Kalamazoo 1958-1963

Gibson Flying V 1958

COLORS:

Natural

BODY:

Wood: African Limba (Korina)

Binding: None

Top Wood: None

Body Shape: V Shape 

Lacquer: Clear Lacquer

Finish: Nitrocellulose


NECK:

Neck Wood: 1-Piece African Limba (Korina)

Headstock Shape: 3-Piece Arrow head

Nut: Nylon (Molded)

Binding: None / 

Headstock Logo: Raised Plastic Gibson in Silver

Serial: Black Ink stamped / 5 Digit (8 or 9-XXXX) (Some had press stamp)

Fretboard Material: Brazilian Rosewood

Inlay: Pearloid Dot inlay

Neck Lacquer: Clear natural Nitrocellulose

Neck Profile: Slim Taper "C"

Nut Width: 1 11/16" (43  mm)

Scale: 24.75" (628.65mm)

Radius: 12"

#Frets: 22

OG Fretwire: Unknown

Trussrod: Standard Headstock Adjust

Bolt-On Type: Glued Set-Neck


HARDWARE:

Bridge Type: Gold-plated ABR-1 Zink Alloy Bridge (No Wire) 

Tailpiece: Gold-plated Brass V-Shape Anchor / String Thru

Saddles: Gold-plated Brass

Tuners: Kluson Double Line (Single ring) Green Keystone Buttons


PLASTIC:

Knobs: Black Top Hat Knobs

Pickguard: White or Black  3-Ply Wide Bevel / 8-screw

Back Cover: None

Trussrod Cover: Bellshape White with BlackTop Ply 

Jack Cover: White or Black (on front at the lower leg)


ELECTRONICS:

Switch: 3-Way Switchcraft

Pickup Config: HH

Wiring: Standard: 2 Volume / 1 Master Tone

Capacitor: Unknown

Pots: 3X 500k Centralab

Neck Pickup: P.A.F Humbuckers w/ Gold Cover (Alnico V)

Bridge Pickup: P.A.F Humbuckers w/ Gold Cover (Alnico V)


CASE: Geeb built Case (Optional for $75) Brown Tolex with Pink lining interior

INFO:

The Flying V that was concieved alongside the Explorer was built in exactly 98 units before they discontinued it in 1959

80 units was built in 1958 while the last 18 was built in 1959.

The guitar was showcased at NAMM 1959

Its original name was “Futura Moderne”. It was never a hit like its Explorer counterpart. But a few notable players was unsing it. One was blues legend Albert King, Jimi Hendrix was another who had a custom left-handed model built for him. Others were Lonnie Mack who only used the V trough his whole career with his trusty “Number 7”

Discontinued in 1962. but has returned to prodution on and off since then.  But just like the explorer, it found renaissance in in the 80s rock and metal uprising. Especially the trash metal scene where Metallica, Slayer and more adopted the newly revived guitar.


In 1962, some flying Vs was built with leftover stock parts nut with nickel parts only.


Price on introduction $247.50, with an additional $75for the custom hard case

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