A SOLID-BODY ELECTRIC GUITAR, CUSTOM ORDER FLYING V

An exceptionally rare model in excellent condition, this Flying V bears one of Gibson’s notoriously ambiguous serial numbers (625654) from the ’70s, at first glance, one is led to believe it could have been made at any point from 1970-’72 or 1974-’75. Fit with standard T-top pickups with patent-number sticker at the base, its potentiometer date codes (137 7107, with unbroken solder joints) indicate it’s likely from early ’71, or at least could not have been produced earlier. In 2021, Vintage Guitar Magazine and Gruhn Guitars went into great detail to try to pin down the dating. In Gibson Shipment Totals 1937-1979, author Larry Meiners shows Gibson shipped one Flying V “custom made” in 1971, two more in ’73 and one in ’74. Based on the serial number, it appears at least the two from ’73 can be eliminated, and the pot codes point to this one being the ’71 guitar.

Vintage Guitar Magazine also cites Meiners’ Flying V – The Illustrated History of this Modernistic Guitar, which mentions New Jersey music store Guitar advertising a “1971 Gibson Custom Flying V” in 1982. A photograph matches this guitar. The ad describes the guitar as a custom order with natural finish and “Les Paul style appointments” (though the body and peghead binding is identical to a Super 400). The fact that the guitar later came to Gruhn Guitars from a client in New Jersey reinforces the connection.