Flying V guitar?

Question

i have a flying v guitar body and a strat clone. The body was given to me by my friend and there was no neck. I tried to put in the neck from my strat copy but it was a bit small (abt 0.2-0.3 cm smaller), so i was wondering whether i have to buy a neck especially for the flying v or should i buy wood filler to fill in the space?

Answer 1

You can't just change necks.. it won't work.

Forget about how it fits for a second and we'll get into the mechanics. This is a bit long, but bear with me...

Guitar construction is based on a measurement commonly called scale length. Scale length is the distance from the nut to the bridge saddles, also called the effective string length, or the area that actually produces the notes. If the scale length is off the guitar won't play in tune with itself and there will be note errors all over the fingerboard.

Generally, most Fenders and copies have a 25 1/2" scale. If you measure the distance on your Fender copy you'll see this is the case. The Flying V was a 24 3/4" scale, and although I seriously doubt that it is a real "V" (since the neck on them is set in... not bolted on) it probably still has this scale. If you want to check this out and you still have the neck on the V body, measure the EXACT distance between the nut and the center of the 12th fret (should be 12 3/4"). This should almost EXACTLY match the distance between the center of the 12th fret and the bridge saddles (where the strings go over the bridge). If it is more than about 1/8" off then you can't use the neck with the body, you'll have to determine the scale length of the body, and get a proper neck.

Answer 2

No. There are a few reasons. The Flying V is huge, for one. Most likely too big for someone that age. It also has a tendency to slide when sitting down. This would be fine, but most of the time she will be sitting in front of a computer, or practicing sitting. Playing with a strap is more difficult than it would seem at first. A quick note on playing with a strap: The Flying V is a heavy guitar, (thus the wide tonal range) and I don't think a 12 year old boy could keep it up for too long. I haven't even seen too many older girls playing heavy guitars. If she still wants a V, you would be better to take a look at the Jackson Rhoads, or King V series. They would be much lighter. Before buying anything though, go to a music store. Try a few instruments sitting and standing, and make sure they are comfortable to play. Whatever you do, don't get a strat shape. Everyone has one. People who can't play don't tend to have anything else, so at least she can look like she knows what she's doing!

Answer 3

You need to take it to a luthier as the previous person said, but I can tell you what they will say.

If the Flying V is a "real" flying V (meaning it is a Gibson and not a Epiphone, or other Repro) They will tell you to get a life and spend the money for a Gibson neck.

IF the Flying V is a repro, you have two options

1.) you can spend about 60-120 dollars to have the Luthier put the strat neck on the guitar. He will use shims (thin pieces of wood) to fill in the gaps, and generally make the guitar playable. He will recommend that you do this ONLY if the neck has some value (either emotional or other sentimental kind).

2.) get the Luthier to recommend (and possibly acquire) a new "off-brand" neck that will properly fit the Flying V. This should cost about 30-60 dollars if you put it on yourself.

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

The critical issue is the scale length--the length of the strings from the nut to the bridge. The distance from the nut to the 12th fret has to be "pretty much exactly" the same as from the 12th fret to the bridge, or the guitar will never play in tune. With the 2 -3 millimeter difference you mention, you might be able to do it, but use the scale length as a guide. The bridge on the V body probably has adjustable pieces for string length adjustment, but it might not offer enough depending on where that 12th fret ends up. String length being off by even a millimeter or so can really affect the guitar's ability to play in tune.

Otherwise you might as well modify it into a clock, or a table lamp, or a very small but snazzy coffee table.

Answer 5

Gibson Flying V Neck

Answer 6

You should find a luthier and ask them. Or take it in to your local music store... compare it to some of the gibson necks...