Gibson Custom Shop Artist Collection Kirk Hammett 1979 Flying V Ebony Murphy Lab. One of the Most Important Heavy Metal Guitars of All Time.
Note! This specific guitar is personally signed by Kirk Hammett in our shop in Copenhagen June 2024. ( see photo documentation)
Metallica fans worldwide are familiar with Kirk Hammett’s 1979 Flying V. It was Kirk’s first Gibson and established his passion for Gibson guitars. Its purchase was inspired by famous Flying V™ players Kirk admired and because he was looking for a fuller sound. And what a sound! Kirk still plays the original guitar to this day, and used it on all the early Metallica albums, including Kill ‘Em All, Ride the Lightning, Master of Puppets, …And Justice for All, and The Black Album, making it one of the most important heavy metal guitars of all time.
Only 200 were hand-made by the expert luthiers of the Gibson Custom Shop in Nashville, Tennessee, artfully aged to match the original by the Murphy Lab. The included Certificate of Authenticity photo is signed by Kirk Hammett himself.
Tech Specs
General
Number of Strings
6
Left-/Right-handed
Right-handed
Weight
2.854 kg/6.929 lbs (measured in store)
Body
Body Shape
Flying V
Body Material
1-piece Mahogany
Body Finish
Murphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Color
Ebony
Neck
Neck Material
Solid Mahogany
Neck Shape
Kirk Hammett V Profile
Neck Joint
Glued In, Set Neck
Fingerboard Radius
304.8 mm / 12″
Fingerboard Material
Indian Rosewood
Fingerboard Inlay
Perloid Dot
Fret Wire
Medium
Number of Frets
22
Scale Length
24.75″
Nut Width
42.85 mm / 1.687″
Nut Material
Corian
End Of Board Width
56.89 mm / 2.239″
Hardware
Bridge
Custom Replica Bridge
Tailpiece
Stop Bar; Heavy Chrome
Hardware Finish
Chrome
Electronics
Neck Pickup
T-Type Humbucker
Bridge Pickup
T-Type Humbucker
Controls
2 Volume, Master Tone; CTS potentiometers
Pickup Selector
3-Way Switchcraft Toggle
Miscellaneous
Model
Kirk Hammett 1979 Flying V Ebony Murphy Lab
Collection
Murphy Lab
Weight Relief
None
Binding
None
Saddle Material
Nickel-plated Brass
Tuning Machines
M6 Schaller
Pickguard
Four-ply, White
Truss Rod
Adjustable
Truss Rod Cover
’79 V
Control Knobs
Black Speed
Switch Tip
Cream
Switch washer
–
Jack Plate Cover
Aged Black Switch Washer (Around Output Jack)
Control Covers
–
Strap Buttons
2 – Schaller Strap Locks (Black)
Mounting Rings
Black
Pickup Covers
None
Output Jack
1/4″ Switchcraft
Strings Gauge
.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
Case
SKB Flying V Case
Accessories
Certificate of Authenticity signed by Kirk Hammett