Number8 Posted November 27, 2012 Posted November 27, 2012 My latest infatuation is a 1980 Gibson Flying V (V2, see link below). Does anyone know if the Heritage folks have ever made something similar? I'm guessing the answer is no but thought I'd explore the idea. Thanks for your help. http://www.ebay.com/itm/1980-Gibson-FLYING-V-2-all-ORIGINAL-Natural-/370699605943?pt=Guitar&hash=item564f6b17b7
DetroitBlues Posted November 27, 2012 Posted November 27, 2012 There were a couple odd balls, like the Terminator and Exterminator... That's about as close as they've come. I wish they'd made an SG, V, or Explorer myself... Even better, their own take on the Moderene!
kidsmoke Posted November 27, 2012 Posted November 27, 2012 Couple things....at PSPV I stood outside the barn, I confess at that point i don't recall who was involved in the conversation, but Jim, Marv, myself and another HOC'er were chatting and this guy asked about something crazy and Marv said it comes down to money. To me that means yes. Having said that, my friend is selling an all original '75 V. He's the original owner. Mint. $3500.00 I listed it a while back in this thread. http://www.heritageo...-gear-for-sale/ And here she is....K-Zoo lineage to boot.
Number8 Posted November 27, 2012 Author Posted November 27, 2012 Thanks KS but I'm hoping to do a little better than that on price (a lot better actually)...or possibly getting the Epiphone version and then putting in the hottest pups I can find. That V is sweet though. Thanks for sharing.
Thundersteel Posted November 27, 2012 Posted November 27, 2012 I used to own a V2 exactly like that one. It looks cool, but the frets were flat and the pickups were weak. Still, I wish I'd kept it.
kidsmoke Posted November 27, 2012 Posted November 27, 2012 yep, way too rich for my blood as well. I was thinking that if you were considering a Heritage, one-off, maybe this would be in your budget. Plus, after seeing Grace Potter in concert a half dozen times, the V has taken on a whole new meaning, and I don't think I could play one. In public anyway. You can refer to Schundog's comments re: Tele Headstocks for a frame of reference.
Number8 Posted November 27, 2012 Author Posted November 27, 2012 Ha! I wasn't thinking of it that way until you just put that idea in my head. On the other hand, I don't mind the idea of getting my hands on a nice V and making her scream. (Too much?)
HANGAR18 Posted November 27, 2012 Posted November 27, 2012 ....at PSPV I stood outside the barn, I confess at that point i don't recall who was involved in the conversation, but Jim, Marv, myself and another HOC'er were chatting and this guy asked about something crazy and Marv said it comes down to money. To me that means yes. Well there's another problem too. The factory requires us guitar buyers to go through their Heritage Guitar dealer. But the Heritage dealer might not want to cooperate. For example... Last month or so, I had an idea that I would like to have a Heritage Explorer (but not just any Heritage Explorer, I wanted one based on the H357 neck-through design with the rest of the body shaped like an Explorer instead of a Thunderbird). So, knowing that my closest Heritage dealer hasn't got an ounce of motivation to call in a Heritage order, I called a better stocked Heritage dealer in order to present the idea. Basically, I then spent about five minutes on the phone listening to all the reasons why it would be a completely futile effort just to special order an H357 (a guitar which they've already made before). Then, as for a an Explorer shaped guitar which they've never made before? Summoning every ounce of politeness that they had in them, they conveyed the concept to me of, "Don't even think about it!" Even if Marv is willing to build a special guitar, unless you happen to be standing in front of him one day while you are both drinking a beer or something, it is probably not likely that the request will ever reach his ear.
Kuz Posted November 27, 2012 Posted November 27, 2012 Rich and others, this is why it is best to call Heritage (ask for Marv) first and get confirmation that they will build the guitar. After that the dealers have to obey and order it. I don't expect it to be cheap though. I have never asked what the others paid for their 357s, but for an Explore or Flying V, I would guess $2500-3000 for a custom one-off build. IF I was into these type guitars and could spec out exactly what colors, neck shape, wood, pups, hardware, ect.... and get it made for me by a master luthier, I WOULD DO IT IN A HEARTBEAT!!!
yoslate Posted November 27, 2012 Posted November 27, 2012 Even if Marv is willing to build a special guitar, unless you happen to be standing in front of him one day while you are both drinking a beer or something, it is probably not likely that the request will ever reach his ear. Especially not right now.... It's deer season.
DetroitBlues Posted November 27, 2012 Posted November 27, 2012 Thanks KS but I'm hoping to do a little better than that on price (a lot better actually)...or possibly getting the Epiphone version and then putting in the hottest pups I can find. That V is sweet though. Thanks for sharing. Found an Epi with a HSC for $299 with this old School Gibson Logo on it
brentrocks Posted November 27, 2012 Posted November 27, 2012 Having Heritage build you a V is just like buying a Heritage H 357 firebird over a mass produced Gibson firebird.... Gibson..........$1500 Heritage........$2600?? BUT....when you buy a Heritage you will be buying a handcrafted guitar made with care....not a cookie cutter, CNC, mass produced guitar made with only capitol gains in mind.
