JohnnyB Posted August 10, 2006 Posted August 10, 2006 My wife's oldest son graduates from the Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music this summer and we want to give him a nice graduation present. I was thinking of giving him my Hamer Anniversary, but I recently learned that the next guitar he really wants is a white (Gibson) Flying V.I scoped out a couple on eBay that claim to have hardly been played. They're the standard 1967 reissue configuration, with a aged-to-cream color body and the big pure white angular pickguard.Today I dropped into a pawnshop, and there was an all-white Gib. Flying V from 1984 or so. It was very '80s, with a brass nut, ebony board, and rear-mounted controls (ergo, no pickguard). It was also white and not creme (fine for my purposes).It didn't play too well above the 12th fret or so; it definitely needs a setup, but I hope it's not indicative of a bigger problem. Strings were fretting out above the 15th fret; bridge is probably too low and sighting down the fretboard, shows that it has too much relief.Is anyone familiar with this model, and are there things I need to watch out for? Conventional wisdom is that Norlin-era Gibsons are sort of crummy, but I've sure come across some great ES-335s from that era, both the trapeze tail type and the Dot reissues. I guess my biggest fear is what if the tension rod is stuck and the action can't be improved. And would anyone have a lead on a white mahogany Hamer USA Vector?Thanks for any information and advice.
Guest pirateflynn Posted August 10, 2006 Posted August 10, 2006 Hey Johnny. I have a '81 White Vector that I might part with......I should know for sure in a couple of weeks. Feel free to email me. Ken
BCR Greg Posted August 10, 2006 Posted August 10, 2006 Those 80s Gibsons have alder bodies, and tend to sound a little flat. I have converted them to a pickguard style look rather easily, but the tone still sucked with the stock pups. If it's less than $300, get it and go wild.
JohnnyB Posted August 10, 2006 Author Posted August 10, 2006 If it's less than $300, get it and go wild. If it were less than $300, I'd have already gotten it, I think. They've tagged it at $800 or $900. I guess that's too much? So those '80s rear-mounts had alder bodies? Was that being cheap or keeping resonances down for higher and higher gain? Or both? Any pros/cons to the brass nut?
BCR Greg Posted August 10, 2006 Posted August 10, 2006 Jesus, that should be for 3 of them.They were budget guitars.You should be able to get a Vector for less than that.Lean on Ken, he'll break down and sell you his. If the kid doesn't like it, keep it and tell the ingrate to get a job!!!!! LOL
cmatthes Posted August 10, 2006 Posted August 10, 2006 I clicked out of my reply post, but I am not a fan of those Gibsons (the ones with the 3 in-line knobs that don't line up). For that price, you can find a far superior late '80s/early '90s reissue (or an '80s Vector).
princeofdarkness56 Posted August 10, 2006 Posted August 10, 2006 No doubt about it, the better choice is the Hamer. But, if he "really" wants a Gibson, he might not appreciate the Hamer. Some people get so hung up on brand names they usually end up paying an infalted price for an inferior product.
Steve Haynie Posted August 10, 2006 Posted August 10, 2006 It is usually best to let someone pick out his own guitar. We all know what we want, or think we want.Get the kid a Gibson and get yourself a Vector. Let him play both. If he still wants the Gibson you will have a Vector to play with. If he wants the Vector instead of the Gibson, keep the Vector, stick him with the Gibson, and tell him that is a lesson they just don't teach in college.
guitfiddler Posted August 10, 2006 Posted August 10, 2006 another possibility? (link below) I'm not a big fan of the headstock shape, but I really like the binding and simple control lay-out, good pickups and electronics and it should be a really good player, too. I would also shy away from mid 80's Gib. V's due to some neck-set issues and humpty-dumpty fret boards. http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Dean-79-Flying-V-e...1QQcmdZViewItem I picked up an Edwards for myself, a couple months ago... highly recommend if you come across one (pic:)
jginsj Posted August 12, 2006 Posted August 12, 2006 What should an '81 Vector with normal wear (typical dings and scratches) go for?
zorrow Posted August 12, 2006 Posted August 12, 2006 What should an '81 Vector with normal wear (typical dings and scratches) go for? 350, for sure!
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