Gibson Flying V archive · traditional 1967 reissue family

1981 Gibson Flying V

This year section covers the regular large-pickguard Flying V in the 1967 reissue style. The period Gibson insert explicitly names Silverburst. Other finishes are supported by dealer and collector records.

Finish evidence

Gibson’s 1981 insert identifies Silverburst on the regular mahogany Flying V. Dealer records document Black and White examples; the white example in this archive is captioned Alpine White. A period dealer account names Cherry Red, Ember Red, Cardinal Red, Holly Green and Bahama Blue as limited custom colors associated with the 1981 group. This evidence documents examples and reported finishes, not production totals or a complete factory schedule.

The Lisec Collection also records 1981 Heritage Cherry and Cherry Sunburst examples. The Tobacco Sunburst photograph below is year-uncertain (possibly 1980) and is not counted as a confirmed 1981 finish.

Thin-neck, bound-fingerboard archive example

A separate 1981 example is described in the existing archive as stock, yellowed with age, and unusually thin at 40.2 mm at the nut, with fretboard binding. Those details describe this guitar and should not be generalized to every 1981 Flying V. See its dedicated photo page.

1981 Flying V with bound fingerboard, front view
Bound-fingerboard example.
1981 Flying V with bound fingerboard, angled view
Angled view.
1981 Flying V with bound fingerboard, detail view
Detail view.
1981 Flying V with bound fingerboard, back view
Back view.

Archive photographs

Alpine White 1981 Gibson Flying V archive photograph
Alpine White archive example.
1981 Gibson Flying V archive photograph
Example with a thin neck and bound fingerboard. Photo courtesy of David Peatow.
Black Gibson Flying V archive photograph
Black example.
Tobacco Sunburst Gibson Flying V, year uncertain
Year-uncertain Tobacco Sunburst, possibly 1980. Photo courtesy of David Peatow.

Sources and evidence notes