Goth 1958 Flying V Review

Features:	8.3
Sound:	7.7
Action:	8
Reliability:	8.4
Impression:	8.1
Overall rating:	8.1
Users rating:	8
Comments:	26

Classic V-shaped mahogany body, mahogany neck fitted with an ebony fretboard with side markers, and XII inlay at the 12th fret. Dual humbuckers, black chrome hardware, and plenty of attitude.

Featured review by: unregistered, on january 03, 2005

Purchased from: Musicians Friend

Features: This guitar was made in 2003, in Korea. It has 22 jumbo frets on a beautiful ebony fretboard. The neck and body are both mohogany I'm pretty sure, and has a black satin finish. It has a floyd rose tremolo, passive Gibson USA Alinco V Humbuckers, and 2 volume and 1 tone knobs, and a 3 way pickup selector. It is also equipted with locking grover tuners, and a locking nut. // 8

Sound: The sound Of the stock humbuckers are not all that good, expecially the neck humbucker. I am the kind of person who enjoys playing many styles of music, and pretty much, you dont really want to look into buying this, unless your are a metalhead. The bridge pickup is sensational for crunchy, heavy rythyms, and blistering leads. I'm currently using this guitar with a Marshall MG100HDFX and Marshall MG412 Cab, and it sounds wonderful. This guitar puts out great sound - scooped, crunchy rythyms. This guitar doesnt have alot of variety, but it is a great guitar for metal. If you are looking into making a purchase on this guitar, I would also suggest checking out some EMG HZ-H4s or some EMG 81s. // 6

Action, Fit & Finish: When the guitar came out of the factory, the action was near perfect, it needed a little tweaking, but now, it is one of the easyest playing guitars I have ever touched. The pickups needed a little adjusting, just to get a little more output, everything came pretty well adjusted prior to me tweaking with the things I prefer. I haven't came across a flaw, and probably never will, it is a sensational guitar. // 10

Reliability & Durability: This guitar will definately withisand a live show. The hardware is black, and I havent seen any fading, I replaced the stap buttons before I ever used the guitar, because I use staplocks on all of my guitars. I wouldn't use this guitar at a live gug without a backup, because I use the floyd rose excesively, and it does go out of tune with too much abuse to the whammy. The finish looks seems like it may last forever, I haven't found any spots that are fading on it. // 10

Impression: I play mostly heavy metal, and this is one of the best playing and sounding guitars for the genre I have ever layed hands on. I have been playing for 3-4 years now, and I own a Marshall MG100 Half Stack, an Epiphone Korina Flying V, an Ovation acoustic guitar, and this old school Kasino tube head. I also use a Boss MT-2 Metal Distortion Pedal, and a Dunlop Crybaby. This is definately my favorate peice of equiptment. // 8

Reviewed by: unregistered, on august 26, 2004

Purchased from: Guitar Center: Foothill

Features: - Made in I believe Korea and is 100% inspected in the U.S.
- 22 large frets.
- Satin finish.
- V-style body.
- String through body design.
- One 3 way Switch, dual volume controlls and 1 tone controll.
- Dual Humbuckers.
- Non-locking Epiphone tuners.
- No included accessories. // 10

Sound: I personally like rock and some metal. This particular guitar is the definition of perfect for this style. I use a Crate XT15R amplifier and the new DigiTech, Grunge: heavy grind distortion pedal. It's not noisy at all. Even with the distortion all the way up it seems alot quieter than others I've played. It gets the best sound when the disortion is turned up. It can sound anywhere from like an acoustic to the heaviest metal sound there is. // 10

Action, Fit & Finish: When I bought the guitar it was set up perfectly. The pickups were set up perfectly and when I plugged it into my tuner it was already set up tp play. It didn't have any flaws except there was a missing nut to hold the 3 way Switch, but I figure that was somthing that was messed with in the store by some little kid or somthing. // 10

Reliability & Durability: So far I think the guitar can withstand anything but being thrown off a building or run over by my dads 4x4 chevy pickup. The hardware is very reliable, I highly expect it to last. The strap buttons are rock solid and being a V thats somthing that is very important. The strap I use now I used to use on my Strat and it always fell off. With this guitar it hasnt sliped once. I know I can depend on it and I would keep a backup at a gig no matter what even tho I know I wont need it. The finish is outstanding. It makes my Strat look like a childs toy. // 10

