These Are Expensive For a Reason... (100% Worth It) | 1980 Gibson Flying V Natural

[@FADE_FROM_VIEW]

I owned one of these around 1997, during my last year of high school when I was 18. It was a 1980 model same natural finish as this , belonged to a friend of mine‘s dad who had developed chronic arthritis and no longer had the dexterity to play. my friend didn’t play guitar so had no interest in it, and his dad was going to give it away but offered it to me and instead on the basis that I would actually play it. I can concur that these things were next to nothing, which was the main appeal for me as I’d come from playing a Les Paul copy that was a bit too cumbersome for my skinny frame. I was heavily into the band Ash at the time, and had seen their lead singer Tim Wheeler playing one in a few videos, so I was very much enamoured. It was very similar looking to the one you’ve got here, and I played a lot of shows with it in my early playing days up until my early 20s. Sold it in the early 2000s to fund travel overseas, but actually managed to buy it back in 2011 when I saw it listed on a local Trading site; the guy who had bought it from me still owned it for over 10 years and sold it back to me for what he paid for it . I reconnected with my friend whose father had originally given me the guitar i a few years after that, only to learn that his dad had passed away recently. He’d actually taken up guitar in the years prior to that, and admitted that he always missed having that guitar, so it seemed a very natural thing to return it to him after all those years. He only plays it at home and very sparingly so but has given me access to use it for any special gigs or recording that I might want, so it’s nice to still have access to that after all these years. it’s kind of ironic because that guitar had a nearly 20 year journey that ended up nearly breaking even in terms of my costs, and is now back with arguably the person that should have had it in the first place .

[@hpugrad2001]

I play my v sitting down at home all the time. No issues

[@jon_e96]

It’s easier to play sitting down than the Les Paul. I have both and I find myself hating the jack placement on the Paul, gets in the way of your chair/couch

[@mattt2581]

Same.

[@bladeoflucatiel]

Literally the best objective way to play, classical guitar posture, all tendons and joints relaxed.

[@matevigh8418]

Not many know that in 2015 Gibson produced a batch of 60's style Flying V's (thin body, elevated fingerboard w/o binding, volute, small headstock) for the Japanese market. Due to the ban of rosewood export, grenadillo was used as fretboard material. The neck is quite thick (around D-shape), they came in 4 colours: white, black, cherry and tobacco sunburst, pickups were Gibson '57 classics (with chrome covers). I happen to own a cherry one which I bought brand new for 820 EUR in 2019 from Thomann.

[@kevinhuber8723]

Thank You for the video. I have a 1979 model since 1988. I even wrote to you about possibly buying it and never heard back~ so I have kept it with its original case. Rockin' guitar with huge loud clear sound. Michael Schenker is not given enough credit for his work with UFO and they turned me onto an entire genre they basically led.

[@wayneanderson2523]

I bought a Gibson V in April, and man is it the best. Not only does it look sick, but it’s incredibly comfortable to play no matter where you are at. They are quite lightweight too

[@zandig666]

I love how mine feels on the strap It's a great tight guitar

[@greek440bc]

Why did Gibson put a 67' style headstock shape on the 2020 70's Classic ? A few years earlier they sold a VOS version in Japan which had the correct shape

[@warrenp.5916]

I’m dying inside looking at this!🥺 I bought my V in 1977. It was PERFECT! Played in a band for years with it, I bought an Anvil case for it to show it some love…. But alas as bands go, we split and ended up having to trade it for cash and another guitar 65 melody maker…. There’s nothing like that guitar, sound, feel, everything…. I built one from a kit but it’s not the same 😭 I wish I knew where it was, just to see and know it’s being taken care of and used properly 🙏🙏🙏 I still have the original Gibson paper work and sales receipt.

[@spuzzbunky_rock]

I've got a '77! But I'm pretty sure it isn't yours, since I bought it in 1981, and it came with the original Gibson case. Sold almost everything else I ever bought but hung onto the V for some reason. I don't regret it!

[@warrenp.5916]

@@spuzzbunky_rock you’ve got a great guitar! Are the pickups covered or uncovered?

[@joermnyc]

On a nitrocellulose finished guitar: ALWAYS remove your tuners and lubricate them off of the guitar on a paper towel. Let that set overnight before reinstalling. Also one or two drops should be enough.

