Product: Epiphone Flying V Price Paid: USD 270 USED
Submitted 04/19/2008
at 11:29pm
by Hans
Features
:8
Made in 1993 or 1994 (it's not in front of me). Black, maple neck, white pickplate. Tune-o-matic bridge 24.75 scale. Passive Duncan pickups... I bought this used at a pawn shop, so they might've been non-stock. 22 frets, 3-way selector, tuners are gibson made (not great), volume and tone knobs
Sound
:10
I play metal which this thing... sounds fantastic in standard to D tuning. Very good chunky sound, duncans are pretty near noise free. I use it with a Marshall JCM800, V-Amp 2, and a Line 6 Spider. Sounds good on all settings just about. The neck pickup doesn't seem as powerful as the bridge (I really think these were put in by someone else) but the bridge pickup is strong and full of sound.. not too bright not too warm. The harmonics were pretty good on it.. effortless to control the fast thrashy rhythms w/ heavy palm muting. I put a Berhinger NR100 noise gate in front of it at about 9 oclock, same with the Boss NS2 since it's a copy of that. Overall great sound. I use 10-48 GHS boomers on it.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:9
it was setup pretty well, minus the tuners. But keep in mind this was not from the factory, but from a pawn shop. The tuners needed tightening and the truss needed to be loosened to my ideal setting. A few scratches... but put there by the owner, no doubt.
Reliability/Durability
:9
It would do great live, it has lasted for 8 years. Strap buttons are great... very dependable.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
N/A
Overall Rating
:9
I love this guitar. But I sold it to my friend... that I often visit and I get to play it. It's his main guitar for metal now. I swear it sounds better than the other Epi V's i've heard. I wish he'd sell it back, but that wouldn't happen haha. 9
Product: Epiphone Flying V Price Paid: Free!!
Submitted 01/20/2006
at 07:02am
by Rock'n'RollDancin'VSFancyPrancin': The Struggle Never Ends
Features
:8
Made in Korea circa 1993, black w/white scratchplate. Alder body & maple neck I believe. Rosewood fingerboard though likely nothing too high-grade. It had lain rotting away for a good 7 years in a cardboard box in a dank basement when I dug it up & reanimated it. Standard non-fixed Tune-o-matic bridge & tailpiece. Single volume & tone controls which I suppose is quite limiting for some but I don't care. Stock pickups were cheap & nasty rubbery humbuckers which I took out on sight. I happened to have a 498T/490R Gibson set that I'd pulled out of my Les Paul Standard (in favour of Duncan Antiquities) lying around so I figured it was a low-cost/risk experiment to stick 'em in the Vee. I also cleaned the cheap & nasty (but at least 500K unlike stock Gibson-pots) & replaced the dire imitation Grover tuners with some quality genuine ones in groovy gothic black. I even did the decent thing & got a hard case for it, thinking I'd sell it. That was until I tried it..
Sound
:9
So far I've played her through an all-tube Ashdown Peacemaker 60 2X12 combo. This thing sounds great with the Gibson pups! Much better than the Les Paul sounded with them in & even arguably better than the Les Paul with the Antiquities. It sounds full & warm while pushing the amp hard. Surprisingly good sustain (could this be a one-piece body? Sounds like it even though it's hard to tell 'cos the paintjob's so thick even inside the pup cavity) Leaner & rawer than my Gibson Les Paul which in my opinion is slightly tone-deadened by the sheer body weight & all that lacquer. The alder/maple construction makes it sound sharper, brighter & more mid-filled though not overbearingly so. Fucking Hell, I'm impressed!
Action, Fit, & Finish
:8
Was fine once I'd cleaned the fretboard & adgusted the bridge & neck to my tastes. It's set for 10s. I'd been an 11s man for years, but am now rediscovering the simple guilty joys of effortless big-ass bends!
Reliability/Durability
:9
It's still fine after 13 years. I'm sure it can stand up to the test.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
My Korean ain't up to much. Believe they're based in China these days anyway. Gibson can go to hell.
Overall Rating
:9
Been playing 17 years off & on. Have two Gibson Les Pauls though I'm much more into lawsuit jap models these days & slowly building a collection. May soon trade in the Gibbos. This Epi Flying V has probably the least snob value of my entire collection, but it's the one I reach for the most right now. It's honestly worth making the pickup & tuner upgrade on these. I can honestly say that it sounds & plays a lot better than many Gibsons I've played.
Product: Epiphone Flying V Price Paid: 520 (Euro)
Submitted 09/24/2005
at 02:55am
by Luisitonilla
Features
:7
I bought it in in January 2004, so I supose it was made in 2003.
It has 21 Frets (one piece neck)
3 Way selector H/H, I think the wood is not all of Korina, the guy of the shop told me that is made of Nato.
Sound
:10
I changed the pickups (seymour duncan), the former pickups are good for old classic Rock, very warm and trebled. WITH SEYMOUR DUNCAN SOUNDS GREAT
Action, Fit, & Finish
:5
Well, like in all Epiphones, the Selector is very Shitty, and the tuners suck, but its cheap to replace it. (That's the worst part)
Reliability/Durability
:9
If you replace some parts, its perfect (tuners, knobs and selector), the pickups are fine but I prefer Seymour duncan
Customer Support
:No Opinion
NOPE
Overall Rating
:9
I've been playing 3 years, I own my Korina with Seymour Duncan Pickups through a Line 6 Spider II 112 75 W.