Impression: I play mostly rock style and some metal. This guitar is a perfect match. I've been playing almost a year now. I also own a Squier: Strat, a cheap wannabe Jackson guitar, a Fender 15 Frontman amp, and a Crate XT15R amp. There isn't anything I wish I'd asked when I bought it except maybe if they could thank whoever designed the whole guitar and set it up. If it were stolen I would hunt down and hurt whoever stole it. But if I couldnt I'm dead sure I'd buy another. I love the sound quality and how quiet it is. I love the unique V shape and satin finish.

So far I haven't figured out anything I dislike about it except that its a little top heavy but with a Planet Waves electric guitar strap it eliminates your problem. My Favorite feature is the whole thing itself. It's the perfect guitar for my style. I compared it to a BC Rich Bronze Warlock and an Ibanez JTK1BRS Jet King. They were both impressive with good sound but they were't quite what I was looking for. But the second I picked up this one I knew it was the perfect guitar for me. Pick one up youll see exactly what I mean. I can't think of anything I wish it had. It already has everything I personally wnat in an electric guitar. // 10

overall: 7.6

Reviewed by: RCA1186, on september 28, 2007

Purchased from: ebay

Features: I bought this guitar used on ebay. It has 22 frets on an ebony fretboard. The fretboard is blank with the exception of a XII at the twelvth fret. The body is mahogany with a set mahogany neck. The paint is satin black. I replaced the pickups with EMGs 81/60. The bridge is Tune-O-Matic with no stop bar and it is string-thru. Each pickup has a master volume and there is one master tone. All hardware is black and the tuners are black grover's non-locking. // 9

Sound: The sound of the original pickups through my Crate XT120 were decent; the neck pickup is great for soloing and the bridge has a decent output, but the guitar sounded much better with EMG's. My rating is based on the original pickups and wiring. This guitar sounds and looks great especially for metal! // 7

Action, Fit & Finish: Well I'm not sure how the action was from the factory since I bought it used but I did have to adjust the truss rod in the neck. Once I did that I was able to set the action really low with minimal to no buzzing. The finish is great the EMG's look like they were made for this guitar since they are basically the same color. The only thing is you have to wipe down the guitar after you play or else the satin finish will start looking glossy from the oil in your hands and arm. Ratings based on how I recieved the guitar (action, neck, finish). // 7

Reliability & Durability: I've used this guitar Live with no problem and you can depend on it. I'd trust it even more now with the EMG's I put in, but get some strap locks because the strap tends to slip off the top strap button. the finish like I said seems like it will get glossy or wear off after awhile if you don't wipe it down after you play. // 7

Impression: Overall this is a pretty sweet looking guitar and pretty reliable, after putting EMG's and straplocks on it and adjsuting the neck. If you don't know how to do that stuff I wouldn't recommend it but overall for a mahogany body with set neck, ebony fretboard and nice inlay it's a pretty good value. If it were lost or stolen I'd probably replace it with a Goth Explorer instead. // 8

overall: 2.4

Reviewed by: Tremonti333, on june 26, 2007

Purchased from: Music Unlimited

Features: It's the "half-ass V", if you will. The price was decent, but I bought it back when I had no guitar knowledge. I bought it back in 2001-2 and I believe it was made in 2001, so it was fairly new, and it is pure USA made. It has 22 frets and a nice solid mahogany neck and body. The body is flat-black and it has an ebony fretboard with side markers and an 'XII' inlay at the 12th fret. It's got dual humbuckers and black chrome hardware. The humbuckers aren't the best and they tend to not work as well as they once did, but when they did they worked great. There were no tuning locks, or floyd rose, or any other really 'fun' add-ons on this piece but it's great as a starting guitar. It's got a string through body I believe and a sh*tty bridge which got rusty in less than the first year I owned it. // 3

