Introducing the Gibson Tribal V
(Gibson | Posted 2009-03-22)
Since its introduction in 1958, the Flying V has been the ultimate symbol of rock rebellion. It was too hot to handle for many players in its day, but come the hard rock and heavy metal movements of the late ’60s and early ’70s, a Gibson “V” was the guitar to be seen with, and soon to become the ultimate statement of no-holds-barred guitar-god action. Now, the latest addition to Gibson USA’s 2009 Limited Run Series takes the classic Flying V format to the next level in the form of the Tribal V – an instrument honed for the contemporary player with a modern tribal pattern art design accenting the lines of guitar’s traditional top and headstock. Available beginning in early March 2009, the Tribal V will be produced in a strictly limited run of just 350 guitars, and is destined to appeal to both collectors and players alike.
It’s hard to top the looks of a V, but the Tribal V does it in spades. Its mahogany body and neck are dressed in a custom white finish. The body and headstock are then decorated with this Limited Run model’s exclusive tribal pattern art design, which give the Tribal V the perfect look and feel of personal expression and uniqueness. Its unbound ebony fingerboard with figured acrylic dot position markers provides an austere contrast on this unique but businesslike rock tool, while black chrome hardware and white pickup mounting rings complete the package.
Electric guitars just don’t come any sleeker than the Flying V, but the Tribal V updates these iconic lines with a sizzling new power train designed to offer the muscle and versatility demanded by the 21st century rocker. A pair of Gibson’s own uncovered ceramic-magnet humbucking pickups — a 496R in the neck and a 500T in the bridge — maximize output and sustain while retaining clarity and string definition. Through a clean channel, they offer thumping lows and sweet highs; injected into a high-gain amp, however, they really come into their own, yielding eviscerating midrange and sizzling lead tones.
To top it all off, the Tribal V ups the ante on shred action with a factory mounted Kahler Tremolo system. The ultimate tailpiece for anything from deep divebombing to subtle vibrato effects, the Kahler is partnered with a black graphite nut and locking Grover kidney tuners to get it all right back to pitch, however extreme your action. The entire package is rendered with Gibson’s legendary playability, 22 frets, a 24-3/4" scale length neck and Gibson’s standard neck width at the nut.
