Gibson Flying "V"s lets see them

[Dave Carpenter]

Let’s see your favorite Gibson Flying “V” guitars whether you own them now, never owned it, sold it. It doesn't matter. I want to see what you like and hear what you think. Gibson USA Flying “V”s are more than welcome. I played one of those I wish I had bought. Please tell us a little about your Gibson V your experiences and how you use it or don’t use it. What strap do you use? What amplifiers sounded best?
Show us a Gibson V and Tell us about a Gibson V.


Here is one of my favorite all around Flying V. I like to look at it, play it and talk about it. For gigging I use a nice Historic Korina V, it speaks out real well. This guitar is a bit mellower and sweet I love it for standing and playing through a nice amp all by myself. It sounds a little fuller than the Korina. I love Gibson Flying V guitars when you are playing out in front of a few folks. When you are playing a Gibson "V"... you can just jump higher, run faster and more people look at you. The audience has seen one million strats since Stevie hit the scene. I think it is a bit like fishing, you have to show them a new lure! Not the same old plink guitar.

This guitar has a one piece premium mahogany body decorated somewhat like a LP Custom. The neck is a one piece premium mahogany neck. There is no historical precedent for this V I just like it. It was inspired by an individual in Minnesota. This is part of the Stinger Run. Luckily my wife nabbed this one for me. :dude


I have what I am told is the Jimi Hendrix prototype V for a nineties run of Hendrix Vs. :worship This V never even got a strap button. It is a bit unusual. If we get enough people posting their Gibson Flying “V”s and the thread lasts long enough I will pull the prototype out and have my son photograph it and post it up.

Don't let me down. Gibson V lovers unite. Take that little extra time to show of a Gibson "V"

[rideough]

That's one nice V! I'd love to see the prototype but I can't contribute as I only have a Dean V. I liked it because it is thinner and way lighter and it has a kickass huge headstock. It is the exact thickness of my friends 72 Medallion V, 1.33 inches.

[Dave Carpenter]

Thank you,

I think you will be able to see it. I will go get it today hopefully. Then soon get it to my son for photographs.

Congratualtions on your Dean. Dean can build some nice stuff and looks are important.

Can we get a picture of your friend 72 Medallion "V". That would be kick ass! :worship

[thebadger]

Here is a late 90's Gibson USA V that I once owned. Pickups changed to nickle burstbuckers 1 and 2. Nickle Grover tuning machines. Great playing and sounding guitar. I really hated selling it but I felt that I looked funny playing it since I am fairly short and it made me look like a damn elf!! Same thing with Firebirds and Explorers, they need to be played by tall people.

[Dave Carpenter]

Thanks for sharing. It is pretty. Is the Gibson logo on the truss cover and washed out a bit by the light? Sorry it didn't work out for you.

Thanks again for the photo and the story.

[thebadger]

Yeah, it is just the light. I have more pics somewhere but I can't seem to find them right now.

[Dave Carpenter]

Thought so. If you find some pics please share if it is not too much trouble. Thanks

[korina59]

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-...storicv002.jpg

This is my current baby.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-1/593833/i-1_B.jpeg

Here's my previous. 82 Heritage that I should have kept!

This was my first. A 68' I bought from Andy Powell in Miami in the late 70's. It was then ripped off by my first wife during our breakup and lost forever. :toobad

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-1/593833/v.jpg

I've alway's played them all through Marshalls, but would expect them to sound great through any decent tube amp. The 68' had a huge baseball bat neck, and that punchy bell like tone.

The 82 was absolutely fantastic. My first experience with shaw paf's, they really suited that guit.

My present is a 98' Historic and I still haven't settled on a set of pickups for this one. I found the 57 classics a little buzzy. Through in a set of Voodoo 59's and liked them much better. Then I bought a bridge pickup for my SG (8.5k/A5) from Jeff..."HighOrderPickups" and was so blown away that I had to order a set for the V. Very similar to the Voodoo's, but with an extra rich sweetness the Voodoo's just didn't have. BTW, the Voodoo's were in my SG before the V. The guitar has a great neck and plays beautifully. We'll see if the other pup's can make it even better.

