Gibson Custom has unveiled the Michael Schenker 1971 Flying V Collector's Edition, a strictly limited recreation of the iconic black-and-white Flying V that Schenker used to record UFO's first three albums, built from 3D scans of the original guitar.
Michael Schenker’s black-and-white 1971 Flying V is one of the most storied guitars in hard rock history, and one that famously inspired Kirk Hammett of Metallica to pick up the instrument. Gibson Custom has now recreated it, limited to just 50 worldwide.
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Originally a Cherry Red 1971 Medallion Flying V, it was later refinished in black before Schenker transformed it into the two-tone black-and-white design that became his calling card. That final incarnation is what Gibson has recreated here, working from precise 3D scans of the original, which now lives in Kirk Hammett’s renowned guitar collection.
The specs follow the original closely. A mahogany body with a partially painted white pickguard, three-piece mahogany neck with a slim artist profile and volute, and a one-piece rosewood fretboard with 22 medium jumbo frets and cellulose dot inlays. The headstock carries the split-colour motif and is fitted with Schaller M6 tuners and a Corian nut. A pair of uncovered T-Top humbuckers with Alnico 5 magnets drives the tone – it’s the same pickup type behind the distinctive clarity and bite on early UFO records – wired to individual volume controls, a shared tone knob, Switchcraft three-way toggle and a quarter-inch output jack.
Each of the 50 guitars is hand-signed by Schenker on the back of the headstock and comes housed in a custom replica flight case adorned with Michael Schenker Group graphics. Also included are a commemorative mahogany display block featuring a #56 Medallion and a Certificate of Authenticity in a matching black-and-white folio.
For collectors and serious Schenker fans, this is your chance to own a piece of hard rock history.
The Michael Schenker 1971 Flying V Collector’s Edition is available now through authorised Gibson Custom dealers, Gibson Garage locations and gibson.com.