Sound: My style is mixed. I'm more of a grunge/hard rock/light metal player, I'm mainly influenced by guitarists like Mark Tremonti (Alter Bridge, ex-Creed) and to a smaller extent Matt Heafy (Trivium.) I'll play anything from Acoustic stuff like Dave Matthews, to Blues like Stevie Ray Vaughan, to Hard Rock like Godsmack, Thrash like Metallica or Megadeth, or even Heavy Metal like Children Of Bodom. Anything as long as I like the sound, the guitar is coherent and not entirely simple like Kurt Cobain's riffs (I hate HIM.) To end the digression, this guitar is pretty good for all styles, surprisingly. It's got a thick neck which gives it a nice bluesy crunch to almost everything you play on it which sounds nice. It works great in Standard tuning, but when I start to drop it, the sound quality degrades along with my dignity. I bought this thing for looks, not sound; BIG mistake on my part. As soon as you start to tune down (EVEN TO JUST DROP D) you get a horrid fret buzz and you need to re-adjust the bridge, the buzz on the low E is tolerable, but it gets annoying. But it does get the job done, just not to the extent that I need being more talented now than I once was. Again, this is a great starter guitar, but do not waste your money on it if you are looking for an upgrade. The own a Hot Head pedal and a Peavey Rage 158 amp. The pedal is the best thing in my current arsenal; however money is being saved for a nice Mesa Roadster and PRS Singlecut, so for the time being, the Hot Head is the best. The Hot Head and this guitar were MADE for each other, the sound that these two make EVEN with my sh*t box amp is pretty impressive for a less than $600 rig. // 3

Action, Fit & Finish: The action was horrible! The worst ever! Me and my friend worked on this thing for hours to try and make it sound presentable and when we did it only improved it a little. Again, if you don't know much about guitar and you want something, get this but If that's not your case however, than don't even look at it. The pickups were poorly adjusted, honestly it seemed as if they rushed this thing on the market or they just didn't care. The neck and truss rod were perfect though, you've already read about the bridge as far as flaws I pretty much named them all, except for that they strung the low E, A, and D strings all wrong, the action was too high, there is bad fret buzz, and the pickups work when they feel like it. // 1

Reliability & Durability: Live playing? I would be embarrassed. The hard ware is already dead, the strap stays on surprisingly, however it can take a beating. This guitar is very sturdy aside from what I had said. The finish is great the body is near impenetrable it's just the electronics that on this machine. // 2

Impression: I've already gone over just about everything there is to know. I've been playing for about 4 years now, I've owned this thing for longer though. I wished I hadn't bought this product honestly, just because I could've gotten something better for around the same price, like a PRS SE Tremonti or something. This guitar is 10x better than a Squire or any Jay Tursor though. If it were lost or stolen I'd be pissed only because I'd have nothing to play until I bought my Singlecut. I love the crunch I can get with this guitar and my "mini-rig," but I hate everything else. Everything else. I wish this guitar had tuning locks a completely different tuning system and bridge, and maybe a whammy bar, drop D switch, or kill switch would have made this more enjoyable and worth while. // 3

Reviewed by: unregistered, on october 19, 2005

Price paid: $ 524

Purchased from: Guitar Center

Features: This is actually the Wayne Static Signature Gothic Flying V. It is a flat black finish w/Epiphone USA pickups. It has Grover Tuners and a string-thru body. The best feature is actually what it lacks which is the tone knob. The only knob is a volume knob so you can go from lower rhythm to cranked out leads. If I want to mess with the tone I go to my amp not my guitar. The always cool feature though is the Static-X symbol on the head and his miniature bust on the reverse side of the head. // 9

Sound: I was leary on the Epiphone USA pickups at first but they really blast out that signature Wayne Static sound. I use this to play everything from Journey to Killswitch Engage and I always get compliments on how good it sounds. The three way selector allows you to access some surprising warmth from the neck position. When choosing to access both pickups, you can almost get an acoustic sound when played clean but yet plays well with blues distortion. // 10

Action, Fit & Finish: One thing that surprised me was that I changed the strings on it as soon as I got home to the new DR Black Beauties (10-46). Yes I know black strings on a black guitar seems cheesy in principal but looks awesome. There are no flaws noticible with the paint or hardware. // 10