I would bought it again, because it's very good to custom it. (It's not a Mercedes, but it's the equivalent of a VW GOLF ^^)
The only thing because I rate it 9, it's because of the Tuners and the Selector
Product: Epiphone Flying V Price Paid: US $419
Submitted 02/11/2003
at 03:11pm
by axeman
Features
:8
this is a new model. This is one that was made in the new Epiphone factory in Korea [they no longer have them made by Sammick]. It has 24 3/4" scale length neck, maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard and a korina body. It has gold hardware with USA designed humbucking pickups with a 3 position toggle selector. Has a tune-o-matic bridge with strings through the body.
The tuners are copies of the vintage Gibson style, seem to be ok.
Pretty straight up, nothing extra ordinary.
Sound
:10
this is the surprising part. With a little bit of set up tweaking this thing sounds killer. The stock pick ups do not seem to be microphonic, don't feed back, sustain like hell and have good definition. It has a surprisingly balsy sound, lots of attack.
I play mostly blues and hard rock. This guitar is definately versatile enough to play most anything.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:9
Again, another surprise, for the price especially. The finish work is excellent. Even the set up was good.
No noticable flaws anywhere. the wood grain is fairly well pronounced. The nut appears to be plastic but does not seem to have an adverse effect on the sound.
Reliability/Durability
:10
I do not see anything here that will not stand up to rigorous giging. It is well built, not at all fragile. I would definately gig with out a back up and not worry about it.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
No idea, I have never had a need to require support. I bought this from Guitar trader I belive their committment to customer support is good. I hope I never have to find out.
The guitar does have a limited lifetime warranty from Ephiphone, again who knows?
Overall Rating
:9
Product: Epiphone Flying V Price Paid: US $450
Submitted 09/28/2002
at 12:21am
by Robin
Features
:9
New 2002 made in korea with 22 frets, solid body.2 pick-ups.You have the choice between 2 P90 (poppa Chubby's signature) or 2 gibson's humbuckers (what I choosed) with a 3 ways selector. It's a blond guitar made from Korina (replica of korina 58) with tune-O-matic. Classic gibson's tuners. Comes with a V-shaped case.
Sound
:10
I play blues-rock. I choosed this guitar after seeing Arthur Neilson playing a gibson one.It is powerfull with the humbuckers so I have to dim the gain of TS9/mod 808 or my Voodoo lab sparkle drive played through a Fender blues deluxe in clean. This guitar screams on the edge pick-up and cuts out of the band on solo playing. Excellent. It gets great on bottlenck too. The neck pick-up is fatter and I don't use it much but it is excellent for clean rythm including jazz rythm. Take this guitar and you 'll remember licks of Albert King. I love guitars with a caracter and this one gives for the money. Plus you won't see a lot of players on this guitar unlike telecaters of strats. I was surprised of the balance that is very good despite the shape of the axe. Access to the higher notes is obviously excellent.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:7
The guitar is well set out of the case. Action is good and pick-ups were set correctly on my guitar. What I dislike is that the neck had to be set or action for the high notes to come clean because of the strings coming to close to the 22nd fret and I wouldn't change the action. Also some of the tuners have to be oiled because some of them are shaking when you play it unplugged but you don't ear it once you play plugged. Also I break a lot of E strings so I put wax on the bridge.
Reliability/Durability
:8
I play around with my band and the guitar and case are fine. I don't have for long enough to tell about the finish but it looks allright. I recommend a back-up guiatr as I allways do because of that E string braking problem but if you change your strings before the gig it has less chance to occur.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Never had to deal with it.
Overall Rating
:10
I 've been playing for 15 years and play around Paris with my band now for 2 years.I can tell I love this guitar and play it along with my japan '52 reissue tele. Those 2 are my favorites even against my 2 70's strats. I will keep those to the end for sure. My mates don't want me to play anything else! Wanna have your sound and uncommon look ... get it! It's a bargain.
Product: Epiphone Flying V Price Paid: 360 (Euro (400?$)) used
Submitted 06/04/2002
at 06:50am
by Anonymous
Features
:9
According to Epiphone's website, this axe was made in Japan or Korea in the year 1998. 22 frets, 2 knobs(volume & tone) and a 3-way selector. Bridge pickup is a passive Seymour Duncan, I'm not sure about the neck pickup, probably Epiphone's own pick. Body style is a V(surprise), colour black(with a white pickguard). The neck is fat & round, though I've been playing with an Ibanez(with a wizard-II neck) before this so anything feels fat. Heh heh. Came with it's own case, tools and a strap.
Sound
:8
I play mainly(over 95% of my playing time) metal. Slow and doomy shit & Fast picking death/Thrash, with some clean parts. To me, this guitar is pretty suitable. I tune to D and get a full, bright sound with my gear(Peavey amps, 10-52 strings and a Boss MetalZone). Intonation is Ok. Overall, better than average sound but methinks an EMG or two would make this baby shred even better...
Action, Fit, & Finish
:8
Don't know about the factory set-up, I bought it used. The previous owner had set it up pretty well so I didn't have to change them much. I lifted the bridge pickup a bit though.
