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Flying V basses
- Thread starter Peaveylover
- Start date
The Gibson's were a special run in 2012.
I have one and they are a very easy bass to play with great neck access up to the top and with the Thunderbird pickups, it sounds good through either valve/tube or SS amps. Although a short scale, they feel longer because of that open neck design without body extensions protruding past the neck join.
I have one and they are a very easy bass to play with great neck access up to the top and with the Thunderbird pickups, it sounds good through either valve/tube or SS amps. Although a short scale, they feel longer because of that open neck design without body extensions protruding past the neck join.
Very hard to find the 2012 ones these days. I had 2 of them and regret selling them both. When they pop up, be prepared to pay over 2k, maybe closer to 3k these days. Last one i had sold for 2600, its crazy they haven't made them again yet...
I had an Ibanez Rocket Roll Flying V back in the Late '70's. Killer bass, very neck heavy. Wish I still had it.
The Gibson version is light.
I had an Epi Korina V come my way . It’s quite light , and very well balanced .
Very nice. The 2012 version is one of the best looking basses Gibson ever made, in my opinion.
I had a Tom Clement Flying V style bass years ago. It wasn't a standard V, it had shorter legs. It was interesting though, I'm not sure if he makes them now, but it's an idea.
The Dean headstocks are so god awful fugly, and the Gibsons are way too pricey.
I made my own
If you keep an eye out, you might find one of Eastwood's Flying V Basses. They were one of Eastwood's "subscription-build" instruments, and were over-subscribed to the point that they put them into actual production for a while. So over-subscribed, in fact, that they actually made a few leftys - which mine is. Eastwood has the reputation of making "kinda, sorta, Meh" copies of old or obscure instruments, but... their Flying V bass? Except for the body wood (basswood), mine is pretty much a freakin' clone of the original Gibson. And IMO, at least as well made, too. Mine is very solid; well made; and plays/sounds great. And, if you find one? You won't pay a small fortune for it, either...
Flying Vees are rare and valuable because they were a hard sell, musicians being pretty conservative. Added to the un-ergonomic styling and perceived bad resale value [back then]. Unplayed beautiful closet queens don't necessarily sound or play great either- could be turkeys that got valuable on accident. I think they look cool but even normal 34", 8-9 lb basses like to be killing my bones. That and old age.
Scored this on Ebay last week (for under $400 shipped!), I wasn't really looking for a new bass but I couldn't pass it up. 34", Steinberger licensed hardware.
It needs a new nut and a strap button for the bass side bottom horn(?) but all in all in decent shape.
It needs a new nut and a strap button for the bass side bottom horn(?) but all in all in decent shape.
Not a lot of companies make V basses because the shape isn't really ergonomical for a bass guitar. They tend to have neck dive problems and the 1st fret is pretty far from the center of mass when using a strap. Not to mention Gibson is known for giving any manufacturer who tries to copy their models a hard time. Gibson (and Epiphone) have released official Flying V basses in the past but they've always been very limited runs.
With that said, I own 2 V basses; an Epiphone Flying V and a Burny FVB-65. They're fun instruments but they might take some time getting used to because of the weird ergonomics. They're both surprisingly light though.
Sound-wise the Epiphone is pretty much a short scale Thunderbird, while the Burny seems more similar to an SG bass. They respond well to overdrive/fuzz, especially the Burny.
Your best bet is searching for "Flying V bass" on Reverb and/or Ebay, which is where I found mine.
Some brand names to look out for:
With that said, I own 2 V basses; an Epiphone Flying V and a Burny FVB-65. They're fun instruments but they might take some time getting used to because of the weird ergonomics. They're both surprisingly light though.
Sound-wise the Epiphone is pretty much a short scale Thunderbird, while the Burny seems more similar to an SG bass. They respond well to overdrive/fuzz, especially the Burny.
Your best bet is searching for "Flying V bass" on Reverb and/or Ebay, which is where I found mine.
Some brand names to look out for:
- Gibson
- Epiphone
- Eastwood
- Fernandes/Burny
- ESP/Edwards
- Greco
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The infamous Gibson Reverse V... Ugly as hell but the best balanced guitar that I have ever played.
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