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)
Billy Gibbons
Billy Gibbons, the guitarist and vocalist of ZZ Top, is also one of the devoted users of the Flying V.
While his most famous instrument is his own original Gretsch model, he can be seen using a variety of guitars in some live performances.
Richie Faulkner
The beloved instrument of Richie Faulkner, the new guitarist who joined Judas Priest in 2011, is also a Flying V.
Together with former member K.K.
Downing, he underpins the metal sound with the Flying V’s beefy tone.
The gold standard of radical-shaped guitars: Guitarists who favor the Flying V type (31–40)
Rick Nielsen
Rick Nielsen, the guitarist for the veteran American rock band Cheap Trick.
He’s known for favoring unconventional, non-standard guitars—not just the Flying V.
He’s a player with the story of having acquired a ’58 model back in the 1970s.
Chris Spedding
Chris Spedding, a guitarist brimming with talent in both rock and jazz.
In 1975, his song “Motor Bikin’,” a pop-rock hit featuring a Flying V guitar, leather pants, a leather jacket, and a pompadour style, won him idol-like popularity.
J. Geils
J.
Geils, the leader and guitarist of the J.
Geils Band, also favored the Flying V as his beloved instrument.
Their R&B-tinged rock won popularity for putting listeners in a great, happy mood.
He passed away in 2012.
Keith Richards
Keith Richards, known as the guitarist of the Rolling Stones, also uses a Flying V.
While his typical style is an open-tuned Telecaster with the sixth string removed, he can often be seen playing a Flying V during live performances.
In conclusion
There seem to be many players who use Flying V–style guitars more for their style and aesthetics than for their sound.
Because of that, they tend to be instruments that suit certain people, and they may not be the kind of guitar a beginner would pick up right away.
If you’re aiming to be the kind of guitarist who looks great with an unconventional guitar like a Flying V, be sure to use this article to find a player to set as your goal!