Reliability/Durability
:9
I think(& guess) that this guitar will last live playing pretty well. My playing style is hard-hitting but it stays in tune and doesn't mind a bit of string bending either. Finish seems strong. I'd take it to a gig without a backup.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Don't know
Overall Rating
:8
I've been playing more or less since I was 13(now I'm 20) and besides this guitar I own an Ibanez 550(with a Floyd Rose). I like it's shape, sound and the playing position when played standing. Fits like a Glove. If it was stolen... I don't know. I bought this pretty spontaneously because I needed another guitar, it was cheap an sounded good. But, maybe an Ironbird, seven string Ibanez or a Gothic V then or a..?
Product: Epiphone Flying V Price Paid: 2500 (finnish marks) used
Submitted 04/19/2002
at 03:09am
by Sota
Features
:9
I bought it used. I don't know really what year this guitar is made. It's made in Korea, and it has 22 frets, solid top, and two knobs, volume, and tone plus one three way selector for the pickups. There are two humbuckers, I'm not sure if these are duncans or what..
I think it's mahogany, and it has shiny black finish, and the body style? I think you guess...
This has a tune-o-matic bridge with a stop tailpiece. Non locking tuners. I think it has jumbo frets, I'm not sure tough.
I got a case with it.
Sound
:9
I play metal, punk and rock, and this one suits really good for that kind of action. I play it through Fender Yale Reverb and Zoom 505II effect, and the sound is really sweet. I can't really say much about the noisyness, since I got problems with my cables...
Totally this guitar has very good ringing and everything..
There's no much things to dislike!
Action, Fit, & Finish
:8
I can't tell about the factory set-up.
when I bought this from my friend, it has good adjustement, and I didn't feel it would be necessary to change it.
It really didn't have any flaws, except that leftie strap knob is loose, and hard to screw tighter, but I don't care 'bout that.
Reliability/Durability
:8
I haven't played it live, but as much as I have played it in rehearshals, it has withstanded pritty well. chrome hardware, long last, it seems like that anyway...
strap buttons are solid, finish is good!
I'm quite sure I can depend on it.
I would maybe count on it without a back up...
Customer Support
:No Opinion
I haven't been in contact with the company, so I cant comment this section!
Overall Rating
:8
I have been playing for guitar for like three or four years now, and I owned a warlock before this one.
This is a good guitar, for it's price...
Product: Epiphone Flying V Price Paid: US $230
Submitted 04/14/2002
at 10:43pm
by patric
Email: no_ambition<at>minorthreat dot com
Features
:9
i am not to sure what year or make this guitar is. basically all i know is its a really basic flying v made by epiphone some where is some guitar sweatshop in korea. i baught at a local pawn shop so i doen't really know to much about the history of it, but it has been pretty heavily modified. i have seen quite a few of these cheaper end epiphone flying v but never one like mine so i would actually apreciate if someone out there that has any knowlege about it drop me a line at no_ambition@minorthreat.com.
the orginal pick ups were exchanged and replaced with what i thing are emg hz active humbuckers. it also has i floyd rose double locking tremelo. 1 tone knob 1 volume and a 3 way selector switch. it has this really cool looking black with silver sparkle finish.
Sound
:8
i play punk and i don't mean that crap that is beig played on tv and radio i am talking real fucking punk loud fast in your face. so this guitar is pretty much right for me. i guess my style is a lot like brian baker of minor threat mixed with big john of the exploited. like i said before the pick ups have been upgraded to emg active pick ups. they sound really well and very treblely, which is what i like best about it. the pots do need relpaced or resolderd because there is a lot of static when turned. i am a very basic player no effects unless i am just messin around expirementing with stuff. i play through a horible crate gx40 that i thought used to be junk until i baught this guitar. some how this guitar makes it howl
Action, Fit, & Finish
:8
when i baught it at the pawn shop it was set up for 9's and had 9's on it. i play 10's so i had to reconfigure the whole thing. i also had to raise the brige pick up it was just a little to low. it is now set up perfect for me. i baught it used so it had its fair share of dings, i wouldn't have it any other way. i find it pointless for me to buy a brand new guitar cause i am just gonna dent, scratch, and chip it all to hell anyway.
Reliability/Durability
:4
this is the ify part of this guitar. i don't think it is gonna withstand my use for very much longer without resolder and relaceing the pots. they are really scratch and fade in and out some times. but this is not the result of the epiphone factory it is the because of the poor tech skills of who changed the electronics. every thing is great, hardware, finish, and strap buttons, except for the electronics.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
never dealt with epiphone. i will definatly get the electronics fixed by someone or just DIY it.
Overall Rating
:7
its just a material possesion you can't doesn't really matter if someone stole it i try not to let the things i own control me or own me. this guitar is currently my number 1 player since the downfall of my old electra pheonix. i also play a hamer special(korean made) that doesnt have a treblely sound like i want so it is collecting dust right now.
IF ANY ONE HAS AN EXTRA LOCKING NUT PIECE TO A FLOYD ROSE TREMELO EMAIL ME AT no_ambition@minorthreat.com I NEED IT. i am sure it would be cheaper than new tuners cause these damn things suck my balls.
