The Gibson Flying V | Full Review and Demo

The legendary guitar has flown south for the winter, straight to Alamo Music. We have been so excited to have this awesome guitar in the shop, we just had to play it for you. Check out Cooper's review of Gibson's Original Collection Flying V in Antique Natural and let us know what you think-- is it worth adding to your collection?
SHOP GIBSON: www.alamomusic.com/brands/Gibson
0:00 Intro/Specs
5:50 Clean Demo
7:44 Dirty Demo
9:38 Final Thoughts
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[@HeyLiem]

There used to be a guy in our church band who had "Flying V" written on his van's license plate, he owned over a dozen Gibson Flying Vs. At church he only played Gibson Les Paul's, he said a Flying V is too rowdy and wild for church!

[@blakjack3053]

What would Jesus do? 😉

[@beoz658]

I might have seen a video of that persons V's

[@L98_tuned_port]

This shit had me cracking up.

[@theoutlawedcrusade]

I’m actually about to start playing in front of my small country church with a Randy Rhoads when all the congregation is used to is classical acoustic guitars. The pastor was a little uneasy at first but once the congregation said that they love my guitar everyone got onboard with the idea, including the pastor 😂

[@chaseonthecase9191]

@ blakjack3053 Jesus would shred those demons back to hell

[@Vykk_Draygo]

Flying V's are exceptionally comfortable to play while sitting. Bottom wing inbetween the legs, strap relatively high. No pressure needed, and excellent fret hand ergonomics. My V has the paint worn out on the inside of the wings from playing while sitting. For me, the V is the most comfortable shape to play while sitting.

[@El-Scorcho]

Love the V! You almost nailed how to hold it properly while sitting (for max comfort): 1. Use a strap, and wrap the bottom part around the front of the horn, and 2. Sit in a chair that's low to the ground, so your knees are slightly higher than your hips. This makes the V comfortable to play while sitting 😄

[@jochenfeuerlein5007]

I bought around 1990 a Flying V, made in late 1980's, equipped with the 500T and the 498R pickups. Other guitars were coming and going throughout my life but this Flying V is still the very best I've ever played. And these ceramic pickups go very well with Heavy Metal and more extreme, the Burstbuckers might be nicer in clean- and crunch sounds but those 500T/498R pickups turn that guitar into a monster. And I always loved this near endless sustain of this big slab of wood, can't be much better. And of course, if you're not used to hold a V like Cooper in this video, it feels kinda strange. But get used to it and you'll start to hold every guitar like you hold your V, between the legs like a classic spanish guitar. Plus there is almost no other guitar were you have so much freedom for your hand all along the fretboard, maybe with a Parker Fly or a Gibson SG. Way more pros than cons.

[@JohnDoe-mh8tm]

This is the best demo of a Flying V on the net. Your playing is rockin'!

[@axesandelbows414]

I enjoy the videos and love to see you get out of your comfort zone! Strongly appreciate the solid guitar reviews and this was another. Now that you've broken the ice, how about doing a review of the Gibson Explorer for those wanting to take the plunge on something different, but not ready to beam aboard the Flying V Mothership?

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

Gibson did jazz these burstbuckers up for this V. They are the best sounding Burstbuckers in my opinion. Cooper and this V look great together.

[@therollband1290]

Albert King baby! Love the flying V! That was my first electric guitar

[@jonislow]

That's my fav blues player!!

[@OscarGuitare]

I love Michael Schenker. One day I'll get myself a black Flying V

[@jochenfeuerlein5007]

Schenker and UFO were the reason why I got one at tahe day when I had enough money for it.

[@troymcadams5722]

That over and over again track is nice. 👍🏾

[@pritchettdan]

I've already got the Explorer from the same series, with the same pickups. Love it. But I'm gonna get the Flying V, too.

[@LeeHoMusic]

I got one and I love it, especially that mother of pearl logo gives sn extra royality to the model. I adore the pickups, and the fact it is in natural colour but would like it more if the pickguard was black!

[@satinwhip]

Just bought a new 2022 Flying V a week ago. I walked into my local shop and they had just received it. The Burstbucker 3 / 2 combination were just too bright for my taste and slightly microphonic at high gain settings. I replaced them with a Duncan JB bridge and Jazz neck. It was a big improvement. The JB is my favorite bridge pickup. It's still kinda bright in the bridge position. I may replace the puny tone cap with a better quality cap (and clean up the somewhat sloppy wiring) and experiment with different tone control settings. The fit and finish of the guitar is outstanding and it plays like a dream. Not a great sit down guitar but it is really well balanced standing up with a strap.

[@TommySG1]

Great playing as always man! I love SG’s and Les Paul’s, these are cool too but I doubt I’d ever own one unless I spare cash for a cool wall hanger haha!

[@pstraums]

*Great* playing and that is a beautiful guitar! Thanx for the demo 🤘 More of an explorer kinda guy myself, but .. as a hard rock/metal kinda guy, pretty sure I need to own one of these at some point

[@happy_92]

I'm a Rocker and I always will be but I've been playing my Strat because I find I can cover more sounds on my own with a Strat.

[@chrstopherthomas6952]

Nice playing man, no high gain, no chugging ? That's what a V is for.

[@williamcatalano1762]

Heck yeah!! Explorer next Cooper!!! haha

[@jjiacobucci]

Sounds awesome

[@1958CaddyMan]

Hi Cooper. The 1958 version had the strings through a V plate and came in from the back. Have you ever played one of these and how was the sound in comparison?

