Need help with past Flying V specs.

• Mar 26, 2019

• #1

StSpider

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I've recently tried a friends's Flying V (it's a refinished/heavily modded 67 style V, probably started life as a Faded) and was shocked by how damn comfortable it is in a live situation. So now I need one.

I like pretty much all variations, ofc the 58 style takes the cake, but I'd really prefer not to spend too much on this guitar since it would be mostly used live.

So the only things I'm really concerned about are price (hopefully around 1000 euros) and neck size. I'd like something that has at least a medium sized neck. I've tried one of the brand new Vs in natural, and while it did sound great I wasn't a fan of the flat thin neck, I'd love something a bit rounder and at least slightly fatter.

So, what serie / year should I be looking out for?

 

• Mar 27, 2019

• #2

StSpider

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Anyone? Even if it's anecdotal, tips like "I have a 2002 FLying V with a medium neck" or "I have Gothic FLying V the neck is very skinny" would offer me a bit of a guideline.

 

• Mar 27, 2019

• #3

veeman

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Well, most 67 RI's have the thin 60's necks. Having 3 of them, I can say for sure that the 2015 70's reissues have nice thick round necks.

 

• Mar 27, 2019

• #4

StSpider

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Thanks! Are you referring to the ones with stock grovers, volute, rounder headstock and 57 classic pickups?

Like this one: https://www.rrguitars.it/product-page/gibson-usa-flying-v-limited-made-fon-japan-anno-2015

 

• Mar 27, 2019

• #5

veeman

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Yes, those are the ones. The Tobaccoburst is the one I don't have. Yet! Awesome guitars. Really the only real difference between the the new and old guitars is the nut width. New is 1 1/16, old is 1 9/16. Oh, and 40 years.

 

• Mar 27, 2019

• #6

veeman

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On mine, I added rings, took off the covers, ditched the crap Gibson pots for 500K audio pots. And of course Schaller strap locks.
https://uniim1.shutterfly.com/ng/se...8/media/54323580028/medium/1544911305/enhance

 

• Mar 27, 2019

• #7

StSpider

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And a conversion ABR if I'm not mistaken. Anyway, these looks great. I expecially love the tobacco one, if anything because it's kind of a rare color for V but it looks great. I'll have a friend check out the one I posted soon.

I guess the old school neck angle makes them prime candidates for pickup rings, which I personally love on 67 style Vs as well.

 

• Mar 28, 2019

• #8

veeman

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Oh, yes! Forgot to mention that the bridge and its studs are Faber.

 

• Mar 28, 2019

• #9

StSpider

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Thanks man, you’ve been a great help! Just a couple of end questions: these come with a hard case, right? the pickup rings, do they go into the body wood or do they screw into the pickguard? I have no idea how the route is under the guard..

 

Last edited: Mar 28, 2019

• Mar 28, 2019

• #10

wmachine

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StSpider said:

Thanks! Are you referring to the ones with stock grovers, volute, rounder headstock and 57 classic pickups?

Like this one: https://www.rrguitars.it/product-page/gibson-usa-flying-v-limited-made-fon-japan-anno-2015

Click to expand...

veeman said:

Yes, those are the ones. The Tobaccoburst is the one I don't have. Yet! Awesome guitars. Really the only real difference between the the new and old guitars is the nut width. New is 1 1/16, old is 1 9/16. Oh, and 40 years.

Click to expand...

StSpider said:

Thanks man, you’ve been a great help! Just a couple of end questions: these come with a hard case, right? the pickup rings, do they go into the body wood or do they screw into the pickguard? I have no idea how the route is under the guard..

Click to expand...

I have one of those 2015s too. Seen conflicting specs on the necks "slim taper" and "V .800-.875". Agree with Veeman, not a really thin neck. It has a "Goldilocks" neck, not too thin, not too thick, just right (in between). Yes, case included.

 

• Mar 28, 2019

• #11

veeman

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The p/u ring screws will go into the wood. Or you could just use the adjustment screws to hold it down. I have mine screwed down into the wood. I like solid. The tone is better. As for the case, they are supposed to come with a HSC. 2 of mine didn't, but I got the guitars fairly cheap without the case. Got a case later.

wmachine, I see your white V has the small 2 screw TRC. My Cherry V does too. MY Black and White both have the normal large 3 screw TRC. I have not seen a Tobaccoburst or Cherry with a 3 screw. I believe most have the 2 screw trc. Guess I got lucky.

 

• Apr 14, 2019

• #12

R

Rich R

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Go for one of the original run of Faded ones, with the extra-cool Moon inlays. If I recall, they also had an ebony FB, although not the highest grade... I had one, and it had a nice fat, comfortable neck. Nothing wrong with those at all, and they're cheap, and can be modded/upgraded at will. Only drawback is they cam ewith gig bags, so try to find one where somebody bought a HSC for it