• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Gibson flying v bass guitar

#43
lowend1 said:
...and a couple of years prior, I had THIS...
(nice shirt, eh?)
BillyRockys1.jpg
Click to expand...

This picture is fantastic in so many ways.
Did it take the guitar player a long time to put on his boots? I'm guessing yes, but he made up time by not buttoning his shirt.
 
#47
I've owned an 81 Black Gibson V since 2004 or so. Not a great sounding bass, but with a SansAmp Bass Driver, I can make it sound pretty decent.

As a rule, there is not a single bass out there that will look more rock and roll, with the sole exception of Nikki's Thunderbird/Blackbird. And even then, it's a toss-up.

I use it to play in my hair metal cover band and it fits the bill nicely. I would never use it for a studio recording or anything of that ilk.

I believe an earlier poster is correct: only around 300-350 made, and I believe they were only made in 1981. Made in blue, black, white, and silverburst. Not sure about any other colors. They are extremely rare and even a beater like mine would fetch nearly $2k.

When John Entwhistle died and many of his basses were auctioned off, he had a white V that went for something like 5000 pounds.

Here's a photo I gathered from the internet somewhere during the course of my research.

Rob
 

Attachments

  • 3 v's.jpg
    3 v's.jpg
    55.7 KB · Views: 360
#51
You're all crazy. I just found out my v-bass is one of 375, I've owned and played it for years without knowing this... and it's the best fretted electric I own (out of fender p, fender j, og EBO, rick, numerous peaveys, not to mention fretless/uprights/acoustics). The thing is awesome. Playability is incredible, tonal control is massive - all of the v's I've seen online have been modified with new pickups, bridges, etc., and these are what guys are complaining about?
The stock bass versions of the soapbars are so dang hot, man, anybody who doubts this things prowess needs a lesson in how to move those little things called "knobs", and that little switch that makes the "pick-up thingys" go on & off. Stop by and play mine, find out.
 
#53
One of my good friends, who played guitar in a band I was in previously, has one of the 1982 Gibson Flying V basses in white. He told me it was modded with a Badass bridge and possible a replacement pickup in the bridge, I'm going to try to check it out this weekend and take some pics.
 
#55
Gibsons 80s Flying Vs were awful pieces of work, though these days they bring $3,000-$4,000 or more. They sat in the store unsold for years. Epis recent release is a very good bass as is Gibsons 2012 release.
 
Last edited:
#56
godofthunder59 said:
Gibsons 80s Flying Vs were awful pieces of work, though these days they bring $3,000-$4,000 or more. Epis recent release is a very good bass as is Gibsons 2012 release.
Click to expand...

I've never run into one in the wild myself. I know my buddy had said he hated the bass when he first got it, but in the late 80's or early 90's a local luthier modded it with the BA bridge and the replacement pickup (Dimarzio, I think), to get it "metal worthy". I'm kind of curious to find out how it plays and sounds myself, hopefully I'll get my chance tonight or tomorrow. I'll might make some brief demo clips if so. I know he's interested in selling his, because he never plays it and knows they're somewhat rare. The only reason I even know about it is that he was checking out an SG (guitar) I'm selling and mentioned he might finally sell it to pay himself back for it and maybe an 80's BC Rich he's looking at as well. He's an ebay guy though, buys and sells vintage toys and skate decks, so it'll probably just go straight there.

New Epiphone stuff is pretty solid. I've been more impressed with them than the new Gibson output lately, sadly.
 
#57
I have a reissue with the tb+ pickups and love the sound...the satin neck feels wonderful in my hands. Love recording with it too. If you like the tb+ pickups you would like this bass a lot. Its not the easiest to play seated, but balances well standing. I've never played an original bot i'm betting the reissue sounds better than that or any Epiphone V.
 
#58
The Slade clip brought back great memories. I still have an Ibanez V bass I bought in about 77. First "good" bass I ever owned and gigged it solid for a decade. Those are not mudbuckers in the Ibanez btw- it used drive the old Bassman very hard. The rig I have now handles it much better. The band wants me to gig it- one of the guitarists has a matching Ibanez 6 string V.
I have an Epi V and have played an 80s Gibson V and recent Gibson reissue- not a fan of short scale.

Here's a recent pic at rehearsal I decided to give the old girl a run.

2ih3zww.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: godofthunder59
#59
veebass said:
The Slade clip brought back great memories. I still have an Ibanez V bass I bought in about 77. First "good" bass I ever owned and gigged it solid for a decade. Those are not mudbuckers in the Ibanez btw- it used drive the old Bassman very hard. The rig I have now handles it much better. The band wants me to gig it- one of the guitarists has a matching Ibanez 6 string V.
I have an Epi V and have played an 80s Gibson V and recent Gibson reissue- not a fan of short scale.

Here's a recent pic at rehearsal I decided to give the old girl a run.

2ih3zww.jpg
Click to expand...
Always wanted one of those Ibanez Vs
 
  • Like
Reactions: CiceroProfundo

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back