Gibson / Firebird III / 1964 / Cardinal Red / Guitar
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We’re sure you do not need to be reminded how rare Cardinal Red, Reverse Body, Gibson Firebirds are. This near MINT 1964, all correct example is also one of the most beautiful guitars we have ever seen here. Just look at the pictures and you will surely fall head over heels in love, just like we have. It is a stunning, un faded example that just pops right out at you as soon as you open the original oblong case that also is in near mint condition.
This is a prime example that has no issues, no headstock breaks or repairs anywhere. The all original Cardinal Red paintwork is fully original all over, with no over sprays or touch ups and black lights perfectly. There is one spot on the upper bout that you can see where a sticker has been removed, aside from that and a few very small marks or dings here and there it is absolutely amazing and totally unfaded.
This one also has the classic 1964 Gibson medium chunky neck profile that so many players seem to like (as do we). It is almost but not quite as full as a 59 profile but not as skinny as the 63 and later 65 profiles and of course it has the wide 43mm nut width.
Original frets are in great shape with hardly any wear at all. As you can see and as was the trend at the time with Custom Colour Gibsons, the binding has been painted in cardinal red just like you see on the early 1965 Custom Colour SG Standards and is a very nice touch that unfortunately did not last all that long before they went back to plain ivory binding.
Two very cool sounding and strong pickups adorn this beauty with tones that seem to lack on the modern re-issues. You can dial in as much mellowness or bite as you need and they are never shrill or uncomfortable. JB has recently discovered the delights of an original reverse body Firebird and if you do a YouTube search you will find a few videos of him demonstrating what these guitars can really sound like…
All hardware is totally correct on this and we can not find a single screw out of place. Aside from the usual broken tip on the pick guard all hardware is in excellent shape too and even that small broken tip is inside a plastic bag in the case pocket.
Case is in near mint condition too and has all latches and handles fully functioning.
This is the only example we have had here in over 10 years and we would not be surprised if it was another 10 years before we found another. Just look at it - isn’t it utterly drool worthy…?
ATB Guitars, UK 
Hello we’re ATB Guitars.
We are one of Europes leading sellers of vintage and rare guitars. We only sell vintage Gibson and Fender electric guitars from 1950 until 1975 and have an extensive inventory to browse in our bricks and mortar store in Cheltenham, UK or in our online web store.
Payment and p/x:
All prices are in UK GBP £ Sterling. Payment can be made by Paypal, bank transfer, cash, or money order cashiers cheque etc.
Should you not be absolutely delighted with your purchase you may return it to Cheltenham, at your own expense, within 7 days from the date of delivery for a full refund. The item must not have been altered or tampered with in any way, and it must arrive in the same condition as it left us.
Postage and shipping:
We ship within the UK by Royal Mail Recorded (small items under 2Kg), TNT or UPS and Worldwide by Royal Mail Airmail Signed For (small under 2Kg) Parcelforce, UPS or FedEx. All shipping prices include expert packing, cartons and packing materials but not insurance which is typically around 2% of items value. Currently approx shipping rates for a single guitar are as follows:
UK excluding Northern Ireland and Highlands £29
Most of mainland Europe £49
U.S.A. £129
Asia £149 - £190
Rest of World including S. America £149 - £275
