Gibson Firebird V, vintage sunburst, made in USA 1999. The Firebird launched in 1963, designed by Gibson in collaboration with automobile industry legend Ray Dietrich. The sleek midcentury-futuristic make for one of the sleekest shapes in the guitar universe... so cool. There was a couple of different versions back in the day, but the most recognisable is probably this 'Firebird Five' model, with two mini humbuckers and a hardtail bridge. For whatever reason, Gibson only offer Firebirds in their Custom Shop tier new these days, which seems crazy to me. But, from 1990-02, they made these reissue style models, with the proper 9-ply neck-through build done almost entirely by hand; the quality is very impressive indeed. This one is a lightweight example, at a hair under 3.5kg, and it feels very responsive and assured in the hands. The neck tapers nicely from a slim rounded shape at the nut and feels great, it's easy to get along with. The pickups deliver the goods too: snappy attack, creamy snarling mids, fast and musical bass. It's a more articulate and breathy sound than a regular SG, while still maintaining that certain smoothness and girth you don't get from a Fender style guitar. The vintage sunburst finish has a few scrapes and marks but has weathered the decades pretty gracefully. The original (huge) brown and pink case is a nice addition too. These are hard to find, and you've always wanted one, yeah?

Model: Gibson Firebird V
Made: USA, 1999, Nashville
Serial: 91659755
Finish: vintage sunburst, gloss nitro
Body: mahogany
Neck: 9-ply mahogany/walnut neck-through construction, rosewood fretboard, slim taper profile, 24.75" scale, 12" radius
Weight: 3.425kg 
Mods: none
Pickups: Gibson Mini-Humbucker x2
Accessories: original Gibson hard case (combination set to 001)

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has scuffs and dimples on the end, dimples on the bass side and scuffs on the treble side and some dimples around some of the posts on the front. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor dimples and rub wear on the back only. The back has scuffs around the front strap pin and on both horns, a little bald patch near the middle of the guitar, rub wear along the belly carve, scuffs and dimples in t he elbow area and along the back edge, a dent on the back side of the control cavity and dimples near the jack. The sides have scuffs on the top horn, scuffs and dimples in the elbow area, a decent chip 3cm approx across in the finish on the back edge up from thee rear strap pin, scuffs along the back edge and some dimples near the knobs, jack and bottom horn. The front has scuffs on both horns and around the bridge, dimples in the elbow area, around the bridge and around the knobs and some play wear on the guard and horns.
Overall: very good condition (8/10)

Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 11/49 Moonshiners strings.
Fret life: 7/10, minor wear only