Gibson Custom Michael Schenker 1971 Flying V Collector's Edition Electric Guitar - Black/White

Few instruments are as instantly recognizable as Michael Schenker’s 1971 Flying V. From his early work with Scorpions to the searing leads of UFO and MSG, the German guitar legend’s signature black-and-white V helped define the visual and sonic language of hard rock. Now, Gibson Custom presents the Michael Schenker 1971 Flying V Collector’s Edition—a painstakingly accurate recreation of the original Flying V Medallion #56. Based on high-resolution 3D scans of the actual instrument (now a prized centerpiece of Metallica's Kirk Hammett’s collection), this limited run of only 50 pieces worldwide captures every detail, from its solid mahogany body and three-piece mahogany neck to its one-piece rosewood fretboard and period-correct hardware. Uncovered T-Top humbuckers with Alnico V magnets are handwired with 500k CTS potentiometers, preserving the articulate bite and focused midrange that shaped Michael’s tone. Finished in the original’s iconic black-and-white motif and aged by the Murphy Lab for authentic wear, this Collector’s Edition stands as both an heirloom-level artifact and a fully realized high-octane instrument.

Black-and-White Mahogany Body With Murphy Lab Aging

True to the original Medallion #56, the body is crafted from solid mahogany, delivering the focused midrange punch and natural sustain that define Michael’s trademark sound. The iconic black-and-white finish is faithfully recreated, paired with a white pickguard partially painted black to match the original instrument’s unmistakable look. Expert aging by the Murphy Lab captures decades of authentic wear, from subtle checking to hardware patina, lending the guitar the tactile feel of a road-tested original. The result isn’t simply cosmetic accuracy, but an exacting replica that reflects the weight and response of the historic instrument itself.

Three-Piece Mahogany Neck With Period-Correct Volute

The three-piece mahogany neck mirrors the construction of Michael’s 1971 Flying V, complete with the small volute at the headstock transition—a defining detail of early-’70s Gibson design. Carved to precisely match the profile of the original instrument, the neck preserves the specific feel and balance of the Medallion #56. A one-piece Indian rosewood fretboard with 22 medium-jumbo frets provides an articulate response and confident playability, paired with a Corian nut for stage-ready tuning stability. The result is a neck that faithfully reproduces its historic source material, delivering the exact tactile experience that spurred on the UFO guitarist’s most influential performances.

Uncovered T-Top Humbuckers for Authentic Hard Rock Bite

A pair of uncovered T-Top humbuckers loaded with Alnico V magnets power the 1971 Flying V Collector’s Edition with unmistakable early-’70s presence. Known for their tight low end, pronounced upper-mid cut and open top end, T-Tops deliver the clarity and muscular edge that fueled Michael’s most legendary solos. Each pickup is wired to its own volume control with a shared master tone, using 500k CTS potentiometers and a ceramic capacitor for period-correct response and dynamic range. The result is a circuit that feels immediate and unfiltered, capable of the razor-edged leads and singing sustain that shaped the sound of a generation.

Period-Correct Hardware and Collector’s Edition Details

Faithful to the original Medallion #56, the 1971 Flying V Collector’s Edition is anchored by an ABR-1 bridge with a wire retainer and a Historic Reissue stop bar tailpiece. Schaller M6 tuners complete the period-correct silhouette, while light Murphy Lab aging lends subtle authenticity to the chrome hardware. Each guitar is presented in a custom replica flight case bearing Michael Schenker Group graphics and includes a commemorative mahogany display block featuring the #56 medallion. Limited to just 50 pieces worldwide and hand-signed by Michael on the back of the headstock, this Collector’s Edition arrives complete with a numbered certificate of authenticity presented in a matching black-and-white folio.

Michael Schenker: A True Hard Rock Pioneer

A foundational titan of hard rock, Michael Schenker helped lay the groundwork for a heavy metal revolution through his pioneering work with Scorpions, UFO and his own rock ’n’ roll supergroup, MSG. Powerful yet expressive, surgical yet soulful, Michael’s precise style and soaring, melodic lead lines served as a primary influence on the modern shred era—and continue to inspire legions of heavy metal disciples today. Central to that legacy was his legendary Flying V—an instrument that, in his hands, became an inseparable extension of his persona and a global icon of rock ’n’ roll defiance. Limited to just 50 hand-signed pieces, the Gibson Custom Michael Schenker 1971 Flying V Collector’s Edition stands as the definitive tribute to a player whose vision helped shape the very DNA of the electric guitar.