Product: Epiphone Flying V Price Paid: 300 (Pounds (UK))
Submitted 07/25/2001
at 10:00am
by Anonymous
Features
:8
it was made this year in korea. 22 frets.solid top.two vol one tone
h/h configuration. Pickups made by Gibson. Passive electronics
Rosewood neck and Maple body.Finish transparent. Body style, it's a fucking flying v. Bridge style String-thru-body.It's got prety good schaller locking tuning heads (hardly ever goes out of tune when it's in the case). Came with a gig bag and Strap.
Features pretty nice all round.
Sound
:9
It fits my style perfectly which is Grundge/Metal mainly Nirvana stuff.I'm using it with a Marshall JCM 2000 TSL 100watt stack With Boss: Turbo Distortion (DS-2), Metal Zone(MT-2),Xtortion(XT-1),Super OverDrive (SD-1) and Electro Harmonix Big Muff pi USA. There is hardly any noise except a bit of feedback with the pedals on.It's got a rich bitting tone especialy fromthe bridge humbucker. It'll do a nice Blusey clean sound with a fat distorted Overdrive sound.I like everything about the sound, it's just right for what I play.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:10
The action was good haven't had to change it. Pickups are just right.
Reliability/Durability
:10
Ihave gigged this guitar in every gig I've done since I got it.The pickups are great the pots are smooth an solid there is nothing wrong with this guitar, even if you smashed it against the stage a million times it won't bust. The only backup i'll ever need is a pack of strings.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Overall Rating
:10
I've been playing for 20 years now and this is the most Fuckin coolest guitar i've ever used. I also own a Gibson SG Vibrola,Gibson Les paul standard,Fender JagStang, Fender strat
origanal "65 model and a Jackson RRX. This Kicks the shit out of all of them, even though it's an Epiphone this just something about it that makes it Fuckin brilliant.
Product: Epiphone Flying V Price Paid: US $150 used
Submitted 05/01/2001
at 07:36am
by Jon
Features
:6
I really don't know much about all these technical technicalities, I just play it like it is, and if it was maple or mahogany I wouldn't know the difference. The Guitar has just what you need, volume, tone and a 3-way switch. On the other hand the features does not leave much room for sonic experimentation, the sound you get is pretty much the same.
Sound
:10
That sound on the other hand is great for what i do, playing powerchords in a kind of Posies-played-by-AC/DC-way. I mostly use a 50w Marshall VS combo, and you can really smack people upside the head with the sound, big and massive. This is not an axe, its a big sledgehammer i tell you!
Action, Fit, & Finish
:7
Action is go! I suspect the guy I bought it from had messed some with the pickups, but I didn't see any need for messing any moore. The tone-control doesn't really do much, maybe som bad wiring or maybe a knob problem. It's a pretty heavy guitar (weightwise and otherwise), but unlike the explorer a friend of mine has, its perfectly balanced.
Mine is poorly painted shitty brown, yours is probably not..
Reliability/Durability
:8
The reliability is good unless you put it under a blanket in a tiny apartment and step on it while rushing to the VCR to tape a Simpsons-episode. Then the neck will brake. I learned this the hard way. I always use it on gigs without backup, because I gave away my backup, but so far there has been no problem.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
I bought it used, so it didn't come with a warranty, and I have never dealt directly with any company, but the repairmen in Norway are generally expencive, slow, and snotty. Get your dad to glue it or even glue it yourself.
Overall Rating
:10
I bought it 5 years ago because it was cheap and looked like a million bucks, and I would buy it again of the same reasons AND because of the sound that's just the way I like it. One problem: if you lean it against a chair it will fall down and break again. I learned this the hard way too. Most important is the statement you make, the way you will feel walking through town after rehearsal. People will turn their heads, and say to eachother "There goes someone who owns a Flying V. He must be a rebel, a fighter, an unknown superstar".
Product: Epiphone Flying V Price Paid: 2500 (norwegian kroner) used
Submitted 02/10/2001
at 05:56pm
by Gunnar Gjerde
Email: gungjer at frisurf<dot>no
Features
:8
This is a korean-made flying v, i guess from 1995-96. It's the '67 lookalike. 1 volume-, 1 tonecontrol, 3-way switch and jack-input in a line-in configuration, and two epiphone stack humbuckers. 22 frets. It's white with white pickguard. Body is some laminated wood, a mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard. Typical Gibson setup; stop-bar, tune-o-matic bridge, and die-cast tuners. It has a thin, set neck. The v came with an ESP-case.
Sound
:10
I play mostly metal, often with melancoly, melodious parts. I really didn't expect much from this guitar, but i was in for a surprise! It's got a really dark, grainy sound, lots of gain, bass and mids. I suspected that the poor body-material would kill the sustain, but it didn't, not enough for me to notice, anyway. The downside is that the pickups feed back like hell when you turn the volume up. I solved this by dipping them in melted beeswax. That removed most of the feedback. I play it with a Peavey Bandit 112 at home, and I really like the sound of it. I actually had to lower the gain on the amp's distortion channel! A 10 after the beeswax-job.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:7
The boys who had this guitar before me had probably tampered with the setup, so I don't know if the factory did it well. I didn't have to adjust the trussrod though, I only set the bridge-height to my liking, and gave it an intonation. The former owners must have taken good care of it, cause it had absolutely no scratches or dings. The electronic parts on epiphone guitars aren't exactly top-quality, which is understandable considering the price. I replaced the pickup-
switch with a DiMarzio Switchmaster.
