The Richie Faulkner Flying-V Custom is the new signature model built by Epiphone for the lead guitarist of Judas Priest. It has his logo emblazoned on the headstock and at the 12th fret too, just so you know it belongs to a metal god!
At first glance, the Epiphone Limited Edition Richie Faulkner Flying V Custom Outfit is a handsome combination of a traditional Flying V guitar with Les Paul Custom appointments like an ebony fingerboard with block inlays, multi-layer binding along its body top and headstock and a bound fingerboard. There are some cool personal touches, including a Judas Priest “Trident” logo on the headstock and a “Falcon” logo on the 12th fret, plus a custom three-layer pick-guard that nearly shrouds its entire mahogany body. The guitar also features a glued-in, deep-set mahogany neck design, 22 jumbo frets, a slim-C neck profile on its satin finish neck and a 24 3/4–inch scale length.
It’s immediately apparent Faulkner wanted a stripped-down V with premium components and electronics—the bare necessities—to play metal. And that kind of weaponry includes EMG active pickups (EMG-57 bridge and EMG-66 neck) in a smooth black nickel finish, a single volume control and three-way toggle switch, Floyd Rose 1000 Tremolo with R2 locking nut and Grover Rotomatic tuners. One thing to note is “Outfit” designates it as a complete package, which includes a deluxe gig bag and Faulkner’s hand-signed certificate of authenticity.
PERFORMANCE
After spending a great deal of time playing the Faulkner V, I find no expense was spared in making this guitar, because it feels like a high-end custom instrument. With its comfortable weight, the Faulkner Flying V feels perfectly balanced to achieve maximum density for hard rock and metal tones. The EMG pickups are a smart choice because they provide clarity and definition with high-gain distortion and never sound muddy. Clean tones sound equally cutting and crystal when you play this guitar at loud volumes.
The Floyd Rose also adds metallic zing to the guitar’s massive sound as well as being a superb locking tremolo. There is no mistaking the fact that Faulkner’s V is meant to be played standing up with fans below your feet; however, my only quibble is I wish the guitar’s output jack underneath its top wing was recessed for playing comfortably while sitting down. But that minor issue aside, the guitar is impressive in its out-of-the-box flawless setup and low action. The very flat 12–inch fretboard radius allows you to bend toward the sky without fear of fretting out, and the comfortably slim contour of the neck lets you glide unfettered across the fretboard.
Specification
Body
Body shape: V
Body type: Solid body
Body material: Solid wood
Top wood: Not applicable
Body wood: Mahogany
Body finish: Gloss
Orientation: Right handed
Neck
Neck shape: Custom Thin-C profile
Neck wood: Mahogany
Joint: Set-in
Scale length: 24.75 in.
Truss rod: Standard
Neck finish: Satin
Fretboard
Material: Ebony
Radius: 12 in.
Fret size: Jumbo
Number of frets: 22
Inlays: Block
Nut width: 1.687 in. (42.8 mm) “Eagle” logo on 12th fret
Pickups
Configuration: HH
Neck: EMG-66 (active)
Middle: Not applicable
Bridge: EMG-57 (active)
Brand: EMG
Active or passive pickups: Active
Series or parallel: Series
Piezo: No
Active EQ: No
Special electronics: EZ-Access 9-Volt Battery compartment on back
