11 legends of the Flying V and Explorer

Gibson's original Flying V and Explorers - and the many copies they've spawned - are some of the flashiest guitars you can strap on.

Here's MusicRadar's countdown of 11 of the guitarists who have made the dramatic shapes their own.


1. James Hetfield

On the Kill ’Em All album, Hetfield was using a V copy with Gibson truss rod cover, then the rhythm king’s white ‘More Beer’ and ‘So What’ (named after the permanent marker scrawl on their bodies) 1984 Explorers became veterans of every Metallica session from 1984’s Ride The Lightning until 1991’s Black Album.

Unlike his other guitars, neither have EMG pickups – and the ‘More Beer’ features Seymour Duncans.


2.Hendrix's psychedelic Flying V
Hendrix owned three Vs: an originally black specimen he hand-painted with a eye-catching psychedelic, floral design, and which he toured in 1967 and 1968 (reissue pictured), a sunburst example from 1969 that now resides with the Hard Rock Cafe, and a 1969 lefty version created for him by Gibson (also the first V to feature an inlaid pearl logo). Did he use one on All Along The Watchtower? Some experts believe so. MORE