If you’re wondering if Epiphone Flying V is a good electric guitar or not, you’ve come to the right place! In today’s in-depth review, I’m going to take a very close look on that popular and affordable model. Undoubtedly, it’s way cheaper than Gibson Flying V, but is it actually worth the money?
The truth is that Epiphone Flying V offers a fantastic quality and it’s definitely worth every cent. The sound of Gibson and Epiphone Flying V guitars is actually pretty close to each other, so you’ll be pleasantly surprised when you’ll hear the direct comparison of these models.
Let’s dive deeper with research to clearly establish what exactly makes this guitar so good and what makes it so popular. Firstly, we’ll start with a quick overview of the specifications of that model. Additionally, we’ll have a look at the biggest pros and cons of that axe. Of course, there will be a few sound demos included as well, so you’ll be able to hear how it sounds!
Specs & Pricing
Epiphone Flying V is an electric guitar inspired by one of the most iconic rock guitars of all time – Gibson Flying V. Just like the original model by Gibson, this model offers a stunning sustain and a really punchy tone. And in fact, it’s extremely popular!
What makes it so good? Well, the guitar features a solid mahogany body, a comfortable SlimTaper mahogany neck and an easy-playing ebony fretboard. This is a big advantage of that guitar, because it allows you to practice for several hours without getting tired.
The manufacturer decided to equip this model with a pair of ProBucker Alnico II pickups which sound very close to the oldschool PAF-style pickups. Similarly like the humbuckers used in old Gibsons, the ProBuckers sound really warm and rich. They have a tight bottom tone and their sustain is great too!
When it comes to pricing, this is not exactly a cheap guitar, however it’s definitely much more affordable than Gibson Flying V. That being said, it’s the best guitar of this type that you can potentially get, so it’s definitely worth the money.
Here’s the sound demo – feel free to check it out below.
Who Is It For?
Epiphone Flying V is suitable for all level players, so it doesn’t really matter whether you’re a complete beginner or a bit more advanced guitarist.
Undoubtedly, this is really versatile electric guitar which can be used by both amateur and professional players.
The Flying V will be an excellent fit for an amateur who wants to practice at home at or casually jam with other players on a jam session. But at the same time, it’s also a fantastic axe for any intermediate player who wants to perform, play gigs and record albums.
What’s important, the ProBucker pickups give you access to a really wide range of powerful tones, so this axe will be perfect for oldschool rock, hard rock, grunge and metal. If you like that kind of music, you will definitely benefit from adding that model to your collection.
Since Epiphone Flying V is way more affordable than Gibson Flying V, it’s a perfect guitar for anyone who doesn’t want to pay too much for new gear.
Getting a brand new Gibson guitar can be really challenging! Not everyone is able to buy their guitars straight away without a long period of saving up. That’s why so many guitarists choose Epiphone instead.
Overall, I’m positive that the vast majority of guitar players will really enjoy playing on that Flying V model. It may not be the best guitar in the world, but it definitely exceeds all the expectations. That’s for sure!
Here’s an another sound demo.
Pros & Cons
Just like any other electric guitar available on the market, Epiphone Flying V has its own advantages and disadvantages. You don’t have to worry though! It seems pretty clear that this particular model has far more pros than cons.
Pros
- Great Tone
- Iconic look
- Comfortable Neck
- Cheaper Than Gibson
- Lightweight
Cons
- No Case Included
- Original Setup Isn’t Great
As you can see, there are a lot of things that can be classified as major advantages of that guitar. It sounds, feels and looks absolutely fantastic. On top of that it’s really affordable. How can you argue with that?
On the other hand, Epiphone Flying V usually comes without a gig bag. This is not a huge problem, but finding the right case for a guitar with that body shape is not an easy task. Unfortunately, most of the universal gig bags for guitars won’t fit it.
Additionally, some guitarists complain about the original setup of that model. There’s a chance that you’ll have to adjust the string action to make it more playable. However, it’s not a common flaw and there’s a high chance that you won’t experience that (especially if you get the guitar from Sweetwater which offers the guitar inspection before the shipping).
Overall, I’m positive that the advantages of Epiphone Flying V outweigh its disadvantages. There’s just not too much to complain about, especially when you think of how unique and affordable this guitar actually is!
Epiphone Flying V vs Gibson Flying V
A lot of guitarists often debate whether Chinese-made guitars by Epiphone can actually be better than much more expensive American-made Gibson guitars.
The truth is that it’s really difficult to clearly determine whether Epiphone Flying V is better than Gibson Flying V – it’s all really subjective.
In my opinion, Gibson Flying V is a better made and better sounding guitar. And I’m absolutely positive about that.