John

[Curt Basner]

Well , I just got a new V, Tuesday....but I am heartbroken. Was in the process of taking pictures of it just this afternoon, when it fell over and gouged the back of the neck. I am heartsick and in huge pain... And...my camera, a good one by reputation, but crap in reality, failed to get a decent in-focus image, so nothing to show for a now no longer perfect Flying V...

[korina59]

What's the deal on posting photos? I tried html and url but no luck.

BTW, I feel your pain Curt!

John

[ashbass]

Here's my faded when it had nickel harware. It has chrome now but I don't have a recent photo.

Coolest strap buttons are here:

[SFLP]

Originally Posted by Curt Basner

Well , I just got a new V, Tuesday....but I am heartbroken. Was in the process of taking pictures of it just this afternoon, when it fell over and gouged the back of the neck. I am heartsick and in huge pain... And...my camera, a good one by reputation, but crap in reality, failed to get a decent in-focus image, so nothing to show for a now no longer perfect Flying V...

Ouch . . . sorry to hear this. Hopefully the gouge is only cosmetic (although with a new guitar these types of things still hurt).

[Lardvader]

Beautiful guitar Dave!

Sorry to hear Curt it's a bastard when that happens. First time I took photo's of my LP I leant down and the camera swung forward into the guitar denting it. I don't mind dents as a rule, they add character but when it happens for silly reasons like that it's a real pisser.

[Curt Basner]

Thanks, everybody, for your sympathy. What makes it such a sad thing is that the guitar was absolutely perfect in finish, flawless, like liquid glass over every square millimeter...until I hurt it. The only good news is that the defect is a 'dent', as Lardvader said, and not quite a 'through the finish' boo boo... Yep SFLP, only cosmetic, but it makes me think that from now on, I only want aged or relic'd instruments so that a ding here or there just adds to whatever was already there...

For Korina, if you've got pictures you want to post, I can do that for you...e mail the images to me (my address is in my profile). It's ONE thing I can do right...

[honk-squawk-wail]

Originally Posted by thebadger

Here is a late 90's Gibson USA V that I once owned. Pickups changed to nickle burstbuckers 1 and 2. Nickle Grover tuning machines. Great playing and sounding guitar. I really hated selling it but I felt that I looked funny playing it since I am fairly short and it made me look like a damn elf!! Same thing with Firebirds and Explorers, they need to be played by tall people.

Rick Derringer is no Larry Bird, and he always looked very cool with his prototype Explorer!

[rideough]

"Can we get a picture of your friend 72 Medallion "V". That would be kick ass! "

OK prepare to be mortified...My friend has the Medallion...he kinda knew it was an important guitar in the history of V's. But though he does own a guitar store he doesn't put any stock in the "vintage" market. His Medallion is originally sunburst, the black to dark brown sunburst, of which there is only 3 known to exist, well in the 70's he thought it was ugly so he had it refinished in white. Looks good but GOD man!

Plus he didn't like the sound of the T-Tops( not that he understands what that means) so he replaced them with Dimarzio Evolutions. He is very happy with his guitar and loves the bits out of it but he has no clue what he has done. Every time I go to visit it, I mean him ;) I am just shaking my head at what he's done. Granted he is an amazing player and its no big deal because none of us will ever get that guitar as he is being buried with it. Its just a shame. Plus he took the medallion off and left it in his wallet and lost it.

He picked this guitar up in Germany in the late 70's so I wonder if Schenker may have had a hand in getting ot to Germany in the first place....

Well, he lives about 100 miles from me so next time I go I'll get lots of piccies to satisfy the hunger!

[veeman]

I've got a couple. Sold a few.
http://www.lilypix.com/photos/data/a...183_p46941.jpg
The 75 is getting the body refinish to natural.
This is my newest, a 78 White.
http://www.lilypix.com/photos/data/a...185_p50577.jpg

[ashbass]

Veeman, I think a Gibson Kahler would look good on that greenburst 80s V. Yessiree.

[veeman]

Greenburst?? I don't have a Greenburst. There is no greening on my Silverburst whatsoever. And I most certainly wouldn't ruin a perfectly good V with any kind of trem.

[ashbass]

Originally Posted by veeman

Greenburst?? I don't have a Greenburst. There is no greening on my Silverburst whatsoever. And I most certainly wouldn't ruin a perfectly good V with any kind of trem.

No offense meant Veeman! Must be my monitor as the pickguardless 80s V looks to be olive green in the middle. No biggie.

