I remember during the Licks tour Ronnie using a 2 tone sunburst Gibson reverse Firebird. I am not sure if it was a V, or a VII .I do know it was a reverse body sunburst and I do not remember what song Ronnie used it on ? Also during the Licks tour I wondered if it was one of Brian Jones / Keith Richards instruments from the London warehouse .Seriously for those of us that are guitarist/ gear heads what a fantasy in wonderland it would be to be able to get a private tour of where all the guitars and amps are kept .

Brian's Gibson Firebird was given to Stones office manager Peter Swales by Ian Stewart.

I believe Ron is currently playing a Firebird V (2 humbuckers)

When he was in the Faces he did have a Firebird VII (3 humbuckers)

I always hoped that was Brian's firebird

I'm petty sure that The Firebird played by Ron is not the same as Brian's.
All of the pictures I've seen of Brian show him with 3 pick-up firebirds; both reverse and non-reverse headstocks. The Firebird that Ron has been using recently is a 2 pick-up Firebird V with a reverse headstock.

ElGeordie, outstanding work and thank you so much for the photo.

Sure like the pix of those guys with Gibsons. Totally cool. Just great.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2017-06-22 14:06 by hopkins.

This Gibson Ronnie was played so much at the Paradise of Amsterdam.

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ElGeordie
I'm petty sure that The Firebird played by Ron is not the same as Brian's.
All of the pictures I've seen of Brian show him with 3 pick-up firebirds; both reverse and non-reverse headstocks. The Firebird that Ron has been using recently is a 2 pick-up Firebird V with a reverse headstock.

...These are two different guitars, aren't they?!

I just checked my copy of Andy Babiuk & Greg Prevost's "Rolling Stones Gear" which states that Gibson gave both Keith AND Brian Firebird VIIs in the reverse and non-reverse format. So the Stones actually had at least 4 Firebirds before Ron Joined. The book goes on to say that there are pictures of Mick Taylor playing one of the non-reverse guitars
I can't recommend Andy & Greg's book too much: it's one of the greatest pieces of "guitar porn" you'll ever find!

Quote
ElGeordie
I just checked my copy of Andy Babiuk & Greg Prevost's "Rolling Stones Gear" which states that Gibson gave both Keith AND Brian Firebird VIIs in the reverse and non-reverse format. So the Stones actually had at least 4 Firebirds before Ron Joined. The book goes on to say that there are pictures of Mick Taylor playing one of the non-reverse guitars
I can't recommend Andy & Greg's book too much: it's one of the greatest pieces of "guitar porn" you'll ever find!

You will laugh at this but I do have the book and it's a testament to all of there equipment through the years .A really outstanding book .

They clearly didn't rate their Non Reverse 'birds very highly as one was chosen to get drenched in suds for the IORR video in "74