[@zandig666]

I have one close to this but with the pointy headstock. Micheal Schanker told the guy from saxon his headstock looks like his grand Pappas slipper 😄😄 I do love the volute but not the instrument jack being on the pick guard Mine has the 496 500t which do priest like a champ

[@bradconklin2878]

"Doctor, Doctor please ..."

[@greensombrero3641]

@@cataclysmicconverter one of my favorite albums of all time . HELLO CHICAGO

[@greensombrero3641]

HELLO CHICAGO

[@JokersWild70]

"Dontcha know I'm going fast..."

[@andydavis8437]

I have a 1971 Medallion, 1975 Natural, 1978 Block inlay (white). 1980 Explorer V (Black) (basically a V with the explorer neck)

[@johndaugherty4127]

@@andydavis8437 the Explorer V, how do you like it? What a great concept

[@andydavis8437]

@johndaugherty4127 not sure what wood they used but it's very heavy compared to the others, like Les Paul heavy. Also previous owner gave it a scalloped fret board, so it's interesting to play. All black with EMGs so it looks wicked.

[@SnappyJCM800]

I prefer that headstock over the regular V

[@goregore6259]

Same here

[@jayhundert1419]

Hi Trogly! I also own a V from 1976 and my neck pickup also has the extra solder point. No stemp on the pickups. So I guess your neck PU is original, the bridge might be not. Cheers from Austria, Jay Hundert

[@doctoribanez]

My guess is a harley Davidson sticker. The shape looks familiar anyway

[@SHENDOH]

I want that Norlin beauty! Definitely needs a re fret

[@mishegoss6311]

I had that exact flying V in 1980. Except the interior color of the case was purple velvet. It was the most beautiful axe I'll ever own. I paid $500 for it. It could be the guitar I owned. The time frame is right. That guitar is amazing.

[@Gliese710_]

I’m no guitar aging expert but my guess is the pickguard warped from the original/second owner kept their pick shoved under it.

[@jenniferlawrence2701]

the 70s/80s headstock shape is so much cooler than the new one/60s one.

[@jonathanhudak2059]

Yuck really? IMHO I love the 50s and 60s headstock but that's just me

[@stilllifewithguitar184]

I have a '74 that I got cheapish (

[@bluekoi455]

I am still looking for my 74 75 V,I don't have the serial but,it has Bill Lawrence flat blades in creme,and a coil splitter micro switch....I hate myself for selling it,but at the time I needed the money.

[@kosmonument2682]

I have an Original V from 2019. Nothing special, just a basic guitar that I got for very cheap (for a Gibson) because it was ignored at the local music store for two years. But it's one of the best playing guitars I've ever held and I wouldn't trade it for anything. Truly an underrated range.

[@jamesnewton485]

Vic Rattlehead was on the back!

[@TheDemolitionKings]

The narrow nut width is the one thing I’ve never been able to get past. I wish it didn’t. I’ll stick with my early 2000’s V’s.

[@pauljazz818]

Love those pickups!

[@telecatsermaster]

Gotta love a V..

[@rrichards146]

Beautiful sounding guitar

[@metalmig]

sounds really great !

[@LostSoulNo301281]

I really like the general look of this era of V. If I could (afford a)custom order it'd be based on this, but back routed, no pick guard, the output jack on inside of the upper fin, and string through, with uncovered pickups.

[@cuda426hemi]

Bought a mint Iommi Monkey w/case and all candy several hundred off list and wanted to retain the mint-ness but the previous owner put the Monkey sticker on it (why oh why??) sorry I own it now so the Monkey must go... Isopropyl Myristate is the miracle worker... if you want to remove any sticker off anything from surfboards to cars... I knew I was messing with mint-ness but threw caution to the winds and with Q Tip dabbed the 'oil' all over sticker and edges and slowly started peeling off the Monkey.. dab, wait, peel rinse and repeat. Being a plastic sticker it stayed in one piece and after an alcohol wash is good as new to be re used if ever in the future. But the sticker left a ghost monkey in the nitro - so subtle but in certain light it was like a 3D ripple outline of the Monkey though you couldn't feel it still, it was there. Knowing nitro is organic I thought maybe it will go away in time. I occasionally use Smiths Pro Formula for a quick polish but that's it. Well I'm happy to report about a YEAR later that surface is smooth as F with no Monkey ripple. Whaddaya think about dat? 🎸

[@Icantdrive55]

My dream guitar! Gotta love a V!

