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1965 GIBSON FIREBIRD, NON-REVERSE.
FOR SALE FROM MY PERSONAL COLLECTION.
The honest story: the guitar left Kalamazoo as a three-P-90Firebird III. Somewhere in its playing life, a previous owner replaced thoseP-90s with a set of vintage Gibson mini-humbuckers. I?m presenting it asexactly that ? an original 1965 non-reverse III converted from P-90 tomini-humbucker voicing. Because the minis sit in P-90-sized adapter rings thatdrop into the original openings, the conversion is very likely fully reversibleto correct P-90 specification with no additional routing. A future owner has aclear path back to stock.
The pickups: the three replacement units are vintage Gibson?Patent Number? mini-humbuckers of the Epiphone / Les Paul Deluxe type ? sixindividual pole pieces, P-90-sized adapter-ring mounting ? carrying thewell-known ?Patent No. 2,737,842? underside decal and measuring about 2.58 in x1.08 in across the cover. They date to roughly 1969?1975. Not correct for aIII, but genuinely collectible vintage Gibson units in their own right.
Tone: the Epiphone/Deluxe mini-humbucker sits between avintage PAF and a single-coil ? warm, articulate, and chimey, with a focusedmidrange and quiet, hum-free operation. Against the original P-90s? bright,gritty bark, the conversion gives a smoother, rounder, more sustaining voicewhile keeping more clarity and cut than a full-size humbucker would. Throughthe added toggle switching, the three pickups cover a wide range of blends.
DOCUMENTED MODIFICATIONS (ALL DISCLOSED)
- Pickups: original three P-90 soapbars replaced with threevintage Gibson mini-humbuckers (Epiphone/Deluxe type) in P-90-sized adapterrings. Reversible to original P-90 spec.
- Pickup selector: original sliding switch replaced withthree individual mini-toggle switches (independent per-pickup selection).Reversible.
- Potentiometers: replaced with vintage Bourns 82-Seriespots (date-coded 1977 and 1981). Reversible.
- Tuners: replacement tuners installed and fullyfunctional; one tuner hole enlarged and ferruled, with an imprint on theheadstock rear from a prior set of tuners since removed.
- Vibrola arm: replacement white-tip arm fitted; theoriginal Maestro Vibrola unit itself remains in place.
- Neck pickup mounting: a small washer added beneath onescrew; two of the three pickups retain original mounting screws.
- Frets and fingerboard: frets dressed; board cleaned andoiled. Moderate-plus player wear.
CONDITION
An honest, actively played vintage instrument in playercondition. The cherry sunburst shows widespread scratches, marks, and finishchecking consistent with a solid-wood Gibson of this age, which gives it realmid-1960s character. Player wear is moderate-plus throughout; it is a strongplayer as it sits. As with most vintage Firebirds, buyers are encouraged tohave the headstock and neck joint inspected ? no repair is represented, andheadstock inspection is simply standard diligence for the model.
- Maker: Gibson (Kalamazoo, Michigan)
- Model: Firebird III, Non-Reverse
- Year: 1965
- Serial number: 508709
- Finish: Cherry sunburst
- Body / neck: Mahogany, glued-in set neck
- Fingerboard: Rosewood, unbound, pearl dot inlays
- Neck profile: Slim 1960s
- Pickguard: White, engraved firebird logo
- Original pickups: Three P-90 soapbar single-coils (absent)
- Present pickups: Three Gibson mini-humbuckers,Epiphone/Deluxe type, ?Patent No. 2,737,842? decal, c. 1969?1975
- Tailpiece: Maestro Vibrola (short), original unit
- Tuners: Banjo-style (see modifications)
- Configuration: Modified / player-grade; reversible tooriginal P-90 specification.
RETURNS: Buyer has 3 calendar days after receipt to inspect and play this guitar. If not satisfied Buyer can return it in original shipping box and packing to Seller for a full refund. Buyer pays for return shipment.
