The new Gibson Victory. A guitar that shouldn’t exist. Deep Dive + Tone Test

[@leonaudacity5313]

The headstock on the newer victory is way cooler

[@darwinsaye]

I personally disagree. It doesn’t match the body style well. Like sticking a Telecaster headstock on a Les Paul.

[@jfiery]

Damn Grip, you're crushing it on the content lately. Been really loving it.

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

Thanks! Glad you’re enjoying it! I got some more stuff in the pipeline, hope to get them up some enough.

[@jfiery]

@@CompanyGripGuitar looking forward to it Ben!

[@shield400]

The Gibson Victory with a Duesenberg Les Trem II is a killer combination. 🔥

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

Sounds like it would be awesome!

[@ericoswood1856]

I like it a lot. I’ll probably get one of the burst finishes. Great review, thanks!

[@leanmeanfightinmchn]

Thanks, man. This was a big help in deciding to get it (hell yeah). Very honest, unbiased. Good man for using Klein tools. Respect.

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

Thanks for checking it out! Do it… 😈😅

[@harbonip]

Once again, your research and playing demo makes it worth buying with all the different combinations of sounds you can get out of the guitar . 👍🏽

[@Steve_ATL]

Okay, Gibson got me. I just ordered one of these. I'm too curious and I need to spend time with it myself.

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

Nice! What model/finish did you get?

[@Steve_ATL]

@@CompanyGripGuitar figured in smokehouse. Iguana is my favorite but smokehouse fits me better.

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

Sounds nice! The smokehouse was tempting!

Beautiful guitar, in the 90s I played a Victory MVX. Tip: use a tube amp with few pedals for rehearsals; so you can hear the sound of the guitars better.

[@digitalchris6681]

The headstock can also be used to play ice hockey.

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

😂

[@rockdaddy2168]

🤟😁👍This is a very good and thorough review. I have an original 80s Victory MVX with 496R, 500T, and NSX pickups in metallic red. It had a H S H configuration with a switch that gives you 3 single coils and a 5 way selector just like a Strat or 2 humbuckers with a choice of 4 tones. Love that guitar. It was the predecessor to the early 90s M3 with the same electronics. I have 5 of those in different colors. The same 3 pickup configuration was also used on the Les Paul Studio Lite M3 in the 90s (I have 4 of those in different colors, my favorites). I'll have find one of these new Victorys a give it a try. Thanks👍

[@erichamilton9565]

great review

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

Thanks!

[@geneevans7885]

That guitar sounds great.

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

Thanks for checking out the video!

[@arthurivex2298]

Great review. Really detailed. I appreciate that.

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

Thank you for checking it out!

[@BobSperber]

Really nice variety in the pick ups and controls.

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

Indeed! cheers!

[@IndyRockStar]

I'm very interested in getting a Victory. I haven't played one yet, but I'm pretty certain I would immediately replace the pots, wiring, and tuners. I hate push pull.

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

Would you go straight humbucker pickups then, without the frills of coil splits and inner/outer coil mode?

[@IndyRockStar]

@@CompanyGripGuitar yes.

[@gregorygetable]

Nice video, nice guitar. One of the few Gibson I would consider. I have vintage and new lesser names to. As to color...must get Iquana if I step up

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

Thanks for checking it out! Cheers!

[@Twirlyhead]

A friend of mine had one of the original Victory guitars. Back in the day it was the most exotic and expensive electric guitar I had ever played and I did like it but still happier with my much cheaper Ibanez Blazer which I wish I still had. Wouldn't mind a Victory now though. As Todd said "Give me just one Victory".

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

Ha! Nice quote. Cheers!

[@pa-james9220]

I couldn't put it down. I'm selling my PRS core CU24 and buying one. I really love the feel and also the sound of the coil splits and the tuning stability.

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

It’s a lot of fun!

[@msaintpc]

I just got the figured wine red in yesterday. It has an ABR-1 bridge. Life is sweet.