[@narcostarko]

"these are expensive for a reason" I work in American manufacturing. There is no reason Gibson guitars are as expensive as they. That is all

[@johndaugherty4127]

It is 45 years old.

[@Strateggo]

The kid plays a marketing game. Which is fair game because if you’re stupid enough to pay such high prices for instruments made for the masses, then you deserve to waste your money.

[@mylogify]

He says it’s worth it because he wants to sell it.

[@donny_doyle]

I worked for a medium size amp shop, early 2000s. I saw how much things actually cost, and how much they sold for, and the only one making money was the owner. And he was not by any stretch, rich. But- the cost to have 'Gibson' on it is way overvalued. And my LP is my fave guitar. Come on Gibson, cut us a break.

[@chefjameso]

I have a 1975, my favorite possession

[@sassycat]

Would it be possible to warm the pickguard up so it would go back to being flat?

[@jimbobjimbob8275]

Would you say the pick guard has been replaced? It has the larger bridge post holes. Both my 79 and 81 has small post holes for the ABR1 posts

[@chrispfeifer7628]

As a retired carpenter and a pathetically mediocre guitar player. I've worked with wood my entire life. Why people prefer mahogany necks over maple is crazy. Maple is stronger without any reinforcement. But, when you use laminated, 3 and 5 piece necks, they are even stronger. And, no one will ever convince me that maple necks have a different "Tone". Every guitar is unique. Identical guitars are usually not equal to each other. Some get that magic combination that makes it great. Look around and you'll see that no single "Wood" is always better. Some poplar stratocasters are great, some ash strats are great. Same thing with Gibson. A older musician and my biggest teacher and influence, taught me to ignore brand and play any guitar before buying. And always try as many as possible before buying. I had a Japanese 57 fender strat reissue, when i bought it, I had planned to buy a 60's era strat. But after playing multiple 60's strats, the Japanese strat smoked every one of them. My point, laminated necks are usually the most rugged and will probably last longer

[@ChrisShortyAllen]

Wood vibrates particularly the neck on a guitar. This is one of the variables between types of wood. Any fault with nuts or tuners impacts the sound. Set up is vital.

[@PNWJEEPER01]

I have a "Custom Shop Edition" korina V. I forget what year it is ('96, I wanna say) but I never forget what a fun guitar it is.

[@thomasflynn4441]

Very nice V Are the Tim Shaw pickups the only pickups to have a patent number ending in 842? I hear of collapsed ABR 1 bridges, can they not be reckoned and electroplated?

[@johndaugherty4127]

It sounds awesome!

[@badtonestudio]

I would suggest trying a 2015 made for Japan market Gibson V, I have one and it rips! it has similar specs as this example. 1st .82 12th .88 6lb 9oz and It comes with 57 classics.

[@jeffbarnard9246]

Sitting down, standing up doesn't matter great sounding total thrash guitar. I have 10 of them all different dates love them all. How many do you have? Just curious if I'm crazy about collecting! Nice example of a V.

[@Highways6]

Have 3 1980 vs black silverburst and Silver sky

[@JokersWild70]

Seeing a V always reminds me of either Michael Schenker or KK Downing. Schenker pulled some interesting shapes playing one. F Kirk Hamlet

[@leviathan_is_me]

Everyone screaming about the price being "justified" please remember, Trogly is a dealer, more or less, and it is IN HIS FAVORE to have prices up there. So, of course, he is going to upsell the "magic" of Gibsons. Just think like you're watching an ad, an awesome, very detailed, and fun ad for the guitar. He really does love these guitars.

[@oswaldogrunenfelder8761]

great episode, great guitar, thanks a lot!

[@jeffcooper3433]

Homer Simpson outline on back ?😂

[@thetoneknob4493]

ive got an old dean flying v that i bought for 80$ and it has the nicest quality rosewood fret board ive ever had other than my Brazilian board strat neck. and like you mentioned it plays real good! no it's not a Gibson but i think its a faithful recreation, and i think the headstock is cooler than the Gibson head stock. you mentioned sticker shadow on nitro finish, ive got a fix for that! if you put the guitar in a tanning bead for a few hrs it will vanish! it will slightly amber the clear coat at the same time...i do have to say this particular example you have sounds great. and it was borne the same year as me! but do i think it's worth the price? i don't know? my 80$ dean is worth more than i payed for it. but gibsons tend to go up in value over time.