Reliability & Durability: Guitar seems to be holding its own. I always carry several guitars for different tunings (Eb, Open G, D [all 6 down a whole step] and Standard E) but if my band were to play in one tuning this would last a whole show and then some. I have played this for hours on end and then it rode a bumpy ride to gigs without going out of tune. The strap buttons seem pretty solid but we all know that over time they come loose. Strap-locks would be ideal but not necessary. // 10

Impression: Overall this guitar beats some of the more expensive ones I've played. It is built to be a mteal machine but can be used universally. You get sweet clean tones to the dirtiest distortion you can imagine. Pinch and natural harmonics really sing out of this also. I am also a big fan of the blank fret board. Of course, the dots on the top side of the neck but the blank face makes it look like you know your way around the fret board even if you really don't. // 9

Reviewed by: unregistered, on october 24, 2003

Price paid: $ 567.3

Features: The Flying V goth series is a master peice and every thing about is fucking exelent. It was made in 1958 and it has 22 frets and it is is solid graphite all in one. It has two humbuckers one near the bridge and one near the neck. It has a black finish but mine has a diamond plate pick gaurd on it. The neck is a fat maple neck. Mine came with a brown solid gig bag. // 10

Sound: The style of music that it suit best in hard metallic sounds and it believe it or not it also works well if you want to get a blues sonund out of it. The effects that I am using on is a Zoom 606 pedal and it realy does have sum shit settings on it but most of then are good and you can get some great sounds out of it. I'm also using a Marshall Valvestate 8080 and its a second hand, but it does still blow your hair back. // 10

Action, Fit & Finish: The guitar is set up as a full all in one carbon guitar. The neck has a maple finish. The pickups are at the exact place on the body. A nice finish that you could add on is a diamond plate pick gaurd and it looks so good and it also looks good when playing metallica. // 10

Reliability & Durability: It's the most reliable guitar that I have ever played (others: bc rich beast, Ibanez ice man, Gibson Explorer) it the strap buttons are solid and they dont move at all. I could use it on a gig with out a back up. The hardware looks durable after two years. // 10

Impression: Hands down nothing is wrong with it and well it's been compared and nothing matches it. And looks great. // 10

overall: 8.8

Reviewed by: ProjectDark, on april 01, 2006

Purchased from: Guitar Center

Features: // 9

Sound: I play alterative/hard rock with lots of cleans and it suits me very well. At first the pickups are a little muddy but after some slight amp tweaks they come out fine. I play it through a Crate FTX120 and it sounds great. The pickups are realativly quiet. The pickups themselves are quite versitile easily pulling off power metal to classic rock, but I don't think they have enough punch for the heavier stuff. // 8

Action, Fit & Finish: When I got this particular guitar it was a floor model so of course there were some problems but they were as expected from a floor model. The action needed some minor tweaks but nothing over 20 mins worth of work. The pickups are well placed also. Surpirsingly enough when I had purchased the guitar it was flawless, no scratched, everything was alligned correctly. Only and a really major but easily fixable complaint is that is had some bad wiring which would cause the pickups to bleed through each other and sometimes not even activate, but just wiggle the toggle a few times and it gets fixed right up, so be prepared to maybe get the electical replaced. // 8

Reliability & Durability: This guitar is a trooper I've banged it around and it will not dent for anything. Standing up the guitar will tip downward at the neck and it will do it a lot, but when you play its easily remedied. The hardware and the strap locks are solid but I have had trouble with keeping the strap on (I need Straplocks). Very dependable and well built and on its own it stands up very well so theres little to worry whilst gigging. // 10

Impression: As stated before is suits my style fine and is versitile as long as you tweak the amp. If it were stolen I would go out and buy a different guitar, something with better pups. The only complants, kinda muddy pickups, too top heavy, and bad wiring. Other than that it's a great guitar and I got it for a steal and if your gonna get a guitar that has the potential to be a item of kickassery, then get it. // 9

Comments

[Korzack]

Black strings? Interesting idea, might do that when I get a V. Been looking at a Popa Chubby singiature guitar (dark natural with a cherry pickguard & P-90 pickups in the '58 style), played that in a music store & t'is pretty damn neat. Just wish everyone didn;t rape the brits so much for price (frickin' £459!)

[evilmetalboy]

you're all better off with an ESP-LTD V-500. it will work wonders for your tone, and it looks cooler.