Reliability/Durability
:8
With the feedback removed, I would gladly use this guitar on stage. The hardware seems ok, (except for a couple of tuners that are loose, but that is probably caused by someone accidentally dropping the guitar tuners first.) Thick finish that probably never will come off. Solid strap buttons. I would depend on it, I think. I probably wouldn't use it without a backup; not because of dependability, but because of my choice of different sounds from different guitars.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Never dealt with Epiphone
Overall Rating
:9
I've been playing for 7-8 years, mostly the same kind of music, ranging from pop to metal to hardcore. Aside from the v I own a Gibson SG, a Cort acoustic guitar, a Peavey Bandit 112, and a Zoom fire 7010 ( I hate that digital sound; I hardly ever use it).
I bought the V mostly because I love the shape; the '67 shape, mind, NOT the '58, I think the '58 looks clumsy, somehow. I also bought it because i wanted to tamper with, and learn about, guitar electronics and action/setup. I've made some changes on it; i removed the strap buttons from the ends of the horns and replaced one on the underside of the upper horn (original '67 position.) I also didn't like the control line-up, so I split the master volume to two individual volume controls, and set the controls up in the triangular position resembling the '67. This resulted in me having to carve out some wood from the body to make room for the jack-input. I'm learning from it, and the guitar is looking better, I think.I love this guitar, but i'm still having feelings for my good old SG.
Product: Epiphone Flying V Price Paid: 4000kr (norwegian kroner)
Submitted 09/10/2000
at 04:36pm
by BJ`
Email: bja-jo2 at frisurf<dot>no
Features
:8
this is a koreanmade v ,1994-model ,unlike the Gibson v the body is alder,not mahogany.neck is maple with a rosewood fretboard .22 frets,two humbuckers,one volume,one treblepot&a threeway switch.mine is black.They must have "drowned" the guitar in the sprayingprocess cause the sound both acoustic and plugged in sounds kinda dead.not that the cheapo pickups does anything better.i`m gonna replace them with Gibson 496r&500t pickups.tuners work ok,so does the tuneomatic and stop bar.one nice thing is the setneck that gives the guitar an longlasting sustain.the guitar was flawless finishwise when i got it.only an allen wrench came with it
Sound
:3
As in my epi lp std review , I play everything,but mainly metal.the v do not cut it because of the shitty pickups and the thick paint.maybe this one was assembled out of lower grade woods than the materials most commonly used?the pickups sounds extremely muddy with what i call an hard bass and harsh treble.it sounds best at clean settings,so I mainly use it as a studiotool for the softer moments in my songs.'I guess that the Gibson pickups will improve the sound drastically so...I love this guitar despite its tonal shortcomings,so i`ll do anything to improve it.3 for the clean sound
Action, Fit, & Finish
:9
the only flaws are the tonal qualitys,cause it`s nicely built.changing the pu\s and maybe the pots and switch will help in gettin a better guitar.good setup
Reliability/Durability
:9
I have played a few gigs with it, so it will most likely withstand more live playing.As I have stated above , the finish is so thick ,it will never come off!!hardware is solid,so are the strapbuttons ,Don`t know what`s with all the people complaining about shitty strapbuttons,I`ve never ever had any of my guitars dropped to the floor,or loose buttons.Never bring just one guitar with you to gigs.that`s not smart
Customer Support
:5
never dealt with epiphone,I bring it to my local musicstore whenit needs any tweeking.don`t know about the warranty
Overall Rating
:5
I own eight guitars,the v , epi lp std,ibanez studio,cimar-ibanez classical guitar,Gibson nighthawk std,Hondo Strat,washburn lp lookalike ,and a westone bassguitar.been playing for 13 years,love the v but i`d wish i would try it out more before i bought it.I basically bought it because of the shape and not for the sound.I woudn`t do it again.the sound is terrible!!!I guess the epi korina model is better sounding than my Flying v.....
Product: Epiphone Flying V Price Paid: US $250
Submitted 07/15/2000
at 09:34pm
by ricky
Email: onlywherevansshoe at aol<dot>com
Features
:9
dunno when it was made. it was made in korea though. 22 frets. its not solid wood so that kills the sustain even with full gain on my pod and the new pickup(get to that later) its like layers of wood all stacked up which does have one plus....its light as fuck. its got a volume tone and 3 way toggle.two humbuckers. it had two epi stock pickups(sucked) it now has the epi neck p/u and a seymour duncan ditortion humbucker(kicks major ass!!!!!!). passive. dunno what woods.
it was gloss black with a white pickgaurd, WAS, i refinished it. the top and headstock are now gliter silver and the pickgaurd back and sides are flat black(its so pretty). tune-o-matic/stoptail. tuners are no-name but they stay in tune once the stings have streched. its got the standard gibson 24 3/4 scale. i got it used so it had no accessories. oh an di put on schaler straplocks. i would give it a 5 before but now that ive overhauled it i give it a 9
Sound
:9
it suits my style very well(heavy distorted power chords). i use a line 6 pod and whatever amp is around to use to plug the pod into. not noisy(course i never turn the pod's noise gate off so i dont know). i dunno if its rich or full but it suits me till i can afford an esp usa custom eclipse or steven carpenter model.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:9
i tune down to drop d and then a whole step down so its cgcfad. i reset the action to where i like it its fine for me.
