Charlie Starr Finds His Soulmate-A rare 1965 Firebird Platypus (and a 1977 Dumble OD Special)

#SongbirdsFoundation #VaultSessions #Charliestarr #BlackberrySmoke
In this episode of the Vault Sessions, Charlie Starr (Blackberry Smoke) falls in love with a 1965 Gibson Firebird V Platypus. The guitar screams with its two p-90 pickups… and, the 1977 Dumble Overdrive Special doesn’t hurt either (RIP- Howard Alexander Dumble 1/18/22). The short-run “Platypus” is the transitional model between the original Firebird reverse and the later non-reverse models.
So, we are back! We took a bit of a hiatus from the Vault Sessions while we researched, designed, and built the exhibits for the all new Songbirds Guitar & Pop Culture Museum. After closing due to the pandemic, we reopened our doors in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in September 2021 with an expanded focus on guitar and music history.
Stick with us! We have some great players visiting us this year... so click the subscribe button for updates. Coming soon: Eric Gales, Ana Popovic, Joe Robinson, Andy Timmons, Mark Lettieri, Stuart Mathis, and dozens more. These sessions help keep the music alive by helping the Songbirds Foundation raise money to buy guitars for kids… check out our website to find out more-songbirdsfoundation.org or stop by the Songbirds Guitar & Pop Culture Museum and visit (Wednesday-Sunday 12-6 EST).

[@frankenstein4106]

Charlie Starr knows how to rock those vintage and boutique guitars! The Smoke ain't no joke!!

[@fredmansfield7793]

I just knew I loved more stuff than peaches, good stuff, hey dude from Kentucky

[@donnyhall2535]

Charlie is the most underrated guitar player today. He should be in the hall of fame. I could listen to him play all day every day. 🤯

[@hevemetal1173]

Saw them open for jackyl years ago great band one of the best front man in the business👍

[@teresathomley3703]

And on that Dumble!! My God- just pure gooey goodness, y'know?

[@moonoggin]

This is who I wanna pay money and see. He's my Allman Bros and all my 70s wrapped up into one band. Love his music and he is a great guy.

[@Nicko30able]

Man...Charlie has the chops....great tone doesn't hurt either!

[@Bsquared1972]

Having seen them 5 times live, I can definitely say he is one of the treasured gems of American Rockin' Blues. What a wonderful player and all-round great human.

[@MrRecordman]

Love the P90’s…!!!’💙💙💙💙💙

[@maxpeck4154]

Excellent playing! P90s are killer pickups, and Firebirds are one of my favorite guitars, but to me the Firebird pickups are what make a Firebird a Firebird. Completely unique, bright, thick single coil-esque tone with tons of low end and clarity. Nothing else sounds like a Firebird. And no, they are NOT mini humbuckers.

[@petermach8635]

I love watching a really, really talented player noodling ..... and not just to see where they go next, it's a world of surprises and Mr Starr doesn't disappoint.

[@thelolguy007]

Charlie is the real deal 👏

[@jonkerr2050]

I love Charlie’s music so much. And watching his playing that close just gives me a whole other level of respect. The control of those multi string bends is just insane.

[@Mr.56Goldtop]

What a beautiful woody tone it has, just like a vintage guitar should. And Charlie just played the SH*T out of it!! I really like dots on a Firebird more so than block inlays.

[@fanoboss]

Starr shines like the Sun ... i want to make an homage to his black double cut

[@loganellis7171]

It’s amazing he is able to play outside of keys and make them sound like they roll together marvelous.

[@shayh.3556]

No wrong notes lol Also you can play different pentatonic positions and say play in the key of G/Em and make playing in the Bm pentatonic shape work.

[@SteelNGuitars926]

Charlie is my guy! BBS is my all time favorite band. I got to see them live late last year and it was better than I had hoped. My wife even said wow! They have so much swag and their sound is incredible! Charlie is a monster! Triple threat! I can’t wait to see them again.

