Head to head
Epiphone IGC 1963 Firebird I Reissue, Cardinal Red vs Epiphone Les Paul Prophecy, Aged Bengal Tiger Burst
The verdict
The Epiphone Les Paul Prophecy, Aged Bengal Tiger Burst comes out ahead overall — 74 to 67 on our estimated score.
Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.
Epiphone IGC 1963 Firebird I Reissue, Cardinal Red wins on
No standout advantage.
Epiphone Les Paul Prophecy, Aged Bengal Tiger Burst wins on
- Better build (71 vs 65)
- Better sound (74 vs 63)
- Better value (71 vs 65)
- Lower price ($1,199 vs $1,299)
Scorecard
| Metric | IGC 1963 Firebird I Reissue, Cardinal Red | Les Paul Prophecy, Aged Bengal Tiger Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 67 | 74 |
| Build | 65 | 71 |
| Playability | 75 | 78 |
| Sound | 63 | 74 |
| Value | 65 | 71 |
Full specifications
| Spec | IGC 1963 Firebird I Reissue, Cardinal Red | Les Paul Prophecy, Aged Bengal Tiger Burst |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Epiphone | Epiphone |
| Type | Electric | Electric |
| Years | — | — |
| Country | — | — |
| Body wood | Mahogany (Wings) | Mahogany |
| Neck wood | 9-ply Mahogany/Walnut | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Rosewood | Ebony |
| Strings | 6 | 6 |
| Frets | 22 | 24 |
| Scale | 24.75" | 24.72" |
| Pickups | Gibson USA Firebird Mini Humbucker with Alnico 5 Magnets | Fishman Fluence Epiphone Prophecy Neck / Fishman Fluence Epiphone Prophecy Bridge |
| Rating | — | — |
| Price | $1,299 | $1,199 |
| Body Finish | Vintage Gloss | Aged Gloss |
| Body shape | Firebird | Les Paul |
| Body Styles | Firebird | Les Paul |
| Bridge | Wraparound Lightning Bar | Epiphone LockTone Tune-O-Matic |
| Bridge pickup | Gibson USA Firebird Mini Humbucker with Alnico 5 Magnets | Fishman Fluence Epiphone Prophecy Bridge |
| Case | Inspired by Gibson Custom Hardshell | Premium Gig Bag |
| Control Covers | Black with Silver Inspired by Gibson Custom Logo Hotstamp | Black; PVC, back plate with battery compartment |
| Control Knobs | Black Top Hat with Reflector | Knurled Metal : Brushed Nickel |
| Controls | Master Volume, Master Tone, Hand-wired with CTS Potentiometers and a Mallory Capacitor | 2 Volume (push/pull coil splits); 2 Tone (push/pull Vintage/Modern pickup) |
| Finish | Nickel | Brushed Nickel |
| Fretboard inlay | Mother of Pearl Dot | Block and Triangle; Abalone compliments body color |
| Fretboard radius | 304.8mm / 12.0in | 305.0mm / 12.01in |
| Fret Count | 22 | 24 |
| Headstock Inlay | Modern Epiphone Logo in Gold (on Truss Rod Cover) | Modern Epiphone in Mother of Pearl; Custom Split Diamond in Mother of Pearl |
| Joint | Neck-Through-Body Construction | Glued-In, Set Neck |
| Model | ECFIR3CRNH1 | EILPYABTBN1 |
| Mounting Rings | Nickel | Black; PVC |
| Nut | Graph Tech | Graph Tech NuBone XL Black |
| Nut width | 43.0mm / 1.69in | 43.0mm / 1.69in |
| Output Jack | 1/4" Switchcraft | Epiphone Heavy Duty 1/4" |
| Pickguard | 3-ply White; Firebird Logo Hotstamp in Red | None |
| Pickup Covers | Nickel | Brushed Nickel |
| Profile | 1963 Firebird | Asymmetrical SlimTaper |
| Scale length | 628.65mm / 24.75in | 628.0mm / 24.72in |
| Strap Buttons | 3 - Bottom, Shoulder, and Neck Heel - Historic Firebird Strap Button Placement Locations | PosiLok Strap Buttons |
| String gauges | .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046 | .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046 |
| Truss rod | Dual Action | Dual Action |
| Truss Rod Cover | Single Ply Black with Epiphone Logo in Gold | 2-Ply, 3-Hole Bell |
| Tuner Plating | Nickel | Brushed Nickel |
| Tuners | Kluson Banjo-style Planetary | Grover Locking Rotomatic |
| End Of Board Width | — | 57.35mm / 2.26in |
| Headstock | — | 60s Kalamazoo |
| Jack Plate Cover | — | Brushed Nickel |
| Neck pickup | — | Fishman Fluence Epiphone Prophecy Neck |
| Pickup Selector | — | 3-way toggle switch, Epiphone all-metal |
| Plastic Parts | — | Black; PVC |
| Saddle Material | — | Brushed Nickel |
| Switch Tip | — | Black Cap |
| Switchwasher | — | None |
| Tailpiece | — | Epiphone LockTone Stop Bar |
| Top wood | — | Carved Hard Maple Cap with AAA Flame Maple Veneer |