{"product_id":"1972-gibson-medallion-firebird-v-reverse-body-limited-edition-sunburst-w-lyre-vibrola-case","title":"1972 Gibson Medallion Firebird V Reverse Body Limited Edition Sunburst w\/ Lyre Vibrola, Case","description":"Up for sale, a 1972 Gibson Firebird V Medallion limited edition model in excellent condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case. The first iteration of the Firebird V platform produced after the original early '60s run, the Medallion model is easily one of the rarest and shortest-lived Firebird models, with a total of only 336 Firebirds produced in this run. Made with a small gold medallion subtly inset into the mahogany on the upper bout (with a matching medallion on the case), this model commemorated the 1972 Olympic Games.\r\rVery faithful to the specifications of the original reverse body Firebird design, the Medallion model is loaded with the original pair of Gibson-embossed nickel Firebird pickups as well as a long frame Maestro Vibrola tailpiece. Few things are as unmistakably cool as a good Firebird V, and the pickups are true to early '60s spec, measuring in the high 6k ohm range. The tone is rich and full, with the foundational warmth and near endless sustain of the neck through mahogany construction. The pickups are particularly detailed and clear sounding, with a chiming top end, smooth midrange, and focused, sinewy bass response that pairs well with drive pedals and vintage tube amps. This Gibson has been professionally setup here at Mike \u0026amp; Mike's Guitar Bar and dialed in with low action, spot-on intonation, and 10-46 strings.\r\rThe mahogany neck has an extremely slender and effortless C profile carve at the nut with appreciable heft as you travel up the fingerboard, measuring .735” deep at the 1st fret and .985\" at the 12th. The thick slab rosewood fretboard features pearloid trapezoid inlay and the original wide\/flat Gibson fretwire. These frets have been leveled and crowned in the guitar's lifetime, currently showing zero wear. The guitar plays effortlessly up the straight neck with an ideally adjusted truss rod and easy access to the highest frets. The scale length is 24 3\/4\", and the nut measures a full 1 11\/16“ in width. The headstock sports the original set of nickel banjo tuners, which work as they should and hold pitch well.\r\rThe headstock did suffer the typical fracture at the joint (not through the headstock face), professionally addressed long ago. The repair is extremely clean and smooth to the touch, with targeted black lacquer overspray rendering the repair practically invisible.\r\rOn the body, the original pair of Firebird pickups with Gibson-embossed nickel covers are intact, measuring 6.9k ohms in the bridge position and 6.8k at the neck. These pickups feature patent number baseplates and have untouched solder joints on the covers, wired to the original CTS pots which date to the 11th week of '72. Hardware includes the original patent # ABR-1 bridge which works in concert with the long frame nickel-plated Maestro Vibrola tailpiece. This very elegant and responsive vibrato has the same excellent spring tension and quick feel of the '60s Vibrolas, complete with the original arm. Plastics include a recent Montreaux pickguard and original quartet of gold reflector cap knobs with clean text on the caps. The thin metal medallion sits flush with the top, slightly inset with an embossed serial number from this exceedingly small Firebird run.\r\rCosmetically, this guitar has been lovingly played and is quite remarkable in terms of condition, with the original Sunburst nitro lacquer body finish. There's just a hint of red in the warm two-tone burst, with scattered minor dings along the body parameter, a light spot of targeted buckle rash central to the upper bout, and some scuffs and minor marks on the back, mostly on the lower bout edge. The gloss finish on the neck profile is clean and smooth with minimal wear.\r\rThe original black tolex hardshell case with silver \"Gibson\" silkscreen on the exterior is included. The case has a plush form-fit purple interior, original latches and handle, and small Gibson medallion.","brand":"Gibson","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40136482095290,"sku":"287","price":5999.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0550\/4437\/4714\/products\/medium_22c97064-2ee9-4cfc-ad70-6f93f7fc9a71.jpg?v=1751544089","url":"https:\/\/mmguitarbar.com\/products\/1972-gibson-medallion-firebird-v-reverse-body-limited-edition-sunburst-w-lyre-vibrola-case","provider":"Mike \u0026 Mike's Guitar Bar","version":"1.0","type":"link"}