The quintessential shapely guitar: guitarists who favor the Flying V type
If you got into guitar because you love genres like metal or hard rock, you’ve probably admired a Flying V at least once.
With its distinctive shape—an upside-down V that can look like an arrow in silhouette—the Flying V was introduced by Gibson in 1958 alongside the equally famous Explorer as part of their radical guitar designs.
However, the design was so ahead of its time that it was poorly received at first and reportedly didn’t sell at all.
In this article, we’ve gathered players who favor the Flying V—a guitar that made its mark in history as a pioneer of radical designs—not only from overseas but also from Japan.
You might be surprised by some unexpected names!
Enjoy the read.
- Japanese shred guitarist
- A gathering of super guitarists who deeply love the Fender Stratocaster
- Roundup of Famous Overseas Blues Guitarists
- [2026] A compilation of Japanese songs/J-pop with cool guitar solos
- [J-Pop] A compilation of popular songs with irresistible guitar cutting [2026]
- [Chosen by a jazz guitarist] 10 guitarists recommended by Katsuhide Wakui
- A guitarist who masters the SG model—a guitar with a distinctive look and sound.
- Fast-picking guitarists of the world
- Famous guitarists of the world. Great guitarists who have etched their names into history.
- The depth of guitar sound. A collection of songs with cool guitar.
- A song with cool power chords
- [2026] A roundup of classic Western songs with awesome guitar solos
- [2026] Classic and Recommended Popular Anime Songs with Cool Guitar
The King of Radical Guitars: Guitarists Who Favor the Flying V Type (1–10)
Bang A Gong (Get It On)Marc Bolan
An English singer-songwriter who served as the vocalist and guitarist for T.
Rex, the iconic figure of the glam rock movement that swept the 1970s, and who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame under the band’s name in 2020.
He is known for leaving behind numerous classics, including “20th Century Boy,” a song often heard even in Japan.
Although he is strongly associated with the Flying V, that image may have suited both the look and sound of glam rock’s seductive aesthetic.
He passed away at the young age of 29, but continues to exert a profound influence on subsequent generations of the rock scene.
Eagle Fly FreeMichael Weikath
A guitarist who is an original member and de facto leader of Helloween, the seven-piece metal band synonymous with German metal.
Their melodic speed metal sound—pairing catchy yet wistful melodies—spawned countless bands that later emulated it.
During the world tour celebrating the return of members from the band’s golden era, he showed a playful side at odds with his stern image by playing a Flying V—his trademark—finished with the band’s signature artwork.
He remains a highly talented guitarist at the forefront of Europe’s metal scene today.
Freewheel BurningK. K. Downing
K.K.
Downing, a guitarist from England, is well known for his work as a member of the world-renowned heavy metal band Judas Priest.
His main guitar is the Flying V, and he is a player capable of producing a wide range of tones—from blistering solos to emotionally moving ones.
While he continues to be at the forefront as a performer, he also showcases various talents in the metal world, such as producing up-and-coming metal bands.
The Classic of Exotic Guitars: Guitarists Who Favor the Flying V Type (11–20)
DreamerAkira Takasaki
Akira Takasaki, who has been active as the guitarist for LAZY and LOUDNESS, has been strongly associated with the Random Star and Killer Prime models since the formation of LOUDNESS, but during his LAZY days he mainly used a Flying V.
Whether during the idol-oriented phase that wasn’t his true intention or after declaring a shift to hard rock, a Flying V was always in Takasaki’s hands.
He’s a distinctive guitarist whose breadth of expression was shaped by having gone through the idol-route experience, and with his advanced playing technique he has had a major impact on Japan’s hard rock scene.
KICK IT OUTMichiyuki Kawashima
A musician who served as the vocalist and guitarist of the rock unit BOOM BOOM SATELLITES and sadly passed away in 2016.
Their distinctive alternative sound, which incorporated post-rock and industrial elements, likely could not have existed without Michiyuki Kawashima’s trademark Flying V.
In 1998, they performed at major European festivals, and their success became known both in Japan and abroad.
As a guitarist who embodied the strong compatibility between the Flying V—often associated with metal—and contemporary digital sound, he continues to influence many bands today.
Rock You Like A HurricaneRudolf Schenker
A German guitarist known worldwide as a guitar hero alongside his younger brother, Michael Schenker.
He founded the Scorpions, which later became a globally renowned rock band, and has continued to lead the group as a master of rhythm guitar, supporting successive lead guitarists including Michael Schenker.
He is also known for his trademark Flying V; his devotion to the model is evident in his use of the V shape not only for electric guitars but also for acoustics.
In addition, since he composes most of the band’s songs, he shines as a talented composer as well.
Blues PowerAlbert King
A guitarist known as one of the three Kings of the blues, he greatly influenced not only the blues but also rock guitarists.
Although left-handed, he held a right-handed guitar flipped over with the strings still set for a right-hander, and his additionally unconventional tuning produced a remarkably pure blues feel that hardly seemed self-taught.
He also favored the Flying V from the time it began appearing on the market, affectionately calling his guitar “Lucy,” showing how much he preferred using it.
In his later years, he absorbed a wide range of styles beyond the blues and created new sounds, becoming a legendary guitarist.