NGD: 2021 Gibson 70’s Flying V Exclusive Ebony (UPDATED 12/11/21-PICS!)

[RobB]

These have been OS on Gibson’s website for nearly a year. There was FS on Reverb, but I missed it by a few minutes. Finally gave up, but I went to the Gibson store and look what showed up:

Only problem was they raised the price $200 since last year. I waded thru Gibson’s phone tree to find the ONE GUY in charge of their online store. Told him my tale of woe and, surprise, he knocked off two bills and honored the 2020 price. What a guy, right?

Im not sure why they’re marketing this as a, “70s” V? It is spec’d more like a ‘67, but with the addition of a bound neck. I think the only accurate ‘70s V RI (with the proper, blunted headstock and volute) is the CS one, like @The Shark  owns.

Proper 60's headstock/trussrod cover, improper Rotomatics.

5-ply trussrod cover/pickguard.

Pickup rings are stock. The pickups are pretty hot, but sound good. The neck is a nice medium carve, very reminiscent of my ‘95 Standard. Indian rosewood fingerboard. Aluminum tailpiece and bridge. I've changed out the black/silver reflector knobs with witch-hat knobs and pointers.

 

New-design aluminum Nashville bridge. Note the allen-adjusments in the bridge posts. Sensible upgrade, I guess. It IS easier to use a wrench when the bridge is under tension. 

Aluminum tailpiece, too. I swapped out the studs for Faber locking studs. The strings clear the back of the tuneomatic now, but without any slop.

Bound fingerboard. Notice the height of the fingerboard off the body? They got this detail right, with the proper, 70's neck angle and massive neck joint.

All in all, a very nice example. Factory PLEK job is perfect, with low action and no fret-outs. I was nervous about ordering a new Gibson sight unseen, but was rewarded with a high-quality V that exceeded my expectations in every way.

[specialk]

Congrats on the nice score and that you found a good CS to work with ya. 

[RobB]

1 minute ago, specialk said:

Congrats on the nice score and that you found a good CS to work with ya. 

Thanks, though it’s not really a, “CS” guitar, per se. It only differs from the regular models due to bound neck, black pg/truss rod cover, pickup surrounds and Indian rosewood fingerboard. So, not very “Exclusive”, at all.  It’s all marketing. 

[specialk]

Sorry, not Custom Shop. I meant Customer Service.

[RobB]

1 minute ago, specialk said:

Sorry, not Custom Shop. I meant Customer Service.

Oops. Welp, it’s fairly obvious I’m not as aware as most people. 

[Jakeboy]

Looks like a rocker.

[RobB]

On 12/5/2021 at 12:11 PM, Jakeboy said:

Looks like a rocker.

That it is, Jake. I finally realized why I’ve always loved the sound of ‘67-style Vs; the neck joint. It’s huge and unfettered by the neck pickup rout. Chords have this chunky, “clang”, that’s wholly different than other Gibson solid bodies. Witness the rhythm guitars on Scorpions’, “Don’t Make Promises…”:*

* On second thought, this may not be the best example as there’s about 20 bazillion guitar overdubs here, but you get the idea…

Sounds thick, though. 

[tbonesullivan]

I've had the Classic White one on order for a while, so I can't wait to get it.

I just dug into this review, and the pickups definitely are in the 14-15K resistance range.  They weren't able to see if it was a ceramic or Alnico Magnet, but some have compared them to the Dirty Fingers.  They unfortunately seem to have not been able to get many of these out into the hands of reviewers, as there is definitely a LACK of hard rock / heavy metal demos with these.

I also definitely agree: GIVE ME THAT CHUNKY NECK JOINT. Both my SGs have the late 60s long joint. On a guitar like the V a good strong and long neck joint is a must.

[DaveH]

That is SWEET!

[Disturber]

Bound neck, that is cool. Congrats.

[DaveL]

That looks fantastic... I like the black with black guard.  I've been admiring those recent white 70's V and

explorers that Gibson released a year or so ago.

[Dave Scepter]

Hey Rob, what pickups are in that V?.. 500T/490?

