Widely regarded as the most innovative guitarist of the rock era, Jimi Hendrix changed the world. While Gibson might not be the first company that comes to mind when you think of Jimi Hendrix, this Limited Edition model from the Custom Shop is a unique tribute. In 1969, Jimi custom ordered a black left-handed Flying V directly from Gibson. Used during his Band of Gypsys era, Hendrix's custom featured unique specs not found on other Flying Vs.
In 2020—50 years after the world lost Jimi Hendrix—the Gibson Custom Shop debuted the Jimi Hendrix 1969 Flying V. It is a modern-day, right-handed recreation of Hendrix's custom order. With aged finish and hardware from Murphy Lab, the Jimi Hendrix 1969 Flying V faithfully captures the vibe and mojo of Jimi's guitar, and only 125 right-handed models were created as part of this very special run. Each one was handmade by the expert luthiers and craftspeople of the Gibson Custom Shop in Nashville, Tenn.
The Jimi Hendrix 1969 Flying V features two "Custombucker" pickups and a Maestro Short Vibrola tailpiece. It has period-appropriate details to match Hendrix's guitar to the most minute detail. Interestingly, Jimi ordered his with an Ebony fingerboard inlaid with split diamond fingerboard markers (a la Trini Lopez). Along with the gold hardware, this detail gives it an authentic "Gibson Custom" motif. Hendrix's custom order featured an inlaid Gibson logo on the headstock, instead of the Gibson-branded truss rod cover typically found on Flying Vs.
This 2020 Gibson Custom Shop Jimi Hendrix 1969 Flying V is practically brand new, but it has two small cosmetic dings (edge of the headstock and the neck heel, see photos). These guitars were highly anticipated and hard to find, so here's an opportunity to snag one at a reasonable price. It includes all of its original paperwork and case candy, and apart from those two tiny marks, you'd think it was brand new.
- Body Shape: Flying V
- Body Material: Mahogany
- Finish: Murphy Lab Aged Ebony
- Neck Material: Mahogany
- Neck Profile: Authentic '67 Flying V, .85" at Nut
- Scale Length: 24.75"
- Fingerboard: Ebony
- Fingerboard Radius: 12"
- Fingerboard Inlays: Mother of Pearl Split Diamond
- Nut Material: Corian
- Nut Width: 1.6"
- Neck Joint: Set, Short Tenon
- Hardware: Murphy lab Aged Gold
- Bridge: ABR-1 w/ Nylon Saddles
- Tailpiece: Maestro Short Vibrola
- Pickups: Gibson Custombucker
- Controls: 2x Volume, 1x Tone, 3-Way Selector