Hamer

If there is a big miss along the way, then it's my failure to check out Hamer guitars while they were still available here. Hamer guitars used to be available at City Music once upon a time. This was a long while ago when the ZOOM 505 was everyone's gateway to enjoying multi-effect goodness without spending a bomb. I don't recall seeing a V back then but I remember there was an Explorer-type as well as a DC-type models on display. Subsequently, the Californian was available albeit briefly. What a miss. Anyway, Morbid Angel's Trey used to play this absolutely cool Hamer Vector (depicted above) but some say it's not a real vector as the headstock there mimics the Gibson version more than an in-house Vector design.

Pics: C Martinez FB

Monday blues (March edition)

Monday blues, literally. Playing a blue guitar on a Monday. This is a Gibson Melody Maker Flying V, reduced overall dimensions but standard Gibson scale length (24.75"). Re-string episode with some rectification bouts.

Truss rod was stiff. Tried to turn but to no avail until some WD40 was used. The neck is now straight, zero string buzz.

The tough one - stuck bridge studs. Won't budge till again some WD40 was used & gentle knocking from the sides with a hammer. The idea here was to slightly dislodge the stud threads so it won't 'stick' & allowed for rotations. Implication - these were not adjusted since day one. Strings for today - Darco 10s. That's a DiMarzio D-Sonic in there, more tone stuff in upcoming episodes.

70s miss

This is new for 2020. Gibson released a 70s era Flying V in this white finish because it's one of the most collectible version they ever made back then. However, that headstock there is not the 70s deal.

The period correct headstock looks like this; a little narrower plus a rounded tip, not as pointed as the current version. Nothing much really happened at the Gibson end of things during NAMM 2020, the Epiphone highlight pretty much hijacked the limelight.

V up

This is the new Gibson Flying V 2019. This was the first batch, the pre-Curleigh era model.

The newer Curleigh era version (2019, Spring) features slight differences; the Gibson label at the headstock end of the instrument plus a Graph Tech nut (tektoid on the pre-Curleigh). You guessed it, a slight price increase in observed. Hmm...

G vs D (Part 2)

No, the Dean camp does not take things lying down. It seems there's a fair bit of defence/ fight coming. They remind the world that their versions of the V & Z models were there for the taking back in 1976 & question why this is unfolding now. 

From an intellectual property perspective, we note that Gibson had filed the V design trademark registration in April 1997.

The Explorer design was registered in the same month/ year, just a few days following the V documentation. 

The way I see it, Gibson is pushing the courts for a legit recognition of its design which became increasingly difficult owing to commonality & the lack of perpetual protection. They are trying to show the courts the elements of infringement & design sharking should this be unaddressed. Dean is simply a scapegoat in all this considering the timing of things. You need not agree on this, it's just me coming from the legal end of how things are shaping up between these two guitar giants. I'm for mitigation, definitely. Legal proceedings are costly & subsequently affect the consumers as well. 

Gibson 2019- moving on (2)

Still on what's to come from the Gibson camp (2019)- the B2 series, starring this Flying V...

... and the Explorer.

These really look the works, especially if you're in a metal outfit, black is it. Dirty Fingers humbuckers, all mahogany, rosewood fretboard & slim taper neck seems to be a workable formula. Also, these instruments will be priced cheaper than the 'standard' versions as they come with a bag instead of a hard case. 

E-V

I'm usually not a V fan but this one's got that vintage-contemporary vibe going. It's an Edwards V given an active pickup (Duncan Blackouts) treatment: Edwards E-FV-125D

You love death?

Also in the spotlight this time, Rob Flynn's (Machine Head) Epiphone baritone Flying V, Love/Death model- interesting graphics... Remember, it's a baritone instrument (27" scale length) but I believe it won't be a case of an impossible adaptation.

But I personally find the matching hard case more intriguing.

V-7

All ye Gibson fans... behold the Flying V, 7-string!! (But it's not mightier than Thor's hammer...).

So Gibson finally acted & added 1 more string to the electric guitar (when many others have moved on & added 2 more) & make it standard production. Anyway, if you are wondering why the machine heads there are devoid of tuners, these are the Steinberger gearless, through-headstock, model- not a new idea, they are seen in the Firebird.

Bird of Prey

This is Mastodon's Bill Kelliher with his current squeeze, Morgan Guitar Works' Bird of Prey model, basically a futuristic, custom made flying V guitar.

I'm always on the lookout for innovative features/ design in an electric guitar & the most intriguing highlight here is the BOP's tuners- they are Steinberger's locking units but set through the headstock face. This isn't quite fresh as Gibson's Firebird feature similar through-headstock tuners but they are from the rear. Unique, yes? But imagine having to tune while you have this guitar strapped-on...

Gibbo-bling!

Em... to some of us who really require potent stage presence (we admit our limited technical capacity...), having crystals on our instruments would be the answer.

The blingin' Gibson Flying V above sports Swarovski crystals, made possible by CrystalRoc. Apparently, the company's clients include Elton John, Kylie Minogue & George Michael, among others. They will not have me on the list, of course...