You can trust Guitar World
Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing guitar products so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
What is it?
If there’s one Gibson model that often gets overshadowed and underappreciated, it’s got to be the Firebird. While its sharper-nosed cousin, the Explorer, steals the spotlight, the Firebird tends to soar just under the radar, which explains why it’s been absent from Gibson’s lineup for a few years – outside of Custom Shop reissues, of course. Well, that is until now. The Gibson USA Firebird is back.
Emerging gloriously from the ashes, Gibson has resurrected this elegant offset and this time, it’s donning its transitional year get-up. Developed by car icon Ray Dietrich in 1963, the original iteration was a symphony of flowing lines and chrome, with a unique construction that set it apart from everything in the Gibson catalog at the time. Built from a sandwich of walnut and mahogany, with a neck-through-body, banjo tuners, Maestro Vibrola, and special, smaller Firebird humbucking pickups, this new model certainly made a statement when it first flapped its wings, but only a few years later, the guitar would see several design revisions.
By 1965, Gibson would start to introduce the new Non-Reverse model, which flipped the body so the longer horn was now on top, ditched the neck-through design, and, most importantly for this review, transitioned to the simplified headstock style. However, before the transition was fully underway, a few rare gems left the factory, sporting a delightful mix of features from both versions. These unique hybrids became known as “Platypus” models, thanks to their quirky, flipped headstock, and they’ve become extremely sought after by vintage guitar collectors.
Fast forward to 2025, and Gibson’s new Firebird Platypus is here, tipping its hat to those elusive transitional six-strings. This version boasts a mahogany body that, while it features the characteristic center ridge of the original neck-through design, actually sports a glued-in, set neck with the ever-popular SlimTaper profile and 22 medium jumbo frets. And let’s not forget its Platypus-style headstock, which has been modified for better tuning stability, offering a straight string pull.
On the sonic front, the Platypus doesn’t stray far from tradition. It’s equipped with a pair of historically-accurate Firebird pickups that rock Alnico 5 magnets, promising to deliver that sweet, focused top-end tone that these guitars are famous for.
Specs
- Launch price: $2,499/£2,199/€2,485
- Made: USA
- Type: Six-string electric guitar
- Body: Mahogany
- Neck: Mahogany SlimTaper
- Fingerboard: Rosewood
- Scale length: 628.65 mm / 24.75 in
- Nut/width: Graph Tech 43.053 mm / 1.695 in
- Frets: 22, Medium Jumbo
- Hardware: Aluminum Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge, Grover Mini Rotomatic Tuners
- Electrics: Firebird Mini Humbucker, 2x volume, 2x tone controls, 3-way pickup selector
- Weight: 7.2lbs/3.3 kg
- Options: N/A
- Left-handed optionsFinishes: List all available: No
- Cases: Gibson Hardshell Case
- Contact: Gibson
Build quality
Build quality rating: ★★★★☆
Let’s begin with the standout feature of the new Firebird: its stunning aesthetic. I have always been fascinated by this lopsided axe, and after seeing this new version, I believe my admiration will only continue. Personally, I own three Gibson Firebirds, and it’s a guitar I never tire of looking at.
All 22 medium jumbo frets were flawlessly polished, with no sharp ends or dead spots to report
My review model arrived in a jet-black Ebony colorway, a finish that beautifully highlights the body’s contours. The gloss nitrocellulose finish has been mostly well-applied, resulting in a tidy overall appearance. However, the lacquer has sunk in a few spots, revealing the wood grain pattern underneath, and the edges around the center portion could be tidier. Black nitro finishes are not the most forgiving, often exposing these imperfections more than other finishes do – it’s just part of the territory, I suppose.
Now, regarding the neck, the fretwork on this new Gibson model is impeccable. All 22 medium jumbo frets were flawlessly polished, with no sharp ends or dead spots to report. The binding was expertly installed and well scraped as well.
I’ve noted this improvement in most of my recent Gibson reviews; the company’s craftsmanship and quality control have significantly enhanced over the past six years, and the Platypus is no exception.
Okay, I need to address the most contentious issue among Firebird aficionados – the absence of a neck-through-body. As mentioned earlier, original Firebird models feature a unique neck-through design composed of 9-ply walnut and mahogany glued together to form the body and neck, with mahogany wings added later. While the Non-Reverse iteration abandoned this construction method, the models on which the Platypus is based still employ a neck-through design.
