This version marks the first use of the “nonreverse” shape. It had twelve strings and two
pickups with a non-reverse headstock and a body
shape closer to the Fender-style offsets; it could
be crudely described as a rectangular cousin of
the Jazzmas ter.
Non-Reverse Models
Keeping the non-reverse shape of the XII,
standard six-string models were made available
in limited amounts and in various custom colors.
They were manufactured from 1965–1969 due to
Gibson’s limited success in marketing the radical
reverse body shape of the original Firebird. This
model also featured a standard set neck instead
of the neck-through body design of the originals.
Some of these models had P90 pickups instead of
mini-humbuckers.
20
TONE TALK //
The Fabulous Firebirds: Exploring Gibson’s Phoenix
V
III
I
XII
Firebird
Firebird
Firebird
Firebird
Fire
The
expe
guita
auto
effec
and
its d
show
prod
Thun
The
muc
part
Entw
out o
also
ship