Another warehouse find at Château PGC. A Gibson Modern Flying V in Ebony Prism color AKA the Star Trek Guitar. This is a 2018 take on the legendary Gibson Flying V. However there is nothing “modern” about this instrument. The modern Flying V has a mahogany body and neck with a contoured top. It is what the Gibson website says but the contour is hardly noticeable, if at all. This guitar has a C-shaped neck (medium size) and an apex headstock. In 2018 it came in 3 colours: Gold, Silver and Ebony Prism. The ebony prism is more a kind of purple flake in daylight. The metal scratch plate and all hardware have a blacked-out mirror-like finish and it saves every fingerprint of whoever touches it.
Electronics are straight forward: an 496R in the neck and a 500T in the bridge. No split coil; out of fase or direct output here… So where is the “Modern” on this Flying V Modern? 
Only 99 instruments were made, 33 in each color. Probably some pilot- or test runs are also out there. The fretboard is richlite with small pearloid block inlays. The output jack is placed on the bottom inside of the “V”. So far for ergonomics plug it in and try to balance it on your knee!
Gibson QC was asleep when this one was passing the test bench. The pickup selector switch is placed upside down; upward position is the bridge pickup and flick the switch downward for the bridge pup.
Despite all these flaws it is a great player. The action is low, intonation and setup are perfect! It is a Sci-Fi shredder and a future collectors item. Two years ago they were offered at a whopping $4500,-. Nowadays they catch a $5500,- on the used market.
I like this guitar! It is strange but scarcity comes with an intrest and a price. One of the last oddball instruments from the Henri J era. Ugly things deserve some love too!
This one is for sale!
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