Best Firebird Guitars With Nickel Hardware in 2024

Here are the top Firebird style guitars with Nickel hardware.

After comparing the 2000+ guitars in our database, these are the best scoring ones with these characteristics. You can use our filters to the left to narrow down these results, or click on "Compare" to get a deep comparison between them. Our automated scoring system takes into account the ratings from ours users who own the guitar, and dozens of parameters to determine the build quality, playability, pickups quality, value for money, and more.

There are affiliate links on this page that may earn us a commission if you purchase after clicking. We are members of the Amazon Associates Program, and many others. However, we compare each guitar against each other under the same parameters, so this doesn't influence our scoring.

1. Gibson Custom 1963 Firebird V With Maestro Vibrola Heavy Aged

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Gibson Custom 1963 Firebird V With Maestro Vibrola Heavy Aged
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoReverb logo
Playability 75
Sound 72
Build quality 72
Value for money 58
Overall Score 73
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoReverb logo
  • From Gibson Custom's 2022 Murphy Lab series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Layered Mahogany body
  • 9-ply Mahogany/Walnut neck
  • Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Firebird Alnico V (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Firebird Alnico V (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • ABR-1 Maestro Short Vibrola bridge
  • Traditional 1960s SlimTaper C Profile Neck-Through neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Deluxe Banjo Tuners tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Gibson Custom's 2022 Murphy Lab series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Layered Mahogany body
  • 9-ply Mahogany/Walnut neck
  • Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Firebird Alnico V (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Firebird Alnico V (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • ABR-1 Maestro Short Vibrola bridge
  • Traditional 1960s SlimTaper C Profile Neck-Through neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Deluxe Banjo Tuners tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Gibson Custom 1963 Firebird V With Maestro Vibrola Heavy Aged
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Nylon Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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2. Epiphone 1963 Firebird V

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Epiphone 1963 Firebird V
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoReverb logo
Playability 75
Sound 72
Build quality 65
Value for money 66
Overall Score 71
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoReverb logo
  • From Epiphone's 2024 1963 Firebird V series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • 9-ply Mahogany/Walnut Neck-Through body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Indian Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Gibson USA Firebird Mini Humbucker with Alnico 5 Magnet (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Gibson USA Firebird Mini Humbucker with Alnico 5 Magnet (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Maestro Vibrola bridge
  • 1963 Firebird Neck-Through neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Kluson "Banjo-style" Planetary tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Epiphone's 2024 1963 Firebird V series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • 9-ply Mahogany/Walnut Neck-Through body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Indian Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Gibson USA Firebird Mini Humbucker with Alnico 5 Magnet (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Gibson USA Firebird Mini Humbucker with Alnico 5 Magnet (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Maestro Vibrola bridge
  • 1963 Firebird Neck-Through neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Kluson "Banjo-style" Planetary tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Epiphone 1963 Firebird V
  • Expensive Wood
  • Ivory Tusq Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

3. Gibson Custom 1963 Firebird V With Maestro Vibrola Light Aged

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Gibson Custom 1963 Firebird V With Maestro Vibrola Light Aged
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
Playability 75
Sound 72
Build quality 72
Value for money 58
Overall Score 73
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
  • From Gibson Custom's 2022 Murphy Lab series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Layered Mahogany body
  • 9-ply Mahogany/Walnut neck
  • Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Firebird Alnico V (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Firebird Alnico V (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • ABR-1 Maestro Short Vibrola bridge
  • Traditional 1960s SlimTaper C Profile Neck-Through neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Deluxe Banjo Tuners tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Gibson Custom's 2022 Murphy Lab series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Layered Mahogany body
  • 9-ply Mahogany/Walnut neck
  • Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Firebird Alnico V (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Firebird Alnico V (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • ABR-1 Maestro Short Vibrola bridge
  • Traditional 1960s SlimTaper C Profile Neck-Through neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Deluxe Banjo Tuners tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Gibson Custom 1963 Firebird V With Maestro Vibrola Light Aged
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Nylon Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

