A Re-creation of the Guitar That Defines Classic Metallica
From 1983’s Kill ’Em All to 2023’s 72 Seasons, Kirk Hammett’s 1979 Flying V has never strayed far from his reach — it’s a truly iconic instrument responsible for the lead licks and solos on many of Metallica’s most beloved cuts. A workhorse instrument in the truest sense, the Gibson Custom Kirk Hammett 1979 Flying V is a museum-grade replication of that very axe. This guitar’s mahogany body, 3-piece mahogany Kirk Hammett “V” neck, beautiful rosewood fingerboard, and late ’70s Tune-o-matic bridge may as well have been taken off of Kirk’s original axe, adding up to a stunning sonic recipe that summons the very foundations of metal. Four decades is a long, long time for any instrument to stick around, and this instrument’s well-worn finish perfectly reflects every scrape, scratch, dent, and mod that it’s earned along the way — from the gaffer tape-covered back to the very cracks in the pickguard. More than an instrument, the Gibson Custom Kirk Hammett 1979 Flying V is all but guaranteed to complete the collection of any Metallica superfan. It’s a veritable piece of musical history in its own right!
Related Videos: Kirk Hammett 1979 Flying V Solidbody Electric Guitar - Ebony
480 seasons of wear and tear
If you were to sneak this immaculate replication of ’79 Kirk’s Flying V backstage, there’s a very good chance that it would fool Kirk himself! Every scratch, dent, and ding that Kirk’s original ’79 model has acquired over the years has been perfectly mirrored by Gibson Custom, all the way down to the extra screw holes on the headstock and the gaffer tape-covered back. Frankly, a re-creation of this caliber is worthy of residing in a music history museum — but we certainly won’t fault you if you break it out to light up the ’board with a few choice Ride the Lightning era licks!
Unique ’70s-style features
The late ’70s were a turbulent time for Gibson, with all kinds of experiments and rolling changes that wouldn’t be seen again for decades. This makes Kirk’s Flying V particularly unique, sporting features such as a 3-piece mahogany neck with a headstock volute, a late ’70s-style Tune-o-matic bridge, and a slightly rounder headstock. For those chasing the most accurate take on Kirk’s Flying V possible, these small but distinct details are essential to completing the recipe for what is arguably metal’s most iconic V-style guitar.
Snarling Gibson T-Type humbuckers
Kirk’s original ’79 Flying V has seen its fair share of changes over the past four decades of road and studio work, but the Kirk Hammett 1979 Flying V comes equipped with the very same type of pickups that would have been on a late ‘70s Gibson straight out of the factory: T-Type humbuckers. Whether you want to kick out some of Kirk’s searing solos or practice your rapid-fire downstrokes with James Hetfield’s “Master of Puppets” riff, Sweetwater’s active pickup enthusiasts agree that these pickups will serve you well in all things metal.
Kirk’s 6-string workhorse
It’s tough to imagine how Metallica’s sound might have strayed without the help of Kirk’s trusty ’79 Flying V, with the man himself admitting that it’s “the guitar I played on the first five albums ... I think I played all of Kill ’Em All on that guitar as well as all of Ride the Lightning.” While Kirk would go on to explore the potential of the Les Paul later on, the Flying V was his first Gibson guitar and a key element to his development as one of metal’s most genre-defining players. The Gibson Custom Kirk Hammett 1979 Flying V is a celebration of that pivotal instrument. It signifies not only Kirk’s first Gibson, but also the guitar that’s remained firmly by his side for over 40 years of music making.
Gibson Custom Kirk Hammett 1979 Flying V Solidbody Electric Guitar Features:
- Extremely limited-edition run of Flying Vs that perfectly replicate Kirk Hammett’s 1979 model heard on much of the band’s early output
- 200 guitars produced worldwide — Sweetwater only gets 15!
- Lightweight mahogany body with an expertly aged nitrocellulose finish matching the wear on Kirk’s own ’79 Flying V
- 3-piece mahogany neck with a ’70s-style neck volute for enhanced durability
- Sleek Indian rosewood fingerboard with a 12-inch radius — an ideal platform for high-speed lead work
- Gibson T-Type humbuckers produce a raw, snarling tone that equally fit for Kirk-style lead work and brutal drop-tuned chug
- Custom replica of a late ‘70s-style Tune-o-matic bridge
- Highly reliable Grover rotomatic tuners
- SKB Flying V case that replicates Kirk’s case, with a vast assortment of Kirk Hammett- and Metallica-themed case candy
