Epiphone and the Gibson Custom Shop have once again joined forces to create the Inspired by Gibson Custom 1963 Firebird I — an authentic recreation of the groundbreaking guitar designed by legendary automotive designer Ray Dietrich.

Originally launched in 1963, the Firebird was Gibson’s first neck-through-body model. It quickly found its place across a wide range of genres and was played by icons like Johnny Winter, Keith Richards and Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, and Phil Manzanera of Roxy Music, to name a few.

This reissue captures the vintage Firebird vibe with remarkable accuracy, delivering iconic specs at an accessible price point. It features:

• A 9-ply mahogany and walnut neck-through-body design

• Mahogany body wings attached on both sides

• Kluson planetary-geared “banjo” tuners for classic tuning stability

• Wraparound Lightning Bar bridge for rock-solid intonation and exceptional sustain

Staying true to the stripped-down nature of the original 1963 Firebird I, the electronics are premium and purposeful:

• A USA-made Firebird mini humbucker with Alnico 5 magnets

• CTS potentiometers

• Mallory capacitor

• Switchcraft 1/4” output jack

This faithful reissue doesn’t just nail the look of the original — it delivers the unmistakable tone and vibe of a true Firebird I.

A hardshell case with Inspired by Gibson Custom detailing is included, making this an outstanding option for players and collectors who want vintage character with modern reliability.