This vintage Gibson Flying V® I came to us as part of an estate. The owner had purchased the guitar from a pawn shop on Harry Hines Boulevard in Dallas, Texas, in the early 1990s for just $200! It went on to spend the next three decades as a reliable workhorse in his cover band before eventually finding its way to the Norlin® Custom Shop.

This is a true player's guitar with honest wear throughout, including bumps, bruises, scratches and dings that tell the story of a well-loved instrument. There is finish checking at the heel, which is purely cosmetic and has no impact on the guitar's structural integrity or playability. The back of the neck has some nitro-burn from being set on stands that weren't nitro-safe. At some point, a third strap button was added, giving you the option to choose whichever hanging position feels most comfortable while standing. The pots, output jack and 3-way toggle switch have also been replaced over the years.

The original Alpine White finish has aged beautifully into the coveted TV Yellow that vintage Alpine White Gibson guitars are known for. It still retains its original Tim Shaw Dirty Fingers® humbuckers, delivering all the high-output punch and aggressive tone that made this guitar legendary. The original frets remain in phenomenal condition with only the faintest sign of wear and have decades of life left in them. This Flying V® can easily achieve remarkably low action without sacrificing playability.

When the guitar arrived, it wore over forty years of grime along with a collection of non-original hardware. Our technicians carefully returned it as close to factory-correct as practical using premium OEM replacement components while preserving its vintage character.

Newly Installed Hardware

• Advanced Plating® – Historic CAB M69 Humbucker Mounting Rings & Screws
• Advanced Plating® – Historic End Pins & Screws
• Advanced Plating® – Nashville Tune-O-Matic Bridge & Bridge Posts
• Advanced Plating® – Stop Bar Tailpiece & Studs
• Advanced Plating® – Truss Rod Cover Screws
• CTS® – Input Jack Nut
• Norlin® – Embossed Multi-Fit Bell Knobs
• Norlin® – Pickguard Screws
• Norlin® – Vintage Truss Rod Cover
• Switchcraft® – 3-Way Toggle Switch Tip

A previous owner installed Sperzel® locking tuners. Those have since been replaced with the original Gibson-branded 3x3 tuners. The small locator pin holes from the Sperzel® machine heads remain faintly visible on the back of the headstock. If you prefer Sperzel® locking tuners, the guitar is already configured for a quick reinstall.

As part of our standard Norlin® Custom Shop service, the guitar received a comprehensive deep cleaning, nitrocellulose polish, fret polish, fingerboard conditioning, electronic contact cleaning and a fresh set of Ernie Ball Regular Slinky strings installed to factory specifications.

The instrument has been stored in our digitally climate-controlled environment maintained at 45% relative humidity.

Weighing in at just 7 lbs. 11.6 oz., this Flying V® is surprisingly comfortable while still delivering the commanding stage presence the model is famous for. Includes an aftermarket case.

Like every instrument that passes through the Norlin® Custom Shop, this guitar has been professionally inspected under UV light for breaks, repairs, cracks and re-sprays. We believe in complete transparency and are always happy to answer questions or provide additional photographs upon request.

Please Note: This instrument is being sold as-is and is not eligible for returns. For your peace of mind, it will ship fully insured with Reverb Safe Shipping, providing protection in the unlikely event of shipping damage.