The BEST & WORST Things about a Gibson Flying V! 

The best thing about the look of your FV is the smile it puts on your face!

Ive been playing for most of my life. I always loved Explorers and found them to be unusually comfortable. I never really liked the V for some reason thus I never owned one. Then, one day years ago, I saw a V in a local shop and decided to give it a try. I didnt expect to be all that impressed. damn was I wrong! It was more comfortable to play than my Explorer AND my strat. I couldnt put it down. I didnt want to spend a grand on a whim so I decided to sleep on it. I couldnt sleep that night. I kept thinking someone was gonna buy it before I could. I arrived at the guitar shop the next morning right as they were opening. I bought it and have been playing it daily ever since. Damn was I wrong!!

I sit classical style, so flying v is actually more comfortable than playing an LP or strat

My favorite thing about the V is the built-in guitar stand. Just lean it on anything handy.

That guitar looks and sounds great!

I got one, i started playing classical style and not only did i get used to it almost seemlessly, i noticed a lot of benefits, mainly i have much less tension in both my right elbow and my left wrist. I'm at the point in which the fling v is easily the most comfortable guitar to play while sitting down.

My dream guitar! I got the exact same one, lefty as well, that my girlfriend got me during the lockdown, in Canada, but the only one she found was in New Zealand!!! She ordered it 2 months before my 50th birthday and we received it precisely on my birthday! I had no idea I was getting this as a gift. My jaw dropped when I opened my eyes when she brought it to me. Amazing guitar! I love it so much . Amazing girlfriend as well!!

A couple things: 1) Albert King knew what was up. The V rocks. 2) If you don't like the looks of a flying V, you're wrong. 😁 As far as sitting, I always play on my left leg (I'm right handed, so opposite for a lefty), so putting a V there is just second nature, and way easier. My fretting arm always gets bound up against my body when playing the higher frets while seated with a guitar on my right leg. Putting it on the proper leg, as a classical guitarist would, gives you so much more freedom of movement. My original guitar teacher suggested I try it, way back when, when I was just starting. I am sure glad he did. I'm glad you Love the V. Thanks for another good video. Peace.

Michael Schenker! For me flying V and Michael Schenker are intrinsically linked, and the main reason I want a V.

I do like Vs a lot. Before I had played one I had feared that it wouldn't feel balanced and comfortable but I was very pleasantly surprised to find that I got along brilliantly with this model.

good shout for lonnie mack, attack of the killer v is a must have

Absolutely great video with lots of useful information and even better playing!!! Good Job! Love the V's

Andy Powell of Wishbone Ash rarely gets mentioned in V discussions, but one of the best players to ever wield one.

The V was the guitar that caused me to want to play guitar. Paul Stanley from KISS rocked one playing Detroit Rock City on the Paul Lind Halloween Special back in 1976. I was instantly sold. I once had an Aria Pro 2 XXB Deluxe V Bass. Although a small scale, it never took a neck dive. Flying V basses are awesome because you can play it like an upright bass because there is no top horn to prevent you from hugging the body. I never knew why V basses were not more popular. They are the most comfortable body types.

Great vid don’t have a v in my collection ... yet! Would have been good to see the case next to a regular sized guitar case. Happy new year 🥳

Awesome stuff man. Sounds killer

Nice video, there great sounding and great lookoing👍

Great tones Shane. Really enjoyed your playing. But now I want a Flying V.

Love the looks. Have never tried one though. I think I should consider it.

Dude I love it ! ended up buying one! You're awesome! thank you for sharing!

Great tone, and some tasty chops dude.

Got one about 10 yrs ago, and I was more into Explorers than into Vs.. I love it now. Mine is a faded with 496R and 500T pickups. While the 500T is perfect for heavy tones (it's a hot pickup), it's sounds a bit shrill on the clean side.

I dig it, for me there are no cons that are not heavily outweighed but the way that guitars sounds and plays. The more I hear this one the more I want one. I'm guessing the way it sits on the lap is the reason you to see more of them around.

Hey I used this video to inform my purchase of a 2008 flying v faded with 3 pickups. Really happy I went for it, killer guitar. Was worried I might have difficulty adjusting to the shape for playing while sitting but it's actually really comfortable once you get used to putting the v on your leg.

Awesome video. Have you featured Gibson Firebird’s yet? That’s a beast of an axe!

