1964 Gibson Firebird III

In factory Ember Red(!) Reverse-body Firebirds in custom colors are super-rare. This one was owned by one of the most talented guitar players in the world, the King of Rockabilly, Brian Setzer, and comes with a signed letter. All-stock save for replaced jack, and pots date to ’64. You might buy it as art because it’s breathtaking to look at, with its black knobs, truss rod cover, and nickel hardware against the red factory finish. Ember Red vs. Cardinal Red is sometimes hard to differentiate, especially with the way nitrocellulose lacquer ages depending on exposure to light, but you might say Ember Red is like your burned your Cardinal Red guitar (embers – get it?) This plays and sounds great. You’ll love it as an instrument or as the centerpiece of your Firebird collection. Brian Setzer is a giant in our world with chord melody chops like Chet Atkins, can read and write charts like an in-demand session player or arranger, but who also totally rocks. He’s done instructional videos and has a killer voice you recognize in a second. A guitar hero that has a brand new record you must have (see the cover in our photos.) Comes in sturdy reissue case, consigned.