However, it doesn’t mean that Epiphone Flying V isn’t worth the money anyway! The tone of that guitar can actually get very close to the original Gibson, so I’m sure that for a lot of guitarists it will be more than enough.
In conclusion, if you’re searching for the best value for the money, choose Epiphone. And if you’re looking for the best gear on the market and you don’t really care about the cost – choose Gibson.
Here’s a really good video that highlights the high quality of Epiphone – feel free to check it out below.
Epiphone Flying V vs Epiphone Explorer
For those who aren’t aware, there’s also an another excellent electric guitar offered by the same brand – Epiphone Explorer.
Again, it’s really difficult to clearly determine which one of them is better. It all comes down to your personal preferences. Personally, I’d choose both!
Here’s a really good video that compares both of these guitars. Do you prefer the Flying V or Explorer? Leave a comment under today’s post, I’m really interested to hear what you think!
Choosing The Gig Bag For Epiphone Flying V
As you’re already aware, this Flying V model is usually sold without any case or gig bag. And since finding a good case for a guitar with such an extraordinary body shape is not that simple, I’ll try to make it easier for you.
Here’s a really good gig bag that is a good choice for either Epiphone or Gibson Flying V Guitar. It’s Gator GBE-EXTREME-1.
This is one of the best and the most affordable cases that you can find for your Flying V guitar. It offers a really good level of protection, so you can be sure that your axe will be safe during traveling or commuting to the guitar lessons or rehearsals with your band.
For those who are searching for a hardshell case instead of a regular gig bag, there’s also an another great case made by Gator – Gator GWE-EXTREME.
In comparison with the soft case mentioned earlier, this hardshell case will provide a much better level of protection for your Epiphone Flying V guitar. It’s a bit more expensive, but it’s definitely worth the money!
My Thoughts On Epiphone
I had a lot of Epiphone guitars in my hands throughout the years and I have to admit that I never had any problems with their gear.
Of course, most of their guitars are just cheaper versions of expensive Gibson guitars, but their quality is always on point. It’s possible to experience some issues with the initial setup of their brand new guitars, but it can be easily sorted out.
I have no hesitation in recommending Epiphone guitars to all guitarists who are searching for good and reliable electric guitars. Their quality – especially from the ‘Inspired By Gibson’ collection – always exceeds all the expectations.
Any Alternatives?
If you don’t like the look or the sound of Epiphone Flying V or you simply can’t afford it right now, that’s not a problem! There’s still quite a lot of other fantastic and affordable guitars suitable for rock and metal music.
Of course, choosing a new electric guitar depends on your own personal preferences and most importantly, the size of your budget. Here’s a few more recommendations based on my own experience.
Firstly, you should definitely check out the ESP LTD EC-1000S Fluence. This is a really powerful and versatile electric guitar suitable for the most demanding guitar players out there. It’s designed for rock and metal, so if that’s your kind of vibe – you’ll love it. The only disadvantage of that model is that it’s quite expensive, but the truth is that it’s worth every cent.
Additionally, you can also check out my article about 10 Best ESP LTD Guitars For Rock & Metal. This brand makes some of the greatest axes for these genres of music, so there’s a high chance that your dream guitar is somewhere on that list.
If you’re on a tight budget, you should also consider getting the Squier Contemporary Jaguar. This is an another fantastic guitar which is very underrated in my opinion. Just like the Flying V, it has a shorter scale-length. It’s extremely easy to play and it offers a really nice tone. Considering the fact that it’s quite cheap, it seems like a real bargain for all lovers of rock and metal!
FAQ
Where is Epiphone Flying V manufactured?
Epiphone Flying V is manufactured in China.
What scale length does the Flying V have?
The Flying V has a 24.75″ scale length – so it’s the same as in Les Paul guitars.
Is the Flying V good for beginners?
Yes, Flying V guitars are perfect for beginners! However, their body shape may be a bit uncomfortable at first. Don’t worry though – you’ll get used to it!
Where can I find out more about Epiphone guitars?
If you want to learn more about this legendary manufacturer of guitars, check out the official website of Epiphone.
Summary
As you can see, Epiphone Flying V is an absolutely unique electric guitar. The aggressive look, punchy tone and affordable price make it one of the coolest mid-level guitars for rock and metal music. If you’re thinking about adding it to your own collection, I’m sure that you won’t be disappointed.
What do you think of that model? Do you think that it’s better than Gibson Flying V? Leave a comment down below and let me know what you think, I’m really interested to hear your thoughts about it!
Thanks for checking out today’s review, hopefully it was helpful. If you enjoyed this article and you’re searching for more gear recommendations, you may also like:
