Skip to content
GuitarBase
Head to head

Gibson Johnny Winter 1964 Firebird V, Polaris White vs Gibson Peter Frampton "Phenix" Inspired Les Paul Custom VOS, Ebony

Gibson Johnny Winter 1964 Firebird V, Polaris White
Electric$8,999
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 Johnny Winter 1964 Firebird V, Polaris White 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 $8,999)

Scorecard

Estimated scores
MetricJohnny Winter 1964 Firebird V, Polaris WhitePeter Frampton "Phenix" Inspired Les Paul Custom VOS, Ebony
Overall7582
Build8796
Playability7575
Sound6881
Value6572

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecJohnny Winter 1964 Firebird V, Polaris WhitePeter Frampton "Phenix" Inspired Les Paul Custom VOS, Ebony
BrandGibsonGibson
TypeElectricElectric
Years——
CountryUSUS
Body woodLayered MahoganyMahogany
Neck wood5-piece Mahogany/Walnut Neck-ThroughMahogany
FretboardIndian RosewoodEbony
Strings66
Frets2222
Scale24.75"24.75"
PickupsFirebird Alnico 5 / Firebird Alnico 5Custombucker / Custombucker
Rating——
Price$8,999$6,999
BindingFretboard 1-ply CreamMulti-ply
Body FinishMurphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose LacquerGloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body shapeFirebirdLes Paul
Body StylesFirebirdLes Paul
BridgeNo-Wire ABR-1Tune-O-Matic
Bridge pickupFirebird Alnico 5Custombucker
CaseCustom Shop HardshellGibson Hardshell Case
Control CoversBlackReissue Black, plus Custom Shop Medallion
Control KnobsTrue Historic Black Top Hats with Silver InsertsGold Speed Knobs
Controls2 Volume, 2 Tone, 500K CTS Potentiometers, Hand-Wired HarnessMaster 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
FinishNickel and ChromeGold VOS
Fretboard inlayAged Celluloid TrapezoidsCustom Block; Frampton Signature Sandblasted into 12th Fret Inlay
Fretboard radius304.8mm / 12.0in304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count2222
JointNeck-Through ConstructionSet Neck
ModelFB5JWAPWNH1CSPFPXVOEBGH1
Mounting RingsFirebird NickelCream
Neck pickupFirebird Alnico 5Custombucker
NutCorianBone
Nut width42.86mm / 1.69in42.86mm / 1.69in
Output Jack1/4" Switchcraft1/4" Switchcraft
Pickguard3-Ply White/Black/WhiteNone
Pickup Selector3-Way Switchcraft3-Way Switchcraft
ProfileMedium CArtist Profile
Scale length628.65mm / 24.75in628.65mm / 24.75in
SideSolid Mahogany Wings—
Strap Buttons3 - Upper Bout, Heel, and Bottom2 - Bottom and Shoulder (Schaller Strap Locks)
String gauges.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
Switch TipChromeGold
TailpieceChrome Plated Aluminum Stop BarLightweight Aluminum Stop Bar with Long Stud/Anchor
Truss rodStandardStandard
Truss Rod CoverBlack, No StampTrue Historic Black; Frampton Signature
Tuner PlatingNickelGold
TunersDeluxe Banjo TunersGrover Kidney
Weight ReliefNone9-Hole
Accessories—Schaller Strap Lock Strap Buttons
Headstock—Bound Les Paul Custom
Headstock Inlay—Gibson Logo and Split Diamond Inlay in Mother of Pearl
Jack Plate Cover—Gold
Middle pickup—Custombucker
Pickup Covers—None
Switchwasher—True Historic Cream
Top wood—Solid Mahogany

More Johnny Winter 1964 Firebird V, Polaris White comparisons