Here is an article in Modern Guitar magazine, courtesy of Gibson, on the Flying V. V’s were a curiosity - at best - at their introduction; many just hung out in music store windows for years until glam rock and metal discovered the theatrically cool look of these guitars.
Before rockers found 'em, though, a bunch of blues players used them, including Jimi Hendrix, legendarily at the Isle of Wight festival right before he died (that V was a custom order with a bunch of one-off features in addition to be a lefty).
Along with Lonnie Mack (if you haven’t heard his song Wham!, you really should), Albert King was the first big Flying V player. Here is a Youtube link to the Man Himself. Jay-sus can he play. Two critical things to note:
Can Stevie Ray Vaughn have been more influenced by Albert King? When King stings his licks, close your eyes - if you grew up on SRV, you can totally hear Stevie playing. Just know that Albert came first (and was himself influenced by folks like T-Bone Walker, the first great Texas blues electric guitarist), and Stevie’s tone represents his total idol worship of the Flying V Master.
From a Guitar Geek standpoint - think about it: Albert King and SRV sound damn similar, but one is playing a Flying V (Gibson, mahogany-type wood, humbucking pickups, shorter Gibson neck scale) and one is playing a Strat (Fender, maple neck and alder/ash body, single-coil pickups and longer Fender Scale). Let’s be clear about this: there is NO WAY they should sound alike - the differences I describe above are fundamental design differences that translate to completely different tones normally. It goes to show you that your tone starts in your hands - you sound like, well, you pretty much regardless of the instrument you are playing. The fact that SRV wanted to sound like Albert King but also like Jimi led him to a Strat - but clearly, SRV’s hands (and other guitar set up tweaks) really bring out an almost Gibson-like tone from his Strat…
So - Happy 50th Flying V!
PS: and yeah, the Explorer turns 50 this year, too. I guess Gibson is holding back on that one to string out the PR buzz. No word on the mysterious Moderne - the third future-shaped guitar supposedly made by Gibson in '58 (there are patent drawings, but no known 50’s Modernes around - Gibson has made a few historic reissues, but those appear to be it…)
My first electric was a V, but not a Gibson as those remained out of my price range for a really long time. Mine was a crappy version of the Jackson Randy Rhodes super sharp V. I still love the look, but they’re such a pain in the ass to play since I kept dropping mine on it’s headstock when I took my hand off the neck. Then I learned about moving the strap knobs so that does’t happen :smack: Then I traded it on…
One of these days I’ll get my hands on a black and white 74 Gibson V like the one Kirk Hammett used on the first four Metallica albums since that’s really the one I’ve wanted my whole life, but I do much of my playing sitting down where the V is at a distinct disadvantage unless you’re playing vertically.
I knew a guy once that had a V. It was a really excellent guitar, with one proviso – my recollection is that you pretty much must play it standing up; it just doesn’t perch on your thigh if you want to practice sitting down, which is a real PITA.
Saw Schenker (MSG) in Denver when I was in high school. It was at a place called Rainbow Music Hall (now a Walgreen’s) and they let you bring cameras in. It was a small venue so you could get right up to the stage. I have lots of pics of Michael playing that black and white V. Ahhh, memories.
I have one of the Moderne re-issues. It’s my favorite guitar, looks cool, sits in the lap comfortably while playing in a sitting position (though not as good as the Explorer), and I love the dual-humbucker no-T-bar design.
[QUOTE=WordMan]
[URL=http://www.modernguitars.com/archives/004187.html]
Before rockers found 'em, though, a bunch of blues players used them, including Jimi Hendrix, legendarily at the Isle of Wight festival right before he died (that V was a custom order with a bunch of one-off features in addition to be a lefty).
I've seen him playing one in typical upside down fashion during the Axis period,and I think he used one at Rainbow Bridge for Rays of the New Rising Sun (Hey Baby).
Reading the OP makes me feel like an alte kaka.
Actually, that’s true - and Firebirds look great on a taller guy. Being that I’m 6’3" and stocky, I certainly don’t qualify as “smaller.” But man, it is hilarious to really pay attention to Angus Young, who’s about 5’3" - his hands are SO FREAKIN’ SMALL on his guitar - he looks like a 10-year-old holding his dad’s guitar. But for straight-up hard-rock, minor-pent lead work - he’s wonderful.
I’m not a big fan of the V’s look but I can see what they were trying to do with it and it has some artistic merit. You really could do a whole lot worse.
It was Angus Young who prompted me to first want an SG, I mean they’re pretty bad ass looking guitars any way you slice it. I can play them, but I end up looking like Freddie King. I’d love it if Gibson threw out a 1 1/4 scale SG through Epiphone so that us big dudes didn’t look like we’re playing electric ukeleles.
