![]() Gibson bicentennial firebird guitars used two different designs for the neck and the bridge pickups. WBG’s expert study, accompanied by blistering clips from the recently deceased Daniel Shams of Heliotricity blew the doors open and shed unprecedented light on these previously “mysterious” 70’s Firebird pups. PAT number sticker.ġ970’s Firebird (’76 Bicentennial and after?):Įditors Note: This section has been updated to include what we now know thanks to Wallace Blackie Gold’s explosive and groundbreaking post (included below). Notched cutout in base plate corner for braided lead wires. White bobbin wires, Polyurethane coated bright orange windings, thin metal plate covering both bobbins on the bottom side held with black, tar like glue. No external magnets like a regular humbucker or Deluxe mini-hum. Two mini hum sized (nylon?) bobbins, both with rectangular mold holding what appears to be the magnets inside of the bobbin itself so the windings are surrounding the magnet itself. PAT number sticker.ġ965-1969 FB pickups (possibly up to 1972, not completely sure about that as of now): It simply exits the pickup through the thin gap between the cover and bottom plate. Two maple spacers between bobbins and bottom plate. Black bobbin wires, enameled dark windings, thin metal plate covering both bobbins on the bottom side held with black, tar like glue. No external bar magnets like a regular humbucker or Deluxe mini-hum. Two mini hum sized (nylon?) bobbins, both with rectangular mold holding what appears to be the bar magnets in slots of the bobbin so the windings are surrounding the magnet itself. There have been numerous changes to the design of these pickups by Gibson since they were first introduced in 1963, here are the basics. I will start by quoting a basic summary of their design history as we know it created by a knowledgeable guy named “J45” who despite being a member of one of those ridiculous forums clearly has a ton of experience and passion that rivals my own for these unique and badass guitars. These findings, however, up to now have been incomplete, particularly because of a lack of knowledge having to do with Bicentennial pickups. We all know there are a lot of great threads out on the web and many knowledgeable individuals who have owned, analyzed, dissected and recreated mid 60’s vintage FB pickups from pretty much every stage of their evolution. Having an immediately distinguishable sound which some have described as similar to a “ticked off tele” or a “strat on steroids” the pickups were the perfect complement to the bold and adventurous design of the guitar. These pickups first appeared not surprisingly in the Gibson Firebird guitars they began building in Kalamazoo, MI at that time. Often confused with traditional mini humbuckers, firebird pickups are a uniquely designed pickup for the electric guitar first introduced by Gibson in 1963. Topics having to do with what they are, their history, their construction, mini humbucker vs firebird pickups, firebird vs p90 and more are all addressed. ![]() In this definitive guide to Firebird pickups we will address some of the most common questions individuals who own, or possibly are looking for aftermarket replacement pickups for a Gibson firebird typically ask about these phenomenal electric guitar pickups.
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