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.
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The Classic of Exotic Guitars: Guitarists Who Favor the Flying V Type (11–20)
No Standing StillSatoshi Hirose
A guitarist known by the nickname JIMMY who made his major debut as a member of the rock band 44MAGNUM, recognized as pioneers of Japanese metal.
He influenced countless bands that followed in Japan’s metal scene, and also drew attention for his then-unusual look, including blonde hair and colored contact lenses.
His shape-shifting playing and sound on a Floyd Rose–equipped Flying V are brimming with the aggression befitting a true metal guitarist.
He continues to be an active force as 44MAGNUM’s guitarist, leading Japan’s metal scene to this day.
Tired of WaitingDave Davies
The guitarist of The Kinks, a quintessential rock band that rose to prominence during the British Invasion that swept the United States in the 1960s.
Influenced by a wide range of music, including jazz and rock ’n’ roll, he had a significant impact on the rock scene of the time.
He is also known for favoring the Flying V in live performances as early as 1965, when few guitarists were using it.
Although the band disbanded in 1996, he is a singer-songwriter who has continued to draw attention as momentum for a reunion has grown since 2018.
ImperiumRobb Flynn
Robb Flynn, the guitarist and vocalist of the American metal band Machine Head formed in 1991, also uses a Flying V.
His collection is extensive, ranging from standard models by Gibson to models featuring split-diamond inlays that denote higher-end versions, and even modified ESP guitars based on the Flying V shape.
Epiphone has also released his signature model.
He’s truly one of the bona fide Flying V players.
Blowin’ FreeAndy Powell
Andy Powell, the singer-guitarist of the British band Wishbone Ash, is a guitarist who has used a Flying V for many years.
Wishbone Ash is a band that established the twin lead guitar style, known for the impressive interplay between their two guitars.
Although the Flying V is often associated with metal, it’s also favored by blues musicians, and Wishbone Ash’s appeal lies in their style of rock infused with elements of blues and country.
Toshihiko Takamizawa
Toshihiko Takamizawa, the Alfee’s eternally youthful-looking electric guitarist, better known by his nickname “Takami.” He’s also renowned as a guitar collector, and his custom Takamizawa model—featuring an angel cradling a Flying V—is exceptionally famous.
Whole Lotta Love (Led Zeppelin Cover)Grace Potter
Grace Potter, a singer-songwriter from the United States, is also one of the guitarists known for making the Flying V her trademark.
She formed the band Grace Potter and the Nocturnals in 2002 and has pursued a solo career in parallel since 2004.
Her 2019 solo album Daylight won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Album, so rock fans may already be familiar with her.
On her YouTube channel, she performs a wide range of covers, and you can also enjoy bluesy guitar playing that makes skillful use of a slide bar on a Flying V.
[The Classic of Shaped Guitars] Guitarists Who Use Flying V Types (21–30)
Cornelius (Keigo Oyamada)
Keigo Oyamada of Cornelius also favored a Flying V in the late ’90s, around the time of the album “6996,” which fused classic rock with the then-latest sounds.
I remember him using one during TV performances as well, but I haven’t been able to find any footage.