Gibson Firebird VII Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1965), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 500697, sunburst lacquer finish, mahogany body and neck, rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case.

Here is the rarest stock variant of the 1960's Firebird family...a "non-reverse" Firebird VII. This model was the top of the line of the downpriced and simplified second series of Firebirds which replaced the earlier "reverse" body guitars starting in summer 1965, and as such was made in only very limited quantities. While carrying three mini-humbucking pickups and all gold plated hardware this second edition Firebird VII does not have the block-inlaid ebony fingerboard of the earlier version, and was a less "deluxe" looking guitar despite a fairly high price tag.

With a total of only 79 shipped after 1965 and a listed total of 110 for that year (at least half of which were likely the earlier reverse model) the non-reverse Firebird VII was actually made in much smaller quantity than other oft-quoted Firebird rarities like the reverse VII (around 250), non-reverse XII (272) and reverse I (over 1,000).

The pots on this particular guitar date to the 39th week of 1965 so the guitar would have been sold at the end of that year, or in early 1966. The knobs are the earlier gold-capped variants seen on the previous generation, not the later less aesthetic "witch hat' amp-style knobs. The neck is considerably narrower than earlier Firebird necks, but not quite as insubstantial-feeling as period SG necks.

A quirk of the Firebird VII is the snarlingly out-of-phase pickup combination selected in the middle switch position-only the VII (and the Epiphone Crestwood Deluxe) feature mini-humbuckers in this mode. This is a great sounding guitar in all positions, with a very powerfull neck PU and a particularly biting lead unit. While the "non-reverse" Firebirds have often been discounted in Gibson history, they are very distinctive guitars unlike any other and can be excellent instruments. Light, fast and very stylish, this VII is a fine example of an undeservedly rare Gibson model.
 
Overall length is 43 1/2 in. (110.5 cm.), 13 1/2 in. (34.3 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 1/4 in. (3.2 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 9/16 in. (40 mm.). All original, no breaks or cracks...some general wear and checking and a lot of wear to the gold plating. A very good example of this rare 'bird. Includes a very nice earlier "deep" Firebird case as issued with the first "non-reverse" models up through early 1966. Excellent Condition.