I had a V83 with Gibson Kahler a while ago. Just joking about you needing one is all. Your stable looks fine as it is and you needn't change a thing.

[veeman]

No offense taken. That particular V is a bring back from death project. It started life as a 1980 V2. Someone had stripped of everything and routed out the p/u holes for regular humbuckers. I think they tried that with a dull butter knife.
http://www.lilypix.com/photos/data/a...870_p13671.jpg
http://www.lilypix.com/photos/data/a...870_p13672.jpg
I had the holes filled and properly routed, refinish to silverburst, refretted. It now sports EMG's. A real Metal Machine. Sometimes the lighting does make it look kinda green, but I can assure you, it is not.
http://www.lilypix.com/photos/data/a...185_p42162.jpg

[Dave Carpenter]

Originally Posted by korina59

My present is a 98' Historic and I still haven't settled on a set of pickups for this one. I found the 57 classics a little buzzy. Through in a set of Voodoo 59's and liked them much better. Then I bought a bridge pickup for my SG (8.5k/A5) from Jeff..."HighOrderPickups" and was so blown away that I had to order a set for the V. Very similar to the Voodoo's, but with an extra rich sweetness the Voodoo's just didn't have. BTW, the Voodoo's were in my SG before the V. The guitar has a great neck and plays beautifully. We'll see if the other pup's can make it even better.

John

I have the same model that I will use to plsy out with. It cuts through the mix the best of any of my "V"s. I have done some pickup swaps, but I am back to the Classic 57s. Please let me know where you end up pick up wise.

[Dave Carpenter]

Originally Posted by Curt Basner

Well , I just got a new V, Tuesday....but I am heartbroken. Was in the process of taking pictures of it just this afternoon, when it fell over and gouged the back of the neck. I am heartsick and in huge pain... And...my camera, a good one by reputation, but crap in reality, failed to get a decent in-focus image, so nothing to show for a now no longer perfect Flying V...

Sorry for the heartbreak Curt! I know how it feels. :toobad My wife dented my Korina Historic "V" almost the day I got it and I was so proud of myself for how I handle it. I have gotten wiser with age. Hope things will look better soon and we can see your new "V".

[Dave Carpenter]

Originally Posted by rideough

"Can we get a picture of your friend 72 Medallion "V". That would be kick ass! "

OK prepare to be mortified...My friend has the Medallion...he kinda knew it was an important guitar in the history of V's. But though he does own a guitar store he doesn't put any stock in the "vintage" market. His Medallion is originally sunburst, the black to dark brown sunburst, of which there is only 3 known to exist, well in the 70's he thought it was ugly so he had it refinished in white. Looks good but GOD man!

Plus he didn't like the sound of the T-Tops( not that he understands what that means) so he replaced them with Dimarzio Evolutions. He is very happy with his guitar and loves the bits out of it but he has no clue what he has done. Every time I go to visit it, I mean him ;) I am just shaking my head at what he's done. Granted he is an amazing player and its no big deal because none of us will ever get that guitar as he is being buried with it. Its just a shame. Plus he took the medallion off and left it in his wallet and lost it.

Well, he lives about 100 miles from me so next time I go I'll get lots of piccies to satisfy the hunger!

Yes, please get the photos. Refins are welcome and thanks for the effort.

[Dave Carpenter]

Jimi in the house?

Here is the front photo of a Gibson prototype for a 1990s Hendrix flying “V”. There are interesting things about this particular Gibson Flying “V” that I think you will catch on to as I can provide you more detailed Photographs. So more will come as soon I as can bring it to you on this instrument as I can bring it to you. Please enjoy this photograph in the meantime.


I want to thank everyone who is contributing. Keep the Gibson “V” photos and stories coming.

[Dave Carpenter]

Originally Posted by veeman

I've got a couple. Sold a few.

The 75 is getting the body refinish to natural.
This is my newest, a 78 White.

Veeman, you are the "V"man! Nice collection! It would be hard to beat that. Congratulations!

Now, if you don't mind, tell us some stories about them. How do you use them? How do they sound? Favorites? etc

[korina59]

Thanks for the offer Curt.

Dave...I'll let ya know how the new P/U's work out. What P/U's did you try in yours?

