Gibson Flying V model history

1981–1988 Gibson Flying V I

Gibson introduced this model line as the Flying V I in 1981. It was called the Flying V ’83 in 1983 and was listed simply as the Flying V from 1984 through 1988. These are successive names for the same model line, so this archive treats the full 1981–1988 span as one chronological entry. Individual guitars vary in details such as control placement, finish, and hardware. Red appears in Gibson’s January 1984 price list.

Feature	Model details
Names and years	1981–1982: Flying V I; 1983: Flying V ’83; 1984–1988: Flying V. These names mark changes in Gibson’s model naming across the same model line. “’83” is the model designation, not a manufacturing date stamped on every guitar.
Identifying design	No pickguard; two exposed humbuckers; three control knobs and a three-way pickup selector. The control placement changed during the run: the Flying V ’83 version has an offset arrangement, while later examples use an arc-shaped layout.
Body and neck	Early examples are described with alder bodies and maple necks; later examples are also reported with mahogany bodies. The photographs show one red example but do not establish its body wood.
Fingerboard	Dot inlays. Ebony is associated with the 1983 Flying V ’83; rosewood is also reported on examples from the broader run.
Pickups	Two exposed, coverless humbuckers. The exact pickup model is not confirmed by these photographs.
Bridge and tailpiece	A Tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar are typical. Some 1983 examples used a wraparound bridge/tailpiece, and vibrato-equipped versions are also documented.
Catalog finishes and price	The June 1983 list showed Ebony and Ivory and a list price of $599. Red appears in the January 1984 price list.
Market position and quantity	The model was positioned as a lower-priced Flying V. A reliable total production quantity has not been established.
Configuration shown	Red finish, no pickguard, two exposed humbuckers, dot-inlay fingerboard, three knobs, three-way selector, Tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar.

1984 Build

Full front view of the red Gibson Flying V without a pickguard — Full front

Close view of the red Flying V body, pickups, controls, bridge and stopbar — Body and hardware

Angled close view of the Flying V body and control layout — Body and control layout

Back of the red Flying V body — Body back

Full back view of the red Flying V — Full back

Front of the black Gibson headstock — Headstock front

Back of the headstock and tuners — Headstock back

Neck joint and back of the neck — Neck joint

Rosewood fingerboard with dot inlays — Fingerboard and dot inlays

Pictures courtesy of Kansas City Vintage Guitars.

The photographs document the no-pickguard configuration. Other hidden specifications should not be inferred from the photographs.

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