Description: The reverse-style Firebird, introduced in 1963, has enjoyed a surge in popularity in recent years, as its unique look and feel have been discovered by more and more rockers and blues players. The “reverse” nickname stems from the Firebird’s body style being almost a mirror image of the Fender® Jazzmaster—a style which nonetheless prompted a lawsuit that forced Gibson to switch to the (ironically, much more Jazzmaster-esque) “non-reverse” style in 1965.
The reverse Firebird featured a number of unique, daring, and even radical construction features. Its neck and body were carved into one piece of wood with body wings glued on each side. Its pickguard featured an elegant Firebird logo, and it featured newly designed mini humbucking pickups with no visible polepieces. Its very long headstock featured banjo-style tuners that faced the back of the guitar, and the headstock was prone to breakage.
This rare white Firebird has had such a break, but it’s been repaired and refinished well. It’s also had a refret with relatively high frets that give it a blisteringly fast feel. With only one humbucking pickup to worry about, this is a rock machine that can put out a bright tone with a very stylish look as well. The serial number is not visible, but the guitar was only made between 1963-65. The inscription in the control cavity reads "OB Jr 05997429 12-1-49". The pickup has an inscription which is very hard to read, but we believe it says "Curtis Novak 36A 10-27-9 Esquire". According to our research, Curtis Novak specializes in custom pickup building and vintage pickup repair.
Summary
Body: One-piece mahogany neck and body with wings. White finish.
Neck: Rosewood fretboard and dot inlays. Wide, relatively round profile.
Pickups/Hardware: One mini-humbucker, volume and tone knob, wraparound bridge. Logo no longer visible on pickguard.
Setup/Playability: Very smooth, with high frets providing great bendability and a fast feel.
Cosmetic Condition: Some finish wear around sides of the guitar. Little finish wear on neck. Some wear around edges, but no checking.
Modifications: Repro knobs, pickups, wiring, pots, tuner bushings, strap buttons. Extra strap button hole, route under pickup, refret, pickguard tip repaired, headstock crack repaired. Due to refin of headstock the serial number is barely visible. The guitar has a partial refin/overspray; it's hard to say how much was refinished or if it was clearcoated. Some original finish can be found on the neck - it was definitely originally white. There is a crack in the body through the control cavity, but it is structurally sound. There are extra holes drilled underneath the pickguard and truss rod cover, demonstrating that the pickguard and truss rod cover currently installed are probably aftermarket.
Case: Non-original hardshell