In the early 60s, G ibson’s designs lo oked a bit stuffy next to the Stratocaster, so they hi red car designer Ray Dietrich to shake things up. The Fir ebird had to sound unique too, so it got its own pickup s. Contrary to popula r belief these were diff erent from the later m ini-humbuckers, a nd a good Firebird s ounds more like a Te lecaster on steroids tha n a Les Paul. Johnny Wint er discovered this stingin g sound was ideal for slide, o ften using his in open tu nings.