[@tfrost33elkhunter]

One of the best right there! Love everything he plays!

[@keithmartin1067]

So pleased for you! Eric Clapton played a single pickup Firebird in Cream. Ray Dietrich created this marvelous guitar as a commission from Gibson! One of the greatest achievements in guitar history. The original pickups were a unique design. Steve Clarke of Def Leppard played the Firebird 7. Great sounds and playing from you! Keep rockin'!

[@tomslick2058]

Clean sounding. They definitely have there own unique sound. Plus cuts through everything. Would be the most distinct guitar on stage. P90s brother.

[@different5061]

This video was just too short, I can listen to Charlie the whole day :D

[@geraldlack2668]

Such a killer warm tone. Great find Charlie!

[@MrRecordman]

Both sounds great ..! The guitar and the player..!💙

[@Johngonefishin]

I used to own one just like that......65 Firebird III, reverse body, P-90's, non-reverse headstock, great guitar w/o the too bright earlier pickups.

[@larryn2682]

That's a reverse headstock.

[@davidcraft4919]

This is a 1965 Firebird III. I am blessed to have one in my collection. Surely a bucket list guitar. P-90s are so awesome...

[@brianwells4507]

There are P90 model reverse Firebirds with a non reverse headstock, Platypus. But their great, I modified a Epi Korean FB III with Lollar P90s and vintage bumblebees. Actually it really rips!

[@davidteller7681]

There's a web page dedicated to these. I'm not smart enough to post link, Google "1965 Gibson Firebird Archive"

[@chaskiandcie]

​@@brianwells4507 did you have to route the cavity to put the p90 or did it have enough space already?

[@kompst]

Saw Blackberry Smoke last week. Amazing band.

[@tylerwillison4962]

Great stuff! Charlie is such a tasteful player. One of my favs for sure.

[@realgoodmind]

So glad we still get good vids like this from Songbirds. Amazing

[@jessebfly]

I fell in love with the Firebird from watching Steve Winwood rock one in Traffic. Amazing guitars

[@thestcroixkid]

I'm a firm believer in the P90, but that Dumble ain't hurtin a damn thing....

[@seminolelady3770]

One with the Guitar!!. No separation between them!! The best ever!👏👏👏👏

[@stevekelly3138]

Another of my favorites plays a Firebird very well. Stephen Stills. And Allen Collins

[@ddaniell7526]

Allen was the best man!

[@stevekelly3138]

@@ddaniell7526 He & Steve Gaines were just getting started.

[@MichaelSmith-ig8bw]

I like how those P-90s sound on that Firebird. Mighty tasty playing there, Charlie! You liked that axe, didn't ya?

[@ronnie5129]

Charlie, what a great find here, great tone and Patina, You have the fingers too, i hope you play it the next time i see the Smoke play, Hey Man, You Guy's Don't play much in New Mexico, Come and Please give us a Visit, The Band is VERY WELL Liked Here My Best, Cousin Figel

[@BrentSends]

So sick! Could watch Charlie play all day.

[@ethanhitchcock5431]

Oh baby look at that beautiful bird ! Love the P-90 sound , Ive always thought the Firebird was such a cool shape for a guitar , staring at the ' KISS ALIVE ' album cover as an onion ( youngin' ) , time to get one ! Thanks !

[@lindathalman3506]

I can't play a lick or probably even strum a guitar, but this is golden. A masterclass; love of playing; virtuoso magic.

[@jamiewentworth887]

Rare is the opportunity to see such a talented guitarist and singer as well as a showman. Honored to say I’ve stood so close he spit on me. Love ya Charlie, please come back to the State Theater in Portland Maine

[@FromtheSoultotheFretboard]

Sweet, I've been waiting for this!! Hella player right there, he put that Firebird through the paces!!!

[@cirimaxg651]

Fantastic guitar man !!!

[@AmpAHolic-wn6mr]

Tasty, crunchy, tone. Absolutely loving it.

