NGD: 1966 Gibson Firebird V non-reverse

[Hiwatt Bob]

finally got a non-rev V, which has eluded me ever since I passed on an awesome one about 8 years ago.

this puppy is straight up, all orig, no cracks/repairs. it does look like someone famous sharpied something on the front a long time ago, it's basically gone now. playing and tone wise, it's every bit as good as the one I passed on. in love with it.



here's the flock of birds currently in my family room--'66 V, '64 V, '67 VII.

[Unicorn Warrior]

Very cool. I bet she's wonderful

[MrFingers]

How does the non-rev compare tonally to the rev-version?

[kapepper]

Beautifull! Congrats!!!

[Gavanti]

Gorgeous. Definitely on the dream guitar list for me too.

[Larry Mal]

Wow.

[MechaBulletBill]

I like it

[HH1978]

Fantastic!

[Hiwatt Bob]

Thanks guys!

How does the non-rev compare tonally to the rev-version?

Honestly, I'd say 85% of it is the same because of the pickups.

The biggest difference is feel--the rev has a chunkier early '60's neck with a flatter back. The non-rev feels more like a mid-late '60's SG--round and smaller at the nut. And certainly the bodies are different, the Non-rev being more like a jazzmaster.

[Despot]

Very very nice. I have always had a soft spot for old Firebirds. Maybe someday...

Happy NGD!

[HorseyBoy]

See what happenes when you don't check the board for a few days? Hiwatt Bob goes and buys another killer Firebird.
Love the Long Vibrola lineup you've got there. Great addition!

[Ursa Minor]

Indeed!

Beautiful bird!

[d-rock]

This thing is STUNNING! I've always wanted one.

[Don_Karnage]

Thanks guys!

How does the non-rev compare tonally to the rev-version?

Honestly, I'd say 85% of it is the same because of the pickups.

The biggest difference is feel--the rev has a chunkier early '60's neck with a flatter back. The non-rev feels more like a mid-late '60's SG--round and smaller at the nut. And certainly the bodies are different, the Non-rev being more like a jazzmaster.

They did non-revs with p90’s though, those would obviously sound a bit different. But then again if you put p90’s in a reverse it would sound more similar again.
That being said though, those old firebird pickups can have a very single-coilish sound so might actually be quite similar after all.

Anyway, really cool guitar!

[Hiwatt Bob]

Hey Don—the non reverse FB’s I & III had P90’s, the V & VII had firebird pickups like the reverse. But you’re correct they are very bright—in a singing, pleasant way that doesn’t seem overly harsh, imho.