❌SOLD❌ Gibson Flying V2 Walnut, 1979

Here is a rarity – a Gibson Flying V2, one of 157 shipped during 1979, its first and close to last year of production – it was discontinued in 1982!

The Gibson Flying V2 was one of the first projects handed to new Gibson employee Tim Shaw in 1978. The goal was to produce a ‘sculpted’ version of the classic Flying V. To do this, the body was created in a ‘sandwich’ of Walnut and Maple layers, with bevelling to explose the lines of the layers. As well, Shaw created a new humbucking design, often referred to as the ‘Boomerang’ pickup which has not really been used on any other guitars.

The Flying V2 neck is similarly ‘sandwiched’, with alternating Walnut and Maple layers and an unbound Ebony fingerboard.

As was common at the time, sustain was a value sought by using brass in various locations – the nut, bridge anchors and tailpiece are brass.   The oversize brass bridge anchors were very deliberately chosen, to the point that they were nicknamed the ‘Sustain Sisters’.  The bridge is a standard gold-plated tune-o-matic model and Schaller style tuners with tulip buttons are used.  

This was intended as a high end model, and in 1979 at $1,199US was Gibson’s third most expensive guitar. Sales unfortunately did not meet expectations. In particular the Maple top models lagged behind the Walnut topped models, and so for 1980 Gibson offered custom colour finishes including Pearl white, Blue sparkle, Blue sparkle metallic, Candy Apple Red, Sunburst, Goldburst, Silverburst, Black, and Black Sparkle. The Boomerang pickups were also replaced with new ‘Dirty Fingers’ models. However, sales did not rise sufficiently and by 1982 the decision was made to end production.

Here we’re looking at a Gibson Flying V2, dating to November 20th, 1979 and built at the historic Kalamazoo, Michigan plant.

This rare piece is in overall good condition, though it has not spent its life locked in its case. It has an amount of hones play wear, visible as finish wear. Fret wear is light. Typical of Gibsons of the period, the metal parts that come into contact with the player have more wear and finish corrosion. The bass end of the bridge is actually worn down to a soft rounding.

This guitar still plays well and is eye-catching. Overall, likely well under 1,000 were built so you will not see many of these.

The original Gibson V-shaped hard shell case is included.