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

Yours has an ABR-1 Bridge? 🤔

[@msaintpc]

@@CompanyGripGuitar Yes. I bought it from zZounds music. They had a choice of them with or without the ABR-1. The avocado colored one has a Nashville bridge, but the wine red ones gives us a choice. I may have purchased the last one.

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

That’s really cool! Thanks for sharing. Enjoy it! Mines a lot of fun!

[@msaintpc]

@@CompanyGripGuitar I agree. They play better than a Les Paul. Don't have to press hard on the strings to chord or pick, and the neck feels wonderful. Did I mention that it's the most beautiful axe on the market? The more one looks at it the more beautiful it becomes. It's worth every penny of that $2,500 + dollars after taxes. Done already told my kids they ain't putting they hands on this one.🙂

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

That’s awesome! If I could get another one, I’d love to get the wine red. Enjoy the guitar, you deserve it. 🤘🏽

[@paulofreire7520]

Great review 👍🏻

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

Thanks for checking it out! Cheers!

[@scotttower5115]

The very first thing that I noticed about this guitar when you showed it was the cool explorer headstock. I guess I must be an old fan but it looks pretty cool to me. Looks like a very nice guitar just out of my price range but I would definitely buy it if it was less expensive. Cheers mate great video.

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

Thanks for the comment! I think Explorer headstocks are just not my thing. I have a similar headstock on an old Futura from the early 80s, and it's referred to as the Limp Richard, and I cant get that thought out of my head when I see headstocks like that.

[@scotttower5115]

@@CompanyGripGuitar lol. Awesome

[@gregputman]

Hey, great review, and I just subscribed to your channel. I hope you see this because I do have a question for you. I know that this fretboard is slightly wider than your typical Les Paul or SG, and that it has a slim taper neck. My question is does the neck have enough of a rounded profile to not feel too thin with that wider fretboard? I do prefer the typical Gibson 60's slim taper necks. Is the feel of this neck still similar to the typical 60's profile, but with the wider fretboard? I ask because I did once try a guitar with a fretboard that had similar width but they had made the neck feel so slim that it so weird to me. Almost no girth at all, which I did not particularly care for. Thanks

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

Hi! Thanks for subscribing! I appreciate it. I’m out camping at the moment, but as soon as I get home I’ll some specific measurements for you between an SG standard and the Supreme. 1st fret width, 12th fret, etc. Thanks again!

[@gregputman]

@@CompanyGripGuitar Thanks

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

@@gregputman Sorry for the delay, but here's what I've got for you: SG Standard: 1st Fret - 1.73" 12th Fret - 2.08 2024 Victory 1st Fret - 1.75" 12th Fret - 2.11" So, it's nearly identical, but indeed a touch wider technically. Cheers!

[@gregputman]

@@CompanyGripGuitar Cool. That sounds like something that I can hang with for sure. I think I will be picking one up. Sure don't like the sticker price though, but what can you do? I think I can get my sales person at either Sweetwater or Nstuff to give me 10% or 12% off. That would knock it down to a little over $2200 which is a little closer to what they should be anyways IMO. Thanks for going out of your way to help me with this!

[@Sadioli]

Wow i think its a really beautiful guitar, but personally i liked the original style of headstock a lot more. The finish options all looked gorgeous and i really like the one you chose 🤘😁

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

Thanks for checking it out! Cheers!

[@ArthurMorgan535]

Shame they didn't put Dirty Fingers on it, but it still looks and sounds amazing

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

I like dirty fingers a lot, my opinion of course, but I thought these were a bit more articulate. But for all we know, it’s just a Dirty Fingers pickup with a different name. 🤣 Gibson’s done some shady things in the past like that.

[@msaintpc]

Maaaan, I gotta have it! However I do wish it had an ABR-1.

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

That would be pretty cool. Agreed!

[@Hamerguy68]

I have a 1982 one, which I like. This one seems a good guitar too. I would have liked a 3-piece maple neck with the original headstock design. I also prefer Schaller tuning keys over Grover. I would have liked a tremolo too, something like the Schaller 3801 vintage tremolo. The pickups sound good to me.

