The legendary Flying V model that proved instrumental in forging the hard rock sound has returned. Gibson Custom is thrilled to introduce the 1971 Flying V™ Medallion Reissue, a painstakingly detailed tribute to one of our most iconic vintage solidbody designs. Beyond its foundational influence on hard rock, this model is famously linked to the signature tone of Michael Schenker and remains a favorite of Kirk Hammett, who includes original examples in his private collection and has praised them for being consistently great.

For this reissue, we have utilized a two-piece mahogany body built to the thinner, original Medallion specification. Measuring approximately 1.375” in thickness, this body is intentionally slimmer than the 1.5” Korina Flying V bodies from 1958, which creates a lighter, more comfortable instrument while maintaining every bit of its essential resonance and tonal character.

The three-piece mahogany neck is shaped to an authentic 1971 Flying V profile, providing a fast, sleek experience that stays comfortable as you move up and down the fingerboard. A period-accurate volute is included to enhance structural integrity, and the one-piece rosewood fretboard is topped with 22 medium jumbo frets and classic cellulose dot inlays. The rounded headstock design features a Corian® nut, Kluson® double-ring tuners with keystone buttons, and a Gibson-branded truss rod cover. Complementing the aesthetic, the hardware is finished in chrome, featuring a Historic Reissue wired ABR-1 bridge paired with a Historic Reissue Stop Bar tailpiece.

To capture the definitive vintage sound, we equipped this guitar with a matched set of authentic T-Top humbucker™ pickups featuring Alnico 5 magnets, known for their authoritative, clear output. These unpotted pickups are hand-wired, mirroring the original layout with individual volume controls for each pickup and one master tone control, all topped with black Witch Hat knobs featuring silver reflectors. True to the classic Medallion Flying V, each instrument includes an individually numbered 1.5” diameter gold medallion bearing the Gibson logo and the text "Limited Edition Model," which is mounted on the bass-side wing. To ensure safe transport and storage, the guitar is delivered in a Gibson Custom hardshell case.

The 1971 Flying V Medallion stands as one of the most sought-after vintage Gibson guitars in history. Its status is bolstered by its extreme rarity, with only about 350 instruments produced in 1971, as well as its deep ties to rock’s most influential players. These guitars were originally produced to mark the 1972 Olympic Games, featuring a numbered gold coin on the upper wing, and represented some of the very first Limited Edition guitars from Gibson. Aside from the recent Michael Schenker 1971 Flying V Collector’s Edition, this model has never been reissued until now, presenting a unique opportunity to own a brand-new recreation of this true Gibson icon.