Gibson Flying V
Welcome to Music Street, your premier authorized dealer for Gibson Flying V guitars in the UK. Famous for its radical, futuristic body shape, massive mahogany sustain, and high-output humbucking pickups, the Flying V is an absolute icon of heavy rock and metal. Every Gibson Flying V we sell undergoes a rigorous, multi-point inspection and a custom, professional setup by our in-house luthiers in our Huntingdon workshop before shipping. Browse our curated selection below, or scroll down to read our expert Flying V Spotlight.
Explore Gibson Flying V at MusicStreet
Epiphone Dave Mustaine Flying V Custom Electric Guitar, Metallic Black (Incl. Hard Case)
The Gibson Flying V Guide: The History and Legacy of a Radical Icon
What separates a standard electric guitar from a radical, stage-dominating, and tone-packed masterpiece? While traditional body shapes define the standard landscape, professional touring guitarists, rock legends, and collectors know that the secret to making a bold visual and sonic statement lies in choosing the iconic gibson flying v.
First introduced in 1958 alongside the Explorer as part of Gibson's futuristic "Modernistic" series, the Flying V was decades ahead of its time. Initially met with skepticism, it was quickly adopted by blues legend Albert King and later became the definitive weapon of choice for rock and metal pioneers like Jimi Hendrix, Dave Davies, Michael Schenker, and Kirk Hammett.
Investing in a premium Flying V serves several critical functions:
- Unmatched Stage Presence: The radical, symmetrical V-shaped body is one of the most recognizable silhouettes in music history, instantly commanding attention on any stage.
- Exceptional Upper-Fret Access: The neck joins the body at the 19th fret, and the deep dual cutaways provide completely unobstructed access to all 22 frets for effortless lead playing.
- Powerful, Focused Tone: The solid mahogany body and neck, paired with high-output humbucking pickups, deliver a powerful, mid-range-focused tone with incredible sustain and bite.
Gibson Flying V Models Explained: Classic, 70s, and Custom Shop
To choose the correct Flying V for your playing style and collection, you must understand the primary models:
1. Gibson Flying V Standard
The modern classic. Featuring a solid mahogany body, a fast SlimTaper mahogany neck, and a rosewood fretboard. Loaded with calibrated Burstbucker 2 and 3 humbuckers, it offers a perfect balance of vintage warmth and modern bite, making it highly versatile for rock, blues, and metal.
2. Gibson 70s Flying V
A tribute to the golden era of heavy rock. The 70s Flying V features a classic Antique Natural or Classic White finish, a bound rosewood fretboard, and a pair of uncovered 70s Tribute humbuckers. This model delivers the aggressive, high-output mid-range punch and screaming highs that defined classic arena rock.
3. Custom Shop & Historic Reissues
The pinnacle of craftsmanship. Meticulous recreations of the legendary 1958 Flying V (originally crafted from rare Korina wood) and custom-spec artist models. These instruments feature hand-selected tonewoods, historic construction techniques, and custom-wound pickups to deliver the exact look, feel, and sound of the rarest vintage guitars.
Why Buy Your Gibson Flying V from Music Street?
At MusicStreet, we don't believe in "box shifting." A premium instrument like a Gibson Flying V requires professional care and attention. Wood is a natural material that reacts dynamically to temperature and humidity, and every guitar requires a precise setup to perform at its absolute best.
Every single Gibson guitar listed on our site is physically stocked in our Huntingdon showroom. Before it leaves our store, our expert guitar techs perform a rigorous, multi-point inspection and a complete professional setup. We adjust the neck relief, action, intonation, and nut slots to your exact preferences, ensuring your new guitar plays flawlessly straight out of the case.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is the Flying V comfortable to play sitting down? +
Yes, absolutely! While it looks intimidating, the Flying V can be played comfortably while sitting by using the "classical" playing position. By resting the inner crook of the "V" over your right thigh (for right-handed players), the neck is positioned at an optimal, ergonomic angle that provides excellent access to the entire fretboard.
What wood is the Gibson Flying V made of? +
Standard Gibson Flying V models are crafted with a solid mahogany body and a mahogany neck, which delivers a warm, rich tone with excellent mid-range punch and sustain. Rare historic reissues (like the 1958 model) are crafted from Korina (limba) wood, which offers a slightly brighter, highly resonant character.
Do you stock these guitars in your showroom? +
Yes. Every Gibson guitar listed on our site is physically in stock at our independent showroom at 10 Chequers Court, Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. You can drop in, test the playability and comfort of the Flying V, and get honest, expert advice from our team of working musicians.
Does the Flying V come with a case? +
Yes. All Gibson USA Flying V models include a premium Gibson hardshell case, and Custom Shop models include a historic-spec Custom Shop hardshell case to protect your instrument on the road.
The Gibson Flying V: A Futuristic Masterpiece of Rock & Metal
Introduced in 1958 alongside the Explorer as part of Gibson's futuristic "Modernistic" series, the Flying V was decades ahead of its time. While initially met with skepticism, it was embraced in the late 1960s and 1970s by blues and rock legends like Albert King, Jimi Hendrix, and Dave Davies (The Kinks), and later became a cornerstone of the heavy metal and thrash movements. From its radical, symmetrical wings to its blistering tone, the Flying V is the ultimate statement guitar.
Whether you are looking to buy a Gibson Flying V online or testing one in our showroom, these instruments deliver unmatched visual presence and raw sonic power.
Finding Your Perfect Gibson Flying V Model
Our collection features Flying Vs tailored to every playing style and aesthetic preference:
- Gibson Flying V Antique Natural: The classic. Featuring a solid mahogany body and neck, a rosewood fingerboard, and a gorgeous gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish that showcases the natural grain of the wood. Equipped with Burstbucker 2 and 3 pickups, it delivers the perfect blend of vintage warmth and modern bite.
- Gibson Flying V Ebony: Sleek, dark, and aggressive. This model features a solid mahogany body finished in high-gloss Ebony, matching black hardware, and high-output humbuckers designed to drive high-gain amplifiers into rich, natural harmonic distortion.
- Gibson Custom Shop Flying Vs: The absolute pinnacle of craftsmanship. Recreating the rarest and most desirable vintage Flying Vs (such as the legendary 1958 Korina models) with microscopic accuracy, utilizing historic hide-glue construction and custom-voiced pickups.
The Anatomy of Power: Solid Mahogany & High-Output Pickups
The secret to the Flying V's legendary playability and tone lies in its bold, uncompromising design:
- The Symmetrical Mahogany Body: The Flying V's unique shape provides a massive amount of wood mass at the bridge area, resulting in incredible natural resonance, deep low-end response, and singing sustain.
- The SlimTaper Neck: Designed for speed and comfort, the mahogany neck features a fast SlimTaper profile and a smooth rosewood fingerboard, allowing your hand to glide effortlessly across all 22 frets.
- Perfect Balance: Despite its radical shape, the Flying V is incredibly well-balanced when worn on a strap, with the neck sitting at a natural, comfortable playing angle.
Why Buy Your Gibson Flying V from Music Street?
A high-performance guitar requires an incredibly precise setup to play its best. Because Gibson Flying Vs feature traditional nitrocellulose lacquer finishes and delicate neck angles, expert care is vital.
At Music Street, our in-house luthiers inspect and set up every Gibson Flying V before it leaves our Huntingdon workshop. We adjust the truss rod, set the bridge saddle height, check the nut slots, and fine-tune the intonation. This complimentary service ensures your guitar is comfortable, easy to play, and sounds its absolute best from day one.
