The Firebird Platypus offers players a Gibson Firebird experience that’s less of a mindset shift from other six-in-line guitars
Gibson has launched the Firebird™ Platypus, paying tribute to a rare iteration of the iconic Gibson solidbody only found in 1965 and beloved by vintage collectors. The new Firebird Platypus is available in Tobacco Sunburst, Vintage Cherry, Ebony, and a Gibson.com and Gibson Garage exclusive, Cherry Sunburst.
Debuting in 1963 with sleek lines inspired by automobile tail fins, by 1965, the Gibson Firebird was a model in transition. One of the significant design changes that occurred flipped the six-in-line headstock to Non-Reverse orientation.
Unlike the original Reverse Firebird headstock, which featured a two-layered design with a holly veneer, the new headstock was flat, becoming known affectionately as the “Platypus” thanks to its resemblance to the bill of the famous Australian semiaquatic mammal. More importantly, it also sported standard six-in-line tuners instead of the banjo units present on original ’birds—a boon for many players.
In describing the genesis of the new Firebird Platypus release, Mat Koehler, Vice President of Products, says, “We had discontinued the Firebird at Gibson USA for a few years, and when we brought it back, we wanted to do it in a way that we’ve never done before—at least not since 1965. That’s the year you would see the Reverse body with the Non-Reverse neck. To me, that’s my favorite incarnation of the Firebird because you’ve got the tuners on the top side.”
Image: The Firebird’s versatile humbuckers™ feature Alnico 5 magnets
The Firebird Platypus also features a mahogany body with a set neck, while maintaining the visual impression of a traditional neck-through Reverse Firebird body. Master Luthier Jim DeCola explains, “The Reverse-style body features the raised center section on top; however, it is constructed with classic Gibson set-neck construction like the Non-Reverse Firebird. It also features the Platypus-style headstock with straight string pull and Grover Mini Rotomatic® tuners for better functionality and balance.
“The reissue Firebird mini humbucking pickups utilize black mounting rings topped off with the traditional chrome trim rings for classic sound, looks, and improved performance. The use of the mounting rings under the trim rings keeps the pickups parallel to the strings to provide improved output and balance. We feel the new Firebird Platypus has the ‘best of’ Firebird features, aesthetics, sound, and playability.”
Image: The Firebird Platypus in Cherry Sunburst is only available at the Gibson Garage and Gibson.com
The model’s mahogany neck offers a fast-playing SlimTaper™ profile and a rosewood fretboard with a 12-inch radius, 22 medium jumbo frets, and acrylic trapezoid inlays. The Platypus headstock has also been subtly redesigned to ensure straight string pull, reducing friction and improving tuning stability. At the other end, the strings are seated on a Nashville Tune-O-Matic™ bridge for accurate intonation and anchored in place via an aluminum Stop Bar tailpiece.
Thanks to two detailed and historically accurate Firebird humbucker™ pickups, the Firebird Platypus sounds as good as it looks. Featuring Alnico 5 magnets, these pickups can deliver bell-like tones when played clean, supplying powerful rock and blues voices that cut through the mix when pushed. Individual volume and tone knobs let you further shape your sound, and naturally, the pickguard bears the famous hot-stamped Firebird graphic. A Gibson hardshell case is also included.
