A reissue of the rare Flying V model that helped define hard rock
Gibson Custom is proud to introduce the 1971 Flying V™ Medallion Reissue, a meticulous recreation of one of the most popular vintage Gibson models, and one that shaped the sound of hard rock in the hands of Michael Schenker. Kirk Hammett also has several vintage examples in his collection and has called them “consistently great.”
The 1971 Flying V Medallion Reissue features a two-piece mahogany body. As with the original Medallion models, the body is a bit thinner than the original Korina Flying Vs from 1958, measuring approximately 1.375” thick rather than the Korina’s 1.5”. This reduces the weight slightly and makes the guitar more comfortable to hold and play.
The three-piece mahogany neck has an authentic 1971 Flying V profile that is thin, fast-playing, and comfortable. The neck also features a volute for added strength, and is capped with a one-piece rosewood fretboard equipped with 22 Authentic medium jumbo frets and adorned with cellulose dot inlays. The rounded Flying V headstock features a Corian® nut, Kluson® double-ring tuners with keystone buttons, and a truss rod cover with the Gibson logo. The hardware is chrome-plated, including the Historic Reissue wired ABR-1 bridge and Historic Reissue Stop Bar tailpiece.
The 1971 Flying V Medallion Reissue is equipped with a pair of genuine T-Top humbucker™ pickups with Alnico 5 magnets. They deliver the bright, powerful tone that vintage T-Tops are famous for. Just as with the vintage originals, these are left unpotted and are hand-wired to individual volume controls and a master tone control. All three controls are topped with black Witch Hat knobs with silver reflectors.
Like the vintage Medallion Vs, the 1971 Flying V Medallion Reissue has a 1.5” diameter gold medallion installed on the bass-side wing of the body. This bears the Gibson logo and Limited Edition Model text, and each medallion is individually numbered. It comes packed in a Gibson Custom hardshell case for safe storage and transport.
The 1971 Flying V Medallion has become one of the most coveted vintage Gibson guitar models. Considering only approximately 350 Medallion Flying Vs were produced in 1971, the model’s rarity certainly contributed to that, but there is more to their desirability, starting with their use by some of the world’s most iconic rock guitarists. Originally made to commemorate the 1972 Olympic Games, each Medallion V had an individually numbered gold coin affixed to the upper wing. These were among the first “limited edition” Gibson releases, and, aside from the recent Michael Schenker 1971 Flying V Collector’s Edition, have never been reissued before now. Here is your opportunity to own a brand-new reissue of this legendary model.
All instruments from Music Makers are professionally evaluated and set-up in our historic Galesburg, IL. storefront prior to shipping.
Questions? Send us a message!
