If
you're looking for cheap V guitars, you might want to consider
some high quality budget offerings from V veterans, Epiphone (Gibson)
and Dean.
As
with many "copies" or "inspired by" models, owners
of these lower end V's have been pleasantly surprised
at the
quality.
This definitive guide brings together the best of the cheapo
V guitars out there, as reviewed and rated by users across
the
web.
Cheap
Flying V Guitar - Vintage
Don't expect to make any real tonal comparisons between the Epiphone
Flying
V and its bigger Gibson brother - it's purely aesthetic. What
you'll
find though, as many others have, when comparing side-by-side, is that
the Epiphone is actually much warmer and more rounded.
You can
pick up the Epi
'58 V for around $550, so it's not dirt
cheap, but
fewer
corners have been cut with this one than most others considered cheaper
imitations of top enders.
Pickups: 2 Alnico Classic Humbuckers /
Hardware: Gold / Frets: 22 / Neck: Set-in Mahogany /
Fretboard: Rosewood / Body material: Mahogany with Korina top / Tuners:
Grover
What users say
The Epi Flying V has been crafted with
stunning attention to detail, right down to
the non-slip rubber strip on the lap side of the body.
Players love
the feature set - string through body, set neck, gold hardware,
mahogany neck and the classic Korina body (well, Korina top, mahogany
body to be precise). Solidly built, well balanced
and stays in tune with help from the modern Grover machinery.
It does have a fat neck, in true Gibson/Epiphone style, so if you're a
fan of the thinner profile necks you might want to make a note.
Clean, the stock humbuckers provide a tone warm and rich enough
to bring even the deadest solid state amp to life. It handles
the cleanest to the dirtiest settings without losing its unique tonal
character or turning chords into a distorted mush.
Some people have claimed it doesn't "do" metal, being more inclined
towards vintage sounds, but others have insisted that with some knob
twiddling the Epi V is very adaptable and tonally well rounded. The set
neck and string through design provides great sustain for those
squealingly high bends.
Basically, if you're an 80/20 metal/other player, you might want some
hotter pickups in there (or see the V below). If, however, you're more
of a dabbler across
several styles, the '58 Korina stocks will stand up to the job.
Best
Cheap V
Guitar for Metal & Shredding
Dean's output, even at the low end, is exceptionally high quality. As
soon as metal players are introduced to these guys (who ironically
require no introduction) they feel they're "home". Hotter than the
vintage vibe Epiphone, the Dean
VMNTX V is a fine shredding axe.
Body: Basswood (Maple top) / Neck Construction: Bolt-on / Neck: Maple /
Fretboard: Ebony / Inlays: Dot / Frets: 24 / Scale: 25.5" / Bridge:
Tone Pros / Pickups: Dean Humbuckers / Controls: 2 Volume, Tone,
Three-way Switch / Tuners: Mini Grover / Hardware: Black
What users say
Built for metal (obviously), the VMNTX boasts
a
super-fast neck for the shredders out there. This extra thin,
flat
profile neck is the one feature that is praised over and over again by
players.
The stock pickups, however, have not met some players' expectations.
But, as with many guitars, a wee upgrade, if you feel it necessary
(many
don't) will bring out the beast. Remember, a lot of it is
down to amp and effects. If you're playing bone crushing metal, you'll
want a rig which supports that.
If you are to upgrade, you already have the mini Grover tuners, string
through body design with Tone Pros bridge, dual volume and a
surprisingly resonant basswood
body as a solid foundation.
The
maple top and neck brings out more high end response than the Epi V's
mahogany
- perfect for those classically cutting thrash overtones and tonally
well balanced
against the basswood body.
The V body is quite large in comparison to the Epiphone and other V's,
so there is a
trade off here between tone/resonance and comfort/potential
obstruction,
especially if you like to hang it low and bounce around. If you eat as
many burgers as Kerry King, you'll carry it just fine.
Compare
the V
Guitars on This Page
Compare the two V's side by side to decide which one's best for you...
Flying
V
VMNTX
Best
For
Guitarists
who want a vintage style V, or a cheaper version of the Gibson Flying V.
Guitarists
who want a V shaped guitar suited to high gain metal &
shredding.
Defining
Features
Classic Flying
V cut. Gold hardware. Vintage pickups. Set neck.
Fast, slim
neck profile. Hot pickups. Mini Grover tuners. Dual Volume.
Neck
Set-in Mahogany
Bolt-on Maple
Fingerboard
Rosewood
Ebony
Frets
22
24
Body
Mahogany
Korina Top
Basswood
Maple Top
Inlays
Dot
Dot
Pickups
Alnico Classic
Humbuckers
Dean Humbuckers
Price
$550
$300
More
Info
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