Gibson Melody Maker Flying V

Body
Species Maple
Body Type Slab
Adhesive Franklin Titebond 50
Neck
Species Mahogany
Profile Melody Maker
Truss Rod Traditional Adjustable
Joint Angle 1.75° (+/- 15 seconds)
Adhesive Franklin Titebond 50
Neck Fit
Joint Mortise & Tenon
Adhesive Franklin Titebond 50
Joint Angle Tolerance +/- .005"
Fingerboard
Species Baked Maple
Frets 22
Radius 12"
Nut/E.O.B 1.695"/2.260"
Inlays Dot
Nut
Material Corian
Width 1.695
Slots Gibson PLEK System
Headstock
Truss Rod Cover with Hot Stamp Gold Gibson Logo Black Antique Bell

Tuners
Model White Button

Tailpiece
Type Wrap Around Tailpiece
Plating Chrome
Hardware
Knobs Black Top Hat
Strings .010 - .046, Genuine Gibson strings
Strap Buttons Aluminum
Pickups
Bridge Position Seymour Duncan HB-103 (Ceramic)
Electronics
Potentiometer 1 Volume Control
Type 300k Linear Volume
Coil Wiring Machine Wound
Output Jack Traditional 1/4"
Finish
Sealer Nitrocellulose
Process 1-1.5 mils
Satin EbonySatin BlueSatin WhiteCase
Type Gigbag
Accessories
Additional Materials Gibson Owners Manual

UTILIZATION

Cool! I started playing guitar in the 80s, and regularly going to guitar stores (and pawn shops) in the early 90s. Back then, there were all sorts of 60s Melody makers around. Most had the traditional Les Paul shape, some had the sharp doublecut shape (like an early Epiphone Olympic), and some had the SG shape. I always thought the SG -shaped MM was a very cool guitar, but I wondered what would happen if Gibson gave the same Melody Maker treatment to some of their other iconic body styles. Here's my answer! The Flying V has become a Melody Maker now, and to great effect. Gibson did a good thing and gave this guitar a humbucker pickup instead of the single coil they usually put in the MM models of the past, and it is a much better guitar because of it.

SOUNDS

The guitar is pretty simple - one pickup, one knob. It sounds bright and cutting, all the time. The only real way to affect any change is to change amp or effect settings. What you see is what you get with this guitar, and it's great for any rock style, even metal.

OVERALL OPINION

I'm a fan of this. The cool factor is way up there, and it's good to have available a USA-made Gibson Flying V for under $500! It's for minimalist guitarists - players that don't feel like futzing about with their knobs and players that just wanna rock. Very nice, Gibson.