Gibson Flying V Guitar

Gibson Flying V (1958 -1959) 

In 1957 Gibson announced the flying V electric guitar but were only in production in 1958 , the unusual futuristic shape of the guitar fascinated people, however the guitar met with little success. Only 81 Flying V guitars were shipped in 1958 and 17 Flying V guitars were shipped in 1959. In 1962 to 1963 Gibson built more flying V guitars with left over parts from 1958 to 59.

In the late 60s the guitar caught on and started gaining popularity, rock stars started using them such as Jimi Hendrix. The Gibson Flying V guitar became a household name after the Flying V Heritage was introduced in the early 80s. 

The original 1958 and 59 models had 3 knobs in a straight line, korina wood body, 2 hum bucking pickups (PAF), and strings ran through the body, the body shoulders were square at the neck, they had gold plated parts, had white or black pick guards and were made in natural finishes.

Gibson Flying V Mahogany (1966 -1980) 

In 1966 Gibson reintroduced the Gibson Flying V guitar with some changes, they had mahogany bodies, strings did not run through the body they had a stud tailpiece and 2 pickups. 

From 1966 To 1970 these Flying V guitars were made in cherry and sunburst colors, from 1970 to 1980 they made them in various finishes and colors. In 1971 they made a limited edition and called it the Gibson Flying V Medallion, it had quite the same specs but with a numbered limited edition on the bass side of the V. 

In 1981 to 82 Gibson kept on making them with mahogany bodies and strings that ran through the body (no stud tail piece) only 100 were made. Colors were white, black and red.

Gibson Flying V II (1979 - 1982) 

In 1979 Gibson also introduced the Flying V Two, it had a five piece maple and walnut sculptured body, ebony fingerboard with dot inlays, 2 v-shaped pickups, gold plated hardware and were made in natural finishes. In 1982 they replaced the pickups with 2 dirty finger hum buckers.

Gibson Flying V I alder body (1981-1989) 

In 1981 Gibson started production on the Flying V one which was renamed the Flying V '83 in 1983 and renamed again "flying V" from 1984 and on. They had 2 exposed hum buckers, ebony fingerboard, dot inlays maple neck and alder bodies. Discontinued in 1989 .

Gibson Flying V Heritage (1981-1984) 

The Gibson flying V guitars with korina bodies were introduced in 1982 and were more or less reissues or tributes to the original 1958 Flying V's. These models had korina bodies, strings that ran through the body and gold parts. 

Known as the Flying V Heritage and were discontinued in 1984. These electric guitars were made in several colors such as, black, candy apple red,white and natural. 

In 1982 Gibson announced the Flying V CMT, it had a stud tailpiece, 2 pickups, maple body with a curly top with 3 knobs in a straight line. These models were available in natural or sunburst colors. Through the 90s until present Gibson introduced several other Flying V models like: 

Flying V 90 Double (1989-1991) 

Specs: Mahogany body , one single and one double coil hum bucking pickup, Floyd rose tremolo.

67 Flying V (1990 to present) 

These guitars are more or less reissues of the 66-67 models, they have mahogany bodies, some with tune-o-matic tuners, bridge tailpiece, 2 hum buckers and are made in various colors. 

Hendrix Flying V (1991 - 1993) 

The Gibson Jimi Hendrix Flying V was introduced in 1991 and discounted 93, it was a limited edition and only 400 were made. The guitar was black, had 2 hum buckers  Jimi Hendrix signature on white pick guard and a bridge tail piece. In 1993 to 94 Gibson also introduced the Lonnie Mack Flying V, it had a mahogany body with a bigs-by vibrato.

Selling Or Buying Advice

Always consult with someone who knows vintage guitars before buying or selling. Otherwise, I strongly suggest you get a guitar price guide with detailed specs that can change the prices dramatically. Knowledge is everything when you are dealing with old and used music instruments.

> View used and vintage Gibson Flying V guitars for sale.

Gibson Flying V Price Guide (Updated April-23-2021)

1958 - 1959 > $250 000 to $350 000 (Flying V) 1966 - 1966 > $25 000 to $30 000 (Mahogany - Cherry & Sunburst) 1967 - 1970 > $18 000 to $22 000 (Cherry & Sunburst) 1971 - 1974 > $11 000 to $15 000 (Flying V Medallion) 1975 - 1981 > $3500 to $4500 (Available In Various Colors) 1982 - 1982 > $2200 to $2700 (String Through Body)) 1981 - 1982 > $4000 to $6000 (Flying V Heritage - Natural) 1981 - 1982 > $3000 to $4000 (Flying V Heritage - Other Colors) 1983 - 1983 > $4500 to $6000 (Flying V Korina) 1979 - 1982 > $2500 to $3300 (Flying V II) 2008 - 2008 > $5000 to $6500 (Flying V 50th Anniversary) 1990 - 2014 > $900 to $1200 ('67 Reissue) 1981 - 1988 > $1500 to $2000 ('83 Reissue - No Pick Guard) 1991 - 2013 > $4000 to $5500 ('58 Historic Collection) 1997 - 2004 > $2200 to $2700 ('67 Historic Collection) 1991 - 1993 > $2200 to $2700 (Hendrix Hall Of Fame - 400 made) 2005 - 2006 > $6000 to $7500 (Hendrix Psychedelic - 300 made) 2002 - 2002 > $3000 to $3500 (Flying V Lenny Kravitz - 125 made) 2002 - 2002 > $4000 to $5000 (Flying V Custom - 40 made) 2004 - 2008 > $3500 to $4500 (Flying V Custom Shop With Figured Maple Top) 1994 - 1994 > $4200 to $5000 (Centennial - 100th Anniversary Model)