Gibson Custom Shop Original Firebird V 1 of 1 Gold Sparkle NAMM 1991 Owned by G.E. Smith / Signed & Dated by Tom Murphy w/OHSC

Gibson Limited Run for NAMM Custom Shop Original Firebird V in Gold Sparkle finish made in 1991 formally owned by G.E. Smith with original hard shell case (signed and dated by Tom Murphy). This guitar features a solid mahogany body, mahogany neck-thru body and bound rosewood fingerboard with a reverse, color matched headstock with custom shop logo. Equipped with Gibson Firebird Patent Stamp mini humbuckers in the neck and bridge positions. Controlled by 2 volume pots, 2 tone pots and a 3-Way toggle switch comprised of its original CTS pots dating to the 46th week of 1989 with upgraded harness/treble bleed circuit. The 24.75" scale length neck has pearloid trapezoid inlays and 22 medium jumbo frets on a 12" radius with a slim taper profile. The hardware is comprised of gold Gibson banjo-style tuning machines with keystone heads, a corian nut, a Gibson ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic bridge and gold sparkle top hat knobs with a single ply black/gold embossed Firebird pickguard.

This guitar was previously owned by George Edward Smith (G.E. Smith) who is best known for his role as the guitarist of Hall & Oates, and the guitarist/band leader/co-musical director on the sketch-comedy show "Saturday Night Live". This exact guitar can be seen in performances by G.E Smith on episodes within the 1993 era. It is evident that this guitar was regularly used by him and this can be seen from the photo featured here directly from Smith's website.

When our guitar luthier was inspecting this guitar it was discovered that Tom Murphy, master artisan at Gibson for 25+ years, had signed and dated the neck pickup cavity in 1991. Tom is most notable for introducing the historical replication process—the "Relic" finish. When we got in touch with Tom Murphy personally to verify his signature he said this about the guitar:

"Yes, it was one of my early experiments with glitter. I was working on it and as I walked through the factory with it, Matt Uminov saw it and said 'I want that.' He went to sale dept. and placed the order. I turned on SNL one night and there was G.E. playing it on the show opening." - Tom Murphy

Only 5 of these Firebirds were built, but only one of each color for NAMM! Each went to an artist, this Gold Sparkle ended up with G.E. Smith!

This guitar is in overall very good condition with light signs of play. It has visible finish check through the instrument which can be felt, a few gold discoloration spots under the checking from the metallic paint aging/oxidizing. The pickups are correct models but one is chrome and one is gold. The gold hardware has light finish wear. (See pics)

Guitar is freshly setup and restrung with 10-46 strings. Includes Original Hard Shell Case and print out of convo with G.E. Smith about the guitar.

Specs

• Brand: Gibson
• Series: Limited Run for NAMM #1 of 1
• Model: Custom Shop Original Firebird V
• Year: 1991
• Finish Type: Nitrocellulose
• Finish: Gold Sparkle
• Country: The USA
• Serial: 90010100
• Condition: Very Good
• Weight: 8lbs 14oz
• Body Type: Solid
• Body Wood: Mahogany
• Scale Length: 24.75"
• Neck Joint: Neck Through
• Neck Wood: Mahogany
• Neck Finish: Matching
• Neck Binding: Cream
• Finger Board: Rosewood
• Headstock: Reverse, Color Matched with Custom Shop Logo
• Neck Radius: 12"
• Neck Profile: Slim Taper
• Neck Thickness@ 1st Fret: .810"
• Neck Thickness@ 12th Fret: .880"
• Frets: Pearloid Trapezoid
• Nut: Corian
• Nut Width: 1.667"
• Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo
• Pickup Config: HH
• Bridge Pickup: Gibson Firebird Patent Stamp Mini Bucker
• Neck Pickup: Gibson Firebird Patent Stamp Mini Bucker
• Switch Arrangement: 3-Way Toggle Switch
• Pot Arrangement: 2 Volume, 2 Tone
• Pot Date Codes: R1378946 (CTS 46th week of 1989)
• Hardware: Gold
• Pickguard: Single Ply Black
• Tuning Machines: Gibson Banjo with Keystone
• Strap Buttons: Standard
• Bridge: Gibson ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic Bridge
• Knobs: Gold Sparkle Top Hat
• Mod: Harness, Treble Bleed, neck pickup/ring replaced with chrome (correct model)
• String Gauge: 10-46
• Case: Original Hard Shell Case

Condition

Overall Condition: ★★★★✯
Body Front: ★★★★✯
Body Back: ★★★★✯
Body Sides: ★★★★✯
Fret Board: ★★★★★
Frets: ★★★★✯
Neck Back: ★★★★✯
Neck Binding: ★★★★✯
Headstock Front: ★★★★✯
Headstock Back: ★★★★ ·
Headstock Sides: ★★★★✯
Hardware: ★★★★★
Pickups: ★★★★✯
Bridge: ★★★★✯
Knobs: ★★★★✯
Pickguard: ★★★★✯