John

[skeletor]

my favourtie V's are the 2002 custom in black (like the first one pictured, but black), the Jimi Hendrix V (pictured above somewhere) and the Lenny Kravitz V.



I would post a pic of my V, but I havent finished customising it yet. Basically Its gonna look like the lenny kravitz one, but in chrome and without the trem. Just need some pickup covers and the jobs done.

[vic108]

OMG! Dave Carpenter has one of the SWEETEST FLYING V's I've ever seen!

I got to sit in (listen, not play) on a few sessions with Lonnie Mack and he's
the real deal road dog. I'd love to have one of his sig models. I got a good
look at his Gibson V #3 and what a guitar that is!

[Crusher]

[Dave Carpenter]

Originally Posted by korina59

Thanks for the offer Curt.

Dave...I'll let ya know how the new P/U's work out. What P/U's did you try in yours?

John

I tried BBs!

[Dave Carpenter]

Originally Posted by Crusher

White "V" cresent markers and 412s. Does it get any better than that?

[Dave Carpenter]

Originally Posted by skeletor

my favourtie V's are the 2002 custom in black (like the first one pictured, but black), the Jimi Hendrix V (pictured above somewhere) and the Lenny Kravitz V.



I would post a pic of my V, but I havent finished customising it yet. Basically Its gonna look like the lenny kravitz one, but in chrome and without the trem. Just need some pickup covers and the jobs done.

That is quite a display of Lenny Kravitz "V"s. Where was that picture from?

[Dave Carpenter]

Originally Posted by vic108

OMG! Dave Carpenter has one of the SWEETEST FLYING V's I've ever seen!!

Thank you!

Originally Posted by vic108

I got to sit in (listen, not play) on a few sessions with Lonnie Mack and he's
the real deal road dog. I'd love to have one of his sig models. I got a good
look at his Gibson V #3 and what a guitar that is!

What a fantastic experience that must have been. Please don't just get a look at the guitar, get us some pictures of the guitar, him with the guitar you with the guitar and bring them right here. We are all jealous, by the way.

[skeletor]

Originally Posted by Dave Carpenter

That is quite a display of Lenny Kravitz "V"s. Where was that picture from?

http://www.flying-v.ch/kravitz/kravitz.html

that is a great flying v website. check out the gallery section

[Dave Carpenter]

Originally Posted by skeletor

http://www.flying-v.ch/kravitz/kravitz.html

that is a great flying v website. check out the gallery section

Thanks!

[59gibson]

Originally Posted by Dave Carpenter

I have the same model that I will use to plsy out with. It cuts through the mix the best of any of my "V"s. I have done some pickup swaps, but I am back to the Classic 57s. Please let me know where you end up pick up wise.

Dave,

Here's my ex 98 Historic V pictured with my 98 Historic Explorer. While I owned the V, I swaped out the classic 57s for Rolph pretenders, then 59 Voodoos to Timbuckers (EDA wind) before settling on RS/Fralin clones. The RS/Fralins went in both korina pieces and IMHO were the closest paf clones to what I like in a PAF. I have since sold the V, while in search for a Split-Headstock Historic Explorer. :dude

[Dave Carpenter]

Originally Posted by 59gibson

Dave,

Here's my ex 98 Historic V pictured with my 98 Historic Explorer. While I owned the V, I swaped out the classic 57s for Rolph pretenders, then 59 Voodoos to Timbuckers (EDA wind) before settling on RS/Fralin clones. The RS/Fralins went in both korina pieces and IMHO were the closest paf clones to what I like in a PAF. I have since sold the V, while in search for a Split-Headstock Historic Explorer. :dude

Beautiful picture! Thanks for the Picture and the pickup tone report. I will have to pick up some RS/Fralins and try them.
If you came across any more cool Gibson "V" picture I would appreciate them.

[Curt Basner]

59Gibson,

I've heard that term "EdA wind Timbuckers' many times before, but have no idea what it means. I have a set of Timbuckers on order (way low on the list, though) and when I corresponded with Tim, he didn't mention that any 'special' wind was available...colors and covered or not were the only options. Can you explain, please?

P.S. Dave Carpenter...there isn't any point in posting any pictures of my new V...it looks just like yours (it's a Historic Korina, same case, etc....)

[Thin_Lizzy]

How about this one? 'The V' :
(ignore the LPs and Hamer in the background ;) )