The allure of owning a genuine late 1950s Gibson Flying V Guitar is a powerful magnet for vintage guitar aficionados. On a seemingly ordinary Thursday, January 16th, at 2:16 pm, a tantalizing glimpse of this dream became reality through a photo sent to me by my friend Rick at Garrett Park Guitars. The image revealed just a corner of a Flying V, specifically a broken white jack plate, immediately igniting my curiosity. Moments later, another photo arrived from Jon at Garrett Park, showcasing him holding what appeared to be a well-loved 1958 or 1959 Flying V.
At that time, my focus was at the hospital, supporting my wife who had just undergone a bi-lateral mastectomy. I quickly messaged Rick, explaining the situation and promising to reconnect. He responded with a kind “ok, prayers.” Amidst the personal circumstances, the photos of the Flying V slipped my mind.
It wasn’t until January 24th, at 10:28 am, when my friend Terry Foster reached out to check on my wife and mentioned the Flying V, that the memory resurfaced. I realized I hadn’t followed up with Rick about the intriguing photos from over a week prior. An hour later, Rick and I were deep in conversation about the 1959 Flying V in his possession. Being a true friend, Rick allowed me time to process the information.
Immediately after our call, I connected with my trusted network of vintage guitar experts: Charlie Daughtry, Nick Conte, Drew Winn, Joe Bonamassa, Don Lee, Mat Koehler, Rick Hogue, Terry Foster, Colin Cripps, Mike Hickey, and others whose opinions I value. Even Joe Bonamassa, amidst his work at Abbey Road Studios, took time to offer his insights. After several of these experts (you know who you are!) convinced me of the necessity of having a 1959 Flying V in my collection, I re-engaged with Rick to finalize the details and payment arrangements. Rick, in his characteristic generosity, made the process seamless.
Without hesitation, I called my friend Drew Winn at Guitar House of Tulsa to share the news. Within days, Drew was at my home, helping me select guitars to sell to fund this acquisition. Sometimes, you need to thin out the less inspiring instruments to make room for exceptional pieces. Jokes aside, the opportunity to acquire this Flying V was extraordinary.
The backstory of how this Flying V became available is just as remarkable. On January 12th, Rick Hogue from Garrett Park Guitars was in San Francisco for the Bay Area guitar show on a buying trip. That morning, he noticed a Facebook post from a friend mentioning a 1959 Gibson Flying V for sale. In the rush of the guitar show, Rick initially dismissed it, assuming it would quickly be sold. Unbeknownst to him, his friend Colin Cripps had also been contacted by Don Lee about the same post, and Colin had already been in contact with the Flying V’s owner in Virginia. The owner, overwhelmed by the numerous inquiries after posting the guitar online and realizing its significant value, became concerned about keeping such a valuable instrument at home.
Rick returned from San Francisco the next morning and arranged to drive to Virginia to inspect the guitar and potentially make a purchase. He was pleasantly surprised to meet the owner and his wife, who were incredibly kind. Rick inquired about the guitar’s history, and the owner explained he had bought it from a “picker” who knew he was a musician. Upon inspection, Rick confirmed the guitar’s originality and they agreed on a deal. Due to the short notice, Rick’s bank couldn’t immediately provide the full funds, but fortunately, the seller agreed to meet again for the final payment.
As Rick was leaving, he asked the owner what they planned to do with the proceeds from the Flying V sale. The owner’s wife replied without hesitation that they intended to pay off their mortgage. True to his word, Rick returned to Virginia to complete the purchase. During this second meeting, he again inquired about the guitar’s origin. This time, he learned the astonishing truth: the “picker” had actually discovered this 1959 Gibson Flying V – one of the most coveted electric guitars in existence – at a landfill.
Intrigued, Rick traveled to Lynchburg, Virginia, the reported origin of the guitar, hoping to uncover more details about its original owner and perhaps even locate its original case. A contact at Lynchburg Music mentioned hearing local lore for years about an elderly Black man who played a Flying V in a local church. The shop owner had always dismissed it as an urban myth.
Rick, a seasoned guitar buyer and seller since 1981, described this Flying V as the pinnacle of his career and one of the most extraordinary guitar collecting stories he has ever been involved in. The journey of this flying v guitar, from a landfill to my collection, is a testament to the unbelievable finds still waiting to be discovered and the enduring magic of vintage instruments.
