Gibson Firebird

Gibson hired auto designer Ray Dietrich to pen the 1963 Firebird, combining neck-through mahogany construction, mini-humbuckers, and banjo tuners mounted to a reversed headstock. Its sustain and searing upper mids bridged surf, blues, and arena rock, and the offset look remains one of Gibson's boldest statements.

• Introduced: 1963 (reverse-body era through 1965)
• Signature traits: Neck-through build, mini-humbuckers, reverse six-in-line headstock
• Notable players: Johnny Winter, Allen Collins, Gary Clark Jr.