Gibson Flying V melody Maker from 2011 demo and review

Really, really lovely scaled down version of the fabulous Flying V. I've even brought its big brother along do we can compare the two :-)

[@hinidin]

It's a crime to even think about any changes on this V, it;s perfect already

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

I love the simplicity, dedication and purposefulness of these guitars. Great design, one pickup, one knob and astonishing access right to the top of the fretboard. Pure genius :-)

[@hinidin]

@@FoxysGuitarShow That's why I got myself one, same colour as yours (not so mintish thou), absolute love from the very first note. Some folks trying to "improve" theese by adding extra pickup and the tone knob, but this feels wrong to me, you can play everything on this intrument, from Chet Atkins to Slayer, as you said absolutely right - purposefulness is it's big plus. It's a shame that Gibson didn't make any of theese anymore, I believe that's Epiphones can't compare with melody makers, and there is no single pickup V anyway, it's custom shop (and it costs like my kidney which I adore very much) or aftermarket MM's. Good thing for the owners is that theese 2011 Flying V MM's are constantly growing in price and you usially can't find theese under 500 bucks, and that means something.

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

@@hinidin I totally agree. Generally Spey, if you need a V with more pickups and knobs then best to buy a grown up V with those features. By crikey, there’s a lot to love about the Melody Makers; light weight, fabulous sound and no having to mess around with settings. When you play live, no one can tell anyways 😁

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

Ahghhhh, sorry, that should have been 'generally speaking' ...... predictive text has a lot to answer for :-)

[@skithewhitestuff]

That’s a lovely thing Rox. I like the idea of just the bridge pickup and volume control. Another great video. Thanks

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

Thanks :-) To be fair, that'd pretty much do for me. Everything on 11 and I never (or rarely) use the tone controls anyway - I like to keep things simple :-)

[@smoluk1]

Smashing good show!

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

Thanks Ryan :-) Plenty more of the weird and wonderful coming up :-)

[@smoluk1]

@@FoxysGuitarShow i look forward to that sir all the best to you in the new year cheers!

[@michaelwood3099]

As you know I'm the least pointy person there is, but I love the Flying V, it's almost Teleish in that it transcends all music genre, if the Edge can get away with playing one through 6,000 effect pedals then anyone can, and I particularly like this junior version. However it still suits a person with less cowboy hats than myself.

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

I'm rather fond of cowboy hats... and boots. I can't be doing with effects pedals, though. Too confusing and as you know I only have two settings. There's a certain honesty with Melody Makers and I like the fact that Gibson occasionally pander to public opinion regarding their pricing. Regarding V's, it's amazing to think that they were introduced to the proletariat in 1957!!!! Blimey, they must've thought the Martians had landed! Cheers Michael :-)

[@BeardMan01]

Just picked up one of these in Ebony. Mine is minty fresh too. The strings were starting to rust though, lol. Absolutely love this guitar and does single pickup much MUCH better than my Noventa Telecaster. It's actually on par with my 76 Fender Bronco with its green winding pickup.

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

Hi there Beard Man :-) These are terrific and vastly underrated guitars IMO. All we need is a decent playing guitar with one pickup, one knob and a fuzz box! Cheers :-)

[@BeardMan01]

@@FoxysGuitarShow I literally just ordered a Beetronics pedal and this thing sounds UNBELIEVABLE through my Mesa Stiletto Deuce. I'm soo happy to have this guitar. It literally does all the things that my ES-335 doesn't do.

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

I did a review of one of these when they were new. The nut was cut wrong (!) and I bitched a bit about the pickup being marketed as a Seymour Duncan. It's an Asian-made Duncan Designed one. It sounded great though! Played great too and was really light :)

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

I watched your video of this guitar and you didn't seem to be very impressed but I really like the fact that you're totally straight up and tell it how it is :-) I absolutely love your show and thanks so much for leaving me a comment :-)

[@SwedishGuitarNerd]

@@FoxysGuitarShow Thanks a lot! I have promoted your show on my later KZbin livestreams. You really know your stuff!

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

Wow, thanks! Coming from you that is a compliment indeed :-)

[@BeardMan01]

@@FoxysGuitarShow All we need now is for Ola or Trogly to chime in, lol.

[@jonathanhandsmusic]

It’s like a junior but with a SD hb pickup. And the wraparound bridge. Hmmmm, I don’t know. It’s not my style, but it seems to be perfectly fine. I’m not inclined to use a bridge pickup only. It’s perfect for someone who doesn’t have a bundle of hard earned money to spend on the pricey older brother. I hate to say it but I am not a fan of the V shaped axes. Good review for sure. I have never seen one before. Melody Maker. Maybe if I still lived in LA!

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

Hi Jonathan, they were always intended as a student option but because the production run was so short lived, they're actually gaining a little pace these days as something to add to one's collection. Quite honestly, it's lovely to play but agreeably, it's very much a one-trick pony. Pretty clever (and loud) little pony, though :-)

[@1sausagesausage]

Gutted I missed out on this one

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

They really are terrific guitars. Well balanced, easy to play and soooooo powerful :-)

[@susanbucket3400]

Nice looking guitar

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

Wait until you se the next mad one I've got coming up :-)

[@deputyfestus4163]

Nice looking V but I like the Epiphone V much better

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

Yup, it's a fair shout but you can blow the same money on an Epiphone (which admittedly is better appointed than the MM's) or you can spend the same on the 'budget' Gibson. These things are purely subjective and if we're going down the brand label snobbery route we'd all be playing KayCasters from Woolworth's :-) :-). I think that most musicians are pretty savvy when it comes to considerations like resale value. You pays your money, you takes your choice :-) Kind regards and a very interesting point, cheers :-)

[@nicktlfc.3989]

Have you reviewed any D' Angelico guitars ?

[@FoxysGuitarShow]

I haven't! I do look at them when the opportunity arises but, man, they're soooooo expensive! One day, one day :-)

[@nicktlfc.3989]

@@FoxysGuitarShow Being very tempted by the Deluxe Atlantic . .