Ping Uwe! 2011 Flying V bass

[uwe]

Because the neck is larger? I've asked Kevin from Gibson again and will dutifully report here. If the new Flying V were longscale, that would indeed be something. Neck heaviness is not an issue with these, btw, due to the wings reaching so far back.

[Basvarken]

Because the neck is larger?

Yes that is what I think.

[Dave W]

A 20-fret 34" scale neck is 1.86" longer (nut to last fret) than a 21-fret 30.5" neck. If the body is the same size, that would mean the bridge would have to be about 1.64" closer to the body end. Looking at those pics, I'm not sure there's that much room.

[Iome]

Maybe it's medium, 32" scale, just like the old glorious Explorer where....i remember Uwe loves the fat sound of those 

[uwe]

Gibson has again told me it's 30.5".

[uwe]

http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Bass/Gibson-USA/Flying-V-Bass.aspx

[SKATE RAT]

i like the look of the 81 more than the new one. but i still want one. the only full scale V's i know of are the Kramer aluminum neck and those Dean thingies

[uwe]

Even the Kramers were only medium scale. I believe that - most likely for weight reasons - there were no long scale alu necks from Kramer with any model.

The Ibanez Vs of the seventies and eighties were long scale too.

[ilan]

The '81 looks better IMHO but I've read that the sound is not to die for.

[uwe]

Pretty much how you would expect a short scale Ripper with too little body mass to sound. Neither growl nor snap, neither mudbucking lows nor Rickenbacker'esque piano string sound. A beautiful look wasted on less than mediocre sonics.

[Basvarken]

I think the new one looks gorgeous in the press pics on the Gibson site.
Except for the shoulders. I still think they're too small.

[uwe]

It's all maho, so it should at least have some growl. The 81 version had an alder body with a maple neck and thus aped the Rippers (at least the early alder body ones) in that respect too.

[Blackbird]

http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Bass/Gibson-USA/Flying-V-Bass.aspx

Visually, it looks short scale to me.....

[Chris P.]

If you read well, they state it's 30,5" at the Gibson site.

[uwe]

Gibson all of the sudden remember Jack B. as a short scale player. And the other guy from The Beatles:

"Take Flight With a Radical Bass Alternative"

Ever since its introduction in 1958 as part of Gibson's Modernist Series, the Flying V guitar has been an icon of heavy rock tones and alternative looks. Not satisfied with letting the six-stringers have all the fun, Gibson USA has configured this rocket-age styling into a mean and meaty package for the bassist in search of a scorching low-end alternative: the Flying V Bass. With its 30-1/2" scale length, which is still somewhat longer than the conventional guitar, this bass is perfect for players with shorter arms and smaller hands, beginners and students, or those who are more familiar with six-string guitar scale lengths. But it's also a fully professional instrument for the highest-flying touring or studio musician. Two of the world's most famous bassists, Paul McCartney and Jack Bruce, played short-scale basses at the most influential points of their careers, and countless others have used them to make legendary rock, pop and blues recordings. The Flying V Bass brings weighty tones and easy playability to a package styled for the most radical rock that the 21st century has to offer, and suitable for every variety of music."

The part about the poor "players with shorter arms and smaller hands" sounds a bit though as if they've been lurking this forum and its Thalidomide excursions! "Still somwhat longer than a convential guitar" - if there has ever been an ultimate insult to shortscale players this must be it. : - )