For this modern iteration, Gibson has opted for a set neck similar to that of the Explorer. However, to maintain the appearance of a standard Firebird from the front, it has kept the raised center.
Now, I’m not a purist who insists that every guitar must be historically accurate, as tastes evolve with changing trends. Nonetheless, I would have preferred to see Gibson resurrect the Firebird in its full glory, including that distinctive design element which sets it apart from the rest of the catalog.
On a positive note, this new design brings one significant advantage – it’s lightweight. Despite its large size, at just over 7lbs this review model feels considerably lighter than my other Firebirds and Explorer, and is more comparable to my SG.
Playability
Playability rating: ★★★★½
If you’ve had your hands on a modern Firebird in recent years, you might have noticed that Gibson often opts for a rather thin neck – unless, of course, you’re lucky enough to snag one of those vintage reissues from the Custom Shop. But not the Platypus. This ‘bird has been graced with the universally adored SlimTaper neck profile, and honestly, I think that is to the guitar’s benefit.
Right out of the box, the review model was ready to go, sporting an impressively low action
This guitar feels fantastic to hold. Skinny yet rounded at the nut and a little wider and flatter closer to the body, this neck is comfortable and superbly playable. Comparing it to other Firebird models, I’d venture to say it feels nearly identical to my Non-Reverse model, which makes sense, given what this guitar is going for.
Right out of the box, the review model was ready to go, sporting an impressively low action. It took very little pressure to coax a song out of this ‘bird.
The SlimTaper profile has always been my gold standard for versatility. It doesn’t matter if you’re strumming cowboy chords in the first position, unleashing bluesy riffs from the fifth fret, or shredding past the 12th, this neck shape is always forgiving and easy to navigate.
So, if the specs and non-traditional Firebird body don’t tickle your fancy, perhaps the playability of this guitar will be enough to lure you in.
Sounds
Sounds rating: ★★★★☆
Plugged into a Vox AC30 teetering on the edge of breakup, the bridge position Alnico 5 Firebird pickup comes alive
Let’s talk tone. I’m pleased to say that the Platypus delivers the classic Firebird snarl I expect, with an abundance of top-end and a tight and focused low-end.
While some folks might dismiss these pickups as just mini-humbuckers – like you’d find in a Les Paul Deluxe – the reality is that they’re an entirely different beast. Firebird pickups boast a unique magnet arrangement that sets them apart from your run-of-the-mill humbuckers, giving them that signature sound that’s hard to replicate.
Plugged into a Vox AC30 teetering on the edge of breakup, the bridge position Alnico 5 Firebird pickup comes alive. It’s sharp and punchy, with a chime that could make even the most stoic Telecaster blush. Flip to the neck, and things take a mellower turn. Smooth, rounded, and a touch on the dark side, this setting is perfect for throaty blues licks.
In the middle, you get the best of both worlds, with a seriously balanced tone that comes to life with a generous dose of gain courtesy of my JHS Angry Charlie. I actually found myself favouring this position more than normal, as I appreciated the way it tamed the bright attack of the bridge pickup on its own.
Verdict
The new Gibson Firebird Platypus is a delightful oddity, paying homage to a transition model that many players might not even know existed. It combines unique aesthetics with modern playability and impressive tone, creating a Firebird unlike any I’ve had the pleasure of playing before.
I must say, the Platypus-style headstock is charming, and the SlimTaper neck feels great in hand. However, I can’t help but feel uneasy about stepping away from the original neck-through construction.
This leaves me pondering the target audience for this model. Is it too quirky for vintage enthusiasts who might bemoan its historical inaccuracies, while also being a bit too weird for those simply seeking the classic Firebird experience? I suppose only time will tell.
But, if you’re willing to put the historical considerations aside, the craftsmanship is top-notch, the playability is superb, and most importantly, on the sound front, the bridge pickup delivers the coveted top-end clarity deserving of the Firebird name.
|
Test |
Results |
Score |
|---|---|---|
|
Build quality |
Overall a well built guitar but the finishing could be better in places. |
★★★★☆ |
|
Playability |
Excellent playability with a neck that will suit most players. |
★★★★½ |
|
Sounds |
Sounds as a Firebird should, but the neck pickup is a little darker than expected. |
★★★★☆ |
|
Overall |
A great guitar for those seeking the classic tone of a Firebird, but ultimatley we’d prefer true neck-through construction. |
★★★★☆ |
Also try
Hands-on videos
American Musical Supply
The Trogly’s Guitar Show
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings