Gibson Flying V 1986 – Rare 80’s Designer Series Model With HS Case
Item History & Price
Gibson Flying V 1986 – Rare 80’s DesignerSeries Model with Original Hardshell Case made in USA This is a very rare Flying V – hard tofind model. One of Gibson’s unique designer series models ofthe 80s’. Good shape and plays great. Cosmetically battle worn. Only a few werebuilt with an ebony fretboard and Gibson tremolo system. Serial Number 82156525, Made inNashville in 1986 (Serial numbers are very faint on the back of the guitar –hard to see but the serial numbe...r is imprinted. I had to really focus with theright light to see the number. Make and Model Materials Alder Body, Maple Neck, EbonyFingerboard. Not the standard Nashville version of the Tune-a-Matic this one isequipped with a Gibson tremolo that works beautifully. Controls mounted on the body- no pick guard – no engraving on the truss rod cover – Gibson logo on theheadstock. It was part of the 'Designer' series models of the 80’s Condition Cosmetically in fair condition, electronicsand hardware are in good condition and in perfect working order. GibsonHardshell case is original and heavily worn with edge of the molding separating– interior is ok and the velvet is fine except for around the storage box. Ingeneral even though the case shows a lot of wear, it keeps the guitar snug andsafe. The locking latch doesn’t stay closed, and no key. Other latches closeand work fine. Body is Alpine White, with Gibsonmade tremolo system. Grover tuners, 2 Gibson Humbucker pickups with standard 3-waypickup selection switch. I read that these models were equipped with dirtyfingers pickups – but most that I have found had exposed dirty fingers pickups.I don’t think these are the same pickups as they have covers. The sound isvintage Gibson PAF! Flying V is all-original, as bestthat I can tell. I have owned it and played it many years and it soundsawesome, traditional Gibson PAF tones and sustain. Plays fantastic, action setlow. Body and neck has stress cracks in the paint from age. There are a coupleof minor chips on the body, looks like a vintage distressed models that arebeing manufactured to look old and worn. Here is the real thing, looks old andworn and plays and sounds sweet. Please check all the photos beforepurchasing this guitar – its in players condition! Sold as is! I have describedall details as best that I can. Neck Relief and Frets Leveled and Polished
I purchased this guitar many yearsago from a music store I understand was going out of business and they wereselling off their stock. This guitar had been in their storeroom many years andwas never picked up. The music store adjusted the neck and leveled the fretsand did a setup on the guitar. There may have been a very slight bow towardsthe pickups on the guitar neck – I took many photos to show the condition andneck relief and its really not apparent to me. Just mentioning as described tome when I bought it. Aside from that the guitar plays great up and down thefretboard. Guitar is fairly heavy – weights approx. 10 lbs. and with the case20 lbs. Serial Number – on the headstock veryfaint – appears to be 82156525 – making it an 86’ Nashville build which fits correctlyfor this model. Gibson used the same serializationsystem on all standard-built guitars. This updated system utilizes an impressed, eight-digit numbering scheme that covers both serializing and dating functions.The Custom/Historic/Art divisions do not use this system. Certain models in theStandard series also do not follow this, either. Please refer to the end of thesection for exceptions. The pattern is as follows: YDDDYPPPYY is the production yearDDD is the day of the yearPPP is the plant designation and/orinstrument rank. In 1994, for Gibson’s Centennial, they used a special serialization. Every serial number started with 94 followedby six digits, which were the production dates and number (YYNNNNNN). The three PPP numbers 001-499 indicateKalamazoo production from 1977 to 1984. The Kalamazoo numbers were discontinuedin 1984 when the factory closed. The three PPP numbers 500-999 indicate Nashvilleproduction from 1977 to 1989. The Gibson Flying V and Explorer 80’sDesigner Series Models These two models fall under the"designer" series of Gibson’s' lineup and since their inception hasalways brought a little edge and style to the Gibson lineup. Both the Explorer and the Flying Vwhere first designed and prototyped in the late '50s under then Gibson presidentTed McCarty. They were made as a nod to futuristic Gibson design. Also worthnoting the Modern guitar was also developed around the same time, althoughnever got much traction. Although the V and Explorer did not sell well tostart, and even got discontinued, over the year many players grew to love the Vand Explorer and their popularity persuaded Gibson to put them back intoproduction. No international bidders please orshipping – Will ship only to continental US only. You must have a valid e-Bayaccount and confirmed continental US shipping address. Seller reserves the right to cancelthe auction at any time. Sold as is. No returns.
I purchased this guitar many yearsago from a music store I understand was going out of business and they wereselling off their stock. This guitar had been in their storeroom many years andwas never picked up. The music store adjusted the neck and leveled the fretsand did a setup on the guitar. There may have been a very slight bow towardsthe pickups on the guitar neck – I took many photos to show the condition andneck relief and its really not apparent to me. Just mentioning as described tome when I bought it. Aside from that the guitar plays great up and down thefretboard. Guitar is fairly heavy – weights approx. 10 lbs. and with the case20 lbs. Serial Number – on the headstock veryfaint – appears to be 82156525 – making it an 86’ Nashville build which fits correctlyfor this model. Gibson used the same serializationsystem on all standard-built guitars. This updated system utilizes an impressed, eight-digit numbering scheme that covers both serializing and dating functions.The Custom/Historic/Art divisions do not use this system. Certain models in theStandard series also do not follow this, either. Please refer to the end of thesection for exceptions. The pattern is as follows: YDDDYPPPYY is the production yearDDD is the day of the yearPPP is the plant designation and/orinstrument rank. In 1994, for Gibson’s Centennial, they used a special serialization. Every serial number started with 94 followedby six digits, which were the production dates and number (YYNNNNNN). The three PPP numbers 001-499 indicateKalamazoo production from 1977 to 1984. The Kalamazoo numbers were discontinuedin 1984 when the factory closed. The three PPP numbers 500-999 indicate Nashvilleproduction from 1977 to 1989. The Gibson Flying V and Explorer 80’sDesigner Series Models These two models fall under the"designer" series of Gibson’s' lineup and since their inception hasalways brought a little edge and style to the Gibson lineup. Both the Explorer and the Flying Vwhere first designed and prototyped in the late '50s under then Gibson presidentTed McCarty. They were made as a nod to futuristic Gibson design. Also worthnoting the Modern guitar was also developed around the same time, althoughnever got much traction. Although the V and Explorer did not sell well tostart, and even got discontinued, over the year many players grew to love the Vand Explorer and their popularity persuaded Gibson to put them back intoproduction. No international bidders please orshipping – Will ship only to continental US only. You must have a valid e-Bayaccount and confirmed continental US shipping address. Seller reserves the right to cancelthe auction at any time. Sold as is. No returns.