[@jefflebowski1838]

Man, this thang sounds even through my tablet speakers so damn direct 🙈

[@RN-gp3iv]

Reminds me how much I miss Johnny Winter

[@isrocksd]

Charlie the best! See you soon in Riviera, Madrid

[@Grant_Ferstat]

Wow. Killer tones and very cool playing.

[@Mikeys_garage_mods]

Good lord that was, soooo good!

[@Howlinwolf83]

My top three favorite guitarist s go in this order Paul Kossoff, Charlie Starr, Warren Haynes...I'll include my #4 favorite also , because he's awesome too, but Joe Walsh is also one of my favorites

[@5150show]

Absolutely brilliant

[@EGW4181]

Those P-90s? Shocking for Charlie. 😉

[@904sounds5]

Barry Harwood used one of these extensively in the Rossington Collins Band.

[@joanieblack8719]

He is an awesome guitarist!! I just love blackberry smoke!

[@andrewdenine1685]

P90s I'll never go back to H.B

[@christophernaples1315]

A man after My own heart ! I wanted a Gibson Firebird from the time I was 9 in 1971 when my Dad brought home Johnny Winter and Live. finally got the 2002 62 reissue Firebird VII. First thing I did was "Winterize" it,I took off the useless tremolo bar ,put on a hard tail piece, but kept the very cool engraved thinga majig on though, that resolved any staying in tune issues . I recently switched out the tuners for steinbergers. Must admit I might have to consider a p90 maybe in the middle ,although with the three Minnie's, toggle in middle gets a very Fender like tone !! It's my baby Charlie definitely putz the heat in the smoke ! Thanx guys

[@chrisw1953]

Nice tone!

[@Guitarjosii]

Damn, look at this Weather Checking

[@mr.smithgnrsmith7808]

Dream guitar of mine

[@davidking2835]

Holy shit!!! What a dream sound and rig. My fingers would have to fall off before I put it down, or turned it down.

[@jonathanstrand2474]

Amazing finish checking!😃

[@edrowley1]

YEY! Songbirds is open! My broken heart is healed! Wonderful to listen to Charlie play the P90 Firebird through the Dumble (This paring sounded fantastic, I've heard other guitars through the Dumble and thought "what's the big deal?" This combo causes me to understand. Wow. Thank you.

[@brucesguitardemos8197]

Simply amazing playing and tone 🙏

[@mass_of_rest]

finally you’re back!!!

[@mattbluesmain1359]

firebird III because of the dots

[@amyholley4331]

Was just thinking about Charlie and this video popped up. The algorithm is working too well. Its kinda scary. Anyway, hello from your home town Charlie. Stay safe out there, and keep rocking!😀👍

[@phj11206]

really sounds good

[@benchap3345]

are you sure that's a firebird 5, this one doean't have block and withe inlays on the neck, i thinks it s a firebird 3? great sound !!!

[@BitcoinRebel77]

I tried liking it so many times a had to go back to see if left a like or not!

[@bluesentertainment248]

Johnny Winter liked it too

[@m.m.1575]

Vintage Guitar for Vintage Charlie.

[@raymonddehn1602]

The combination is pure Koolsville man.

[@ddaniell7526]

Sounds great!

[@robjohnston7464]

man, there are a ton of riffs and licks to learn there! Thanks and the guitars not bad either.

[@brownsfan7753]

Love this!

[@boco1951]

Love the p90z

[@adamstkd]

Awesome

[@JukehouseBombers]

Smokin’🔥

[@erikknudsenmork4536]

Blackberry Smokin'

[@superdriver777]

At the end, the way it cuts off abruptly...with a decided flick of the pickup selector switch... I think an offer was made on that guitar at that very moment, and to protect Mr. Starr's privacy, they cut the tape 😂 He flicked the switch and said "I'll take it!" If so, that guitar is in good hands 👍

[@fredradical]

Notice how the b string moves on the saddle when he does that huge bend? Almost moves to the g position. Doubt if it would ever be a problem and wouldn't notch it either.

