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Gibson Firebird and Thunderbird custom finish options

Six new solid body guitars. Ten exciting custom colors

When the Gibson Thunderbird and Gibson Firebird were introduced in late 1963, they were offered with a Sunburst finish as standard, and in 10 new colors for an extra $15. Golden Mist poly, Cardinal Red, Heather poly, Inverness Green poly, Silver Mist poly, Ember Red, Kerry Green, Polaris White, Frost Blue and Pelham Blue poly. These Duco colours were available throughout their years of manufacture until 1969.

The brochure below, from 1963, details the original custom Thunderbird finish options for the reverse body basses.

1963 Gibson Thunderbird / Firebird color chart

These colors were not advertised for other Gibson bass guitars, (though Pelham blue and Polaris White EB basses certainly exist). Unfortunately, no shipping information by color is available, and these custom color basses are very rare. Some Gibson Thunderbird and Firebird custom finishes do come up, but of the 1700 or so total Thunderbird production (1963-69), the vast majority were the standard sunburst. Some finishes, such as Golden Mist poly, Heather poly, and Silver Mist poly are exceptionally rare, if existing at all.


Thunderbird/Firebird color chart

A similar brochure was produced in 1965 for the non-reverse Thunderbird and Firebird models. The same ten finishes are listed as in the previous brochure.

These Gibson custom finishes have certainly gained in popularity over the last fifty years, and such solid colors seem to be the finish of choice in Thunderbird and Firebird restorations. In part due to their rarity, in part their good looks - but also as a solid cover for the invariable headstock repair that so many of these instruments have suffered.

The 1976 Bicentennial reissue Thunderbirds were offered in Ebony, White, Tobacco Sunburst and Natural only. More recent limited editions with unusual finishes include the 2007 Thunderbird Studio in Cherry, 2012 non-reverse Thunderbird in Pelham Blue and 2013 50th anniversary Thunderbird in Bullion Gold.


Gibson Bass guitars for sale

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1987 GIBSON BASS IV BASS - made in USA

1987 GIBSON BASS IV BASS - made in USA

Köln, 50***, GERMANY

€1195


1987 GIBSON BASS IV - made in USA :
* the black painted part of the body was cut off before by some moron and replaced with 2 pieces of ash=
check pic 5 & 6
* pearl white finish is very worn
* Thunderbird pickups
* black Schaller hardware
* ebony fingerboard, frets are fine
... more
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1987 GIBSON BASS IV BASS - made in USA

1987 GIBSON BASS IV BASS - made in USA

COLOGNE, GERMANY

€1150


1987 GIBSON BASS IV - made in USA :
* the black painted part of the body was cut off before by some moron and replaced with 2 pieces of ash=
check pic 5 & 6
* pearl white finish is very worn
* Thunderbird pickups
* black Schaller hardware
* ebony fingerboard, frets are fine
PLENTY of PARTS for SALE
ATTENTION! OVER 1000 more
GUITARS-BASSES-AMPS-PARTS
in our OTHER AUCTIONS !!!
CHECK OUR SHOP OUT ... more
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1987 Gibson Bass IV - hergestellt in den USA - THUNDERBIRD TONABNEHMER

1987 Gibson Bass IV - hergestellt in den USA - THUNDERBIRD TONABNEHMER

COLOGNE, GERMANY

£1090

1987 GIBSON BASS IV - made in USA :
* the black painted part of the body was cut off before by some moron and replaced with 2 pieces of ash=
check pic 5
* pearl white finish is very worn
* Thunderbird pickups
* black Schaller hardware
* ebony fingerboard, frets are fine
... more
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Epiphone Les Paul Standard 1959

Epiphone Les Paul Standard 1959

Olching, 82***, GERMANY

€825


Epiphone Les Paul Standard1959
In Zusammenarbeit mit dem Gibson Custom Shop
Wie neu, sehr guter Zustand, super Klang, besitze 2, weil ich von der Gitarre begeistert bin; habe jedoch nun eine vintage Gibson erhalten und kann die Gitarren in gute Hände geben. Neupreis derzeit ca. 1000 ??. Diese Gitarre ist tatsächlich völlig neuwertig und eigentlich eine Sammlergitarre!
Limited EditionDecke: RiegelahornKorpus: MahagoniHals: MahagoniGriffbrett: Indian Laurellanger Halsfuß - Long ... more
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1952 FENDER TELECASTER - made in USA

1952 FENDER TELECASTER - made in USA

Köln, 50***, GERMANY

€13001


1952 FENDER TELECASTER - made in USA :
* body has oversanding, extra screw holes, cracks at neck pocket, neck pickup cavity slightly routed and filled
* neck has a new trussrod and BIGGER frets installed, cracks around skunk stripe=check pic 11 & 12 had a bigger nut installed(now repaired), also 4 small holes in fingerboard at 17th & 21st fret =check pic 8, neck was sanded down a bit=overall about 1 mm is missing from nut to the neck end, NOT a baseball neck profile anymore ... more
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1956 FENDER MAPLE NECK USA

1956 FENDER MAPLE NECK USA

Köln, 50***, GERMANY

€1450

1956 FENDER MUSICMASTER MAPLE NECK USA :
* short scale
* NICE BIG V SHAPE PROFILE
* finish oversprayed & in WORN condition
* frets have wear
* small wood chip below nut=check pic 4
* neck date is GONE... more
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