Reliability/Durability
:9
itll withstand live playing. hardware-good, finish-redone, strap buttons-schaller straplocks, dependable. id have to use it without a backup cus its my only guitar.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
never dealt with it
Overall Rating
:9
pretty damn good guitar for 250 plus the 100-150 ive put into it.
Product: Epiphone Flying V Price Paid: US $400 (about ATS 4.500,--)
Submitted 02/15/2000
at 06:03am
by Peter
Features
:9
OK, here we go: 1996 model, made in Korea, 22 frets (medium, I think), mahagony, one-piece body. Black finish, very good for that price. No scratches at all. Two humbuckers, 1 volume knob and 1 tone knob. The fretboard is rosewood, the fretbuzz at all. I prefer dark wood on my fretboard, and rosewood is the best for my fingers. Has a Tune-O-Matic bridge, no-name tuners, but it was a surprise for me, they keep that axe in tune pretty good. No probs with the tuners so far. No case included.
Sound
:8
Well, that axe is great for me. You know, it's no Gibson, but I was really surprised of it. I play mostly metal, sometimes blues, and metal in my opinion means it has to crush you. The noise of the humbuckers is ok, not too loud. It has a rich and full sound, plenty of mids. I raised the bridge pickup, so now I have a very good, crunchy tone with it. I use the following tuning: B-E-A-D-G-B, so you can expect I play downtuned stuff. Very good axe for that stuff.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:7
Very good finish, black with white pickguard. I did look for scratches, and surprise, not one found. I raised the height of both pickups, so I can get a richer tone out of them. The string action was very good, surprise #2. Although I had to change it a little bit, because of the height change of the pickups, but very good. Tuners work good too. One thing that I do not like is that the volume knob is right below the bridge pickup. As you know, I play metal, I jump around with my guitar, and I'm afraid that knob will get damaged when I'm in action. But nevertheless a good axe.
Reliability/Durability
:9
This guitar will stand live playing without any doubts. The hardware is chrome, looks damn good, and I think it's good quality. The finish is good too, even though it now has a few deep scratches, but hey, now it is 4 years old, and that is ok. Strap buttons are solid as hell. Without a doubt, I'd say I can depend on it. Well, no gig without a backup, but that's just because I don't like to play a wet, sweaty guitar all the time.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Never dealt with it, and did not need it in 4 whole years. NOT one problem with that guitar.
Overall Rating
:9
Been playing for 6 years now, own a Epiphone G-400 too. The G-400 maybe looks better, but for the sound I prefer my V. If it was stolen, hhmm, think I'd buy it again. Monster guitar. I love it.
Product: Epiphone Flying V Price Paid: US $275 used
Submitted 12/08/1999
at 08:55pm
by Joseph Drew
Email: masterof at masterofdarkness<dot>net
Features
:8
I'm guessing this is the earlier '90's model V, because it's not the Korina V which Epi makes now. This has a very thin neck, which I love, 2 open coil humbuckers, one volume and one tone control, stopbar tailpeice and tune-o-matic bridge, Schaller-style tuners, rosewood fretboard, flush mounting input jack on pickguard, 3 strap buttons (one on either horn, and one on the back, right behind the neck joint), set neck, jumbo frets, and a hardshell case (whew!) I think that covers the features properly, all in all it's good for what it does, other V's and V copys all have 3 controls, but other than that, this is a cool guitar. hence the 8.
Sound
:8
well, I have a tendency to go out there, and play some things which require some serious distortion, this guitar fills the bill, the guitar can handle distortion better than anything else. Bassy, kinda dark as previously mentioned. very useful. I'm using a Big Muff Pi pedal and my Vox Pathfinder right now, I can get some cool tones, I haven't really thought of what bands the tones resemble (although almost everything has a Black Sabbath-like tone with the big muff.) I like what can be done with the tones, it doesn't get very bright, but I own a Strat and a Rickenbacker to handle that end. Once again, I've given an 8 on this one, because it's that good.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:7
it's a used guitar, I'm sure set up has been altered before I got my hands on it. I first lowered the bridge pickup, than I lowered the action, now the action's extremely low, which means effortless fingering of chords, another plus for me. the finish is in great shape. one little chip in front of the strap button on the upper horn, other than that, the thing's flawless right now. the way I take care of instruments, I doubt much bad will happen to it. I'm giving it a 7 because it looks and plays great right now.
Reliability/Durability
:8
I'm sure it can withstand live playing, I'll probably only use it for a song or two in a set. Everything seems solid to me. any markings would only add character. I care more about hardware than finish when it comes to this guitar. I'm sure it'll get kicked around, it's still a "new guitar" to me, since I've not had it out yet. I'm sure the friends and family who play guitar will want to give it a try. But I'm not worried.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
never dealt with epiphone, don't plan on, either.
Overall Rating
:9
I've been playing about 5-6 years. I own a Fender Strat, a Rickenbacker 360, a Rickenbacker 4001 bass, a Epiphone 12-string accoustic, and a no-named classical accoustic. I like this guitar, it definately looks wrong strapped to me, but that's the whole idea, a geek playing a Flying V is supposed to look wrong. But if Dave Grohl can get away with playing a Gibson Explorer, I guess I can play a Flying V. If something was to happen to this, I don't know if I'd get another one, let's see how this one works our for me, right now it's fun to have. It's lightweight, and the sound is heavy, but the way the neck droops when your holding it is somehting I need to get used to. The tone is its greatest feature. If I don't get another one of these, I've always had a thing for SG's I definately have to go back to trying them out again.
