Historical Gibson Flying V model entry
Gibson Custom Shop K.K. Downing Judas Priest Flying V
The best-supported production year for Gibson Custom Shop's Judas Priest Signature K.K. Downing Flying V and its matched Glenn Tipton SG set is 2005. Bonhams dates Downing's separate Gibson prototype to circa 2004.
This historical entry is seeking owner-submitted photographs.
Distinguishing features
Sparkling Burgundy 1967-style V; matched “Judas” numbering with Tipton's SG; mahogany body and neck; rosewood dot-inlay fingerboard; two '57 Classic pickups; nylon-saddle ABR-style bridge.
| Specification | Documented details |
|---|---|
| Model / date | Gibson Custom Shop Limited Edition Judas Priest Signature K.K. Downing Flying V; production set dated to 2005 by surviving listings and a guitar publication. The earlier circa-2004 date applies to Downing's prototype, not the numbered production set. |
| Set relationship | Paired with Glenn Tipton's Gibson SG; a surviving example is numbered 22 of 30 for both instruments. |
| Body / finish | Mahogany body; Sparkling Burgundy; 1967-style Flying V pickguard. |
| Neck / profile | Mahogany neck described in a surviving listing as a 1967-style shape, fuller overall but slightly slimmer at the nut. No formal profile name is published. |
| Fingerboard / inlays | Rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays. |
| Frets / radius | 22 frets; fret size and fingerboard radius are not specified in the located listings. |
| Scale | 24.75 inches. |
| Pickups / controls | Two Gibson '57 Classic pickups; two volume and two tone controls; three-way selector. |
| Bridge / hardware | Nylon-saddle ABR-style bridge and stop tailpiece; chrome hardware; Grover tuners. |
| Reported production | 30 matched numbered sets made in 2005, one V and one SG per set number, according to surviving set records and guitar coverage. A Gibson factory ledger confirming the total has not been located. |
Dating the limited edition
The best-supported production year for the 30 matched K.K. Downing Flying V and Glenn Tipton SG sets is 2005. Bonhams dates Downing's separate prototype to circa 2004; that is the prototype date, not the year of the numbered production set. Gibson's original launch catalog has not been located.
Sources and research notes
- Bonhams Entertainment Memorabilia auction catalog — documents the prototype's relationship to the Judas Priest Signature V and SG set.
- Reverb archived listing for matched set 22 of 30 — seller's account of the set, date, numbering, finish, and specifications.
- Reverb archived K.K. Downing Flying V listing — corroborating 2005 identification.
- Guitar.com feature — dates the 30-set Gibson Custom Shop release to 2005.
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