February 18, 2021 – In an Instagram Post, Gibson CMO Cesar Gueikian is seen posing at Richie Faulkner’s home studio with what appears to be a new Gibson Richie Faulkner Flying V prototype.
It appears this will be a true Custom Shop model because of appointments like:
- The color appears to be Pelham Blue, used on rare occasions and highly sought after.
- White single-ply binding surrounding the headstock and the body.
- Ebony fingerboard as on the Epiphone™ version of the Richie Faulkner Flying V
- What looks to be real Mother of Pearl block inlays on the fretboard
- Gold hardware
- Along with the features Richie prefers on his signature model like a single volume control, a Floyd Rose ™ tremolo, the Falcon logo at the twelfth fret and most likely EMG pickups (57 and 66.)
The Judas Priest logo is now engraved on the truss rod cover rather than the headstock as on the Epiphone model. I look for the guitar to feature jumbo frets and a satin, 60s neck profile as per his original signature model.
The original Epiphone™ Limited Edition Richie Faulkner Flying V was released in late 2017 and quickly sold out, It featured a black mahogany body, ebony fingerboard, EMG pickups, a Floyd Rose™ locking tremolo, five-ply binding on the headstock and upper body, a full pick guard (new for the V series) and jumbo frets. Soon afterward another limited edition Flying V, this time in white with a black pick guard and similar appointments was released. This model too, quickly sold out.
Judas Priest guitarist Richie Faulkner with his original Epiphone Signature Flying V
Of course, Richie dispelled all rumors of this being a prototype model and went on to describe his real signature models in the Instagram post below:
Richie’s being cheeky of course (notice the guitar Gueikian was holding on the wall behind him) and in case you didn’t pick it up – he said he tunes up to…A on the pink Flying V. Well, it was more like G than A but I’m sure he knew that. Besides, I don’t think pink is really his style.
If the new Gibson Richie Faulkner Flying V does indeed become a production model; and I’m betting it will – you can bet it won’t be cheap. Being that the Gibson Adam Jones signature Les Paul was listed for $5999 and ones signed by him listed for $9999, I would look for Richie’s guitar to be priced similarly. Gibson Custom Shop Models generally start at $4999.00 (US.) Personally, I’d love to get my hands on one.
Look for a new Gibson “Patrick from Sponge Bob” model Flying V in the near future…