[|\puto_rodas/|]

floyd rose tremolo, tune-o-matic, string thru body...
can anyone explain to me how different is the same guitar in the seven reviews?!
xP

[|\puto_rodas/|]

yeah as i thought so...
there are various models, BUT JUST WRITE ABOUT ONE PLEASE!!!
thanx

[Koty_Vengeance]

haha the gguy thought his was made in 1958

[GODZILLABASSIST]

I never cared for flying v's, but I tried a '58 goth out and it was the best v I have played.

[henza_x]

I dont think they make these anymore?

[FloydFan89]

I dont like Vs but this looks sick

[preciousability]

I have a tuning problem with my normal gold finished 1958 model Epiphone Korina Flying V, any suggestions?

[hvymtl939]

I don't know what the guy was talking about with the floyd rose, the only gibson/epiphine style v with a floyd that i know of is the new Zakk Wylde $4000 signature. The pictures I've seem of this model show it to have a tune-o-matic bridge with "strings through the body" rather than stopbar construction.

Checked.

[richard_edwards]

haha the second to last review is the worst review ive ever read. he thought his guitar was made in 1958. and 'carbon guitar'? what the hell is that?

and i wouldnt touch this guitar with a bargepole. its horrid. id choose an iceman over it any day.

normal shapes. please.

[edwardthegreat5]

How did all these people pay 0 dollars?

[uvq]

well its still an epiphone so it sucks.

[ibanezguitarkid]

Korzack wrote:

Black strings? Interesting idea, might do that when I get a V. Been looking at a Popa Chubby singiature guitar (dark natural with a cherry pickguard & P-90 pickups in the '58 style), played that in a music store & t'is pretty damn neat. Just wish everyone didn;t rape the brits so much for price (frickin' £459!)

don't feel bad, all companys rape us left handed people too.

[RCA1186]

uvq wrote:

well its still an epiphone so it sucks.

ladies and gentlemen we have a moron

[downNOLArules]

does not have a trem.

[squierstratdave]

ibanezguitarkid wrote:

Korzack wrote:

Black strings? Interesting idea, might do that when I get a V. Been looking at a Popa Chubby singiature guitar (dark natural with a cherry pickguard & P-90 pickups in the '58 style), played that in a music store & t'is pretty damn neat. Just wish everyone didn;t rape the brits so much for price (frickin' £459!)

don't feel bad, all companys rape us left handed people too.

go for the henrix look, up side down right handed guitar, and yeah us brits get ripped off

[jamesdjharrod]

I know! I bought a Gibson V for just under a grand, while my cousin in the states got the upgrade for less.

[bobwentpop]

It was in my local music shop for £350 1 and a half years ago. It was reduced a lot because they couldn't sell it. I was looking for my first electric guitar and I loved it, but in the end I decided to go for the more conventional Les Paul Standard (Epiphone). I don't regret my decision... but now I want a V! I think I'd go for the Jackson RX10D (?) though.

[big-boy-mike]

uvq wrote:

well its still an epiphone so it sucks.

**** you epiphone are amazing!

[big-boy-mike]

uvq wrote:

well its still an epiphone so it sucks.

**** you epiphone are amazing!

[speedforhire]

This is not a "Static" sig model as one posted here. Truly a good guitar for it's price!

[livemit]

this can be a truly fantastic guitar with a couple of customizations. i have this guitar for 4 years now and with the addition of seymour duncan pickups as well as new volume and tone pots it is truly great

[Vermin171]

"puto_rodas: floyd rose tremolo, tune-o-matic, string thru body...
can anyone explain to me how different is the same guitar in the seven reviews?!

There are three very similar versions of this guitar.

The standard Gothic Flying V which is just string through body with a tune 'o' matic bridge.

There's the version with a licensed Floyd Rose tremolo on it.

There's also a Wayne Static signature Flying V which is string through body but has Wayne's artwork on the headstock instead of the Epiphone logo.

They all have the same, matte black finish and look almost identical from a distance.

[toshiro umezewa]

The older Epi Goth Flying V's have a LFR.
http://sweelee.com.sg/catalog/images/E09-EGV2PBBH1.jpg