The dawn of the 1960s saw a guitar market that was expanding at an exponential rate, and the popularity of solid-body electrics was increasing rapidly. While Fender was having a great deal of success with their fully fleshed out range of solid-bodies, Gibson was falling behind. With their "Modernistic Series" guitars having been met with reluctance by guitarists and their newly refreshed Les Paul line not meeting sales expectations, Gibson decided that it was time to launch a new line of electrics.

Enlisting the help of automobile designer Raymond Dietrich, the Firebird line was developed in late 1962 and launched in the spring of 1963. The range consisted of four guitars at varying price points that would appeal to a wide range of buyers. With its offset waist and asymmetrical shape, the new line of guitars was meant to directly compete with the Jazzmaster and Jaguar guitars being built by Gibson's primary competitor in the electric guitar market. To further entice potential Fender buyers to choose Gibson, the company offered ten custom colour options for the Firebird line beyond the standard Sunburst finish. These Ducco colours included Frost Blue, Cardinal Red, Ember Red, Polaris White, Kerry Green, Golden Mist Poly, Silver Mist Poly, Heather Poly, Pelham Blue Poly, and Inverness Green Poly.

It didn't take long for Fender to notice the similarities between the new Firebird guitars and their range of offset guitars, prompting meetings with higher-ups and attorneys from both companies. In order to appease Fender’s lawyers a redesigned Firebird line emerged in June of 1965. These second variant Firebirds, colloquially known as the "non-reverse" models, featured a modular design that allowed for the body to be outfitted with the pickguard and electronics of any of the four Firebird models, a practice which greatly cut down on production costs.

Built in 1966 this Firebird III is a remarkable example of the mid-level offering of the Firebird line. Finished in a beautifully aged Inverness Green, this 'Bird is nothing short of stunning. With approximately 1500 second-variant, non-reverse Firebird IIIs produced between 1965 and 1969 in all finishes combined, it's quite uncommon to come across an example finished in a custom colour – and Inverness Green isn’t exactly a common color. This is a crazy-rare guitar.

This completely original Firebird III is in excellent condition overall. The original frets play cleanly throughout the fingerboard and the instrument sets up quite well. While many second variant Firebirds have issues with cracked pickguards due to shrinking plastics, the pickguard on this guitar remains crack-free almost 60 years on. The only flaw to be found is a repaired hairline crack that stems from the control cavity - a crack that is often found on Firebirds of this vintage. This area has been cleanly glued and does not pose any structural issues.

The trio of powerful P-90 pickups, measuring 9.15K (N), 8.25 (B), and 4.25K (N+B) respectively, all sound incredible and push the front end of an amp beautifully. With a full-bodied, cutting voice in the bridge position; creamy, rich tones in the neck, and a snappy response reminiscent of position 2 of a 5-way switch on a Strat in the middle, this Firebird is a versatile instrument fit for any studio or stage. Round neck carve with 1-9/16” nut width. The 1st fret depth is .802”, and the 12th fret depth is .979”.

With original hardshell case.