NGD: 2022 Flying V

[icantshred]

Hi, Everyone! I've been wanting one of those 70's Flying Vs since I first saw them in 2019 / 2020. I had one on pre-order for months and ended up canceling it. Skip ahead about 3 years and I FINALLY found one in stock. From a seller I've never used.

I pulled the trigger on it and I think it's a killer guitar, but there was some drama with between purchasing and receiving it.

The bad:
1: Guitar sat in a below freezing truck for 4 days because the shipper sent it to the wrong address (which luckily didn't exist, as the seller didn't require signature on delivery someone could have just kept it).

2: Without direct light and looking really, really closely I can only see the very last number of the serial. Weird, or not so weird? I ask you.

3: Finish checking at the back of the headstock... This really irritates me. I waited a couple hours after bringing it inside to open it. I suspect the checking happened during shipping, but I don't know much about this. What do you guys think? Pics attached. Can it be fixed, and is it worth it? For comparison, my 2003 Les Paul Custom has plenty of dings and fading color, but zero finish checking.

The good:
1: Plays like a dream. The factory .010s surprised me at how low and fast they play. I usually have .008s on my guitars, but I think I'll keep rocking .010s until my carpal tunnel wreaks havoc again.

2: So far, I've only played it through my H&K Attax 50 (solid state) practice amp. The sounds are killer. I love it. Sustain for days, rings out nicely even unplugged. Great all around.

3: The weight is perfect. I love my LP Custom, but the weight of it is painful. Even when I play sitting down my back aches the next day. I haven't weighed the V, but it's like a feather.

3: The seller gave me about $50 back for a "setup at a local shop." There was some buzzing at the first fret which was luckily resolved by adjusting the truss rod. It must have been nearly back-bowed as after I adjusted it to fix the buzz it measures around .006mm relief.


Questions:

1: Should I be worried about how poorly stamped the serial is?

2: Can finish checking be fixed and should I bother?

3: Can we be friends, even though I haven't got proper pictures of the guitar yet except for the checking?

 

[VictorB]

Nice V!!!

The checking would bother me personally…

 

[Nick-O]

i like natural checking, but not at the neck like that.

If it plays and sounds great and the price was right, only you can say.

I hope you bond with it, what folk on the web think shouldn't alter your opinion unless your thoughts line up with the comments.

Welcome to the site, I hope you find a home here.

 

[icantshred]

Honestly, I kind of feel the same way.

I don't like the hassle of boxing it back up and carting off (an hour away) to ship it back, waiting for a new one, and hoping the new one doesn't arrive in the same or worse shape.

Maybe I'll sleep on it and contact the retailer tomorrow about an exchange.

Thanks for the reality check. (no pun intended)

 

[icantshred]

I contacted the seller and arranged for an exchange. Boxed up the blemished V and sent it back, but not before snapping a couple pictures of it next to my number 1!

I hope the replacement is pristine. Maybe having a nitro finished guitar shipped to New England in February is dumb, but I remain hopeful.

My LPC turns 20 this year and even with all the battle scars and faded paint, I don't see that kind of checking I saw on the new V. Color me puzzled.

 

[DeafDumbBlind Kid]

next time wait 24 full hours before opening the box. it ain't easy

 

[CB91710]

The serial number issue is not uncommon, particularly on solid color finishes.
Both my 2020 SG and Bonamassa Epiphone are hard to read.
The transparent finishes "pop" better because of the contrast from the grain

The SG is actually easier to read in the picture than it is in person:

Compared to the LP Standard that you can read from 5ft away....

 

[Central Scrutinizer]

When you get your new one after the exchange it will be worth it.

next time wait 24 full hours before opening the box. it ain't easy

It’s hard but wait the full 24 hours. I usually open the box top after about 12-16 hours.

We have been having -35 - -40 lows overnight here. It reeks havoc.

I step out of my shop the other day to take a pee and was frozen to the ground for a couple hours !

 

[DeafDumbBlind Kid]

When you get your new one after the exchange it will be worth it.


It’s hard but wait the full 24 hours. I usually open the box top after about 12-16 hours.

We have been having -35 - -40 lows overnight here. It reeks havoc.

I step out of my shop the other day to take a pee and was frozen to the ground for a couple hours !

I hate to return stuff but occasionally it is necessary. I returned a flying V because it wasn't what was advertised (wanted rosewood fb, got something else) and more recently, a Squier strat that had some sort of manufacturing defect on the neck

I hate when I get frozen to the ground when I'm trying to take a pee, too

 

[Welhaven]

Play it!

 

[Christosterone]

this is awesome…absolutely awesome

i need to get out the les Paul forum more

-chris