[@sinakaedwards2009]

At least you admit the Iguana burst would be the way to go. Makes me think of Dimebag.

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

Yeah. I’m gonna swap it I think.

[@sinakaedwards2009]

@@CompanyGripGuitar A firebird headstock would have looked more like the original.

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

Totally. The original actually looks a LOT like the 2018+ Firebirds with the flat headstock and side tuners. Maybe because Firebirds are only custom shop now they didn’t have an easy supply of those necks?

[@srogers500]

I love it, but the price is crazy. Need an Epiphone Prophecy model with no pickguard, figured top, and EMGs or Fishmans.

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

True!

[@tedmen1123]

The price is on point!!! I got mine for 2129 from Sweetwater. That’s a steal for this guitar.

[@srogers500]

@@tedmen1123 Congrats, brother. I'm glad you're digging it. It is a beautiful guitar. Just out of my range for the moment, at least Don't guess "crazy" was the best word I coulda used there.😁

[@samright4661]

That’s a nice Guitar! I wish Gibson would bring back the Mlll those are awesome

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

I wish they’d bring it back too. Who knows, maybe they will! 🤔

[@jeromewagschal9485]

I like it, it has simpler features than the one I got as a birthday gift back in '82 ( and still have ) but I'm not a huge fan of the Explorer headstock on it...The combination looks nice but my original '81 has a straight string pull so I was able to install a Les Trem-II system on it and tuning stability is excellent... That said, if I wanted to have a stop bar model and leave it as is I'd probably get the sunburst model... Excellent video thanks 👍👍

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

Thanks for checking it out! Cheers!

[@glaucosouza1971]

We cant forget that $100 in 1981 is something about $350 nowadays. More or less the same difference between the plain top and the figured one now.

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

True!

[@R74-b7p]

I'm not a Gibson guy, but I really like this guitar. The wiring and soldering is the sloppiest job I have ever seen on a $2000.00 guitar.

[@PackKanashijo]

I really like this guitar but please give back the Firebird headstock

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

Agreed!

[@9unslin9er]

It's 2024 and we're still doing coffee table brown. Guitar has pointy headstock and 24 frets, but uses a burst that belongs on something Robert Johnson would pose with. They could've taken anything from Epiphone's Muse series and integrated it.

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

😆 you’re not wrong.

[@styrenebuilds6851]

I think the Explorers have always had about 14 degree headstock pitch

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

Ahh. Thanks for the info! I’ve never even touched one!

[@georgejetson1923]

I thought it was ugly back in the 80's and still do today.

[@jorgetorrijos7369]

hello! nice t shirt!!

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

Thanks! Covenant 🤘🏽

[@lesbois53]

Good grief! When I am blasting it out onstage, I would have no time to finger dance around the push pull switches to change pickup tone! That’s why I use Kramer Barettas with single Duncan JBs from the 1980’s! Ok for bedroom players though.

[@rbae]

Looks like a lot of people came here to hate on Gibson rather than give the review a fair shot. I like how they're modernizing in a market that calls for more younger appeal

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

Yeah. I agree with that statement! Cheers!

[@lesbois53]

@@CompanyGripGuitar I still love SGs, 335s and Les Pauls. Tried and tested designs. Past attempts at creating new designs , and even modernising existing models, have never succeeded. Traditional Gibsons, like Rolex and Bentleys, etc, are still the flagship brands! 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

[@mirkojovanovic3216]

Like it !!!!!

[@Satchmoeddie]

Wrong bridge on the new Victory. The old ones had 3 sets of saddles that adjusted on sliders from the top of the bridge. There were brass, plastic and steel saddles. I own a 100% complete, pristine and all original Victory XX. The original Victory pickups used special alloy frame & base plates.

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

Nice! Great looking guitar! I wish they did the old headstock on the new one.

[@Steve_ATL]

Nice Dreams of a Cryotank shirt.

