Gibson 70s Flying V and Explorer Antique Natural
Dust off your flares, as Gibson brings back the '70s
4,5 / 5,0 | 
These Gibson 70s Flying V and Explorer Antique Natural models are now available and both guitars seek to give those classic rock tones of the decade and beyond.
Antique Natural
Both of these new Gibson 70s Flying V and 70s Explorer models come in a period-correct Antique Natural nitrocellulose gloss finish and are built to mimic the 1970s Norlin-era Gibson guitars.
The main Gibson site also lists the Classic White finish for both of these models. We last saw those back in 2020 and I’m, guessing these newer ones will be a slight update as well. For now, at least, it looks as though the Antique Natural models are the main focus of this updated release.
They also use silver reflector knobs for the Flying V and Black Speed knobs for the Explorer, plus chrome hardware, which are again the correct specifications for most of the 1970s Gibson models.
Other details include a white 3-ply pickguard and an aluminium Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge and stop bar tailpiece.
Gibson 70s Flying V · Source: Gibson
Bound Necks
Both models feature a mahogany body and neck paired with a bound rosewood fretboard and a comfortable SlimTaper neck profile.
Each guitar is fitted with 22 medium jumbo frets as standard and a Graph Tech nut.
Gibson 70s Explorer · Source: Gibson
Tribute
Each guitar comes loaded with a pair of uncovered Gibson 70s Tribute humbuckers. These are hand-wired with Orange Drop capacitors and have the standard control layouts.
This means you have twin volumes, a master tone control, and a three-way pickup selector switch.
Prices include a Gibson hardshell case.
Gibson 70s Style · Source: Gibson
Verdict
These could be perfect for any guitarists looking for a ’70s style rock guitar and the specifications are pretty close to original, though construction quality may well be a lot higher than original models.
I like that we have had an ’80s and now a ’70s version for these two iconic Gibson models this year. It gives new players a chance to get something similar to the original guitars from those two distinct eras.
Prices for originals have shot up in recent years so these are a little more affordable, plus you do get that hard case, which for originals was often an optional extra and hard to source for these two guitar shapes.
More Information
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One response to “Gibson 70s Flying V and Explorer Antique Natural”
Another very token gesture by Gibson that it does actually make guitars other than the Les Paul. They haven’t even bothered to get the headstock correct for a 70s Flying V.