Got one coming on Tuesday...can't wait! (My third V-you get great deals used cause people love em or hate em)

Your playing is excellent, and that guitar is beautiful and has an awesome range of tones. Albert King is a legend and the V is etched in many of our minds as his signature guitar.

NICE review! Could you review the Epiphone Prophecy line?

Glad I came here! I never thought to try playing it classical style... just standing up! LOL. I have the Samick Valley Arts FV450 from 2001 and it sounds and plays and sounds so nice, even with the stock pickups.

That thing sounds and looks perfect. I have developed an inconvenient Flying V addiction. I cant get enough of yours though man. That tone sounds how it looks...you know what I'm trying to say lol. Heavy man.🤘

Nice review! I want one now.

I got lucky enough to find one of the faded studio versions about 10 years ago (2004 model). Love playing it, definitely distinct amongst my guitar herd. I believe mine has 500T and 496R pickups.

The guitar solo at the end of the video (7:31) is so cool!

Excellent pacing on the video, little bit of playing, little bit of chatting. You play it well!!

Sounds amazing dude!

I have Epi Bonamassa Amos V (solid Korina), sounds incredible. Pups as good as my Custom Shop LP. Normally don’t like Epi’s but Amos is magic ... feels exactly like the Vintage Korina Flying V I held @ Norms.

I bought an Epiphone Explorer a couple weeks ago because it was beat up and cheap, and I absolutely love it! So much that I'm thinking of buying a Gibson Flying V for sale locally for cheap. The explorer is so light I can't believe it so I can only imagine the V. Thank you for posting this video, I'm a fan!

I love my V. Mine has a big pickguard and looks stunning. I don't really know the precise difference between the burstbuckers you have on yours and mine with it's classic 57s but the tones are very nice no matter the gain or distortion. I usually play more or less clean but the guitar handles the boosts and overdrives very well. Pd. Albert King is one of my heroes too. The man knew his stuff.

Great tone man, Love the V got the korina epi wiht gibson pups and my god it rocks

Where did you get those framed art pieces on your wall? THey are awesome!

I fell for the classic shape and sound of the Flying V in 1970 listening to Andy Powell (lead guitarist of Wishbone Ash) rattle off sublime solos live (at Torquay Town Hall). The Gibson Flying V is synonymous with Wishbone Ash and the twin guitar sound, emulated by Thin Lizzy, Iron Maiden and many others. I’ve owned one for years and it’s playability down the neck is second to none in my view. Thanks - another balanced and insightful review @Shane

Love that guitar looks and sounds awesome! It's almost like the guitar body is built-in guitar stand for the neck .

Great vid as always, Shane. When it comes to Flying V's - if it was good enough for Albert, it's more than good enough for me. 👍👍👍

First I missed was a 73 Nat. $350. 15 guitars later, still missing that guitar. Great vid, thanks.

I wish they offered more finish options in 2019 but I love mine!

I would have mentioned that sustain! Nice!

Believe it or not my first electric guitar was a Gibson V. It had a great sound. I definitely want to get another one someday they are the coolest. As far as bustbuckers I think they are some of the best pickups out there. I personally wouldn’t ever bother to swap pickups out of a burstbucker guitar. They’re versatile and professional sounding pickups

Thanks for this. I want a nice simple guitar with a classic humbucker sound (I play a strat) and this looks just the job. No frills. I'm a fan of Wishbone and Andy Powell makes one sound great, so I think I'm convinced!

I own a 2014 Gibson Flying V History. This guitar is so good that it will be with me till I die.

The only down side you mentioned that was significant was the slipping of your lap. I don't know about everyone else (and I am more an acoustic player not strapped) but I strap up automatically on electric so that I can stand over the amp and tweak settings so that wouldn't matter to me either and probably a lot of people I would think. Surprisingly versatile guitar!

