Custom-Order and One-Offs
___________________________
1968-69 Cardinal Red Flying V
Serial Number: 955100
This incredible Cardinal Red Flying V was most-likely custom-ordered back in 1968 or 1969 and was assembled and shipped in 1969 or 1970. It is one of the few totally original and unmodified Survivors. It is the only V with this finish that has ever surfaced. It also has the natural neck treatment like most of the sparkling burgundy Flying Vs from this era but it has no black stinger. The cardinal red/natural neck treatment finish combination was also used on the Gibson Melody Maker guitars from this era. The pots are dated 1376802 which is unique to all of the 1960s Flying Vs. It has several features from the 1967 Vs, including the 955xxx serial number series, long vibrola arm, the ground wire is attached to ABR-1 post and QA stamp "26" series. It also has several features that were used on the Batch 5 Walnut Vs, including a three piece neck, all-yellow wiring on the pots, Gibson Deluxe tuners and slotted (not Phillips) pickup bobbin mounting screws. Thanks David. Posted November, 2011.
_______________________________________________________________________
1969 Jimi Hendrix Left-handed Black V
Serial Number: 849476
This is the famous left-handed black Gibson Flying V that was especially made for Jimi Hendrix in 1969. Hendrix took possession of this guitar in 1970. He was photographed playing this guitar several times before his death in September 1970. This Flying V is owned and displayed by the Hard Rock Cafe. An identical right-handed version of this guitar was made at the same time. The right-handed version surfaced several years ago but quickly disappeared into someone's collection. Thanks Mark.
This is the famous left-handed black Gibson Flying V that was especially made for Jimi Hendrix in 1969. Hendrix took possession of this guitar in 1970. He was photographed playing this guitar several times before his death in September 1970. This Flying V is owned and displayed by the Hard Rock Cafe. An identical right-handed version of this guitar was made at the same time. The right-handed version surfaced several years ago but quickly disappeared into someone's collection. Thanks Mark.
Picture Credits for Hendrix picture:
Author: Mike Cattell.
This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic License. No changes were made to the posted picture. Used by permission.
Creative Commons — Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)
File:Jimi Hendrix's Flying V Gibson Guitar.jpg - Wikimedia Commons
_____________________________________________________________________
1969-70 Newport Yellow Flying V
Serial Number: 907008
The guitar was sold by Heritage Auctions back in 2010. It was described as a '69 Walnut Flying V that was refinished yellow. It also has a visible cracked headstock. However, one very reliable source who says he use to own this guitar said it was actually ordered from the Gibson factory in 1969 with this exact finish. He called the finish Newport Yellow. It was an Epiphone custom color in the 1960's. The guitar was sold at a music store in Memphis, Tennessee in 1969. The person that ordered it got tired of waiting for it and lost interest. Robert (the reliable source) bought it and kept it for a few decades.
Updates about this guitar and the fact it was custom ordered from Gibson with the factory Newport Yellow finish were added February, 2020. Thanks Robert.
Update: Unfortunately, as of early 2022, this guitar has now been refinished with a cherry.
_________________________________________________________________________
Serial Number: 008320
This is a very peculiar one-off that was most-likely a custom order from 1967 or an employee-built after-hours guitar. It is also possible that it could have been built in the early 80's since some of the characteristics are similar to the model that was called The "V" from the early 1980's. However, since it has some key late 60's appointments, like the non T-Top PAF, nylon washers, Kluson tuners, I am more inclined to think this is the "real deal" from the late 1960's, but there is no way to know for sure. Thanks for the pics Terry.
Contact info: [email protected]