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 Shaped Guitars] Guitarists Who Use Flying V Types (21–30)
Too Rock For Country, Too Country For Rock And RollLonnie Mack
American singer-songwriter Lonnie Mack was known as an artist who played blues rock and rockabilly, and he was also a devoted user of the Flying V.
His performance style, rooted in upbeat blues and rockabilly that makes you want to start dancing, often featured heavy use of the whammy bar.
While a standard Flying V doesn’t come equipped with a tremolo arm, his signature model was fitted with a Bigsby tremolo unit.
It’s an instrument that offers a distinct appeal, quite different from the Flying V as used in metal.
Riki Kinoshita
The main guitar of Riki Kinoshita, the guitarist-vocalist of the Japanese alternative rock band ART-SCHOOL, is a Flying V.
Its thick, rhythm-chopping sound is striking.
The band has seen frequent label changes and member turnovers.
Zakk Wylde
Zakk Wylde rose to fame as Ozzy Osbourne’s guitarist and went on to play in bands like Pride & Glory and Black Label Society.
He was once an exceptionally handsome pretty boy, but has since evolved into a jacked, muscular guitarist.
Even though there’s a Zakk Wylde signature Flying V, I couldn’t find any performance videos of it.
Johnny Winter
Johnny Winter, a big name in white blues.
He’s a guitarist strongly associated with the Firebird, but in his younger days he loved to play a Flying V.
It’s said that Rudolf Schenker bought a Flying V because he admired Johnny Winter.
miwa
Compared to Telecasters and Les Pauls, Flying Vs are smaller and lighter, so many female musicians favor them.
Miwa also loves using a Flying V for her electric guitar—it’s perfect for her petite 149 cm frame.
Carlos Cavazo
His name itself may not be that well known, but once you hear him play, you’ll think, “Oh, that guitar.” Carlos Cavazo was a member of Quiet Riot in the 1980s, and he played guitar on their massive hit “Cum On Feel the Noize.” His neatly structured, catchy solos were memorable, weren’t they?
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Genius bluesman Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Just when it seemed his time had come as a leading figure of white blues and power blues, he tragically passed away in a helicopter crash.
Although he’s strongly associated with the Stratocaster, there is footage of him appearing on television with a Flying V.