JSV Guitars - Gibson Flying-V scalloped neck

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Gibson Flying-V - "Schenker style" - 1992

1. It's obvious; I'm a Michael Schenker fan. I believe there's no other way a 'V' should be painted. I'll photograph it again because I plan on replacing this pickguard with the same material as my 550's. The pic's don't do this thing justice. It's beautiful. The gloss on this is much better than Gibson® factory job. Nice-n-slick with a perfect seam.

2. I've used the "TP6" fine-tuning tailpiece on every Gibson® I've owned. Since I play mostly locking trem's, I'm used to tuning this way. It's definitely faster and more accurate. The tuners are also 14:1 ratio, not the 16:1 ratio I prefer, so the TP6 is very useful.
The machine heads are very unusual. Many years ago, Shaller® offered these in several different colors. A music store owner I know, had a set of these in RED still kickin' around. How could I resist! I'm kickin' myself now for not buying any other sets he may have had.
(Visit: BILL'S SALEM MUSIC 101 Lynn St. Peabody, MA 01960 (978) 977-9141)

3. Again with the switches?! The pickups are both DiMarzio® Dual-Sound®. The top switches are my usual on/off. The other two operate the series/parallel for each pickup. This gives that single-coil tone & attack when needed (something you don't usally get from a 'V'. If you listen to the clip from "La Bella Luna", you'll hear the clean-electric track which was recorded with this guitar; both pickups in the switched mode.

4. That's an inverted "strat-style" jack plate. It looks cool (kina' like a tail-pipe), but it's also practical. Instead of having the jack sticking straight out (which is awkward), this angles the cable toward the floor.

5. My rosewood necks are scalloped from the 12th fret-up. With a bound neck it's a little more difficult of a job since you can't just take the neck off to do the work.
The 'V' that was sold was at the start of being scalloped. The customer that bought it just had me finish the top 4-frets (it was ebony). It was also getting stripped for a new paintjob, so he requested we paint it in all white. He added a pearl pickguard and all genuine Gibson® gold hardware (even the screws). If we get a chance to photograph [that one] we'll definitely put it on the website. (It looks like a 'V' version of the Ibanez® JEM-7WH)

With Flying-V's I also put the strap button/tabs behind the top 'fin' for better balance and placement (look in the top photo underneath the number'2')

Below is a closer look at the switches, tailpiece, and output jack

(Roll your mouse over pic' for details)

I bought this new in '92. The serial # is barely visible because of the custom paint job.
The action on this guitar is insane. The strings are practically resting on the frets.
Gibson's tend to have a bit lighter string tension. I sometimes would put 9's on my
Les Pauls, but on this 'V's (and everything else) I still use 8's.

This is actually #3, but one was stolen many years ago and I actually sold one to a long-time customer. This is the only one I have left. The one that was stolen was a 1983, and the one I sold was an '87 or an '88 (I think?).

   The V's used to virtually be my trademark years ago. Until I was really getting into locking trem', I was a Gibson® player, even when I was starting to go pro. My Les Pauls had to take a back-seat to the V's when I discovered how great they sounded. It was also a plus to have lighter weight guitars (than the Les Paul's) at gigs.
    From my best perspective of audio/engineering/recording/performing experience, I'd have to say that a Gibson® Flying-V has the "flatest" frequency response. They sound great in ANY amp. It doesn't matter what pickups you put in 'em. Any string guage; They're just so transient; you can use a 'V' any time you're "in doubt" about what sound you want. Since the shape is a little wacky, many players don't feel comfortable sitting or standing with these guitars. I've played them for so many years that I'm used to it. They feel natural to me.
    One time we were working-in a new drummer & going over some new songs. I was bringing a different couple guitars to almost every rehearsal. Every time I was playing the 'V', the band complimented on how much better it seemed to sound than all the others. That's a good testimonial from a few experienced musicians with good ears.

Click image for a larger photo

Check out This Link to a Flying-V website.
They have some great pic's of Michael Schenker & his 'V's

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