The Gibson Flying V is one of the most easily recognizable electric guitars in the world. First built in 1958, the V-shape body design and pointed headstock give the guitar an arrow-shape that is exciting and futuristic. The guitar also produces a strikingly powerful tone with excellent sustain while being very comfortable to play.

The Flying V’s solid body is made with mahogany wood as is the neck, which is offered in three different styles. The‘50s neck is thicker like the original model. The ‘60s neck is thinner and more tapered in the style of modern electric guitars and the V-Factor X model come with a neck that is hybrid between the ‘50s and 60’s styles. All Flying V necks feature 22-fret North American Rosewood fingerboards, all sanded and finished by hand.  

On the body of the Flying V are two volume control knobs and a tone control knob, which provide plenty of sound shaping options while limiting harmonic resistance and thus ensuring a consistently pure tone. A 3-way toggle switch controls two different double-coil humbucker pickups. The 496T neck pickup, with its single ceramic magnet, delivers tremendous sustain and clarity. The 500T bridge pickup, with three ceramic magnets, is one of Gibson’s most powerful and combines reinforces low-end frequencies with sharp, clear highs. All hardware on the Flying V is made of chrome and the angular design of the pick-guard adds yet another visually striking element to the guitar.

While the first Gibson Flying V was not initially well received by the public, it quickly became a favorite with 1950’s era blues pioneers such Albert King and Lonnie Mack. It was then reissued in 1967 to much w ider acclaim and was played by many of the era’s most admired guitarists, including Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Winter, Billy Gibbons. By the 1980s, the Flying V was a staple of modern rock and heavy metal players such as Lenny Kravitz, Metallica’s Kirk Hammett & Eddie Van Hallen. With its unique look, powerful tone and time-tested durability, the Gibson Flying V continues to be an excellent option for guitarists of all kinds.

Keep Rockin’!!!
2007 Gibson Flying V by Freebird_71 taken on June 19, 2010
Metallica by robfuncken.nl taken on March 31, 2009
Lenny Kravitz by sergione infuso taken on July 19, 2012