















A New Elegant Weapon for an Incendiary Metal Guitarist
Gibson Custom Shop is the pinnacle of craftsmanship, quality, and sound excellence. Each instrument celebrates Gibson's legacy through accuracy, authenticity, and attention to detail.
Richie Faulkner is the co-lead guitarist for the legendary metal band Judas Priest and the guitarist for the new metal supergroup Elegant Weapons, which he formed with alums from Rainbow, Pantera, and Judas Priest. A longtime fan of the Gibson Flying V™, the Richie Faulkner Flying V Custom brings Richie’s personal touches to the model, including a one-piece mahogany body with a full-face pickguard, multi-ply binding, a mahogany neck with a custom Richie Faulkner profile, and an ebony fretboard with a mother-of-pearl falcon inlay at the 12th fret. It also has a Floyd Rose® vibrato and Richie’s signature EMG™ pickup set. The electronics are stripped-down, with just a pickup selector switch and a single volume control, giving you everything you need with nothing to get in your way. Only 100 of these ultra-premium Flying V models will be crafted by the luthiers of the Gibson Custom Shop as part of this very special limited run. A hardshell case is also included.
While performing onstage with Judas Priest at the Louder than Life festival (September 26, 2021), Richie suffered a rare aortic aneurysm and complete aortic dissection. Despite having zero history of heart issues, Richie was rushed into open-heart surgery at a nearby hospital, and luckily, he fully recovered and has decided to pay it forward. Richie will be spreading the proceeds from his Flying V Custom to the John Ritter Foundation and the American Heart Association.
Body Style
Flying V
Body Shape
Flying V
Body Material
One-Piece Mahogany
Binding
Multi-ply Top, Back, and Headstock, Single-ply Fretboard
Body Finish
Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Profile
Richie Faulkner Profile
Scale Length
628.65 mm / 24.75 in
Fingerboard Material
Ebony
Fingerboard Radius
304.8 mm / 12 in
Neck Material
Mahogany
Fret Count
22
Frets
Medium Jumbo
Nut Material
Floyd Rose Locking Nut
Nut Width
41.275 mm / 1.625 in
Inlays
Mother of Pearl; Blocks with 12th Fret Falcon
Joint
Glued In, Set Neck; Hide Glue Fit
Finish
Chrome
Bridge
Floyd Rose
Tuning Machines
Grover with Kidney Buttons
Pickguard
Faulkner Custom Full-Face; White
Truss Rod
Standard
Truss Rod Cover
Bell
Control Knobs
Black Speed
Switch Tip
White
Jack Plate Cover
Chrome Square
Control Covers
Faulkner V
Strap Buttons
2 - Aluminum
Mounting Rings
Black
Neck Pickup
Richie Faulkner Signature EMG Set
Bridge Pickup
Richie Faulkner Signature EMG Set
Controls
Master Volume
Pickup Selector
Switchcraft 3-way Toggle
Output Jack
1/4" Switchcraft
Strings Gauge
.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
Case
TKL Faulkner V Hardshell
Accessories
Certificate of Authenticity, case candy bag with Faulkner-logo sunglasses, a Richie Faulkner Flying V patch, a custom Faulkner-logo pennant, a pick tin with picks, and three enamel pins