Resurgence of the Ugly Beast (Gibson Flying V)

Member Name: andycharger

Product:	Gibson Flying V
Date:	24/05/01 (707 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: The Ultimate Glam Rock Guitar

Disadvantages: Hard to hold, Heavy, Clumsy

Think of glam rock and sparkly spangled trousers.
Of mad rockers in Make up during the 1970's.
They are playing strange guitars on Top of the Pops arent they?
And they all look like that hideous picture above dont they?
The Flying V guitar is typical 70's Flamboyance.
Over the top, completely impractical and just a good laugh at society.
Much like the Musicians of its time.
Saying all of this, it was infact born in 1958 in the Gibson Factory.
Although not really used until the glam rock and rock stadium days, the Flying V was created before anyone had heard of the Beatles and Buddy Holly was big business.

The shape of it is unmistakeable. V Shaped!
Built like a big triangle with a piece missing out of the back.
The headstock on them is even Triangular in design to match the body.
It was a large solid bodied design with two banks of pick ups.
It had a large scratch plate under the strings that contrasted with the body colour.
The first prototype officially roled off the produciton line in late 1957 but it was not until 1958 it was released.
The first release models were very plain colours. Yellow and natural wood being two favourites with Black or White Scratch plates.
It first got noticed by the bigger stars during a reissue between 1967-1969.
They had become more colourful with the Physcadelic era approaching.
Jimi Hedrix even donned one for a short time.
In the 70's they exploded onto the scene with any glam rocker worth his salt, playing one.
Even Bands such as Black Sabbath experimented along with Kiss.
As the more trendy stylish 80's approached, Flying Vs Flew out of the window but you still see bands playing them now in videos.

The are restricted to videos for their looks because they are very clumsy guitars to play.
This is because of their awkward shape,very heavy and hard to hold.

Their sound is not the best either. If you are goin
g to have a Gibson, opt for a Les Paul. The novelty of a Flying V will wear off if you get to play one whereas a Les Paul will stay with you forever!

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