4. Gibson Custom 1963 Firebird V With Maestro Vibrola Ultra Light Aged

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Gibson Custom 1963 Firebird V With Maestro Vibrola Ultra Light Aged
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
Playability 75
Sound 72
Build quality 72
Value for money 58
Overall Score 73
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
  • From Gibson Custom's 2022 Murphy Lab series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Layered Mahogany body
  • 9-ply Mahogany/Walnut neck
  • Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Firebird Alnico V (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Firebird Alnico V (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • ABR-1 Maestro Short Vibrola bridge
  • Traditional 1960s SlimTaper C Profile Neck-Through neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Deluxe Banjo Tuners tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Gibson Custom's 2022 Murphy Lab series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Layered Mahogany body
  • 9-ply Mahogany/Walnut neck
  • Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Firebird Alnico V (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Firebird Alnico V (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • ABR-1 Maestro Short Vibrola bridge
  • Traditional 1960s SlimTaper C Profile Neck-Through neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Deluxe Banjo Tuners tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Gibson Custom 1963 Firebird V With Maestro Vibrola Ultra Light Aged
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Nylon Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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5. Gibson Custom 1963 Firebird V

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Gibson Custom 1963 Firebird V
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logoReverb logo
Playability 75
Sound 72
Build quality 72
Value for money 58
Overall Score 73
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logoReverb logo
  • From Gibson Custom's 2022 Historic Collection series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Layered Mahogany body
  • 9-ply Mahogany/Walnut neck
  • Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Firebird Alnico V (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Firebird Alnico V (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • ABR-1 Maestro Short Vibrola bridge
  • Traditional 1960s SlimTaper C Profile Neck-Through neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Deluxe Banjo Tuners tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Gibson Custom's 2022 Historic Collection series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Layered Mahogany body
  • 9-ply Mahogany/Walnut neck
  • Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Firebird Alnico V (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Firebird Alnico V (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • ABR-1 Maestro Short Vibrola bridge
  • Traditional 1960s SlimTaper C Profile Neck-Through neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Deluxe Banjo Tuners tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Gibson Custom 1963 Firebird V
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Nylon Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

6. Gibson Custom Johnny Winter 1964 Firebird V

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Gibson Custom Johnny Winter 1964 Firebird V
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
Playability 77
Sound 71
Build quality 67
Value for money 57
Overall Score 72
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
  • From Gibson Custom's 2022 Artist series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Layered Mahogany body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Firebird Alnico V (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Firebird Alnico V (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Chrome Plated Aluminum Stop Bar bridge
  • Medium C Neck-Through neck
  • 22 Vintage frets
  • Deluxe Banjo Tuners tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Gibson Custom's 2022 Artist series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Layered Mahogany body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Firebird Alnico V (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Firebird Alnico V (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Chrome Plated Aluminum Stop Bar bridge
  • Medium C Neck-Through neck
  • 22 Vintage frets
  • Deluxe Banjo Tuners tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Gibson Custom Johnny Winter 1964 Firebird V
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

7. Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola

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Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
Playability 72
Sound 72
Build quality 69
Value for money 56
Overall Score 71
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
  • From Gibson Custom's 2022 Historic Collection series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Mahogany body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Firebird Alnico V (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Firebird Alnico V (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • ABR-1 Maestro Short Vibrola bridge
  • Traditional 1960s SlimTaper C Profile Set neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Vintage Closed Gear tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Gibson Custom's 2022 Historic Collection series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Solid Mahogany body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Firebird Alnico V (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Firebird Alnico V (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 2 tone Bell knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • ABR-1 Maestro Short Vibrola bridge
  • Traditional 1960s SlimTaper C Profile Set neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Vintage Closed Gear tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Gibson Custom 1965 Non-Reverse Firebird V w/ Vibrola
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Nylon Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

8. Epiphone 1963 Firebird I

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Epiphone 1963 Firebird I
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoReverb logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability 77
Sound 69
Build quality 62
Value for money 69
Overall Score 69
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoReverb logoMusician's Friend logo
  • From Epiphone's 2024 1963 Firebird I series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • 9-ply Mahogany/Walnut Neck-Through body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Indian Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Gibson USA Firebird Mini Humbucker with Alnico 5 Magnets (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
  • Wraparound Lightning Bar bridge
  • 1963 Firebird Neck-Through neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Kluson "Banjo-style" Planetary tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Epiphone's 2024 1963 Firebird I series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • 9-ply Mahogany/Walnut Neck-Through body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Indian Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Gibson USA Firebird Mini Humbucker with Alnico 5 Magnets (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
  • Wraparound Lightning Bar bridge
  • 1963 Firebird Neck-Through neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Kluson "Banjo-style" Planetary tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Epiphone 1963 Firebird I
  • Expensive Wood
  • Ivory Tusq Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

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