lanman
New member
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2005
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Here's what my friend has to say about a few of the questions in this thread. This thread will be a nice future reference for anyone interested in early Vs.
In regards to George Gruhn's Book:
Obviously the George Gruhn book is wrong. I have spoken to Larry and he has copies of the Gibson shipping ledgers for all of the 67 Flying Vs that shipped. He acquired them from Gibson when he wrote his book. The first two shipped in late 66, not 65. The totals appear right for the first two groups, but the years for the first two groups are wrong.
In regards to '67 Flying V pot codes:
All of the pot codes are from 66. The pot codes from my sunburst and spark are 1376630. All of the pot codes I have ever seen on Vs from the first four batches are from 1966. I have seen 1376630 on several other batch 1 - 4 Vs. All of the dare codes on my 69 walnut are covered with solder and I cant see the date, but they are also probably from 66. I agree that all of the harnesses were made "early." This is why all 175 of the bodies have the hand-routed and widened pickup wire channel.
My old Tobacco also had the 6630 code.
In regards to pre-Medallion V's:
I have seen a natural V and a white V that had medallion characteristics but did not have Medallions. There are subtle differences between the Medallions and the 75 Vs. There is also a cherry V that has Medallion characteristics and no volute that is probably "the" Medallion prototype from 1970 or something an employee threw together after-hours. You have probably seen pics of that guitar.
In regards to the wood added to my control cavity:
I am sure the wood was added later. I have never seen this done before. The pickguard screw holes in the area of the cavity are very close to the edge on all of the 67 style Vs. After 1 or 2 pickguard removals the sides of the holes are completely compromised.
I have seen another with this done.....but perhaps he is right, maybe this was done after the fact out of general necessity.
In regards to George Gruhn's Book:
Obviously the George Gruhn book is wrong. I have spoken to Larry and he has copies of the Gibson shipping ledgers for all of the 67 Flying Vs that shipped. He acquired them from Gibson when he wrote his book. The first two shipped in late 66, not 65. The totals appear right for the first two groups, but the years for the first two groups are wrong.
In regards to '67 Flying V pot codes:
All of the pot codes are from 66. The pot codes from my sunburst and spark are 1376630. All of the pot codes I have ever seen on Vs from the first four batches are from 1966. I have seen 1376630 on several other batch 1 - 4 Vs. All of the dare codes on my 69 walnut are covered with solder and I cant see the date, but they are also probably from 66. I agree that all of the harnesses were made "early." This is why all 175 of the bodies have the hand-routed and widened pickup wire channel.
My old Tobacco also had the 6630 code.
In regards to pre-Medallion V's:
I have seen a natural V and a white V that had medallion characteristics but did not have Medallions. There are subtle differences between the Medallions and the 75 Vs. There is also a cherry V that has Medallion characteristics and no volute that is probably "the" Medallion prototype from 1970 or something an employee threw together after-hours. You have probably seen pics of that guitar.
In regards to the wood added to my control cavity:
I am sure the wood was added later. I have never seen this done before. The pickguard screw holes in the area of the cavity are very close to the edge on all of the 67 style Vs. After 1 or 2 pickguard removals the sides of the holes are completely compromised.
I have seen another with this done.....but perhaps he is right, maybe this was done after the fact out of general necessity.