Deryck

I know it's a bit late, but it looks as though it's a Q Series 4000. They were made from left over Victory bodies apparently and one has just come up on ebay in a pewter finish, also marked "Prototype"; it explains the non-Victory pickups. Link: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271666148178?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2648&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT Regards, Deryck

"Seek and ye shall find" : www.ebay.com/itm/1980-1981-Gibson-ZEBRA-Creme-Black-Patent-Number-BRIDGE-Humbucking-Pickup-9-67-/380933861984?pt=Guitar_Accessories&hash=item58b16d7260 Regards, Deryck

One is a run of the mill Strat clone, the other is different - sometimes the difference between pretty good and brilliant or good looking and stunning is quite subtle.

That's like comparing a cup of coffee with a brick - what's the point?

Thank you Capmaster - that confirms the theory. I hope some owners will add more information. If anyone wants to see one, there's a photo on the Harmony Central thread on black SGs: www.harmonycentral.com/forum/forum/guitar/acapella-41/1124805-?&_suid=139610835949409409563285298645 Being a Newbie I haven't worked out how to upload photos of mine yet!

Hi, Let's get back to talking about Victorys. I've just acquired a black MVX, which has to be one of the coolest guitars ever. The problem is that, according to Gibson, they were only produced in red, blue and sunburst. Mention has been made of Roy Orbison's black one which was a special order, but I recently came across a 1983 video of the Kinks playing "Come Dancing" in which Dave Davies is playing a black Victory MVX. I've also found two mentions of black Victorys, one with a Kahler trem., on other forums. I would be very grateful to hear from anyone else with a black Victory, or anyone with a serial number close to mine, (83211534 - made on the 321st day of 1981), so that I can try to establish how many black ones were in that sequence. Gibson didn't have any records relating to serial numbers but they did say that sometimes a retailer who did a lot of business with Gibson would be able to ask for a small number of guitars with a special finish. I've also seen a black Victory bass on Ebay, and that 12-string looks like a one-off - I'd love to get my hands on one of those! Many thanks in advance to anyone who can help or posts an interesting reply.