Description
This Gibson Flying V in Natural finish was built during 1975 at the Kalamazoo plant in the '67 Reissue' style and is all-original with its original case.
The Gibson Flying V made its debut in 1958 as one of a trio of radical new designs: the Explorer, the Flying V, and the Moderne (which never made production).
At the time, all three were commercial failures as their real market was almost a decade away. Between 1958 and 1958, 98 V's were shipped, and the model was officially discontinued though leftover parts were assembled as late as 1963.
By 1966 there was enough interest in the model - it had been used by a few prominent artists notably Dave Davies of the Kinks and Jimi Hendrix - to restart production, and this lasted till 1970. In late 1974, production resumed and continues.
Construction and Materials
The Gibson Flying V is a technically very simple design, a two-piece V-shaped body with a set neck. For the initial runs, Gibson used 'Korina', their rebranding of African Limba wood for the body and neck. The fingerboard is Rosewood, initially Brazilian Rosewood. All of the V's built after that run and once the leftover parts were finished have used Mahogany and Indian Rosewood, with a few exceptions. After 1979, some models had Maple necks, and some with flamed maple tops.
This 1975 example has a construction detail specific to the time and place it was built. Looking at the 'notch' between the two arms of the V body, there is a visible Mahogany key or spline. This piece aided alignment during construction and helped make the body center joint more durable. This visible key was used during the 1975 - 1979 run.
The tuners are two-line Gibson Deluxe models with metal keystone buttons. The bridge is a wired ABR-1 paired with a stop tailpiece.
For electronics, this 1975 Gibson Flying V has a pair of T-Top humbuckers, as distinct from 'Tarbacks'. The backs are stamped with "Patent Number 2,737,842" and the wires are braided. From there, there are individual volume controls, a pickup selector, a master tone control and the output jack, all mounted on the full sized pickguard.
The finish is the original natural Nitrocellulose Lacquer finish and is in expected condition with natural checking and a few honest play marks. The truss rod cover carries the Gibson logo in gold, which was not really picked up in the photograph.
Fret wear is very light and it appears that the guitar has been maintained with a fret dress at some point. The neck is narrow as was desired at the time, at under 1.6 inches. It plays well and the guitar's light weight is very refreshing!
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There are no refunds or returns on used items unless authorized in advance by a Twelfth Fret Sales Associate at time of sale. View Our Full Terms Here |
DETAILS:
- Instrument Model: Flying V
- Instrument Manufacturer: Gibson
- Instrument year: 1975
- Instrument Finish: Natural Gloss
- Instrument Class: Solidbody Electric Guitars
- Instrument serial number: 522199, built during 1975 at Kalamazoo MI
- Country of Origin: USA
- Instrument Condition: Good
- Right-handed
- Instrument Weight Imperial: 6.248 lbs
- Instrument Weight Metric: 2.84 kgs
- Scale Length Imperial: 24.64 in
- Scale Length Metric: 626 mm
- Nut Width Imperial: 1.560 in
- Nut Width Metric: 39.63 mm
- CITIES Documentation Required: No
- Case included: Yes
- Case original: Yes
- Items in Case: N/A
- Case Type: Hard Shell Brown Gibson
- Consignment: Yes
- Product ID: 190797
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There are no refunds or returns on used items unless authorized in advance by a Twelfth Fret Sales Associate at time of sale. View Our Full Terms Here |