of those earliest guitars beautifully. One pickup, two controls and very little between the player and the amp.

Gibson USA Firebird Pickup

At the heart of the guitar is a single Gibson USA Firebird Mini Humbucker.

A Firebird pickup has its own character entirely. It retains the power and body associated with a humbucker, but with noticeably more cut, definition and immediacy.

Clean, it is articulate and lively. Push an amp harder and it delivers that cutting, snarling Firebird sound that works brilliantly for blues, classic rock and harder-edged rhythm playing.

The stripped-back single volume and single tone control layout keeps everything simple.

Neck-Through Construction

One of the defining features of the Firebird design is its construction.

Rather than a conventional set neck, the central section runs continuously through the body, with the body wings attached either side.

This model uses a mahogany and walnut neck-through structure, giving the guitar excellent sustain and resonance while also contributing to the unmistakable feel of a Firebird.

The neck uses Epiphone’s 1963-spec profile, paired with a 24.75” scale fingerboard and 22 frets.

Maestro Vibrola Conversion

The added WD Maestro Vibrola suits this guitar incredibly well visually.

Its huge polished tailpiece complements the Silver Mist finish beautifully and gives the guitar an even stronger early-’60s custom appearance.

The bridge has been adapted using removable bridge adapter studs, meaning the conversion has not permanently committed the guitar to this layout.

For anyone wanting the original Firebird I configuration, the adapters can be removed and the guitar returned to a wraparound bridge arrangement using suitable Gibson stop tailpiece studs.

Condition

This is a 2024 example in mint condition overall.

The finish, neck, fingerboard, hardware and plastics all present extremely well.

There is a small chip/finish disturbance around the bridge post from when the bridge conversion was carried out. We have photographed this clearly rather than trying to hide it.

Beyond that, there is very little to mention and it remains an exceptionally clean guitar.

Please study the photographs carefully as they form part of the description.

Specification

* Model: Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom 1963 Firebird I

* Finish: Silver Mist

* Year: 2024

* Construction: Neck-through

* Neck/body centre section: Mahogany/Walnut

* Neck profile: 1963 specification

* Fingerboard: Indian Laurel

* Scale length: 24.75”

* Frets: 22

* Pickup: Gibson USA Firebird Mini Humbucker

* Controls: 1 Volume, 1 Tone

* Tuners: Kluson-style banjo tuners

* Current bridge: Tune-O-Matic style bridge using adapter studs

* Vibrola: WD Maestro-style Vibrola

* Original specification: Lightning Bar wraparound bridge

* Finish hardware: Chrome/nickel appearance

* Pickguard: White with red Firebird emblem

What’s Included

This guitar comes with its Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom hard case, together with the accompanying case candy shown in the photographs.

The case is superb in its own right, with the classic golden plush interior and plenty of protection for such an unusually shaped instrument.

Why Buy From Chordplay Guitars?

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• Visit our website to browse our full range and view additional photographs

International Buyers

We are happy to ship internationally.

Please note that all import duties, customs charges, local taxes and any associated fees are the responsibility of the buyer. These charges are determined by the destination country and are not included within our advertised price or shipping cost.

We recommend checking any applicable import charges before purchasing.