Epiphone Limited Edition 1967 Flying V (Black/White)

Jon
January 29, 2008

Rating: 8/10

This is an Epiphone copy of the classic 1967 Gibson Flying V. The main difference between this guitar and the 1958 model is in the bridge mounting, the 1958 is through hole and the 1967 is mounted on the fully adjustable tunamatic bridge. I chose this model because it had the tunamatic bridge, so that if the guitar is not well set up I could do it. Ordering guitars through the internet is a risk, in that you don't get to check the guitar's set-up prior to purchase. This is my third 'not present at point of purchase guitar' and they have all been problem free. I recently bought an Epiphone Dot and the set-up for that guitar and this Flying V were very similar so that I can conclude that set-ups are now very consistent and to a good standard, so you don't need to worry. I received the guitar last night and it arrived in tune, after 2 hours of thrashing, bending and general string abuse it was still in tune. I practised scales up and down the entire fretboard and was able to do this at a good pace, with accuracy and without catching my hands on any sharp frets or burning the inside of my thumb on the neck.

The Flying V is well finished, although I noticed a little defect on the top fret of the low E string. The guitar is predominantly white, with the white extending up the back of the neck. On the reverse of the head stock is an attractive Epiphone custom shop stamp. In terms of hardware it has silver Grover tuning pegs and the switches are of a good quality, it is noise free in movement. The neck is finished to appear one piece and the guitar is well made.

The guitar has a good rock and roll tone on the bridge pick-up, by which I mean that it sounds a little less pure than my Les Paul, and without effects gave me a sort of Chuck Berry sound. The neck pick-up adds a bit of warmth, but again is more rock and roll than the fat bluesy sound that you get from a Les Paul.

The fingerboard is wide for a Gibson and a little more Fender like, this is a help for shredders wanting to burn high up past the twelfth fret. One item of surprise was the comparative lightweight of the guitar, this is a positive because I have yet to find a comfortable way to play it sitting down. In contrast to other reviews I also found that it was well balanced, I tested this by putting it around my neck and walking around with my arms stretched out, it stayed static and the head neither dipped up or down.

So in summary, a rock classic that sounds like a rock classic. It gets an 8 in comparison to my Les Paul custom, which I have just had professionally set-up and serviced following a cracked head nut and the V - as delivered - doesn't play as well, I am confident through that it could. An excellent guitar that you can buy without fear.