Here's one you don't see every day. Given the looks of it maybe that's a good thing? It's a 2002 Custom Shop jobbie, I've seen pictures of them on a Flying V fan site and frankly didn't think it was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen but when I saw it pop up on a dealer's site I knew it was scarce so I snarfed it up. If your first impression is that it could very well be the ugliest Flying V you've ever seen, we'll, I've been there done that too. It is growing on me though and regardless, I love having hard to find items.
The only text I could find on the web about them is as follows:
It's appropriate that guitars that were originally designed to reflect the lines of the automobiles would finally get finishes that do the same. Each guitar in this collection of three of Gibson's most "futuristic" models-the Explorer, Flying V, and Futura-has several intriguing appointments, but none more immediately noticeable than the finish. "I read a lot of hot rod and street car magazines, and metallic colors like these are the trend in car restoration right now," says finish master Mick McGuire in reference to the metallic copper, silver, green, and blue finishes found in this collection. Also notable on these guitars are the aluminum pickguard and truss rod covers (designed by engineer John McGuire and the Pro Shop's Bill Jancar, respectively) and the large, retro-style volume and tone knobs. John McGuire said, "They're similar to some knobs Edwin (Wilson, Historic Program manager) brought back from Japan, and they really remind me of old stereo knobs.
It's fitting that these three guitars, with body shapes designed to echo the lines and curves of the automobiles of the '50s, should finally get finish colors to complete that connection. Each of the three guitars will have a limited run of 60 (15 in each color). The Custom Shop will offer the Explorer models in August, the Flying V models in September and the Futura models in October.
Materials: Two-piece mahogany body, one-piece mahogany neck
Binding: None
Nut Width: 1.687 nut, 2.602 12th fret
Scale Length: 24 3/4"
Hardware: Chrome
Bridge/Tailpiece: Chrome ABR, v shaped anchor plate
Pickups: Chrome '57 Classic humbuckers
Controls: Two volume, two tone, three-way switch
Fingerboard: Rosewood with pearloid dots
Finishes: Satin Green Metallic, Satin Copper Metallic, Satin Blue Metallic, Satin Silver Metallic
Other:Aluminum pickguard and truss rod cover
COLLATERAL: Custom case, certificate of authenticity, Custom care kit
The only text I could find on the web about them is as follows:
It's appropriate that guitars that were originally designed to reflect the lines of the automobiles would finally get finishes that do the same. Each guitar in this collection of three of Gibson's most "futuristic" models-the Explorer, Flying V, and Futura-has several intriguing appointments, but none more immediately noticeable than the finish. "I read a lot of hot rod and street car magazines, and metallic colors like these are the trend in car restoration right now," says finish master Mick McGuire in reference to the metallic copper, silver, green, and blue finishes found in this collection. Also notable on these guitars are the aluminum pickguard and truss rod covers (designed by engineer John McGuire and the Pro Shop's Bill Jancar, respectively) and the large, retro-style volume and tone knobs. John McGuire said, "They're similar to some knobs Edwin (Wilson, Historic Program manager) brought back from Japan, and they really remind me of old stereo knobs.
It's fitting that these three guitars, with body shapes designed to echo the lines and curves of the automobiles of the '50s, should finally get finish colors to complete that connection. Each of the three guitars will have a limited run of 60 (15 in each color). The Custom Shop will offer the Explorer models in August, the Flying V models in September and the Futura models in October.
Materials: Two-piece mahogany body, one-piece mahogany neck
Binding: None
Nut Width: 1.687 nut, 2.602 12th fret
Scale Length: 24 3/4"
Hardware: Chrome
Bridge/Tailpiece: Chrome ABR, v shaped anchor plate
Pickups: Chrome '57 Classic humbuckers
Controls: Two volume, two tone, three-way switch
Fingerboard: Rosewood with pearloid dots
Finishes: Satin Green Metallic, Satin Copper Metallic, Satin Blue Metallic, Satin Silver Metallic
Other:Aluminum pickguard and truss rod cover
COLLATERAL: Custom case, certificate of authenticity, Custom care kit
Comment