Matt | guitars

2000 Gibson USA 'Gothic' Vee

"Matt"

#012903XX

A nice 'Flying-V', made by Gibson USA.

This was part of their "Gothic" run, which included a Les Paul, V, Explorer, SG and (chuckle) even a 335! All had a matt black finish, and this one has a very nice ebony fingerboard. These were clearly made before Gibson got savaged by the lumber-police, as the ebony used on this is VERY nice, and no sign whatsoever that it is low-grade ebony which has been stained black.

The neck on this is pretty much the thickest that I've ever played ... a proper chubby 50's profile, like holding a baseball bat (although I'm not entirely sure that I've ever HELD an actual baseball bat ...), which helps to fortify the overall impression that this is a proper geezer's guitar. Fretwork is great, and the only inlay on the board is the same 'star in a crescent' that is used on all of the Gothic series. No fancy inlays helps to reinforce the tough-as-nails vibe. The back of the neck (up where the volute would be) is stamped with a portrait of Orville Gibson, which is a nice touch. Certainly better than the hologram that Gibson put on the 2015 Les Pauls (see "Roadkill").

If you've been paying attention up to now (not just looking at the pictures?) then you'll expect that the pickups in this are the original ones, and they are ... 496R and 500T, exactly like the ones in my Explorer. And why not .. they're great pickups for rocky tones. There are no other modifications, apart from a new slippery tusq nut, which does a great job and is installed nicely.

Overall, this is a scarily kick-ass guitar. Nicely beaten up (not deliberately), including what appear to be a collection of bite marks on the pointy bit of the headstock. Don't ask. I certainly didn't do it, honestly. The geezer I bought it off got coy when I asked him about it, and started talking about his cat (?!), but those aren't cat-teeth marks. They look kinda human to me. Whatever, it all adds to the mojo.

This one almost forces you to play metal ... obviously, and that impression is aided by the (really quite gay ...) studded leather strap, which, let's be honest, is perfect for this guitar. Be gay if you want by the way, it's none of my business. Just don't ask me to watch.

Reports suggest that Gibson used LOTS of pieces of mahogany to make these, as the matte black paint covered the joints well. If this was a £3,000 Custom Shop guitar, then that sort of stuff might bother me. However, I'm firmly routed in "who cares" territory; this is a basic, simple guitar ... and when a guitar screams like this one, it doesn't matter how it is made.

So yes. A great guitar. I'd be VERY happy to snag one of the Gothis Les Pauls, SGs or Explorers (or, even better, one of each). The 335 however? I think that I'll give that one a miss.