Product: Epiphone Flying V Price Paid: Canadian 600 w/tax
Submitted 03/07/1999
at 11:49am
by Nick Gorman
Email: nick_gorman at hotmail<dot>com
Features
:7
I dont know what year this baby is, im guessing 98, its got 22 frets and the 3 way selector and the three knobs, its the korina model which is currently in production by epiphone. the neck is really smooth and fast kinda like the sg. the finish is weird, i dunno if its supposed to be the way it is, but it looks like there were flaws in the wood and they did a really bad job, but i dunno. its got the v bridge which is really cool and just the stop tail piece. the tuning keys i found were really crappy and needed to be replaced for sure, theyre supposed to be replica tuners, but I replaced them with some grovers. all this baby came with was the guitar, and i had a hell of a time getting hold of a case for it.
Sound
:10
This is where this guitar rocks and falls. the sound is thick chunky and meaty. for anything you could dream of, it can pull off. but, the only gripe about it is that the stock pickups are SO noisy and feed back like mad. i would consider replacing at least the bridge pickup with a emg 81 or a semour duncan something. ill give it a 10 just because the guitar sounds awesome when the pickups are replaced.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:7
the action is great, the pickups are perfect, except the sound, the only thing was that the ground of the output fell out after about a month, and i had to solder it back on, which is minor, but i dont expect that to happen to a new guitar.
Reliability/Durability
:10
ive played it live with a marshall shreadmaster and a boss noise gate(a must with this guitar) through a fender twin reverb and the sound was out of this world. i tune to a Db and it would just blow you away. the wood is quite easily damaged, but if your careful, no problem.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
never dealt with em. (yet anyways)
Overall Rating
:10
Ive been playing for 6 years, I own a blue voodoo stack and an RP-6 (DONT EVEN GET ME STARTED) and that piece of junk just stays in the corner. the effects i use are either a Boss Metal-Zone or a Marshall Shread-Master and a Boss Noise-Gate. this baby rips. perfect for thrash, death, and punk. If you have any problems or questions you can contact me below. for the price, totally.
Product: Epiphone Flying V Price Paid: US $400
Submitted 11/21/1998
at 02:36pm
by Justin Carpenter
Email: drancourt<at>hotmail dot com
Features
:8
This is Epiphone's answer to the Gibson Flying V, and is detail-for-detail pretty much identical. SG-style neck, huge spearhead headstock, narrow V with long horns. 22 frets, two standard Epiphone covered humbuckers, black with white pickguard. I believe the body's poplar or alder, I'm not quite sure -- whatever it is, it's extremely light. Chrome hardware, "ebony" rosewood fretboard. Perfectly typical and acceptable, but unremarkable.
Sound
:10
I've never heard a thicker, more watery-syrupy-dark-moody tone in my life. Perfect for dark moody pieces, foreboding chorus or thick distortion, it has a fantastic talent for staying pure while being dark.
I tried playing a variety of pieces on it from Eagles to Sabbath to Metallica to Jesus Christ Superstar to Sex Pistols to Bach, and whatever I played sounded -- well, dark and moody and vaguely sinister. If you want dark, this guitar's for you. Very clean tone, very pure and smooth, and like I said, extremely dark. Think dark chocolate truffles bathed in molasses, then flash-frozen and fed to you on a moonless night in the middle of the woods.
I don't give out 10's lightly, but this guitar deserves one. I couldn't make it sound bad. I also couldn't make it sound bright, so I should note that the rating is strictly for its ability to be dark and moody.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:9
The setup was perfect, right off the shelf. Not a signle complaint there. The tuners were solid, the fretboard smooth, frets well-surfaced, pickups adjusted to the perfect spot. It's a no-brainer to adjust if anything goes wrong, too.
Reliability/Durability
:3
Ah, here's where the Epiphone Flying V loses points with me. I wouldn't trust this guitar, simply because it's much too easy to dent and chip.
While it's very light (with helps balance the guitar), the wood's also very soft, and extremely easy to ding and dent. Unfortunately, since the body is so long, it's very easy to unknowingly smack the horns of the V against something if you're used to a more conventionally-shaped guitar. Combine these two factors, and you have a recipe for disaster. Mine stayed in the case most of its life with me, and yet it received a few frighteningly visible dings simply from very light routine bumps. I have trouble recommending a guitar that bruises this easily, and I know it's not me -- I'm quite careful with my instruments.
The hardware seems acceptable. The finish is thin, though -- while it might be strong enough in itself, the wood beneath it mushes inward when dinged much too easily, destroying the surface and therefore breaking the finish from within. Even little bumps cause diamond-shaped dings with cracked finish edges.
Epiphone is normally a great company in my opinion, and I post this opinion of their Flying V only with great admitted trepidation, since I deeply respect their work. However, their Flying V just isn't a durable piece of equipment. I'd be afraid to play it onstage, and afraid to really cut loose and jam on it -- and if I can't do that, how can I enjoy the guitar?