[@Rr0gu3_5uture]

I really wish Gibson would release an affordable '58 Korina Flying V! In my opinion it's one of the nicest V's they ever made. Currently in the U.K. the RRP for a '58 is an eyewatering £8,799.00! I reckon if they released a non-custom shop version for around £1400 they would sell gazillions of them.

[@beoz658]

I just got mine last week I really like it. I have an 84 custom O'Hagan V and honestly is is amazing and much better than the Gibson, again it is a custom order. The wood on the neck through O'Hagan is sick and the neck is so smooth. But now I must decide what one to keep. Great video.

[@sixbladeknife44]

I just come here to listen to Cooper rake 🔥🔥

[@alicegrant3731]

I'd either love or hate this guitar... but I'd love to trial it 😊

[@kodyw1525]

Let’s rock, let’s rock today🤣 🤘

[@maryannmoran-smyth3453]

Come on dude the Flying V is much about Michael Shanker, which turned me on to it and I still play my V and Marshall stacks to this day… Come on man get with it… Anyway, keep on rocking

[@peekpen]

David Freakin' Fletts guitar solo in Manfred Manns Blinded By The Light

[@benallmark9671]

Is this what he he plays it on ?

[@Speed13Controle]

I'm so close to just spend 1.4k in this

[@gooseabuse]

I didn't like this iteration of the V when it first came out but it has grown on me. I actually would prefer this version to the 70's flying V now as its not trying to harken back to something its just what it is.

[@thomaswilkinson4027]

Ha! I sooo want one now. Is that playing position on the knee comfortable?

[@Vykk_Draygo]

Yes, very. The wings slot in between your legs, and a strap will lock it in with zero fuss (don't need the strap, but I prefer it). The way the wings sit, it forces the guitar into a classical position which is very ergonomic for fretting.

[@USMC_BABE38]

How do you like the flying v been thinking about getting one

[@sathira_anuk5179]

Same

[@zacharyking929]

Nailed it, the V is a novelty guitar for pretty much show purposes only. Do I want one in my collection? Absolutely! A wall mounted Flying V is an awesome flex.

[@pl3317]

Don't agree with show only, it sounds great. Just mount your guitar stand on the wall and put it there when you're not playing it 😀

[@stevecraig7643]

What’s the fiesta red strat ? Is that a color being used again ?

[@AlamoMusic]

Yes, that color is avaialbe on the 50's Vintera Road Worn limited models. www.alamomusic.com/fender-vintera-road-worn-50s-stratocaster-maple-fingerboard-fiesta-red/

[@gmbrereton]

Can I order from UK?

[@frankr4776]

2 volume and one tone knob

[@DS-nw4eq]

Lol, the accidental insults towards Albert King. Great playing and great review though.

[@Aricras]

❤

[@pottsinozadventures1930]

The worst sound in the world is someone saying "you can't play a Flying V sitting down". Feels so natural to me, no strap needed!

[@Vykk_Draygo]

I prefer with a strap, but the wings force you to play with the guitar in the most ergonomic position. It basically slots itself into a classical guitar position. Love my V to death.

[@terryjohinke8065]

I taught a guy in 1978 with a korina early model . Ergonometrically the worst guitar to hold and play ( I also find them unsightly like the Moderne)) and you have to play them standing up , unless like Cooper in this video. They do sound good but I'd strip out the good stuff and put it into a Gyotone like Ry Cooder's. F....y guitars and damn hard to get comfortable with.

[@jordanpratt3821]

Man this guy's playing. On one hand its inspiring, but on the other it makes me want to give up.

[@joeldavis1040]

I think it's the left hand that makes me want to give up.

[@marting5130]

cool as fuck

[@judithcoffing6326]

Love to listen and watch Joe Bonnamosa when he pulls out his Flying "V". He (like you) can make it really sing or cook.

[@chrstopherthomas6952]

I thought it is 2 volume and one tone.

[@clydeortego8332]

Why don’t y’all ever review any ukuleles or guialeles ?

[@JohnDoe-mh8tm]

He said "tone head"!

[@chaseonthecase9191]

I want one but they cost so much

[@chrisrogersmith]

Damn this guy is like, guitar review phd master class 2000. I’ve played for 27 years and I didn’t understand half the shit he said.

[@noahstarves]

The only issue I see with this guitar is the fretboard. For the price of one of these, I want to see a more interesting fretboard. It’s so plain. My Les Paul special 1 has a better looking fretboard for $170.

[@ripperthecrooks6428]

Yeah it looks cool but most probably does not stay in tune

[@pl3317]

Oh, it does ! Don't forget the strings a pulled straight through the nut thanks to the headstock. I'm amazed that my v stays in tune forever.

[@joshuabb7449]

Since when did david gilmour become a gibson guy

[@timharbert7145]

Kirk Hammett never sounded better than when he rocked a V.

[@ruffcutmagicreview]

Like the look and sound but it's a drag to play sitting down.

[@jason.paredes]

Bruh...that is your guitar...

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

I love my Flying V, why does this one sound so bad?

[@phayzyre1052]

Glad I wasn’t the only one who thought so. I’ve heard several flying V‘s and they sound awesome. This one here sounds like it’s balls hasn’t dropped!

[@chrisdaviesguitar]

@@phayzyre1052 lol, that was funny. Perhaps it's the amp. Through my Blackstar HT Stage 100, my sound is incredible.

[@philfrank9226]

A new invention in the original series, it doesn`t fit.

[@oskarsalvador7414]

Stop talking and play! Get to point…