One of the rarest and most revered hard rock icons is back. No, we are not talking about rock guitarists. We are talking about the 1971 Flying V Medallion, a guitar that is synonymous with rock and heavy metal music thanks to Michael Schenker and, later, Kirk Hammett.
Originally created to commemorate the 1972 Olympic Games, only around 350 Flying V Medallions were produced in 1971. Each carried an individually numbered gold medallion on its bass-side wing, presumably because a V-shaped guitar was not already drawing enough attention.
The Gibson Custom 1971 Flying V Medallion Reissue faithfully brings it back in Medallion Cherry. Handcrafted in Nashville, it uses a thinner two-piece mahogany body measuring around 34.9 mm (1.375 inches) thick, shaving some weight while retaining the resonance and sustain expected from a substantial slab of mahogany.
A three-piece mahogany neck gets the Authentic 1971 Flying V profile, a strengthening volute, and a rosewood fretboard with 22 medium-jumbo frets and dot inlays. Chrome hardware includes a Historic Reissue ABR-1 bridge and Stop Bar tailpiece.
Providing the necessary hard-rock misbehavior is a pair of unpotted T-Top humbuckers with Alnico 5 magnets, wired to two volume controls and one master tone control. The black Witch Hat knobs sound ominous, but they merely control the guitar. Probably.
The signature 38.1 mm (1.5-inch) gold medallion returns with its individual number, Gibson logo, and “Limited Edition Model” inscription. A Gibson Custom hardshell case is included, ensuring the Flying V does not fly away.
The Gibson Custom 1971 Flying V Medallion Reissue is available now for US$4,999.
Images: Gibson.