The Gibson Firebird went through many incarnations since its inception in 1963, but despite shipping in not insignificant numbers during the 1970s (see Firebird shipping totals) the Firebird was not mentioned in any US catalog or price list beyond the late 1960s. In fact the limited edition bicentennial reissue of 1976 continued through the rest of the decade with 1456 Firebirds shipped in 1978 alone.
However, just 148 Firebirds shipped in 1979 (the last year we have shipping data for) - which is presumably how the model found itself as one of Gibson's close out Specials in this 1981 folder.
The guitar shown here has broadly the same specifications as the bicentennial model (ie mahogany body with neck-through construction, gold-plated mini humbuckers), but differs in that it has a plain red inscribed Firebird logo, rather than the blue and red bicentennial version. It is also offered in Ebony, Natural and Cherry - Cherry replacing the White previously available.
The specifications are given as follows:
Asymmetrical, balanced 3-piece mahogany body design with neck-through-body construction · Adjustable, gold plated Gibson Tune-O-Matic bridge · Gibson Gold-plated stop-bar tailpiece · Attractive laminated W/B/W fingerrest with inscribed Firebird insignia · Two Gibson Humbucking pickups with gold-plated pickup covers · Individual volume and tone controls for both pick ups · 3-position toggle switch for pickup selection (individual or both pickups simultaneously) · Attractive gold Top Hat knobs · The new, ultra-safe Gibson Posi-Lok lock strap button · Body size: Length 19 1/4", with 13 7/8", depth 1 7/16"
One piece mahogany construction · Width at fingerboard nut 1 11/16" · Rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays and corresponding side dots · Deluxe gold-plated individual machineheads · Gibson truss rod with attractive truss rod cover · 22 frets
Firebird O/F · available in Cherry, Ebony and Natural finishes
$3499
$5939
$8808
$12000
$9500
$349
$1480
$8750
$17995
$399