Jimi Hendrix’s 1967 Gibson Flying V

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Jimi Hendrix bought his Gibson Flying V in the middle of 1967, and quickly painted it in a psychedelic design, using model or hobby paints, according to then-manager Chas Chandler. Jimi used this guitar in concert, mainly for his “blues” numbers, consistently through until the beginning of 1969. It was also used in studio recordings, notably including “All Along The  Watchtower” and  “Little Miss Strange” from “Electric Ladyland”, some BBC radio sessions, and possibly some recordings for “Axis:Bold As Love”. In January 1969 the guitar was given to Mick Cox, Jimi’s friend. Mick used the guitar and later stripped the finish from it and sold it circa. 1973. This Gibson guitar was re-finished black at some point and was traded in at an English used guitar store around 1994.  Subsequently bought by David Brewis (co-founder of Rock Stars Guitars), it was restored by Clive Brown to its dark, sunbursty brown colour, and David Brewis painstakingly re-created the psychedlic artwork using period photographs as a guide. This artwork was later transferred to acetate sheet and supplied to Gibson Guitars Inc. for their use in the “Inspired by” Custom Shop re-issue of the Jimi Hendrix “Psychedelic” Flying V. It can be seen pictured here with Jim’s 1968 Martin D-45 and 1968 Fender Dual Showman cabinet.

The Custom Shop program for this model was run by our much missed friend, the great Edwin Wilson. He worked on every single detail of each artist-inspired model during his time at Gibson, and the end results on this one were simply incredible, and a testament to his talent and many skills.