The Gibson Victory Guitar series, though perhaps not as widely celebrated as some of Gibson’s iconic models, represents a fascinating chapter in the company’s history, particularly for players seeking robust construction and powerful tones. Among the Victory lineup, the MVX model stands out, built with materials and design choices that prioritize sustain, stability, and a unique sonic character. Let’s delve into what makes the Gibson Victory MVX a noteworthy instrument.
One of the most striking features of the Gibson Victory MVX is its body and neck construction. Crafted entirely from Eastern Hard Rock Maple, this guitar immediately signals its commitment to strength and sonic brilliance. Eastern Hard Rock Maple isn’t just any maple; it boasts a Janka Hardness of 1,450 pound-force, a crushing strength of 7,830 psi, and a tensile elasticity modulus of 1,830,000 psi. These figures aren’t just numbers; they translate to a tangible difference in the guitar’s feel and sound. Compared to woods like Walnut, Oak, and even Mahogany, Eastern Hard Rock Maple is significantly harder, stiffer, and denser. This inherent density is the key to the Victory MVX’s exceptional sustain, allowing notes to ring out with impressive duration and clarity.
However, this robust construction does come with a considerable weight. The Gibson Victory MVX is not for the faint of heart, tipping the scales at a solid nine pounds. While this might seem hefty, Gibson engineers thoughtfully addressed weight distribution, achieving what many players describe as “perfect balance.” Whether you prefer to play with a strap standing up or seated with the guitar on your knee, the Victory MVX is designed to sit comfortably and securely.
Beyond the body, the neck of the Victory MVX showcases innovative design. It features a tri-laminate construction with alternating wood grain. This cross-banding technique isn’t just for aesthetics; it significantly strengthens the neck, enhancing tuning stability. Furthermore, this design allowed Gibson’s luthiers to eliminate the scarf joint at the headstock. Scarf joints, while common in guitar construction, can sometimes be a point of weakness. By removing it, the Victory MVX neck gains superior resistance to impact and cracking, a common concern with angled headstocks. This non-scarfed break angle also eliminates the need for string tree clips, contributing to a cleaner headstock design and potentially smoother string action.
The pickups in the Gibson Victory MV series are another area of significant interest, particularly due to their connection to the renowned pickup engineer Tim Shaw. Tim Shaw worked in Gibson’s Kalamazoo custom shop during a pivotal era for pickup design. While he is famously known for his meticulous recreations of 1959 PAF pickups – often referred to as “Shaw pickups” and characterized by specific ink stamps and Unoriented Alnico 5 magnets – the pickups in the Victory MV series are distinct.
Designed by Shaw specifically for the Victory MV guitars during the “Shaw Era” at Gibson (1980-1986), these pickups are not stamped and represent a different approach. Notably, the center pickup in the Gibson Victory MVX is an exceptionally rare “stacked” humbucker, a design also attributed to Shaw. This stacked configuration is unique and contributes to the Victory MVX’s versatile tonal palette, offering a distinct voice that sets it apart from guitars equipped with standard “Shaw pickups.” While not directly related to the PAF replicas that bear his name, the Tim Shaw-designed pickups in the Gibson Victory MV guitars are a testament to his innovative approach to pickup design and contribute significantly to the guitar’s overall character and collectibility for players seeking something outside the typical Gibson offerings.
