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Gibson 1963 Firebird V with Maestro Vibrola, Light Aged, Cardinal Red vs Gibson Peter Frampton "Phenix" Inspired Les Paul Custom VOS, Ebony

Gibson 1963 Firebird V with Maestro Vibrola, Light Aged, Cardinal Red
Electric$8,799
No ratings yet
75Overall / 100
Gibson Peter Frampton "Phenix" Inspired Les Paul Custom VOS, Ebony
Electric$6,999
No ratings yet
82Overall / 100

The verdict

The Gibson Peter Frampton "Phenix" Inspired Les Paul Custom VOS, Ebony comes out ahead overall — 82 to 75 on our estimated score.

Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.

Gibson 1963 Firebird V with Maestro Vibrola, Light Aged, Cardinal Red wins on

No standout advantage.

Gibson Peter Frampton "Phenix" Inspired Les Paul Custom VOS, Ebony wins on
  • Better build (96 vs 87)
  • Better sound (81 vs 68)
  • Better value (72 vs 65)
  • Lower price ($6,999 vs $8,799)

Scorecard

Estimated scores
Metric1963 Firebird V with Maestro Vibrola, Light Aged, Cardinal RedPeter Frampton "Phenix" Inspired Les Paul Custom VOS, Ebony
Overall7582
Build8796
Playability7575
Sound6881
Value6572

Full specifications

Specification comparison
Spec1963 Firebird V with Maestro Vibrola, Light Aged, Cardinal RedPeter Frampton "Phenix" Inspired Les Paul Custom VOS, Ebony
BrandGibsonGibson
TypeElectricElectric
Years——
CountryUSUS
Body woodLayered MahoganyMahogany
Neck wood9-ply Mahogany/Walnut Neck-ThroughMahogany
FretboardIndian RosewoodEbony
Strings66
Frets2222
Scale24.75"24.75"
PickupsFirebird Alnico 5 / Firebird Alnico 5Custombucker / Custombucker
Rating——
Price$8,799$6,999
AccessoriesCertificate of AuthenticitySchaller Strap Lock Strap Buttons
Body FinishMurphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose LacquerGloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body shapeFirebirdLes Paul
Body StylesFirebirdLes Paul
BridgeABR-1Tune-O-Matic
Bridge pickupFirebird Alnico 5Custombucker
CaseCustom Shop HardshellGibson Hardshell Case
Control CoversBlackReissue Black, plus Custom Shop Medallion
Control KnobsBlack Top Hats with Silver InsertsGold Speed Knobs
Controls2 Volume, 2 Tone, 500K CTS Potentiometers, Hand-Wired Harness with Black Beauty CapacitorsMaster Volume and Tone shared by Neck and Bridge Pickups, Second Volume and Tone for Middle Pickup (independent of P/U selector toggle switch), CTS Potentiometers, Paper in Oil Capacitors
End Of Board Width56.89mm / 2.24in—
FinishNickel; Murphy Lab Light AgedGold VOS
Fretboard inlayAged Cellulose Nitrate TrapezoidCustom Block; Frampton Signature Sandblasted into 12th Fret Inlay
Fretboard radius304.8mm / 12.0in304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count2222
JointNeck-Through ConstructionSet Neck
ModelFB5LACRNM1CSPFPXVOEBGH1
Neck pickupFirebird Alnico 5Custombucker
NutNylonBone
Nut width42.85mm / 1.69in42.86mm / 1.69in
Output Jack1/4" Switchcraft1/4" Switchcraft
Pickguard3-Ply White/Black/White Firebird Hot-stampedNone
Pickup CoversNickelNone
Pickup Selector3-Way Switchcraft3-Way Switchcraft
ProfileMedium CArtist Profile
Saddle MaterialNickel-plated Brass—
Scale length628.65mm / 24.75in628.65mm / 24.75in
Strap ButtonsAluminum2 - Bottom and Shoulder (Schaller Strap Locks)
String gauges.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
Switch TipCreamGold
TailpieceMaestro VibrolaLightweight Aluminum Stop Bar with Long Stud/Anchor
Truss rod2-way AdjustableStandard
Truss Rod CoverBlack 1-Ply Gibson Hot-stampedTrue Historic Black; Frampton Signature
Tuner PlatingNickelGold
TunersDeluxe Banjo TunersGrover Kidney
Weight ReliefNone9-Hole
Binding—Multi-ply
Headstock—Bound Les Paul Custom
Headstock Inlay—Gibson Logo and Split Diamond Inlay in Mother of Pearl
Jack Plate Cover—Gold
Middle pickup—Custombucker
Mounting Rings—Cream
Switchwasher—True Historic Cream
Top wood—Solid Mahogany

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