What an AWESOME AXE! Sweet playing too

😁😁😁😁😁 Big fan of the V!!!! I find it ironic that for a symmetrical shaped guitar that could easily be played upside down, I waited to buy one when they made a left handed model and I primarily play my Strats upside down!!😜🤪😝🤪 I have the 2018 model which is exactly the same as the 2019 except for fretboard wood which is Torrefied Granadillo which I can’t really tell the difference between that and rosewood. I absolutely love this guitar, the feel and the tones. I honestly believe if I could only own two guitars, it would be the V and my Custom Shop 69 Strat!! Seeing Albert King and of course my favorite Guitar Jedi Jimi Hendrix play Flying Vs is more than enough to inspire me try one!!! You made my day Shane!!!! Every time I see play that beautiful guitar, it puts a smile on my face and music to my ears!!!! Cheers Mate!!!!🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸🎵🎶🎼🎶🤙🏾

Learned to play banjo style from my dad, and the Flying V is perfect for it!!

I have an Epiphone Joe Bonamassa "Amos" flying V and love it! About the only thing that is just a little annoying is trying to play it seated without a strap, and mine does have some neck dive. Other than that, I think they are beautiful and sound great! You mentioned you don't use your tone knob....where do you normally "park" your tone knob? Cheers....Todd in Chicago P.S. Yes, the case is BIG, but the guitar is surprisingly light, and the Korina wood is gorgeous.

Thanks Shane for this! My next project will be a Flying V although not a Gibson due the cost…😊

I got a good deal on an old Gibson Flying V faded that needed some TLC several years ago and eventually got rid of it because I didn’t want to put the work into it. But man, I wish I kept it. They’re some of the coolest guitars out there and they really do sound great

The V is awesome! I love that natural finish way better than the standard red and black they always used to come in.

Love it in every way!

I was at B.B. King's bbq restaurant in Chicago one time. They had live blues playing there (and the ribs were GREAT). This older guy who must have been 75 or 80 walked in with a Flying V. (no case, just the guitar). The band who had been playing was done and he was next up. He played the most incredible blues on that guitar. I thought Flying Vs were just for punk rockers, but that old blues guy opened my eyes (or ears).

Don't forget about Michael and Rudolph Schenker. Story has it one of the brothers borrowed the other's Gibson Flying V and loved it so much he never gave it back. Can't remember which one. Also KK Downing of Judas Priest was a huge Gibson V player.

I would love to see you compare the current '58 Epiphone release to your Gibson.

I have a 1984 Carvin V220. It's kinda like a Flying V but has the horns too so no falling off your leg when sitting. And I just bought it's modern version a Kiesel Type X headless guitar. V/X guitars are cool!

Seriously dude, the start of that video was like the intro to a porn video 😂 What is your set up - loved the high gain leads? As for pros and cons, always thought they looked like a ball ache to sit with lol That said - would love one, like you Albert King is a hero. One of my favourite albums is the session he did with SRV!

Love it ! Still prefer the look of a firebird though but these are wild

Going to own one soon! Next on my list!

Flying Vs aren't really my thing, but if I had one, that finish would be it. Great looking and sounding guitar!

Best sounding guitar i have ever heard you play Shane. I hate the lack of color options and how the new CEO is stripping all the guitars down.

Still my one of my favorite neck pickups I ever heard

I just picked up a new old stock 2016 faded V for a great price and I’m really liking it. How can one not have a V if you love blues?

Funny thing is, most Vs are pretty light despite their size, but I did have an Edwards KK Downing V a few years ago, it was phenomenally heavy. Wasn't expecting that, particularly as it had a Foyd Rose trem on board, meaning a chunk of body wood had been cut out to fit the trem.

I saw the Kinks on ShinDig in '65' Dave Davies with the fork on his right arm. I was 8. learned later he bought the window hanging '58 V in So Cal before the show for $100 !!! His main guitar was lost by the airlines. Played them since '82, IBZ RR Sr and Cort Arrow. a little btw, since I have those, always wanted a '67 style. The Dean MSG Retro is on the market again,,,,,,if only I was a good boy ;(

My favorite guitar hero Carlos Cavazo uses the Gibson Flying V. Great sound.

Love it. The best

Yes they are big and also the cases, there is cheap decent gigbags a Thomann (their own brand) that i use.

Looks and sounds fantastic.

Albert Kings axe , it’s a beauty , nice tone

Sounds good, I think the latter ALNICO Burst Buckers sound much better than the first ones that came out year and years ago. I have an '89 with hot ceramic pickups and they are very different tonally. But it was a different time, you see....

That’s a super cool V Shane. Always loved a V.

