Probably the most iconic Flying V guitars in historical past is being given its flowers. Gibson’s Customized Store has faithfully recreated Michael Schenker’s 1971 Flying V, with a restricted run of fifty hand-signed Collector’s Version guitars promoting out in simply someday.

Primarily based on 3D scans of the unique instrument, which is at the moment owned by Metallica’s Kirk Hammett, the Michael Schenker 1971 Flying V Collector’s Version serves as a testomony to some of the influencial guitars in arduous rock and heavy steel. The unique guitar was used to file UFO’s first three information, with the guitar quickly present process a placing black and white makeover. With its new look, the Flying V turned Schenker’s signature axe.

This Collector’s Version is crafted with a mahogany physique, three-piece mahogany neck with a slim artist profile, and a one-piece rosewood fretboard with 22 medium jumbo frets. In fact, the Flying V headstock and pickguard additionally boast the identical black and white paint job as Schenker’s unique Flying V.

Elsewhere, the guitar can also be fitted with Schaller M6 tuners and a Corian nut. There’s additionally a pair of uncovered T-High humbuckers with Alnico 5 magnets, every wired with distinctive quantity controls and a shared tone knob. There’s additionally a Switchcraft three-way toggle, in addition to 1 / 4 inch output jack.

All 50 devices have additionally been hand-signed by Schenker himself on the again of the headstock, which is bound to thrill people who managed to snag a guitar. The instrument additionally comes housed in a customized reproduction flight case, whereas followers may also obtain a commemorative mahogany show block that includes a #56 Medallion (presumably a nod to when the Michael Schenker Group’s 1980 monitor Cry For the Nations peaked at #56 within the UK).

Talking about his restricted version Collector’s Version guitar, Schenker sings praises for the Flying V. “After I was about 16 years previous, I broke a string at a present and my brother was enjoying a V and I needed to take a solo, so he rapidly gave me his guitar,” he recollects. “That’s after I seen there was one thing in regards to the guitar… It nearly turned like a part of my physique.”

Whereas the discharge coincides with the fiftieth anniversary of UFO, it’s an ideal method to mirror on the impression Schenker’s sound has had on the guitar world. Hammett specifically has spoken extremely of Schenker, revealing in Gibson Publishing’s 2025 launch, The Assortment: Kirk Hammett, that having the Flying V in his assortment feels akin to proudly owning a “non secular relic”.

“Wolf Hoffman obtained it from Michael Schenker’s tour supervisor, who had been sitting on it for like, 20 years,” Hammett defined. “However it’s the unique V that Michael Schenker performed on UFO albums, Phenomenon, Power It, and No Heavy Petting. It’s loopy as a result of you possibly can nonetheless see a number of the pink end, in case you take a look at sure spots on the guitar.”

“The Schenker Flying V is nearly like a non secular relic for me,” he added. “It represents a lot of my youth and all of the travails I went by means of in simply attempting to learn to play guitar and be an ideal improviser and soloist like Michael Schenker. I spent a lot time as an adolescent simply gazing this guitar on the again of UFO’s Power It album… I used to stare at it and go, ‘I have to get a Flying V’. Little did I do know that, many years later, I might have the very Flying V that I used to be gazing!”

On the YouTube video saying the discharge, some followers imagine the recreation deserves to be a everlasting a part of Gibson’s choices to honour Schenker’s impression on music. “Gibson, launch a manufacturing mannequin,” one consumer pleas. “Michael’s affect deserves far more than 50 guitars. He’s extremely necessary.”

The guitar – which is now bought out – was priced at £14,899 / $16,999. You’ll find out extra at Gibson.