Epiphone Firebirds – Gibson Custom Shop Collaboration
The latest Gibson Custom Shop Collaboration. But will people pay these new prices?
2,9 / 5,0 | 
These new Epiphone Firebirds are the latest Gibson Custom Shop collaboration. The ‘Inspired by Gibson Custom 1963 Firebird V and 1963 Firebird I’ set new standards for authenticity and price.
Made in Collaboration With Gibson Custom
The latest Epiphone 1963 Firebird V and 1963 Firebird I are great-looking guitars, and I love the overall design, colour options and the two classic designs. This latest venture with the Gibson Custom Shop sets a new level of attention to detail, along with USA pickups, CTS potentiometers, Switchcraft jacks, etc.
This is reflected in the price point, so these guitars cost a premium compared to Epiphone Firebird models from only a few years ago. Back in 2016, for example, a Joe Bonamassa Firebird 1 would set you back around £619. Whereas this new 2024 Firebird 1 costs £1349, more than double the price.
Let’s take a closer look at these new models and see what has changed to see if it all stacks up.
1963 Firebird I
Described by Epiphone as “an authentic replica of the guitar designed by legendary automotive designer Ray Dietrich.” The new 1963 Firebird I looks stunning in the Heather Poly, Silver Mist, and Inverness Green finishes. A Gibson USA Firebird Mini Humbucker powers the single-pickup model with Alnico 5 Magnets.
Neck-Through
The construction is based on a 9-ply mahogany/walnut neck-through design with mahogany wings. It has an Indian Laurel fretboard with 22 medium jumbo frets and mother-of-pearl dot inlays. I expected a rosewood fretboard for £1349, especially when PRS can make a guitar for £499 using a rosewood fretboard.
Hardware for this model consists of a set of Kluson “Banjo-style” Planetary tuners, a Wraparound Lightning Bar bridge, and a Graph Tech nut, and the price includes a hard case.
It looks like a great guitar, but I think it is expensive for a single-pickup model. The pluses are the Gibson mini-humbucker, the quality nickel hardware, and the case. Though, it is still quite pricey.
1963 Firebird V
Next up is the 1963 Firebird V, and this is a slightly more complex model, as it has two pickups and a Maestro Vibrola. It is available in Frost Blue and Ember Red finishes, which are quite eye-catching and suit the model well.
Construction is the same as the Firebird I model. Just this one has Mother of Pearl Trapezoid inlays rather than dots. The two Gibson USA Firebird Mini Humbuckers are controlled by 2 Volumes and 2 Tones and are hand-wired with CTS potentiometers and Mallory capacitors.
Expensive
Again, this model comes with a hardshell case included in the price. £1699 is not cheap, but this is the new direction for Epiphone prices going forward. However, I am unsure if guitar buyers will keep buying Chinese-built guitars at these high prices, especially when the competition offers high-quality instruments for far less.
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6 responses to “Epiphone Firebirds – Gibson Custom Shop Collaboration”
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I absolutely despise Gibson… but it’s a nice guitar for a decent price.
It’s even almost original. Well played Gibson.
It’s an Indian laurel board, these are verbatim constructed the same as the 2019-present fb v which can be found new at around £550. Same materials & construction. £1000 hike for a vibrola, banjo tuners, a stronger magnet & a case. Inflation is bad but it’s not 300% markup. Gibson are getting greedy with little effort.
What are you talking about ? I’ve looked up for firebird release news from up to 2010…. they’ve always cost more than 1000 (often double that actually)
Only Epiphones cost around 500
These are Epiphones
single bridge pickup….would be awesome if it wasn’t a baby bucker….
okay they look nice, but they are still epiphones made in China right?
1.499 euros is way too expensive imho