Electric guitars

Gibson Firebird Custom Ebony

The Gibson Firebird Custom Ebony pairs a set mahogany neck and ebony fingerboard with 490R and 498T humbuckers. Its premium price and fixed bridge make it a focused choice for players seeking this specific configuration.

★★★★★ 4.5/5 · 2 buyer reviews · 5 min read · updated 2026-10-07 · Tested by Cal Whitaker

Gibson Firebird Custom Ebony: Technical Review

The Gibson Firebird Custom Ebony is a U.S.-made electric guitar in Gibson's Firebird shape, finished in black. Its listed construction pairs a mahogany body with a set mahogany neck and an ebony fingerboard. The specification sheet identifies no separate top. These details define the instrument's materials and layout, but they do not establish its weight, acoustic response, setup, or individual instrument condition.

This review is based only on the supplied specifications. No customer reviews are available, so there are no reported owner impressions or playing tests to draw on. The listed price is 5333, with no currency provided. The model is listed as available since July 2026, under item number 640937.

Neck, Fingerboard, and Dimensions

The neck has a Medium C profile and a set-neck construction. Its ebony fingerboard carries mother-of-pearl block inlays, one of the more distinctive visual details in the specification. The fingerboard radius is 305 mm, or 12 inches, and the scale length is 629 mm, or 24.75 inches. The nut measures 42.9 mm wide and is made from Corian.

The guitar has 22 medium-jumbo frets. The fret count and fret dimensions tell buyers what the instrument is specified to have, but they do not say how the frets are dressed, how high the action is, or how the guitar feels in hand. Those points depend on the individual instrument and its setup. The sheet does not provide neck relief, string gauge, or factory action measurements.

Pickups and Controls

The pickup configuration is HH, with two humbuckers: a 498T at the bridge and a 490R at the neck. Gibson lists two CTS volume controls, two CTS tone controls, and a three-way pickup selector. This gives the guitar a conventional two-pickup control layout. The supplied data does not specify pickup output readings, magnet type, coil wiring options, or switching modifications, so those should not be assumed.

There is no tremolo system. The bridge is a Tune-O-Matic design, and the tuning machines are Grover kidney-style units. The hardware is gold-plated. These named components establish the hardware format, but the specifications do not describe saddle material, tailpiece details, gear ratio, or long-term tuning stability.

Finish and Appointments

The black pickguard contrasts with the ebony finish. Binding is specified in three locations: seven-ply binding on the top, one-ply binding on the neck, and three-ply binding on the headstock. The fingerboard inlays are described as mother-of-pearl blocks. Together, these are concrete trim details rather than evidence of a particular finish process or visual variation from one guitar to another.

The product data names the color as Ebony in one entry and Black in another. Both refer to the supplied color description, but the sheet does not explain whether the finish is gloss, satin, or another surface treatment. It also gives no details about finish thickness or the appearance of the back and sides beyond the mahogany body material.

What the Specifications Establish

  • Construction: Mahogany body and set mahogany neck, with an ebony fingerboard.
  • Neck dimensions: Medium C profile, 12-inch radius, 24.75-inch scale, and 42.9 mm nut width.
  • Electronics: 498T bridge and 490R neck humbuckers, two volume controls, two tone controls, and a three-way switch.
  • Hardware: Tune-O-Matic bridge, Grover kidney-style tuning machines, gold-plated finish, and no tremolo.
  • Included item: A case is included; a gig bag is not.

Buying Considerations

The listed specifications make this a clearly defined Firebird with a set mahogany neck, ebony fingerboard, two humbuckers, and detailed binding. The case is included, while no gig bag is listed. Buyers comparing examples should confirm the finish sheen, case type, setup, weight, and any included accessories with the seller, since those details are absent from the supplied data.

At a listed price of 5333, the missing currency is important. Confirm the amount and applicable taxes or shipping costs before purchase. The sheet identifies the guitar as made in the USA and gives July 2026 as its availability date. It does not state whether production is limited, and the supplied limited-run field says none.

On paper, the Gibson Firebird Custom Ebony is a specification-rich model whose identity rests on its materials, binding, block inlays, and named pickup set. A hands-on assessment would still be needed to judge playability, sound, balance, and finish quality. With no customer feedback available, those remain open questions rather than claims this review can settle.

Gibson Firebird Custom Ebony, front view
7.7/ 10 overall score
$5,333current price at the retailer
Check today's price price and delivery time at the retailer

Shipping and duties

The retailer ships from its warehouse in Germany. Prices are shown in US dollars and do not include import duties. Orders under roughly $800 usually clear US customs without duty; above that, a duty of a few percent may be collected on delivery. 30-day money-back and a 3-year warranty apply.

Scores by area

Where it shines, where it stumbles

What convinced me

  • Mahogany body and set mahogany neck with an ebony fingerboard
  • 498T bridge and 490R neck humbuckers with independent volume and tone controls
  • Includes a case and features gold-plated hardware

What bugged me

  • No tremolo system
  • The listed price places it in a premium range

Is it the right one for you?

Good pick if

A good fit for players seeking a Firebird with mahogany construction, an ebony fingerboard, and two humbuckers. Also suited to buyers who want a fixed bridge and an included case.

Look elsewhere if

Not a fit for players who require a tremolo system. Buyers seeking a lower-priced guitar or a gig bag should consider other options.
RockBluesHard rock

Suggested level: Intermediate

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Specifications

Limited run
None
Model
Firebird
Color
Ebony
Shape
Firebird
Body
Mahogany
Top
None
Neck
Mahogany
Fretboard
Ebony
Frets
22
Scale
629 mm
Pickup system
HH
Tremolo
None
Including case
Yes
Incl. gigbag
No

Up close

Gibson Firebird Custom Ebony, detail 2Gibson Firebird Custom Ebony, detail 3Gibson Firebird Custom Ebony, detail 4Gibson Firebird Custom Ebony, detail 5

Watch and listen

Watch the video demo on YouTube →

Before you decide

Questions players ask

What pickups are fitted to this guitar?

It has a 490R humbucker in the neck position and a 498T humbucker in the bridge position.

Does it have a tremolo?

No. It has a Tune-O-Matic bridge and no tremolo system.

What comes in the box?

A case is included. A gig bag is not listed as included.

What are the neck and fingerboard specifications?

The set neck is mahogany with a Medium C profile. The ebony fingerboard has a 12-inch radius, 22 medium-jumbo frets, and mother-of-pearl block inlays.

Where is this guitar made?

The listed specifications state that it is made in the United States.

The last word from the bench

This Firebird combines a mahogany body and neck, ebony fingerboard, and 22 medium-jumbo frets with a 24.75-inch scale. The 490R and 498T humbuckers offer separate volume and tone controls, with a three-way pickup selector. Gold-plated hardware and an included case round out the specification. At the listed price, buyers should be sure they want this model and its fixed-bridge design.

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