In the late '60s, an increased demand for solidbody guitars and the growing influence of psychedelic rock prompted Gibson to reintroduce the Flying V -- a guitar perfectly suited for the growing rock n' roll culture of the day. The Gibson 1968 Flying V Gloss closely replicates the Flying Vs of that era which introduced a set of enhancements to build on the original Flying Vs of 1958. With the introduction of the 1968 Gloss Series Flying V, Gibson delivers a new edition of the classic model with all the playability and style that made it a favorite of legends like Marc Bolan of T. Rex and Jimi Hendrix.

A Fine Flying V Vintage

Just as 1985 was a great year for California Cabernets, 1968 was a great year for Flying Vs. Unlike the first batch of Flying Vs from 1958, the late '60s version used a sturdy, stopbar tailpiece with a tune-o-match bridge as well as solid mahogany for the body. The '60s Vs also employed a rounded neck profile which has since been favored by heavy metal players for its fast action and ergonomic feel. It was 1968 that saw the transition of the Flying V from a bizarre newcomer to a mainstay of the Gibson electric line-up. This was, after-all, the same year Jimi Hendrix toured Europe toting his hand-painted Flying V the whole way.

Classic Rock Tones for a Classic Rock Guitar

Flying Vs are first and foremost rock guitars and demand a bold, biting tone. The Gloss Series 1968 Flying V sports a pair of hot ceramic humbuckers with a 496R at the neck and a 500T at the bridge to bring this model an edgy rock character. Both pickups have been left uncovered which gives a bit more bite than you would get with capped humbuckers, and the variable tone knob and three-way pickup selector allows easy navigation of a wide spectrum of rocking tones. Though the Flying V is most closely associated with harder genres, it has also been wielded by its fair share of blues and jazz guitarists such as Albert King.

Features:

- Classic Flying V design with stylish gloss finish
- Dual humbuckers with hot 496R at the neck and a 500T at the bridge
- Mahogany body with mahogany neck and sturdy tenon neck joint
- Chrome hardware including tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece
- Vintage finishes with Grover kidney tuners and pearloid dot inalys
- Comfortable rounded neck profile
- Included hardshell case

For a traditional Flying V with all the vibrant tone and vintage mojo of the original, the 1968 Gloss Series Flying V is a great choice. This Flying V is excellently suited for classic rock, metal, and even blues style guitars, and as Gibson legend Seth Lover once pointed out, it's probably the easiest guitar in the world to lean against a wall. zZounds is an authorized dealer of Gibson products.

Body: Mahogany

Neck: Mahogany

Neck Profile: Rounded

Fingerboard: Granadillo

Inlay: Pearloid dot

Number of Frets: 22

Pickups: 496R and 500T with ceramic magnets

Controls:
- Two volume knobs
- One tone knob
- Three-way pickup selector switch

Tuners: Grover Kidney

Hardware: Chrome

Included Accessories: Hardshell Case

Dimensions and Weight in Packaging

Shipping Weight: 21 lbs

Shipping Dimensions: 51 x 20 x 7 in

Product Description

Gibson Flying V 1968 High Gloss Electric Guitar; Long live the V! In 1958, Gibson put forth design ideas and the V has since been a mainstay for the company because it is loved by guitarists everywhere. Deemed futuristic when it first hit the market, this guitar has been revered in the hands of many legendary players. The guitar here is a slightly more modern take on the classic V design, but it still keeps the vintage vibe alive in the hearts of its players.

Features
Mahogany body

Rounded mahogany neck

granadillo fingerboard

Pearloid dots inlays

496R and 500T humbucking pickups

Chrome hardware

No matter what, the Flying V will always be considered a vintage guitar. That's because it's so strongly associated with those original 1958 designs. Put on a Flying V and It's like climbing in a time machine. The 1968 V features a mahogany body, neck and chrome hardware.

Rounded Neck Profile
Some Gibsons had huge mahogany necks, but by 1960 the company made a number of modifications until those early '60s necks became among the fastest available. The rounded neck profile of the 1968 V is one favored by many of today's top players. You can move up and down the neck at blazing speeds, but the granadillo fingerboard has that warm, classic Gibson feel, allowing easy access to the upper frets so you can really dig into your solos. It also sounds great when grabbing big fat power chords. The pearloid dots complete the vintage look.

496R and 500T Humbuckers
Historically, Gibson has long been associated with the dark, punchy tone of the humbucking pickup with its fat low end and crunchy, complex midrange. The '68 V carries on that tradition with two scorching hot humbuckers with ceramic magnets (a 496R in the neck position and a 500T in the bridge position). Some players (Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page to name a few) felt that by removing the covers, humbuckers were louder and had more top end.