Great video and some great info! I don't own a V, I've always been more of a Les Paul fanatic so to choose a guitar as "space age" looking as a V just was never in the cards for me. Now at 54 my tastes are changing a bit, although the LP is still my favorite, I am more open to styles like the V and actually want to add one to my collection someday. Ahh yes, the infamous "someday" lol. What a lot of people do not know about the V is how that shape also helps with the guitars resonation as well as it's tone. Those long extended arms of the V actually help to carry the tones out further which by default helps it to resonate longer, in other words it has more sustain because of it's shape. If you could make a V where the front was the same size as say a Les Paul and it still go back into the V shape, lol not only would be one heavy and huge guitar but it would blow the doors off of any other guitar with the duration of it's sustain. They do make this little leg thing that goes on the bottom of a V to make it more comfortable to sit with it, it basically makes a shape that your leg fits into so the guitar doesn't slide. There is also this pad thing they make that accomplishes the same benefit. What I don't like about the V is the lack of colors that Gibson offers. They only offer it in black or in natural such as yours. If you want a new 2019 V from Gibson you have to get it in natural, if you want to pay more and get a custom V you can only get it in black - I think that's kind of dumb for Gibson to do.

Me and you bought our V's around the same time . I can say , mine is one of the best guitars I've ever played . I love the tone especially middle position with two picks up and the volume of both around 4-6 . You get that quack Jimmy Page sound . Only disappointment was I thought I was getting the headstock veneer that has the pearl Gibson Logo . But after I played it , I forgot all about it . I did however put a stringbutler on mine and switch out the stock hardware for Faber hardware . Ever converted it into a vintage ABR . The guitar sounds better with the Faber hardware . The Gibson hardware was light but not as resonate as the Faber . I even switched out my hardware on my 2007 SG . That stock hardware is trash . So many people chase that vintage tone but never change what the string sits on and vibrates on . The focus only on pickups and tone wood .

Shane, what would be the differences in tone between this and a Les Paul ? Different style pickups at all?

I love the Flying V!! But I still can't abide by the fact that a $2500+ guitar can't have the pots wired the 'right' way for a lefty!! Merry Xmas to you, Shane!! All the best, mate!👍👌🏻😀

I love the Flying V and I think they Rock and the one you're playing sounds awesome

Hi there, can you tell me what stand you use for that flying V? I am guessing the guitar is more often stored in its case, so it might not be a stand you use specifically for the Flying V I suspect but I am curious to know nonetheless. Thanks.

I fell in love with Vs when I first got into guitars. I now play Dean MLs and you want to talk about a big guitar? Even worse..wanna talk about a huge case? It's like carrying around a flat casket. The case for an ML is MASSIVE.

A friend of mine had a 2018 Flying V that I loved so much I traded my pickup truck for it!

I just bought a Gibson Flying V. It has black pick ups. What ones is he using. They sound great! Thanks

You know how much I love my Flying V so I'll just say this ,the case is small compared to my Firebird case ! 😎🎸🎼

There might be a solution to playing on sitting position. The broomstick guitar from Hohner GT 3 has a collapsible support under the guitar. So if you are not shy on modifying the guitar that could be it. When not in use, it is practically speaking invisible so it has no effect on looking cool onstage.

Sounds excellent

Hi, do you have tuning problems w the v? I'm reading too many reviews that mention v's not staying in tune

where can I get the left-handed version? I couldn't find it in the links in the description, or would I have to restring it to be left-handed?

fantastic

Those "Burstbuckers" sound fantastic! I never heard burstbuckers sound so good in any other guitar. You have a set of burstbuckers with some extra mojo or something!

Just built myself a Korina Explorer. It’s awesome. You know the V is coming. Also in Korina

I'm lucky enough to have purchased the Brent Hinds Epiphone Custom flying V. I've played all the Gibson flying Vs and they are great however the Epiphone V is staggeringly amazing. The Lace Pickups are probably the only downfall being kind of muddy but a set of Fishman Moderns fixes that easily. This V would look better with the string through intead of the stop tail piece but all good.

I have a '72 and a '93 they are beautiful instruments, the '72 is magical. They are big so if you're 6'5" tall and built like a linebacker it fits your frame much better. My personal V hero is Michael Schenker.

I've wanted a flying V for years, but I've run out of money!

Sounds great

The V seems to suit you Shane. It will create an impression on stage - such attention means bringing your A game. I reckon you're on top of that though mate 🥊