[@pulaski1]

"A tanning bed" = "strong, direct sunlight". .... Otherwise, the sticker shadow will fade over time on its own.

[@slcpunker]

I have '79 Natural that a previous owner painted red. The mojo is out of this world!

[@raysachs2397]

man i love nice guitars.. i wish i could afford one. i have a junker epiphone. its what i learned on.. ive been playing it 2 years now

[@BillyBlackwell-p8u]

I play standing 90 % of the time.

[@markgalicic7218]

8 grand 😂

[@bradconklin2878]

A Beethoven sticker. He played V's:)

[@vincentrandles8105]

I'm kinda surprised that no-one else has pointed out the sticker on the back of your guitar is: "Frankenberry" you know, from the old kids cereal....

[@jimbobjimbob8275]

Finally some (real) 70s Flying V reviews. Would love to see you do a 2015 Japan 70s Flying V and a Medallion

[@Fedex4156]

Very Kool this was very informative also. Good episode!

[@johnmartin5147]

I have a 79 Silverburst that I bought new. Mine came with what you call tar backs which Gibson called superhumbuckers. Yes the nut width is narrow like the 2011 Angus Young SG.

[@mertmunson1417]

You bought it in 79? That’s awesome! Still have it?

[@ckelly5141]

Nice forensic-like audit on this model Austin!🎸👍

[@Morakot76]

I bought a 81 all original in black a year ago for 6300 euro...never regret it ..these kind off v have something special !.. you have to play one to understand.

[@NimrodGamer]

that's the dream guitar for me

[@Highways6]

I got 3- Black-Silverburst-and Silver Sky All three 1980

[@chrisadams628]

Saw the thumbnail and immediately clicked hoping it's a Medallion V. Not a Medallion V, but just as cool!

[@ElAche7]

So much playability, to spend the last of its days stuck in a case for its owner to brag about it.

[@acousticmagnum5200]

i would think the Sticker Mark, on the back of the guitar, could easily be buffed out. Couldn't it?

[@paulketchupwitheverything767]

I had a look at a Medallion V in a music shop in the early 90s but decided not to buy it. At the time it felt a bit expensive for what it was. Apart from the medallion itself, there didn't seem to be anything special about it. I later bought a new reissue (92?) V with exposed coil humbuckers for a bit over half the price of the medallion.

[@robertkalmey5270]

The pickguard has had an additional screw hole put in right by the tone knob. Looks wrong there.

[@BoGuitarz]

nice, I have 1980 silver burst

[@andybungert]

Trogly, you started playing crazy train, and I was just floored. That sounded sooooo gooooood!

[@barracudafighter79]

Nice video I thought I seen an Epiphone version of that I wonder if it's just as good

[@8AUSSIE8]

Looks like a map of Australia on the back.

[@franciscofronza6838]

Trogly, why Gibson doesn’t make an USA 59 spec V more affordable?

[@skullheadwater9839]

I bet you could wet sand with 2000 grit, go up to 3000 and 0000 steel wool followed by polishing compound and you can eliminate the sticker shadow.

[@spaguy007]

That's a darthvader ( starwars ) sticker impression.

[@matthewmorrison1431]

I think that sticker might have been a Thors Hammer sticker

[@stefanoidili]

Best iteration of a Flying V, and the finish is to die for…..i want it so bad

[@ckelly5141]

Great sound indeed Trogly!🎶🎸👍

[@robertdavidtingstrom118]

❤ sweet guitar 🎸! Too rich for my wallet. 😢

[@jonathanhudak2059]

Cool guitar and in great shape for its age! I'm just not a fan of those 1970s early 80s rounded off headstocks

[@l5e2n9]

So about that museum?

[@georgeoh-well8116]

Be interesting to see if it actually happens or is it possibly a way of justifying an addiction/compulsion. That's his business anyway. I would personally rather hold and play any guitar of my own rather than look at one through glass. There's no denying his contribution to the guitar community through research and documentation especially concerning Gibson. Not so happy about the reselling,hyping and inflating prices but that's just capitalism I guess.

