Kalamazoo 1958-1963
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