Texasbluezman Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 I know Albert King used one. Are there any other big names that have the used the Flying V for playing blues? Anybody here using one for playing blues? If so, what pickups, model, and year? Thinking about getting one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doghead Posted September 17, 2011 Share Posted September 17, 2011 So far as pickups go, '57 Classics would be a good choice I think. They sound great for blues to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dem00n Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 Lonnie Mack!! In reality any model is fine for blues, you dont really need a super clean guitar for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Moore Tribute Posted September 18, 2011 Share Posted September 18, 2011 I have Burstbucker pros in mine. Their a little brighter than the 57's but you definately get that Blues tone your after... Update. The one thing you DO need for blues is a guitar with good sustain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GibSinCity Posted September 19, 2011 Share Posted September 19, 2011 A lot of people think the 496R/500T combo found in most stock V's & Explorers are too hot and brittle. If you want to play with hot pickups, especially this set, I've found that sometimes having the selector in the middle position, the tone almost all the way up, and rolling off the front volume a bit for more treble/bite, takes off that hot pickup harshness but keeps harmonics, etc. that hot pickups are known for. Also, your amp choice and how you use it are a key component in getting the tone you want. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texasbluezman Posted September 19, 2011 Author Share Posted September 19, 2011 Thanks guys! I have been wanting to get a LP Trad, but it's really hard to save $1500 to $2000, so I was looking for a good alternative. And something a little untraditional. My main concern was the stock pickups, but I was looking for something with some growl to them, so I'll just look for one and I can change pickups later. I can solder like there's no tomorrow, so that's not a problem. BTW, I'm a welder by trade, so I'm already a MMMM.(Master of Manipulating Molten Metal) I have a Am. Deluxe Strat for those cleans, so the V sounds like a good choice for what I'm looking for. Plus sometimes I'm in a metal mood and the V just screams early Metallica. Thanks again, and I'll post some pics when I have my NGD. Does the V have good sustain? I would think they would, since it's mahogany. I played one years ago, way before my ear knew what to listen for, so I just can't remember what they sounded like, tone wise. Also I've seen Joe Bonamassa playing one. He can make any guitar scream! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ESPguy Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 Thanks guys! I have been wanting to get a LP Trad, but it's really hard to save $1500 to $2000, so I was looking for a good alternative. And something a little untraditional. My main concern was the stock pickups, but I was looking for something with some growl to them, so I'll just look for one and I can change pickups later. I can solder like there's no tomorrow, so that's not a problem. BTW, I'm a welder by trade, so I'm already a MMMM.(Master of Manipulating Molten Metal) I have a Am. Deluxe Strat for those cleans, so the V sounds like a good choice for what I'm looking for. Plus sometimes I'm in a metal mood and the V just screams early Metallica. Thanks again, and I'll post some pics when I have my NGD. Does the V have good sustain? I would think they would, since it's mahogany. I played one years ago, way before my ear knew what to listen for, so I just can't remember what they sounded like, tone wise. Also I've seen Joe Bonamassa playing one. He can make any guitar scream! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ESPguy Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 I think the Gibson V is one of the most versatile guitars on the market. The strings are nice and loose, good for bends. The pickups are a good match, but a tad dirty, But they are great for rock and metal. I use a peavey JSX with reverb through the "crunch" channel, gain usually half for rock , maybe a third for semi-clean blues stuff. I wouldnt change the pickups, however the neck pickup is under close surveillance, And im not sure if I like it, as opposed to something a little meaner -like a 498, or a dimarzio distortion, SD, etc. this is why its good to have many Vs, so u can change pickups and compare a/b switch with the original pickups. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GibSinCity Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 My main concern was the stock pickups, but I was looking for something with some growl to them. Does the V have good sustain? The stock pickups definitely have growl. Too much for some. Workin' volume/tone pots and amp control is key. I like the switch in center position. Plenty of sustain. Some say adding one of these adds even more. http://store.gibson.com/Products/Hardware/Tailpieces/Gold-TP-6-Stop-Bar.aspx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mosquito3 Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 Just Left my Flying V and a couple of '57 classics at my liuhter shop today. I bet it's a good merge for blues. As soon as i get the baby back i'll tell you :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twiz Posted September 24, 2011 Share Posted September 24, 2011 I just got my Flying V last week, and I'm finding it is just as versatile as my other Gibsons. I use it primarily in a band influenced by 60's & 70's rock and blues. The pickups in mine are the stock ceramics, but the previous owner had covers installed. Depending on what amp I play through, I can get a really nice bell-like clean tone, to warm overdrive, to a chunky metal sound. I'd say, play it through a low wattage tube amp, and see how you like it before changing out the pups. If the tone is a little too harsh (the 496r and 500t are pretty hot) try lowering the pickups away from the strings a little. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GibSinCity Posted September 25, 2011 Share Posted September 25, 2011 Depending on what amp I play through, I can get a really nice bell-like clean tone, to warm overdrive, to a chunky metal sound. I'd say, play it through a low wattage tube amp, and see how you like it before changing out the pups. If the tone is a little too harsh (the 496r and 500t are pretty hot) try lowering the pickups away from the strings a little. Cheers. Yup. What Twiz said. I like the pickup switch in the middle position to take some edge off. That looks nice with those pickup covers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotrod128z Posted October 12, 2011 Share Posted October 12, 2011 Jimi Hendrix played a lot of blues with his custom ordered V. Right amount of low gain(or even no gain) and the right fingers and FEELING(YOU HAVE TO HAVE FEELING!!!) and the blues will flow naturally from any guitar, just saying hotrod Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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