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Gibson Firebird body dimensions
http://mowrystrings.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10123&t=43520		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Van Savage [ Fri May 23, 2014 11:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Gibson Firebird body dimensions
I need the body dimensions of a Gibson Firebird. I found a website that will send the templates for $69 and I'll probably order them but right now I'm shopping for a body blank and I don't think the standard 14x21 size is big enough.
I don't know about you but I don't get the feel for a build until I have the body blank in my hands.
I'm planning on using the original headstock design but instead of a tilting it back I'm going to use a Fender-style headstock with Steinberger tuners.
Cheers
Author:  Chris Pile [ Fri May 23, 2014 11:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Gibson Firebird body dimensions
Somewhere in a box I have one of those Chinese Firebird kits a guy gave me as payment for some guitar work.
I would gladly go trace it onto some heavy brown paper if you like.

I don't know if it hews to the sacred Gibson dimensions, but it would probably work for you.
I LIKE the Steinberger tuner idea!

Oh, yeah - Firebird, or reverse Firebird?
Author:  Van Savage [ Fri May 23, 2014 11:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Gibson Firebird body dimensions
That sounds great! All I really need to know is what size blank I need.
Thanks
Author:  Van Savage [ Fri May 23, 2014 11:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Gibson Firebird body dimensions
I think I'm looking for reverse firebird with the long horn on the bottom. It shouldn't affect the size of the body blank. I'm gonna put a bolt on neck with Lace alumitones and on-board effects. It should be pretty sweet.
Thanks for your help.
Author:  dzsmith [ Sat May 24, 2014 9:18 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Gibson Firebird body dimensions
Coolio, I am looking forward to seeing a Firebird build.
There's a fellow on the inner web that makes Firebirds. Search for Sully's Garage.
Author:  Anthony Z [ Sat May 24, 2014 11:51 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Gibson Firebird body dimensions
Van Savage wrote:
I need the body dimensions of a Gibson Firebird. I found a website that will send the templates for $69 and I'll probably order them but right now I'm shopping for a body blank and I don't think the standard 14x21 size is big enough.
I don't know about you but I don't get the feel for a build until I have the body blank in my hands.
I'm planning on using the original headstock design but instead of a tilting it back I'm going to use a Fender-style headstock with Steinberger tuners.
Cheers


Are these of any help?
Author:  klooker [ Sat May 24, 2014 5:02 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Gibson Firebird body dimensions
My buddy has one, and I should pay him a visit.

I'll try to do so in the next couple of days & post what I get, just to see how it compares with that plan.

Kevin Looker
Author:  klooker [ Sat May 24, 2014 11:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Gibson Firebird body dimensions
I came up with approximately 14" x 20". I think the actual width is just under 14" but it's hard to accurately measure with only a tape measure. If I were you, I'd try to find a blank that's at least around 14-1/2" wide to be on the safe side.

Here are some crappy phone pics.

Kevin Looker
Author:  Anthony Z [ Sun May 25, 2014 10:35 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Gibson Firebird body dimensions
The plans I attached as a PDF are: L 49 cm (19.3 in) x W 33.2 cm (13.1 in).
Author:  Van Savage [ Sun May 25, 2014 10:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Gibson Firebird body dimensions
You guys are great. Thanks Anthony for the pdf file. I think I might even get it printed at actual size to use as a pattern. Thanks Klooker for sending the dimensions. Was that a Buck Owens tele in the background?
Author:  klooker [ Mon May 26, 2014 4:29 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Gibson Firebird body dimensions
Yeah, that's my buddy's "Uncle Buck" as he calls it.

I did notice that the plan said approx. 13" wide but this one was closer to 14". The center strip is 4" wide and the wings are right around 5" each.

Kevin Looker
Author:  Anthony Z [ Mon May 26, 2014 8:16 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Gibson Firebird body dimensions
Kevin was the length of the body 19.3 inches? Van, I found the PDF file on the internet, so I can't attest to the accuracy (sorry for that) and I should of said as much when I posted.

Van do you have the ability to view and manipulate CAD drawings in DXF format? (If so, send me an email at: azlahtic at rogers dot com and I will forward a file. The OLF won't let me upload files with a DXF extension).
Author:  klooker [ Mon May 26, 2014 9:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Gibson Firebird body dimensions
It was hard to measure with only a tape measure but I think it was closer to 20".

Ideally, you would need some sort of dimensioned grid or rectangular reference box so you could square up the amoeba shape.

I found that PDf on the internet too. I don't doubt it's accuracy to a particular Firebird but I suspect there has been some variation over the years. The one I measured was something like a 1982 model.

Kevin Looker
Author:  Anthony Z [ Mon May 26, 2014 9:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Gibson Firebird body dimensions
Kevin, I found more examples on the net, but am having difficulty working with the files in CorelDraw or Rhino 3d. With the additional files I am getting a width closer to 13.9" which lines up more closely with the one you measured. I will wait to see what Van says to my post above.
Author:  Van Savage [ Mon May 26, 2014 10:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Gibson Firebird body dimensions
Hey Anthony, You've been very helpful with the pdf. I'm gonna get a blank that's 14x21 and go from there. CAD DFX doesn't really mean anything because I don't know what you're talking about. Many thanks for the pattern. I'm sorry but I'm just a truck driver who builds guitars.
Cheers, Van
Author:  Anthony Z [ Mon May 26, 2014 11:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Gibson Firebird body dimensions
Van, DXF files are a common format for AutoCAD which is Computer Aided Design (CAD) software. I found more Firebird files on the net that are in DXF format but do not include the dimensions. One I found, was closer in width to what Kevin Looker suggested was the accurate width (and I can appreciate his difficulty in measuring the shape).

If you are good with the PDF file uploaded earlier, great, otherwise give me a few days (I will be travelling or busy at night for the balance of the week) and I will see if I can get you a more accurate drawing. I have CorelDraw and Rhino 3d, there are a bunch of folks on this forum that could provide the missing dimensions that I struggle with doing and convert them to scale PDF drawings.

As for your profession, it should have no bearing on folks willingness to help each other. On this site us amateur builders are a bunch that should commonly have their heads examined for having a hobby like this :-).
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