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

Good eyes and good taste in music! I got that shirt over 20 years ago when Covenant was playing the Key Club here in LA. Of course, at the time I was in San Diego, so it was a loooong day driving there, seeing the show, and being too broke to get a hotel room, so we make the long drive back. Great show. I remember eating a really good Philly Cheesesteak that night.

[@Steve_ATL]

@@CompanyGripGuitar I probably seen Covenant 6 times between 97 and 06. A lot of memories. I was a big night clubber back then. Great video on the Victory. I am drawn to this guitar even though it my not be the right purchase for me. I have an Explorer, so I know all about its headstock and tiny tuners.

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

That’s awesome. I don’t meet a lot of people who even know who Covenant are. Cheers!

[@styrenebuilds6851]

🤘

[@jorgeantoniocruz7416]

Ela merecia uma ponte diferente!!!

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

What kind would you think? Thank you for watching!

[@DavyWright-d6x]

Marie Fall

[@RayLawrenceJrMUSIC]

Think Gibson has been taking notes from PRS? Maybe PRS helped revive this Gibson model. Who knows? I think the Victory is a cool guitar. That green burst finish is kinda cool.

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

They just might be! Thanks for checking out the review. Cheers!

[@RayLawrenceJrMUSIC]

@@CompanyGripGuitar you're welcome

[@sikitrakix]

They want some of that sweet silver sky pie for sure!

[@jimmyjames2022]

Nice run through of the intriguing Victory reissue, looks good sounds great. Isn't this body a bit more offset than the OG Victory? Overall this seems more like a PRS contender than a Fender one, with S2 Vela/Custom 24.08 vibes, switching and pickup tones. Definitely needs speed knobs for push/pull grip rather than the awkward stock witch hats. Tempting but pricey at $2700CAD and $3400CAD (Canada), at that price why wouldn't a I get the Gibson SG Modern? Well I have one SG already and no Victory. Love that iguana burst but satin walnut is more affordable.

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

You’re 100% right about the speed knobs. It would make it a bit easier for sure! I’d like to get my hands on an Original Victory and do a proper side by side someday! And, yes, I agree, it probably it more of a PRS Competitor nowadays! Is the Victory the original PRS? That would be a better title for the video anyway. Haha!

[@BobSperber]

It looks a little clunky to me, but I hope they do well. Not very optimistic. You can’t compete with a strap if you don’t offer a whammy bar. Also, not a deal killer but the headstock should’ve have straight string runs the old one.

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

Totally agree Bob! I’m not a whammy bar guy, but I agree, how do you compete without one? Also agree about the headstock. Throwing the Explorer headstock on there was just lazy. Cheers!

[@BobSperber]

@@CompanyGripGuitar thank you for your reply, and for forgiving my typos!

[@coverkill6744]

He does not mention lack of fret nubs which is bs imo

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

🤷‍♂️

[@tedmen1123]

It’s a modern design and the nibs are not that at all. I’m not mad about it and I ordered one. I’m very excited for it.

[@mr.timebombman2230]

I'm an RD man.myself. but this is cool I guess.

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

Always wanted to play an RD… one day! Cheers!

[@WillyWP]

They were a failure becuase they were too heavy. I had one that was 12lbs. Solid Maple. In my opinion the other reason they failed is that most Gibson people only like established models. They aren't very open to change or new ideas. That's why they are obsessed with 1959 Les Pauls. I was excited about this model making a come back with mahogany bodies, but I really wished they stayed with a 24.75 inch scale, and the original headstock. I do like the new contours though.

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

Thanks for checking out the video. Yeah, 12lbs is back-pain heavy for sure! Cheers!

[@pauld1568]

The Dave Mustaine signature Gibsons have a 25.5 inch scale

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

Thanks for pointing that out. I had no idea!

[@pauld1568]

@ they are 24 fret but not so sure about exact scale length

[@lesbois53]

Looks like a Kramer 1980’s era.

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

Very much so

[@CyberRabid.]

It's a Kramer.

[@kay8537]

Love everything but the pickup rings, make em look cheap. Just personal preference

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

Understandable!