[@pabloandreszaparanrojas7975]

The only Gibson that i really like.

[@Foreskan]

This one is the Flying Phallic because of that rear sticker😎

[@tapresl]

Trogly, what do you use to clean the body?

[@teerexness]

I'm not opposed to the shapes, but the lack of binding on the neck, headstock and body combined with the cheapo looking dots on the fretboard always kind of screamed "Home Depot" to me. If i'm going to spend this kind of money, it's going to have better appointments. Just my $0.02.

[@01chickenpickin]

Love the show

[@silvernuggets1285]

I'm just surprised that everything on it looks almost new old stock, but with the right amount of age... sick V

[@roymartin500]

Accept, Metallica and The Scheinker brothers loved these.

[@andydavis8437]

I own the 1971 Medallion (black and white, same as Rudy & Michael's) It belonged to Roland Grapow of Helloween, you can google it.

[@jimmyjames2022]

Was going to say I wish the tenon was longer in this '80 Flying V, but it would sound different if it had, maybe worse. As it is it's pretty nice all around. Never tried a V guess I'll have to if one goes through my local shop.

[@steveparish9210]

Doesn’t a company, luthier sell a Flying V under license to Gibson. Baker or Bakker I think

[@TheJeffcurran]

Nice nod to Jeff Lisec.

[@DeHuwite]

This is exactly like mine, which I think is a 1970.

[@stefanoidili]

No Gibson didn’t capture the essence of a 70’d flying v, only the name

[@hectormutton2542]

✌️

[@greek440bc]

Cool ! I had a 1980 White V with Pearl Block Inlays, most of them were 79's but mine was an 80' Sold it for $1,200 which was before ebay and reverb, had no idea how much it was worth, wonder how much they go for now, haven't seen any for sale for many years

[@johnkorzekwa1283]

I saw one years ago on reverb for 15k. I think only 25 exist and all were shipped to Cleveland, Oh.

[@greek440bc]

@@johnkorzekwa1283 thanks for the info, yes I read online all 25 went to a store in Cleveland but they were 79's, I found the 1980 in Washington DC paid $400 for it in 1985 so maybe is was a special order, will never know but I do remember seeing that one on Reverb in good shape, saw another on ebay for 13k but it was beat up, haven't seen any other than those two for sale since. I did see a picture of mine on the flying v site ch from switzerland the guy mentioned it was the only 1980 he had ever seen this was around 2000 so there wasn't much info out online about how rare these were, I wish Gibson would remake them, with the proper headstock shape...thanks again

[@jameshughes6049]

Evening all!!!

[@MarkTurner-vs7uc]

That sounds good to me.

[@leviathan_is_me]

Might wanna "Seek and Destroy" the tab/sheet that had it wrong, lol.

[@redjacemory4404]

I'm sure he was avoiding legal problems with famous babies, Metallica. lol

[@leviathan_is_me]

@@redjacemory4404 maybe, but he plays other songs correctly, so.... ?

[@stilllifewithguitar184]

who f'n cares.

[@leviathan_is_me]

@@stilllifewithguitar184 apparently, you.

[@NeilWatson]

It looks like someone had a sticker of George Washington on the back

[@tonyp1313]

This is not a review...it's a sales pitch. Good luck.

[@dyllotree2009]

welcome to troglys channel, but I still watch for the cool guitars & history lessons

[@papasmamas1]

Long pickguard F V never of my like, but thinking now I think Gibson never made a long pickguard V with Custom appointments (ebony fretboard, block inlays, etc), it would be cool, in ebony or wine red.

[@greek440bc]

I have a picture of a Flying V Custom that was in a Guitar Trader Magazine, the store that was in Red Bank NJ which had binding, ebony, inlays etc... but it did not mention if it came from Gibson like that or if somebody added later, likely one of one

[@RayGordon-o7n]

That v is so awesome it reliced itself 😂

[@BillyBlackwell-p8u]

I had one. Neck dived worse than me sg.😂

[@JackedALF]

Mr. Trogly, do you have any experience with the Epiphone "Nuclear Extreme" Les Pauls?

[@Captain_Yata]

A Strandberg review would be so cool :)