Gibson Flying V

Three Flying V models, the right version of 1958

2 x Humbucker

  • 2 × volume
  • 1 × Sound
  • 1 × 3- pick-up selection

The Flying V is a 1958 first proposed electric guitar model of the U.S. musical instrument manufacturer Gibson Guitar Corporation. With the arrow-shaped body exceptional for a guitar, the Flying V could not prevail on the market initially. The first edition was only built in small numbers. The economic success of the model did not begin until about ten years later with a new edition. Since then, the Flying V is mainly used in various styles of rock music.

History

The President of the Gibson Guitar Corporation, Ted McCarty, decided in mid -1950s to include some new models with modern design into the company program. As a result, the designs Explorer, Futura originated in the Modernistic series named ( an early prototype of the Explorer), Modern and Flying V. According to Ted McCarty Gibson wanted to transform his image as a conservative and tradition verhaftetes business with these models by showing that you can also this was in a position to produce modern and progressive instruments. The attention which found these instruments at a trade show in January 1958, Gibson seemed quite admit. According to Ted McCarty 40 instruments in this first presentation of the Flying V were ordered.

The first series of the Flying V was built from 1958 to 1959. The prototypes had been manufactured in 1957 and had some other features or were exhibits for trade shows. Beginning of the 1960s ( approximately 1962-1963 ) were still unfinished Flying V pre-assembled and delivered at Gibson. These instruments differ in parts of the hardware and the optional instrument case from its predecessors. Woods and external form are identical to the predecessor.

The Flying V was in the first years after its launch barely commercial success, sales remained low. 1958 were delivered 81, 1959 only 17 instruments. About 20 more Flying V were delivered beginning of the 1960s. The popularity of the guitar increased only after from about the mid- 1960s, some well-known blues guitarist (among other Albert King and Jimi Hendrix ) played this model. Gibson led, therefore, in 1967 the Flying V back on now but with a mahogany body and a modified body shape. The guitar is made up to the present in different variants. The originals with Limba body are due to the small quantities produced today among the most sought after and expensive solid-body electric guitars. Instruments in a well preserved original condition are widely traded in the six figures.

Construction

Body and neck of all models from the first edition of the Modernistic series are made of Limba wood, an African mahogany type, which is traded in the U.S. under the terms of Korina or Idigbo. The use of this type of wood has become a characteristic feature of the early Flying V and Explorer models. According to Ted McCarty was chosen Korinaholz because it did not have to be bleached to get the time of his very popular " natural " look and is thereby saved costs.

The body of the flying V is made axially symmetrical halves, which are glued together in the middle so as to give the shape of a rearwardly opening "V". Together with the tapered head plate forms the outer contour of the guitar an arrow. The form was created after Ted McCarty had made several sketches and decided among other things, for a guitar with the body in the form of a triangle. When building a prototype turned out that an instrument with such body shape would be too heavy. Therefore, it was out a piece of the body, so that it was the form of a "V". To facilitate playing of the instrument in a sitting position, a strip of rubber has been glued in the first model to the lower narrow side of the body. This should prevent slippage of supported on the thighs guitar.

Even with the technical equipment of the Gibson Flying V more into some of the details of tried and tested designs. Instead of such other Gibson models mounted on the tool string holder cover the lower ends of the strings are passed through a metal plate is also arrow-shaped through the body and are fixed on the back of the instrument. For models produced since 1967, the string guide was placed through the body again; these were instead the typical Gibson Stop Tailpiece Tailpiece or were provided with a vibrato unit with lever. The photo in the infobox allows a direct comparison.

The Flying V is equipped with two dual-coil pickups ( humbuckers ) in 1957, developed type PAF equipped. However, standing at the Flying V as well as in the Explorer instead of the Gibson models available with two pickups only four three tone controls are available - for each pickup, a volume control and a tone control for both pickups. The pickups are selected by a three position toggle switch. The jack for the instrument cable is installed at the Flying V in the ceiling of the lower body top.

The Flying V in music

Especially popular is the guitar in rock music and heavy metal guitarists. Among the most famous guitarists who play a Flying V or played include, among others:

Similar guitar models from other manufacturers

The Flying V also influenced guitar designs from other manufacturers. Among the most famous of which include the U.S. firms BC Rich with their sold under the name V or Vee models ( "Speed ​​V ", " King V ", " Junior V ") and Jackson Guitars with their 1983 first introduced Randy Rhoads Jackson Rhoads model. Other manufacturers of similar and more advanced models are the company Dean and the American- Japanese company with several ESP Signature models, including the ESP Alexi Saw Tooth, designed for the Finnish metal guitarist Alexi Laiho. All inspired by the Flying V guitar models of these manufacturers turn primarily to the target group of heavy metal guitarists.

V Bass

1981 Gibson built a four-string electric bass version in an edition of 375 pieces. Most black in color, but it was also available in Alpine White, Silver Burst and Transparent Blue. This bass had a 30.5 -inch Kurzmensur. From 2002 to 2005, the Gibson subsidiary Epiphone also built a Flying V Bass.

Trivia

2003, the Flying V in an edition of 80 addition to a special edition of the Opel Speedster in cooperation with the German rock band Scorpions.

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