Gibson is celebrating 50 years of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers with 250 Flying V guitars worldwide. Five colors. Fifty guitars in each color. That is a very small rock ’n’ roll rainbow.
The Tom Petty Flying V 50th Anniversary takes its cue from the Heartbreakers logo on the band’s 1976 debut album. If you’re going to turn that winged-guitar history into an actual instrument, a Flying V does seem committed to the assignment.
There’s also a collection of shirts, jackets and accessories, so appreciating the band does not require learning a guitar solo first.
The five finishes share the anniversary details
The colors are Gainesville Gold, Graphite Metallic, Heartbreaker Red, Pearl White Metallic and Pelham Blue. Gibson says each finish has the same 50-guitar production limit.
These are full-size guitars, with mahogany bodies and necks, rosewood fretboards and gold-plated hardware. A Heartbreaker 50th truss rod cover and a reproduction of Petty’s signature on the back of the headstock identify the anniversary edition. Each comes with a Gibson hardshell case.
That 250 figure is the production run, by the way. It is not a count of how many are still sitting there waiting to be ordered.
The clothes have their own album-cover connection
The accompanying lifestyle collection includes four imogene + willie tees, military-style and work jackets, plus accessories such as a hat, guitar strap, pick tin and miniature Flying V.
Then there’s the leather jacket. Gibson’s press announcement says the imogene + willie x Gibson x Schott N.Y.C. version is inspired by the jacket Petty wore on the debut album cover, with 75 jackets made worldwide.
A band tee is one level of commitment. Re-creating the album-cover jacket is another.
Gibson announced the collection on October 20 and directs shoppers to Gibson Garage locations and its official anniversary announcement. Check the linked shop for current prices, sizes and stock; a limited production number does not guarantee your size or favorite finish is available.
The songs already have staying power. Now the closet and the guitar stand can join the anniversary celebration.
Featured photo: Gibson.
