The Gibson Flying V, first released in 1958, is as famous now as it has ever been. The eye-catching and memorable Flying V design, which was radical at the time, still has a great retro-futuristic appeal.
The Flying V was loved by blues and country artist Lonnie Mack and he used it almost exclusively throughout his career. It is also famous for being used by a diverse range of guitarists such as Dave Davies of The Kinks, Lenny Kravitz, Tim Wheeler of Ash, Albert King, K.K. Downing of Judas Priest, Grace Potter and even Jimi Hendrix.
Due to their “aggressive” appearance, the Gibson Flying V has been known to be played extensively in the heavy metal guitar arena by guitarists such as James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Michael Schenker and Dave Mustaine. The Gibson Flying V was initially striking due to its unique design but stuck around thanks to its solid Gibson construction and great sound.
When you think about famous guitar shapes - the unmistakable Flying V shape is bound to come to mind at some point. It's been a staple in the world of rock since 1958 and comes packed with a load of distinct features. For example, the Gibson Flying V in Antique Natural has BurstBucker pickups for a vintage tone, a fast slim-taper neck and an all-mahogany construction.
