Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $8,599
High-end/Boutique
$400
$1001+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 1 merchant for "Gibson Flying V (1958-1959)". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 21, 2026.
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Description
Dive into the world of vintage elegance with the 1958 Gibson Flying V, a masterpiece that stands as a testament to Gibson's innovative spirit during the golden era of electric guitars. With its striking design and premium korina wood construction, this rare gem not only redefined the aesthetics of electric guitars but also set new standards in tone and playability. Its limited production run adds an exclusive allure, making it a coveted piece for collectors and enthusiasts alike. The 1958 Gibson Flying V is more than just an instrument; it's a slice of music history that continues to inspire generations of musicians.
Key Features:
- Korina wood construction for superior tone and resonance
- Iconic V-shaped design that broke the mold of traditional guitar aesthetics
- Limited production run, adding to its exclusivity and collector's value
- Vintage 1958 model, a testament to Gibson's innovative era
- Sought-after by collectors and musicians for its historical significance and unique sound
Product specs
| Brand | Gibson |
| Model | Flying V |
| Finish | Natural |
| Year | 1958 - 1959 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Solid Body Electric Guitars |
| Body Shape | V-Style |
| Body Type | Solid Body |
| Bridge/Tailpiece Type | String-Through |
| Color Family | Tan |
| Fretboard Material | Rosewood |
| Model Family | Gibson Flying V |
| Neck Construction | Set-Neck |
| Number of Frets | 22 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Pickup Configuration | HH |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
FAQs
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What makes the 1958 Gibson Flying V unique among electric guitars?
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The 1958 Gibson Flying V is renowned for its distinctive V-shaped body and limited production run, making it highly collectible. Its Korina wood construction contributes to a unique tonal quality, and the guitar's innovative design was ahead of its time, influencing many future guitar models.
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What type of pickups are used in the 1958 Gibson Flying V?
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The 1958 Gibson Flying V features a dual humbucker (HH) pickup configuration, which provides a powerful and warm tone, suitable for a wide range of music genres from rock to blues.
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Is the 1958 Gibson Flying V suitable for live performances?
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Yes, the 1958 Gibson Flying V is well-suited for live performances due to its striking design and robust sound. The guitar's string-through body and set-neck construction ensure excellent sustain and playability on stage.
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How does the neck profile of the 1958 Gibson Flying V affect playability?
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The neck of the 1958 Gibson Flying V is set-neck construction, offering a smooth and comfortable playing experience. This design provides stability and ease of access across the fretboard, making it ideal for both rhythm and lead playing.
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What genres of music is the 1958 Gibson Flying V best suited for?
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The 1958 Gibson Flying V is versatile and well-suited for rock, blues, and metal genres. Its powerful humbucker pickups deliver a rich, full sound that cuts through mixes, making it a favorite among guitarists in these styles.
Videos
Normans Rare Guitars
Show & Tell with Joe Bonamassa's 1958 Gibson Flying V at Norman's Rare Guitars
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson Flying V (1958-1959).
User experience
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The 1958 Flying V has a chunkier neck with more shoulder compared to the '59 Les Paul, offering a distinct playing feel due to its un-bound neck.
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Some owners have transitioned from early 2000s Epiphones to Gibsons and noted significant quality improvements in recent Epiphone models, suggesting a step up in manufacturing standards.
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Comparisons
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The Flying V's tone is described as having a Strat-like focus, with a slightly quacky sound, differentiating it from the warmer Les Pauls.
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Epiphone Flying Vs from the early 2000s feature Grover tuners, offering reliable tuning stability, but are generally considered mid-tier imitations of Gibson models.
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Recent Epiphone models, like the 2020 Flying V, have improved in quality with superior pickups compared to those from the early 2000s, enhancing their tonal performance.
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Some users prefer the asymmetrical V designs for better lap stability compared to the original Gibson model, highlighting differences in ergonomic preferences.
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Features and functionality
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The 1958 Flying V features smaller frets, contributing to its unique playability compared to other vintage Gibson models.
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The 2020 Flying V models are recognized for their exceptional pickups, making them a strong choice for those prioritizing sound quality in their purchase decision.
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The placement of the input jack on newer models is often cited as an improvement for playability, reducing interference during seated play.
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Use cases and applications
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Its powerful yet stratty sound profile makes the 1958 Flying V suitable for players seeking a distinct tonal edge, possibly in blues or rock genres.
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Many players find the 1958 Flying V comfortable in a classical position, making it a versatile choice for seated play despite its unconventional shape.
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Value and pricing
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For unseen purchases, current Epiphone Flying Vs are recommended over older models due to notable advancements in build quality and components.
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Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 2 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
In the video titled "Slash’s First, Last, Best: Gibsons, Dirt Pedals, and Dream Gear" on YouTube, Slash mentions the 1958 Gibson Flying V guitar at 3:34 as one of the best instruments in his collection, thereby confirming his use of this specific gear.
As seen on his official website, Joe has a classic 1958 Gibson Flying V in his collection.
In this video, at about 20:02, Joe talks about how he got the guitar, and the previous owner's. The guitar was originally owned by Amos Arthur (founder and former owner of Arthur's Music Store), the guitar bounced around owners until around 2012-2013 when Joe purchased the Guitar from Norm Harris of world famous Normans Rare Guitars.
Joe also owns other 1958 Flying Vs, one of which he calls the "trash bag" and details in this video from Guitar Center.
"Sometime in 1975 or earlier, Joe Walsh (who had also given Pete his Gretsch Chet Atkins, Fender Bandmaster and Edwards volume pedal) gifted a 1958 Gibson Flying V guitar to Pete. This guitar was used on The Who By Numbers, as can be heard in his blistering leads on songs like In a Hand or Face and Dreaming From The Waist, as well as 1980 for Empty Glass and in 1982 for All The Best Cowboys Have Chinese Eyes, on at least Slit Skirts.
On the cover of Chinese Eyes, Pete appears with this guitar held upside down. (He is also photographed in Psychoderelict photo sessions — and repeated in the Coolwalking liner — with a Flying V, but this is a borrowed white-pickguard model.)"
According to an article by Vintage Guitar® magazine, written by Wolf Marshall, Albert King’s first Gibson Flying V was a 1959 Korina model. This guitar was stolen and replaced by a custom build from Dan Erlewine before it was eventually recovered, being the first of many V style guitars he would dub Lucy.
At 26:43 in the gibson "the collection: Rick nielsen" video we see one of two of the original 1958 flying vs he owns. The other is a 59 refinished in cardinal red seen at 29:10.
Album Usage
The Gibson Flying V (1958-1959) has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Gibson Flying V (1958-1959), it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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