[@robertmatthews198]

Toneography!!!!

[@webbsteroni]

Tone City!!

[@juniorlorah]

What licks is he playing after he says, "...in the next county"?

[@larryn2682]

I thought that model would have had mini humbuckers, not P-90s. Learned something.

[@davidteller7681]

During the changeover to the non reverse body shape, they made a few "transition" models with features from each, reverse body, p90s, flat headstock, non reverse tuners, unbound neck. Great guitars!

[@corneliuscrewe677]

As David Teller said, there were a number of oddballs with a mix of features and abnormal parts during the transition from the original reverse body to the non-reverse,and this is clearly one of them. That headstock and those tuners are different than either model.

[@edwhite7475]

@@corneliuscrewe677 hence the moniker 'platypus'? Cos thats what im thinking.

[@benjamingilmore825]

I love the sound of p90s but so noisy! How come it sounds ok here? Noise gate? Good amp and room? Why can’t I negotiate the p90 thing? Better shielded pickups?

[@tomslick2058]

Your use to the Jr's. Which have there place to.

[@renodavid]

Thanks. I needed that.😑

[@ericpeabody1555]

I think a $69 toy guitar wouldsound good through that Dumble :)

[@ArkyMalarkey]

@ Eric Peabody: Personally, I think Dumbles make anything sound like a $69 toy guitar. Even Charlie Starr can’t save that Firebird from sounding like it’s plugged into a 300 dollar Peavey Bandit.

[@ericpeabody1555]

@@ArkyMalarkey well you’re going to be able to save $100k in that case.

[@charliefrago1380]

Did Charlie buy it? If so, is he using on the road? In the 70s I had a 67 non reverse firebird with three p 90s. Sold it I. 76 to find college. Regrets

[@kennethquinn6388]

I bet you listen to the Rev Horton Heat.

[@paultorbert6929]

Y’all get Uncle Larry up in there….

[@kensettle3184]

So did ya buy it, Charlie? How about the OD special??

[@johnobrien3816]

Charlie I have been so busy I didn't know this vid was out there once again how do you do it I mean you are there we see you the cam goes in but it's like know way that's a fix it's a magic trick . But it's magic alright the talented Mr ripple ups sorry Charlie starr my word I just hope you kept your soul Charlie my boy stay away from that asshole the devil .

[@mikecaldwell4442]

for people starting out playing....look how charley holds the pick....correctly....

[@terryeaster1]

P90's

[@dhh488]

If I could play like this, that's all I would do. I wouldn't care about success or fame, I'd just enjoy the simple things and play my guitar.

[@jonathanstrand2474]

Yes but real modern quality Banjo pegs are lighter or as light as those. And you barely have to turn them I took the Bonanamassa one PU 64 Epi copy and went to town, not a single piece of original metal on it, including a re fret. 3 pick ups now, tone master wrap around

[@bnastali]

Fat tone that kills.

[@LysanderLH]

Tone Bracelets!

[@kennygardner5041]

P90 sounds way better than the mini humbuckers. Allen Collins put dog ear P90’s in the bridge on his Firebirds.

[@bryanwilliams6032]

I thought his soulmate was his jr.

[@ShadySadie]

What amp is rhat

[@SongbirdsFoundation]

It's a 1977 Dumble OverDrive Special!

[@stanesposito2664]

Why is it called a Platypus? Thx!

[@SongbirdsFoundation]

It's called a platypus because it's the transition year where Gibson was moving from the traditional “reverse” Firebird to the “non-reverse” version of the guitar. It has a mixture of features from both designs-P-90s instead of mini-humbuckers and dot inlays as opposed to trapezoidal inlays. The flat, two-layered headstock design gave it the name because it resembled the bill of a platypus!

[@stanesposito2664]

@@SongbirdsFoundation Cool! Thanks!

[@johnnypk1963]

P90s

[@stewsim]

It’s not a V, it’s a III.

[@christiandude3149]

Sounds soooo good... but its sooo ugly...