Customer Support
:9
Gibson has always been good to me, on many occasions. No complaints at all. They're very helpful and considerate. I get the idea they really prefer Gibson customers over Epiphone customers, but I should note that I haven't had a single bad experience with them, and they've been nothing but courteous and patient with me.
Overall Rating
:7
I sold this one a few months after buying it, and it broke my heart. While the sound was out of this world, I just didn't feel safe and comfortable playing it, because it was so easy to bruise. I really encourage people to check this guitar out themselves -- it's so exquisitely GOOD in sound, and yet, IMHO so excruciatingly BAD to reliability, that it's a guitar everyone should try and judge for themselves. If you're a self-proclaimed "rock angel" type and like on-stage theatrics, this guitar probably won't last long in your hands. On the other hand, if you're VERY careful, you'll get a sound that's out of this world.
Product: Epiphone Flying V Price Paid: Canadian 449.99 used
Submitted 07/08/1998
at 10:07am
by David Johnsen
Email: swingkid123<at>yahoo dot com
Features
:9
My Flying V is a mid 90's version made in Korea by Epiphone. 22 frets, Master volume, master tone, black with white pick guard. Three way pickup selector switch, two humbuckers heavy Mahogany. Thin neck, mine came with a nice Epiphone retangular case. Cool classic V look, reminisent of early models.
Sound
:10
I play blues rythmn and alternica/metal. This is an IDEAl blues rythmn guitar. Clean sounds are so so smooth....and thats with the stock pickups. I use a Fender Tube combo amp, and I get exactly what I want from this beauty. For my heavier stuff, I use it along with a DOD FX51 Juice Box, and can really coax some sweet stuff from my setup. Distortion is nice and full, never lacking, but It would be even better with custom pickups. I tryed it with my buddies DOD amp on his clean setting, i got a really, i mean really, bright sound. Not my cup of tea, but some may like it for jazz. I am sure you could get any type of sound out of this guitar, depending on your choice of pickups and amplifier. Its that versitle.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:9
I love the action. Fast as heck. I'm sure my chording speed picked up by at least 50%, its that fast. Nice smooth neck, a bit like an SG. I bought this guitar used, and there was a little chip on the head stock. But this beast is nice and heavy, gives it a feeling of power. The body will last forever. The factory wiring is a little suspect though. I had trouble with one of the selector switch settings after a while, but it was easily repaired. I guess because I bought it used. I've heard stories about wiring problems so watch out for that.
Reliability/Durability
:10
Finish is beautiful, and I think this guitar has the balls to go the distance. Factory hardware is decent, but if you're a serious musician you will probally want to customize it to meet your specific needs. Strap buttons are solid and nice and big.
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Never have dealt with Epiphone, but from what I've heard they know whats going on and are willing to help. Hey these guys have built guitars for over 80 years. Trust me. They know.
Overall Rating
:10
I've only been playing a couple of years, but I know this is a keeper. Its got all the style, sound, and raw energy to keep me happy. If stolen I would take it pretty hard. I know it sounds lame, but it just goes to show how much this guitar has gotten into me. I'd definetly buy another (and find the freak who stole it). I compared it to an Explorer and found the Explorer too bulky for my liking. The V takes a little while to get used to holding it, but I found it the most comfortable guitar to maneuver after only a few hours with it. If you are in the market for a sweet looking, sounding, and long lasting guitar, I recommend you check it out.
Product: Epiphone Flying V Price Paid: US $475
Submitted 04/28/1998
at 09:38am
by Troy Baer
Email: tbaer at columbus<dot>rr<dot>com
Features
:8
My Flying V is a '93, made in Korea. It's *NOT* the same as the Korina Vs that Epi makes now; it's more like the Gibson '67 reissue, except with only master volume and master tone controls. The neck is made of mahogany and has 22 frets on a 24.75" scale; it's thinner and more like an SG neck than that of my Epiphone Les Paul Standard. The V body is alder with a gloss black finish and a white pickguard. The guitar has two humbuckers, a Tune-o-matic bridge, and Sperzel-style tuners.
Sound
:9
I play progressive and classic rock as well as metal through an RP-12 and a variety of amps, and this guitar is my "#1". It's not at all noisy, although now that I've had it for a couple years the pots are starting to get a little scratchy and need cleaned. I swapped out the pickups for Duncans -- a Distortion in the bridge, and a Jazz in the neck. The sound is pretty thick but definitely has more of an edge than my LP. I *love* the unhindered high fret access that the guitar has. I would like a bit more low end sometimes, though; I wonder what changing the body wood to mahogany would do to the tone.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:6
My V has some (relatively minor) flaws in its finish, mainly along the edges of the neck. They're not hideous, merely irritating. The factory setup was fine, and the fretwork has held up well.
Reliability/Durability
:8
I've had this guitar for over three years now, and it's held up quite well. I have gigged with it a couple times with no backup (other than extra strings).
Customer Support
:No Opinion
Never had to deal with 'em.
Overall Rating
:9
I've been playing for about 4-5 years now, and this guitar been my "#1" for most of that time. I'd buy another in a heartbeat if it were stolen. I do wish the stock pickups and finish were better, but I love the ease of access to the higher frets. When I was shopping for guitars, I checked out a lot of Epis and Gibsons, but this was the one that called out to me. It's pretty much the ultimate rhythm guitar.