Gibson’s radical Modern Flying V takes off at CES

We already know we won’t be seeing Gibson at NAMM this year, but our correspondent on the ground at CES has managed to obtain some first shots and details of Gibson Custom’s radical new take on a classic: the Modern Flying V.

Purporting to be a “total redesign of a Flying V model”, the Modern features a contoured top, “unique” finishes and the new Apex headstock, as seen on the company’s other CES model for this year, the Semi-Hollow Modern Double Cut.

As you can see from Gibson’s frustratingly dimly lit booth, the model comes in gold and silver, while a black model was also doing the rounds - all come with accompanying mirror pickguards.

There are no details on pickup configurations at the time of writing.

Is it just us, though, or is does the shape look an awful lot like Star Trek's classic Starfleet logo? In guitar terms, it also brings to mind Jackson’s Randy Rhoads and Roswell models.

We eagerly await official details when the Modern Flying V goes on sale for $4,499 later this year.

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Michael Astley-Brown

Mike has been Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com since 2019, and an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict for far longer. He has a master's degree in journalism from Cardiff University, and 15 years' experience writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as 20 years of recording and live experience in original and function bands. During his career, he has interviewed the likes of John Frusciante, Chris Cornell, Tom Morello, Matt Bellamy, Kirk Hammett, Jerry Cantrell, Joe Satriani, Tom DeLonge, Radiohead's Ed O'Brien, Polyphia, Tosin Abasi, Yvette Young and many more. His writing also appears in the The Cambridge Companion to the Electric Guitar. In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock as Maebe.