[@petedazer3381]

I wish I could afford it! The wiring looks pretty shabby……

[@teerexness]

Super cool guitars, if they were at the original price. $2000-$2500? Holy sh*t! Pass......

[@digitalchris6681]

Nah. In a year or so these'll be selling new at a massive discount, and used for a massive loss.

[@papasmamas1]

Looks good but not spectacular. I dont know, I like more how vintage Victorys look. But is far from being a classic Gibson fiasco, I think this model would appeal to many people.

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

I think so too, but I wish it had a tremolo.

[@lesduffey6032]

It really looks like any other guitar out there except it says Gibson.

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

I think it has a little bit of uniqueness with the offset body and the long horn. I mean, it’s not as shocking as say the SG release in 1961, that’s for sure. Thanks for checking it out!

[@mortonwilson795]

Headstock is just weird and dots on the neck are just 'off'. Why didn't they take a lead from the MVX? A 3 Pick-Up HSH configuration with a Trem and Coil Splits would really be something but this seems like a shrinking violet compromise that doesn't quite know what it's actually meant to do? Can't see it setting the world on fire.

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

Agree that some of the features that should be there are missing. A Trem for sure. Cheers!

[@sgtmac62]

Not impressed with this guitar. Looks cheap. Sounds like a PRS. But less. In fact, the PRS SE "Paul's Guitar" would be a much better buy. Although, the neck, being a compound radius is unusual for Gibby, it's hard to justify the $2000-$2500 price tag- period. For that much cash, look more towards LP STD or SD Custom. Give it a minute, and Epi will have one for $700. Great review.

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

Thanks for checking it out!

[@danthegeetarman]

I personally don’t like the way this one looks at all, but I can understand why some people would want it. I have to say it at least looks better than the RD, Moderne, and Theodore. Those are some of the ugliest Gibson guitars ever made. Also like others mentioned, hard to justify that price point when you could get other guitars that do the same thing (better) for a lot cheaper. With that said, good review as always. Like how detailed you get into the reviews.

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

I agree that it looks better than those other three. Well… except for maybe the Moderne, I really like those, but I’ve always found the feature set so lackluster I’ve never felt compelled to get one. Thanks for checking out the video!

[@TheTubeDude]

I love this guitar. But it can not compete with Fender; price point. So G will sell a few, then their market will dry-up again.

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

Yeah. I think a lot of their new releases won’t survive too long, the Theodore, the Victory, etc. Thanks for checking it out!

[@oderusurdugus]

Hideous guitar, what gibson were thinking? Who is it for? I think it will be a fail.

[@CompanyGripGuitar]

It will probably be a fail, as you say. The headstock is horrendous! But I do actually like it quite a bit. It plays nice, for what it’s worth! Thanks for checking out the video!

[@jerrywatt6813]

2500 $ ? So many guitars in that price range that are better just fir starters PRS and why a Pic guard when at that price it should be back routed with a clean front side and no vibrato ? Gibson Fail Again !

[@HEZ63]

Was no success decades ago and I think, it also will not become one today. I also dislike the Explorer headstock.

[@PhillipHolt-f9r]

It's ugly they're trying hard to out do fender. It's a cross between Ibanez and a strat and. Strat. Shame on Gibson.

[@mikewhitfield2994]

$2,000 & $2,500? You could buy a cheap PRS for that kind of money. Or a really, really nice Fender. The body looks pretty cool, but they need to come with blinders so that you don't accidentally look at that monstrosity of a headstock while playing. And kudos to Gibson for copying Firefly and IYV with that Iguana Burst. Lifestyle companies should never be afraid to copy the industry leaders.

[@alkyhauler8185]

Hmmm, NOPE lol

[@davidderr-q6y]

The problem i see is that gibson purists dont want a fender style strat. And fender purists dont want a gibson strat. Plus the cost is way up there. You can get a fender fmt with humbuckers (seymour duncans)for a third of the cost, or a shecter, ltd, ibanez, harley benton.