Gibson Custom Flying V Medallion 1971 Reissue Medallion Cherry HR

A Legendary Flying V Revived by Gibson Custom

With the Gibson Custom 1971 Medallion V Reissue, the brand shines a spotlight on one of the most sought-after Flying V variants. This model pays tribute to a series produced in very limited quantities in the early 1970s, now associated with the aesthetics and sound of emerging hard rock. Its famous gold medallion mounted on the bass wing immediately sets it apart in the Gibson universe.
This reissue holds a special place in the Gibson Custom range: it is aimed at guitarists seeking much more than a simple modern Flying V. Here, everything is designed in the historical spirit of the original model, from the body proportions to the neck profile, including the electronics and hardware. It is a guitar with character, highly evocative, conceived to recapture the soul of a true vintage Gibson without the compromises of an old instrument.

A Flying V Designed for Rock Enthusiasts with a Confident Playing Style

The 1971 Medallion V Reissue is particularly suited for intermediate to expert guitarists, as well as musicians already sensitive to the unique ergonomics of a Flying V. Its neck with an "Authentic 1971 Reissue" profile, Gibson 24.75" scale length, and 12" radius fingerboard offer a smooth, fast, and familiar playing feel for fans of generous bends, strong riffs, and singing solos.
Stylistically, this guitar naturally excels in hard rock, classic rock, traditional heavy metal, and powerful blues rock. It can also attract collectors and studio guitarists looking for a sharper Gibson tone than a Les Paul, with a clear attack and midrange presence that allows a Flying V to cut through the mix with ease.

T-Top Reissue Pickups Delivering a Sharp, Full, and Vintage Sound

The mahogany body contributes to the overall warmth of the tonal range, with dense mids, full lows, and excellent note sustain. Paired with a mahogany neck mounted with a long neck tenon, it promotes generous sustain and a balanced response along the entire neck. The slimmer body profile, inherited from the original Medallion models, lightens the instrument without sacrificing resonance or impact.
The rosewood fingerboard provides a slightly softened attack under the fingers and adds warmth in the highs, which balances very well the naturally biting temperament of the Flying V. This wood combination results in a lively, responsive, and expressive instrument, capable of maintaining precision on tight rhythms while retaining thickness on lead phrases.
The sonic character of this Gibson also heavily relies on its two 1968 T-Top Reissue pickups. These humbuckers are renowned for their definition, authority, and clarity, with a tone less dark than some more modern humbuckers. The neck pickup delivers creamy, articulate, and singing tones, while the bridge pickup pushes the upper mids for incisive riffs, clear attacks, and effortless solos.
The electronics remain faithful to the spirit of the era: two volumes, one tone, a 3-position selector, and historic-style wiring. The fact that the pickups are not wax-potted contributes to this sense of openness and dimension, with a more organic response under the fingers. The result is a very expressive guitar, capable of moving from clear but tense textures to thick and punchy overdrives, always with true vintage personality.

Recommended Compatible Accessories

This Flying V is fully compatible with 6-string electric guitar strings, a standard instrument jack cable, and a classic attachment electric guitar strap. The included Reissue hard case means it's ready for transport right out of the box. To maintain playing comfort and tuning stability, regular maintenance with a soft cloth and a product suitable for nitrocellulose finishes is also recommended.

Technical specifications

Left handed	No	Nbr of strings	6
Strings	Steel	Color	Red

Type	solidbody electric guitar	Number of frets	22
Shape	Flying V	Fret type	Medium Jumbo
Body style	solidbody	Radius	12" / 304.8 mm
Body wood	mahogany	Scale length	24.75" / 628.7 mm
Body construction	2-piece	Nut	Corian
Body thickness	approx. 1.375" / 34.9 mm	Headstock	rounded Flying V shape
Body finish	glossy nitrocellulose lacquer	Truss rod cover	Gibson marked
Medallion	1.5" / 38.1 mm gold medallion mounted on the bass wing	Bridge	ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic
Special feature	individually numbered medallion	Tailpiece	Stop Bar
Neck wood	mahogany	Hardware finish	chrome
Neck construction	3-piece	Tuners	Kluson Deluxe
Profile	Authentic 1971 Reissue	Tuner buttons	keystone
Joint	long neck tenon	Tuner bushings	double ring
Volute	yes	Plastics	black
Fingerboard	one-piece rosewood	Control knobs	Black Witch Hats with silver reflectors
Inlays	dots	Pickup covers	Double Black