Gibson Flying V's... Tell me what you know

[ChadVanHalen]

So I'm starting to scout out one more non locking trem guitar to keep as sort of "backup in case a Floyd breaks and can easily change tunings but also can just play since it's a nice guitar" to go alongside my Res Paul (Is calling a Japanese LP a Res Paul racist? Oh who cares...) and I've been thinking of going after a Gibby Flying V. On their website Gibson says they're going about a grand MSRP for USA made which seems a bit insane... I haven't really looked at them and there aren't a lot of videos on them I can find so how are these "USA" models? If I dig deeper are there particular years I should look for/avoid? Various things I should keep an eye out for?

 

[timeroo]

I can tell you that I have been GASing for a Gibson voodoo V for a LONG time...

 

[ChadVanHalen]

I can tell you that I have been GASing for a Gibson voodoo V for a LONG time...

WHOA that thing is hot... I love that newer look of the grain being stained another color!

 

[timeroo]

I will have one eventually. .....oh yes..... I will have one.

 

[LP Freak]

I've got a white '04 with an ebony board if anyone's interested.

 

[thunda]

I have a 2002 Faded model with the crescent moon inlays. I like it because it's light, the neck is fast and the upper fret access is awesome. It was kinda muddy with the stock pickups so I put a DiMarzio Humbucker From Hell in the neck position and a Super Distortion in the bridge. A really great versatile player.

 

[benduncan]

I've been using a Gibson V as my main guitar for about six or seven years now. That's about all I have to say. Like any guitar though, play before you buy. I played the exact identical model in a store and the neck didn't feel the same

...Res Paul (Is calling a Japanese LP a Res Paul racist? Oh who cares...)

No, just incorrect. You forgot about the other "L"

 

[ChadVanHalen]

I'm familiar with Les Pauls have like a bunch of different quality tiers (Custom, Standard, Studio, etc) is there a certain name in current/past models I should look out for as being the lower tier? Right now Gibson sells a standard USA model, a couple sigs and a special "government" color. I'm assuming that the USA model is pretty good quality even though 1k is really low for an American made Gibby (But that's me coming from more of a LP background than V)

 

[skoora]

My two main guitars are V's. A red, 80's, Alder body model (Wolfetone Marshallheads) and a mid 2K's white one (old Dimarzio SD in bridge). Love them both. I'm not crazy about the faded models but if I was in a financial pinch and needed one I probably wouldn't say no. Would like to get another 80's Gibby but an explorer. Don't care for the necks on some of the newer explorers I've played.

I don't understand people who don't like V's sitting down. When you place it between your legs the neck gets put in a super comfortable playing position. Probably my favorite sit down guitar so far. Their light weight is also a plus. Very easy to position and handle as you play.

 

[Schaf]

I have a 67 reissue and it's one of my main gigging guitars. I had a hell of a time finding pickups that sounded good but once I changed the pots and found the right pickup (Aldrich), it's a close second to my CS LP. And, for some things I like it better. For example, once I changed the position of the back strap button, it's very comfortable to play for long periods of time because it's light, easy access to the upper frets, it's positioning is comfortable. And they just look cool as hell.

Mine had a neck repair (professionally done) and I got it in an amp deal, so I practically got it free. But it's definitely one of my favorite players.

 

[sg guy]

the late 80's version with the tremolo is a very nice model,..it'$$$$$$ $1400 or there about,..

i prefer the ones with the string's through the body,...

all the the faded ones i played were very good guitars,..i have thought many times of buying one and staining it black,,like all guitars should be,..

i dont think ya can go wrong

 

[ChadVanHalen]

I have a 67 reissue and it's one of my main gigging guitars. I had a hell of a time finding pickups that sounded good but once I changed the pots and found the right pickup (Aldrich), it's a close second to my CS LP. And, for some things I like it better. For example, once I changed the position of the back strap button, it's very comfortable to play for long periods of time because it's light, easy access to the upper frets, it's positioning is comfortable. And they just look cool as hell.

Mine had a neck repair (professionally done) and I got it in an amp deal, so I practically got it free. But it's definitely one of my favorite players.

So you changed the bridge to an Aldrich, what about neck? And where did you change the strap button to?

 

[Schaf]

I have a 67 reissue and it's one of my main gigging guitars. I had a hell of a time finding pickups that sounded good but once I changed the pots and found the right pickup (Aldrich), it's a close second to my CS LP. And, for some things I like it better. For example, once I changed the position of the back strap button, it's very comfortable to play for long periods of time because it's light, easy access to the upper frets, it's positioning is comfortable. And they just look cool as hell.

Mine had a neck repair (professionally done) and I got it in an amp deal, so I practically got it free. But it's definitely one of my favorite players.

So you changed the bridge to an Aldrich, what about neck? And where did you change the strap button to?

I changed the cridge to the aldrich and left the stock bridge. It came with the 500T and whatever neck they paired with it. Normally I like the 500T to. Just didn't sound right in that guitar. I moved the back button halfway down towards the V cutout, if that makes sense. I just moved it like 5 inches from where it was. For some reason it always felt like I had to pull the neck toward me with the back button on the end.

 

[johnpace2]

I just bought a 1996 67 re-issue Flying V and it's badass. I swapped the stock pickups for a Dimarzio 36th anniversary PAF set and it sounds awesome. I also got the chrome covers and it looks better too. Just a killer guitar. Super glad I broke down and got one. I'd stick to the 67 model and stay away from the faded ones.

 

[Schaf]

I just bought a 1996 67 re-issue Flying V and it's badass. I swapped the stock pickups for a Dimarzio 36th anniversary PAF set and it sounds awesome. I also got the chrome covers and it looks better too. Just a killer guitar. Super glad I broke down and got one. I'd stick to the 67 model and stay away from the faded ones.

Yeah, mines like a 93 or something. It's a great guitar. If you look you can get the reissues for fairly reasonable.