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Epiphone 1963 Firebird I Reissue CR

Electric Guitar

  • Inspired by Gibson Custom Collection (2025)
  • Body: Mahogany
  • Neck-thru-body: Mahogany/Walnut
  • Fingerboard: Rosewood
  • Dot fingerboard inlays
  • Neck profile: 1963 Firebird
  • Fingerboard radius: 305 mm (12")
  • Scale: 629 mm (24.75")
  • Nut width: 42.9 mm (1.69")
  • Graph Tech nut
  • 22 frets
  • Pickup: Gibson USA Firebird humbucker with Alnico 5 magnets (bridge)
  • Controls: Volume and tone
  • White pickguard
  • Wraparound "Lightning" Bar bridge
  • Kluson "Banjo-Stlye" machine heads
  • Nickel hardware
  • Colour: Cardinal Red
  • Includes case
  • Available since April 2025
  • Item number 614966
  • Sales Unit 1 piece(s)
  • Colour Red
  • Soundboard Mahogany
  • Neck Mahogany
  • Fretboard Rosewood
  • Frets 22
  • Scale 628 mm
  • Pickup System H
  • Tremolo No
  • Incl. Case Yes
  • Incl. Gigbag No
  • Design Firebird
  • Top None
1.369 €
All prices incl. VAT
In stock
In stock

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A '60s cult classic reimagined for today

Epiphone 1963 Firebird I Reissue CR Electric Guitar

The Epiphone 1963 Firebird I Reissue in Cardinal Red is a meticulously crafted tribute to Gibson's first neck-through guitar. Developed in collaboration with the Gibson Custom Shop, this model is based on a historic original – a homage to the iconic design by automotive designer Ray Dietrich. The Firebird style with its long "wings" and slim centre section remains unforgettable, thanks in part to legends like Johnny Winter, Keith Richards, and Eric Clapton. The Epiphone reissue features classic specs such as the slimline through-neck made from a combination of mahogany and walnut, together with modern build quality and excellent value for money. It is aimed at players who want to experience not just the look, but also the feel and signature sound of the original, without having to spend five-figure sums.

Humbucker pickups of the Epiphone 1963 Firebird I Reissue CR Electric Guitar

A characterful design

At the heart of this Firebird is a nine-ply neck-through construction made of mahogany and walnut, which ensures maximum stability and rich sustain. Mahogany wings fitted on either side give the guitar its classic "reverse body" look. The compact body features a wraparound "Lightning Bar" bridge for greater sustain and resonance. In terms of electronics, the Epiphone stays close to the original: A hand-wired Gibson USA Firebird mini-humbucker with AlNiCo-5 magnets delivers the crisp, biting tone that made this guitar a favourite in Rock, Blues, and Indie, and the pickup is controlled via a master volume and master tone control that each feature high-quality CTS pots and a Mallory capacitor, offering a true purist setup with an authentic vintage soul!

Neck transition of the Epiphone 1963 Firebird I Reissue CR Electric Guitar

For vintage fans who know what they want

This guitar is aimed at players who love vintage flair and favour clear, singing lead tones. It is intentionally stripped back: Just one pickup, no switches, no unnecessary extras – just uncompromising quality and immediate response and attack, making it ideal for guitarists who value feel and dynamics. This guitar is therefore sure to hit the mark with guitarists who are in search of that '60s sound but don’t want to compromise on playing comfort. Guitarists looking for a striking design and a sonically direct instrument will also find a reliable partner in the Epiphone 1963 Firebird I Reissue Cardinal Red. Because of its more complex construction, higher price point, and weight, it is less suitable for beginners, but offers experienced musicians all the more expressiveness, along with a rich Rock & Roll legacy.

Headstock of the Epiphone 1963 Firebird I Reissue CR

About Epiphone

Today, Epiphone is known only as the Asian budget offshoot of Gibson. Yet both companies were once independent, equal, and also bitter rivals. The roots of Epiphone go back to the 1870s and to Anastasios Stathopoulo, a Greek instrument maker, who emigrated to America in 1903 with his son Epaminondas (“Epi” for short). Epi changed the name of the firm to the “Epiphone Banjo Company” after taking over the family business in 1928. During this year, Epiphone also began to manufacture guitars, which rapidly came to dominate their sales. In 1957, Epiphone was taken over by C.M.I., which already included Gibson, but continued as a separate brand until 1970, when manufacturing was outsourced to Asia. Well-known Epiphone models include the Casino, played by the Beatles, and the Sheraton, John Lee Hooker’s instrument of choice.

For Blues, Rock, Indie, and more!

The 1963 Firebird I Reissue Cardinal Red is tailor-made for classic rock and blues tones, but will also cut a fine figure in Indie, Garage Rock, and experimental genres. Thanks to its bright, assertive sound character, it pairs beautifully with tube amps and with fuzz or overdrive pedals, in addition to which its fast response makes it a dependable partner both in the studio and on stage, particularly as the pickup is top-tier quality. Those who prefer minimalist setups will love the single-pickup configuration and intuitive handling - whether they are performing with a combo amp in a club or with a half-stack on a big stage, this Firebird delivers a tone that always stands out, and with the sturdy Epiphone Custom hardshell case included, it is ready to go wherever the music dictates.

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