HANGAR18 Posted November 27, 2012 Posted November 27, 2012 Having Heritage build you a V is just like buying a Heritage H 357 firebird over a mass produced Gibson firebird.... Gibson..........$1500 Heritage........$2600?? BUT....when you buy a Heritage you will be buying a handcrafted guitar made with care....not a cookie cutter, CNC, mass produced guitar made with only capitol gains in mind. I've kicked around this idea a few times (A special order, non-standard, Heritage Bass/FlyingV/Explorer) and keep coming back to the conclusion that I should just let Heritage do what they do best and let the other guitar makers do what they do best. Meaning that I'll just keep buying the normal offerings from Heritage and get my weird shapes from the other guys. I've had a Gibson USA Explorer once before and sold it but these days I'm looking at Dean for Flying V's or Explorer shapes. Dean has been making them since the 70's their top shelf offerings are pretty darn good. For informational reference... The attached photo is my 30th Anniversary model Dean V. It has a translucent black burst finish over a flame maple top with body, neck and headstock binding. At $800.00 new (MIK), it is cheaper than a Gibson and gets the job done.
Number8 Posted November 28, 2012 Author Posted November 28, 2012 Having Heritage build you a V is just like buying a Heritage H 357 firebird over a mass produced Gibson firebird.... Gibson..........$1500 Heritage........$2600?? BUT....when you buy a Heritage you will be buying a handcrafted guitar made with care....not a cookie cutter, CNC, mass produced guitar made with only capitol gains in mind. I'm 100% in agreement with you. I like a lot of Gibson guitars but I prefer that they're made by artisans and craftsmen with patience and care. That's why I own my Prospect and my 137, and not a 339 and a LP Special. I wonder if I show up at the PSP next year and there are a few folks like me looking for a V, maybe they'd do it and it might be a little cheaper than $2500+. (Or maybe I'm an optimist.)
Number8 Posted November 28, 2012 Author Posted November 28, 2012 Found an Epi with a HSC for $299 with this old School Gibson Logo on it Where? Thanks.
DetroitBlues Posted November 28, 2012 Posted November 28, 2012 Look up Music Castle in Royal Oak, Michigan... Their website is outdated, but they had the guitar a week ago.
Number8 Posted November 28, 2012 Author Posted November 28, 2012 Thanks. I found it but there aren't any pics. Oh well.
H Posted November 28, 2012 Posted November 28, 2012 If Heritage were to build a Flying V, I wonder how they would approach the headstock. It's a huge part of the overall design of the original and I'm guessing it would be lawsuit territory to use that arrowhead style with the V body shape.
Kuz Posted November 28, 2012 Posted November 28, 2012 If Heritage were to build a Flying V, I wonder how they would approach the headstock. It's a huge part of the overall design of the original and I'm guessing it would be lawsuit territory to use that arrowhead style with the V body shape. Yep, great point.
Number8 Posted November 28, 2012 Author Posted November 28, 2012 If Heritage were to build a Flying V, I wonder how they would approach the headstock. It's a huge part of the overall design of the original and I'm guessing it would be lawsuit territory to use that arrowhead style with the V body shape. I'd ask for the conventional headstock except I'd ask them to make it a little wider at the bottom and a little more narrow at the top. In any event, would a lawsuit really be a concern for a custom, one-off? I guess it would be a problem if I managed to conjure up a handful of folks like myself, but that's probably just wishful thinking anyway.
Kuz Posted November 28, 2012 Posted November 28, 2012 Again, somebody needs to call Heritage around 8-9AM EST M-TR and ask Marv. No one will know unless they call Heritage, and yes this means the dealers won't know as well. We thought the first 357 was just going to be a one off, now there has been what, 7 or 8 made.
kidsmoke Posted November 28, 2012 Posted November 28, 2012 There's one guy in Illinois alone, that has a dozen or so. This question was put to Marv at his bench and the number is up there a way. Dozens at least, if not around the century mark.
Number8 Posted November 28, 2012 Author Posted November 28, 2012 I paid a visit to my guy in LaGrange, Illinois today (Paul at Stone Grove Guitars). I asked him about the price he was quoted to make the 357 for a customer (PunKitty if I had to guess) and he said it was $3800. I'm guessing a V would have to be similar in price...and thus the point is moot. I can't justify spending that kind of coin for a mere indulgence. Thanks for humoring me everyone.
gpuma Posted November 29, 2012 Posted November 29, 2012 3800 for a 357? Seems steep to me. Oh well I guess here goes the dream....
DetroitBlues Posted November 29, 2012 Posted November 29, 2012 Thanks. I found it but there aren't any pics. Oh well. It's a players guitar, solid, but used. Not bad for the price.
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