Richie Sambora's Jimi Hendrix Psychedelic "V".

2006 Gibson Jimi Hendrix Custom Shop Psychedelic Flying V.

One of just 300 Jimi Hendrix Psychedelic Flying V's that were hand-painted by Bruce Kunkel in 2006. This very striking guitar weighs just 6.70 lbs and has a mahogany body with a thickness of 1 5/16 inches. Mahogany neck with a nut width of 1 9/16 inches, a wonderful thick profile and a scale length of 24 3/4 inches. Rosewood fretboard with 22 original jumbo frets and pearl dot position markers. Black faced headstock with 'large' three-layer white / black / white plastic truss-rod cover secured by three screws, with "Gibson" engraved in gold. Individual Gibson (Kluson) Deluxe tuners with double-ring Keystone plastic buttons. Serial number "Jimi 073" stamped in white on back of headstock, "Jimi Hendrix" signature in gold and Gibson Custom Shop gold deacl. Two '57 Reissue PAF Humbuckers with black plastic surrounds with very hot outputs of 7.93k and 7.99k. Three-layer white/black/white plastic pickguard with thirteen screws. Three controls (two volume, one tone) plus three-way selector switch. The 'R9' 500k potentiometers are stamped "440 70501 0506" (CTS, February 2006). Black plastic "Witch Hat" knobs with silver tops. Gibson 'ABR-1' retainer Tune-O-Matic bridge with nylon saddles, Gibson Maestro vibrato tailpiece with tubular tremolo arm with 'walrus tooth' tip. This guitar is in mint (9.50) condition and is complete with all of the original case-candy including, original guitar strap, original guitar cord, original polishing cloth, original Gibson warranty (dated in ink March 10th, 2006) with Model number "Jimi Hendrix" and matching serial number "Jimi 073" written in black ink and all of the other original hang-tags and instructions, original Guitar Center 'Hendrix' color poster, original case-key in plastic envelope (dated March 2nd, 2006) and finally the orignall truss-rod adjuster. Housed in the original Gibson black five-latch 'V' shaped hardshell case with light-blue plush lining (9.50). As an 'added bonus' - this guitar was owned and played by Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi…

"Las Vegas, January 5th [2006] – The Gibson Custom Shop wowed crowds at CES today with the launch of the new Inspired By guitar series and its debut guitar, the stunning Jimi Hendrix Psychedelic Flying V. A meticulous recreation of the mysterious Flying V that Hendrix used on tour in Europe in 1967 and 1968, the guitar features exacting reproductions of Jimi’s own hand-painted designs that graced the original. Originally done in what appears to be nail polish, the swirling, psychedelic designs have been painstakingly rendered by artist Bruce Kunkel in close conjunction with the Custom Shop. “I would never have come up with the images that Jimi painted,” Kunkel said. “They were totally personal and came directly from his spirit.” In addition to the care taken with the artwork, the genius luthiers of the Gibson Custom Shop have built the guitar with the exacting standards and attention to detail that have earned them the reputation of building the finest guitars in the world. The result, an instrument of unsurpassed playability and tone, is an original work of art that can be beautifully displayed or proudly played. The Custom Shop will soon debut other guitars in the Inspired By series, including the Peter Frampton Les Paul Special. (www.gibsoncustom.com/inspiredby).

Paying tribute to Hendrixs role as musical innovator and guitar visionary, Gibson produced a limited run of 300 of these Custom Shop instruments. Guitar Center stores offered 150 of the Jimi Hendrix Psychedelic Flying V guitars, which sold out completely within 7 days of the March 24th launch date. The guitars were each accompanied by a Gibson Custom Shop case, certificate of authenticity, and custom care kit.

"In early 2006 Guitar Center, Inc., announced that "March 24th was the official launch date for these unique, historic instruments, and within one minute of sales, eager customers scooped up 70 of the 150 available Flying V guitars. Designed by the legendary Gibson Guitar Custom Shop, and authorized by the Hendrix Estate, as an exact reproduction of Hendrixs famous hand-painted 1967 Flying V, the new Jimi Hendrix Psychedelic Flying V offers unsurpassed playability and classic tone. In addition, the instrument features detailed artwork recreated by master luthier and artist Bruce Kunkel.

Purchased by Hendrix in 1967 and used on tour throughout Europe in 1967 and 1968, Hendrixs original Gibson Flying V has the distinguishing feature of having Jimis own psychedelic hand-painted artwork adorning the top and sides creating a truly unique appearance reminiscent of the late 1960s. Originally painted with what appears to be nail polish, the Gibson Custom Shop has sourced and used materials which reproduce the same sense of depth and texture to the guitar's one-of-a-kind artwork, while maintaining the strictest standards in creating faithful reproductions of all of the original Flying Vs materials and hardware." (www.ultimate-guitar.com)

Jimi Hendrix had three Gibson Flying V's, the first was his 1967 self-painted, eye-catching psychedelic floral design, the second was a 1968 tobacco sunburst (now in the Hard Rock Cafe) and the third was his left-handed specially made for him in 1969.

The 'psychedelic ' guitar was most noticeably used by Jimi during his concert in Paris during the 1967/68 world tour

For a Youtube video of Jimi actually playing his '1967 Psychedelic V - go to:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTCsvZ823Ok