[RobB]

2 hours ago, Dave Scepter said:

Hey Rob, what pickups are in that V?.. 500T/490?

Dave, they’re called, “70s Tributes.” I’m not sure if they are hinting that these are T-top reissues (they’re not) or more along the lines of Dirty Fingers. I haven’t metered them, but they are pretty powerful. As with most hot Gibson pickups, I’m assuming they have ceramic magnets. I did lower them a bit to balance them out. They sound fine and seem suited to the guitar. 
 

My white 2015 Japan market V has a ‘57 Classic/Classic+ set. This pair is a bit more to my liking, a little smoother on the top end and not as aggressive as the ‘70s set. Not necessarily better, but a more traditional humbucker sound.

 

[Dave Scepter]

2 hours ago, RobB said:

Dave, they’re called, “70s Tributes.” I’m not sure if they are hinting that these are T-top reissues (they’re not) or more along the lines of Dirty Fingers. I haven’t metered them, but they are pretty powerful. As with most hot Gibson pickups, I’m assuming they have ceramic magnets. I did lower them a bit to balance them out. They sound fine and seem suited to the guitar. 
 

My white 2015 Japan market V has a ‘57 Classic/Classic+ set. This pair is a bit more to my liking, a little smoother on the top end and not as aggressive as the ‘70s set. Not necessarily better, but a more traditional humbucker sound.

 

Both outstanding guitars!

[RobB]

Thanks, Dave. Since their reorg, Gibson is once again manufacturing quality guitars. I worked a Levi’s trade convention about 10yrs ago with their then (and now, Gibson’s) CEO. He brought Levi’s back from the brink of bankruptcy, they were seriously about to fold.* When I read that he was Gibson’s new head guy, I knew they were in good hands. 
 

 

* I see what I did there, LOL. 

[Drew816]

Bound Neck, Hells Yeah! 

Though I'm surprised you didn't get a limited edition Dave Mustaine "V."  😉

Love it, enjoy it in good health.

[DaveH]

I'm digging this one! Love the black/black and bound neck! OHSC included? Impressive.

[RobB]

20 minutes ago, DaveH said:

OHSC included? Impressive.

Notice the redesign of the usual TKL V case? The hasps are lightweight aluminum with a wider footprint. 4, not 5, and a key lock instead of the combo latch. The curve at the bottom has been flattened-out. The top is a bit shorter and the case pocket enlarged. A bit more compact than previous versions. 

[Dave Scepter]

Damn Junior, New custom Splawn Comp & new Vee's... Livin large! 🤘😝🤘

[RobB]

After two years of extremely small living, I deserve a toy or two. 

[RobB]

On 12/8/2021 at 11:57 AM, Drew816 said:

Though I'm surprised you didn't get a limited edition Dave Mustaine "V."  😉

An Oakland shop had one of the USA korina Mustaines for a minute. Basically a Jackson King V with that weird, 6-inline Dean headstock. It was a beautifully made guitar, but, nah…

[The Shark]

On 12/5/2021 at 1:21 PM, RobB said:

Im not sure why they’re marketing this as a, “70s” V? It is spec’d more like a ‘67, but with the addition of a bound neck. I think the only accurate ‘70s V RI (with the proper, blunted headstock and volute) is the CS one, like @The Shark  owns. 

This one is truly period correct.  I sold a real one to Chicago Music Exchange at the Orlando International Vintage show back in the late nineties.  Paid too much for this, but it's really killer...

[RobB]

That’s the one! I remember Voltage Guitars in Hollywood (when they were on Gardener/Sunset) had matching a Explorer and V. The Explorer had dots, otherwise they were identical. The young RobB swooned…

[Dutchman]

Now you got some awesome Rock and Roll machinery!!! Time to cut an album!!! 

[topekatj]

Hey @RobB: NICE V’s! Just curious about the fret wire size used on each V. I’m guessing med jumbo on the US, how’s about the MIJ?

ETA: RE FB binding on the US: frets on top or are there nibs?