Gibson 1963 Firebird V Reissue CR ULA

Gibson 1963 Firebird V Reissue CR ULA review

The Gibson 1963 Firebird V Reissue CR ULA is a U.S.-made Murphy Lab Custom Shop electric guitar with a Cardinal Red, ultra-light-aged lacquer finish. Listed at $7,099, it pairs a solid mahogany body with a nine-piece neck-through-body construction using maple and walnut. Its name points to the 1963 Firebird V design, while the supplied specifications describe the materials and hardware of this particular reissue.

No customer reviews are available for this product. The assessment here is based only on the supplied specifications, so it does not make claims about how the guitar sounds, feels, or performs in practice.

Construction and dimensions

The neck-through design runs the neck structure through the body, with the detailed specification listing a nine-piece maple-and-walnut construction. The general specification also describes the neck as mahogany and walnut. Those descriptions do not fully match, so buyers should confirm the exact neck materials with the seller before purchase rather than assume one description is definitive.

The rosewood fingerboard has pearloid trapezoid inlays, a 12-inch radius, and 22 frets. Gibson lists an authentic 1963 medium C neck profile, a 42 mm nut width, and a 628 mm scale. The scale is a key part of the instrument's dimensions, but the data does not specify string gauge or setup, which can also affect playing feel.

The body shape and design are both identified as Firebird. The finish is described as ultra-light-aged lacquer, a Murphy Lab treatment, rather than a standard gloss finish. The specifications do not explain the aging process or indicate how much visible wear is present, so the finish name alone cannot establish the exact appearance of an individual instrument.

Pickups and controls

The guitar has two Firebird Alnico V pickups in an HH configuration. Its control layout consists of two volume controls and two tone controls, with a three-way toggle switch. This gives the player separate volume and tone adjustments for each pickup, alongside a selector for switching between the listed pickup positions.

These details identify the pickup type and control arrangement, but they do not establish a particular output level, tonal character, or response through an amplifier. Those judgments require listening to the guitar in a real setup. No audio samples or measured pickup data were provided.

Bridge, tremolo, and hardware

An ABR-1 bridge is paired with a Maestro Vibrola tremolo. The tremolo is a functional part of the specification, though the supplied data does not describe its range, tuning stability, or setup. Deluxe banjo-style machine heads and nickel hardware complete the listed hardware package.

The combination of the ABR-1 and Maestro Vibrola is a defining specification to check against your needs. If you are considering regular tremolo use, ask the dealer about the setup and return policy, since no performance testing is available here. The supplied information also does not state whether adjustments or setup work are included with purchase.

Included items and buying details

• Finish: Cardinal Red, ultra-light-aged lacquer.
• Construction: Solid mahogany body with a listed nine-piece maple-and-walnut neck-through structure.
• Fingerboard: Rosewood, pearloid trapezoid inlays, 12-inch radius, and 22 frets.
• Electronics: Two Firebird Alnico V pickups, four individual volume and tone controls, and a three-way switch.
• Hardware: ABR-1 bridge, Maestro Vibrola, deluxe banjo-style machine heads, and nickel hardware.
• Package: Hardshell case and certificate of authenticity included; no gig bag listed.
• Availability details: Available since October 2023, item number 549717, sold as one piece.

The listing identifies the instrument as a Murphy Lab Custom Shop model and says it is made in the USA. It does not describe the run as limited. The case and certificate are useful inclusions at this price, while the absence of a gig bag is stated separately in the supplied data.

Technical assessment

On paper, the CR ULA combines Firebird-specific pickups and body design with a neck-through construction, a Vibrola-equipped bridge, and a lightly aged red finish. Its published dimensions and control layout are clear, but the conflicting neck-material descriptions deserve confirmation before ordering. Buyers should also verify finish condition, setup, and the exact contents of the package with the retailer. Without customer feedback or hands-on testing, this review can describe the specification, but cannot verify sound, comfort, workmanship, or long-term reliability.