Epiphone Firebird I 1963 Reissue Cherry IGC IBGCS

An “Inspired by Gibson Custom” Firebird: the spirit of 1963, today’s precision

The Firebird holds a special place in the history of the electric guitar: launched in 1963, it challenged conventions with a radical silhouette and a bold approach to guitar building. This Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom 1963 Firebird I Reissue faithfully embraces that vision, while making it accessible to guitarists looking for the look, feel and personality of a vintage Firebird.
The partnership with Gibson Custom goes beyond aesthetics: it can be felt in the choice of components and in the Firebird I’s “effectively minimalist” philosophy. This current version also stands out with the addition of a rosewood key, providing a familiar feel under the fingers and an ideal balance between attack and warmth.

Who is this Firebird I 1963 Reissue for?

This guitar is aimed at intermediate to advanced players who want an instrument with character, equally inspiring in the studio and effective on stage. Its solidbody design and neck-through construction make it an excellent companion for dynamic playing, demanding recording sessions and concerts where tuning stability and note sustain need to remain impeccable.
In terms of styles, the Firebird I feels at home in anything that calls for presence and bite: electric blues, classic rock, garage, indie, alternative rock, and even certain more modern sounds when making use of the volume and tone controls. With a single pickup and streamlined electronics, you quickly learn to shape the sound with your touch, pick and volume control.

Tone and character: the Firebird mini humbucker delivering impressive sustain

The tonal foundation of this Firebird comes from a very specific recipe: a neck-through neck made from 9-ply mahogany and walnut, extended by mahogany wings. This architecture promotes highly consistent vibration transfer, creating a sense of continuity between notes. The result is generous sustain, a clear attack and excellent definition, particularly noticeable on bends, sustained notes and open-chord riffs.
On the electronics side, the “Firebird I” approach remains deliberately simple and high-end: a single bridge pickup, one volume control and one tone control. The Gibson USA Firebird mini humbucker Alnico 5 delivers a distinctive tone compared with a full-size humbucker: more focused and responsive, with precise highs and a tight low end. The result is a sound that naturally cuts through the mix without becoming harsh, while retaining excellent clarity with overdrive and distortion.
The selected components reinforce this sense of “pro” reliability: CTS potentiometers for a smooth sweep, a Paper-in-Oil Black Beauty capacitor for usable tone control across its entire range, and a Switchcraft 1/4-inch jack for a stable connection. In practice, the tone control lets you move from cutting brightness to a smoother, more velvety register—perfect for adding thickness to a solo or taming a lively amplifier.
Finally, the Wraparound Lightning Bar bridge clearly contributes to the playing feel: immediate response, a “direct” sensation under the picking hand, and easier intonation thanks to the compensation built into this type of bridge. It is an ideal configuration for players who appreciate mechanical simplicity, resonance and efficiency.

Recommended compatible accessories

To get the most out of this electric guitar, you can pair it with electric guitar strings suited to a 24.75" / 628.65 mm scale length, along with a good-quality 1/4-inch jack instrument cable. A universal guitar stand (floor or wall-mounted) and a microfiber cloth are also simple, reliable choices for protecting the finishing and keeping the instrument ready to play.

Technical specifications

Left handed	No	Nbr of strings	6
Strings	Steel	Color	Red

Type	solidbody electric guitar	Scale length	24.75" / 628.65 mm
Shape	Firebird	Nut	Graph Tech
Material	mahogany wings	Bridge	Wraparound Lightning
Binding	none	Tuners	Kluson-style "banjo"
Finishing	Vintage Gloss	Hardware finishing	nickel
Profile	1963 Firebird	Plastics	white
Construction	neck-through	Knobs	Gold Top Hats with silver inserts
Key	rosewood	Pickup cover	nickel
Inlays	dots	Bridge pickup	Firebird Alnico 5 (mini humbucker)
Frets	22 medium jumbo	Controls	1 volume, 1 tone
Radius	12" / 304.8 mm	Case	hardshell (included)