Gibson Custom Shop is proud to introduce the next global release in its partnership with Richie Faulkner, co-lead guitarist Judas Priest, one of the most influential heavy metal groups of all time. The Richie Faulkner Flying V Custom from Gibson Custom Shop is now available worldwide through Authorised Premium Gibson dealers, and via Gibson.com.
“This guitar has become a good friend of mine over the past couple of years and is the latest evolution of my main guitar with Priest for the past 12 years,” says Richie Faulkner. “It’s something that has evolved as I have both on stage and in the studio, in looks and in sound. Whenever I see that double pick guard and Pelham blue, I know that that is my guitar. With the Floyd Rose, signature EMG pickups and striking appearance I know that armed with my faithful Flying V, I will be able to deliver every night. Beautiful yet deadly, elegant yet sonically powerful it is the number one guitar in my Arsenal.”
Richie Faulkner is the co-lead guitarist for the legendary metal band Judas Priest and the guitarist for the metal supergroup Elegant Weapons. A longtime player 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 limited special limited run. The Gibson Richie Faulkner Flying V Custom arrives in a stunning Pelham Blue finish complete with a hardshell case, as well as case candy developed in collaboration with Richie.
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. Richiewill be spreading the proceeds from his Flying V Custom to the John Ritter Foundation and the American Heart Association.
One of the most iconic heavy metal guitarists today, London born Richie Faulkner has been one of the lead guitarists for the legendary heavy metal group Judas Priest since 2011. Faulkner’s new supergroup Elegant Weapons–which features singer Ronnie Romero (Rainbow, MSG), bassist Rex Brown (Pantera), and drummer Scott Travis (Judas Priest)–released their debut album, Horns For A Halo, last month via Nuclear Blast. The LP was helmed by acclaimed British producer Andy Sneap, who has previously worked with Judas Priest, Accept, Exodus and Megadeth, among many others.
About the John Ritter Foundation:
In 2003, John Ritter–beloved actor, husband, father, and friend–was taken suddenly due to an acute thoracic aortic dissection which was tragically misdiagnosed. Weeks after his death, his wife and fellow actor Amy Yasbeck founded The John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health with a focused and urgent purpose to prevent unnecessary suffering because of the unknown. Every day, we work to raise awareness for thoracic aortic disease through genetic research, widespread education, and radical advocacy. For more information about the John Ritter Foundation, visit: https://johnritterfoundation.org/.
About the American Heart Association:
For nearly 100 years, the American Heart Association–whose mission is to be a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives has been fighting heart disease and stroke and helping families and communities thrive.
The six cardiologists who founded the American Heart Association in 1924 would be amazed. From humble beginnings, the AHA has grown into the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. A shared focus on cardiovascular health unites our more than 35 million volunteers and supporters as well as our more than 2,900 employees. Learn more about our lifesaving history.
Heart disease is the No. 1 killer worldwide, and stroke ranks second globally. Even when those conditions don’t result in death, they cause disability and diminish quality of life. We want to see a world free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
Our size and scope let us have real impact. The AHA has invested more than $5 billion in research, making us the largest not-for-profit funding source for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease research next to the federal government. Learn more about our life-changing funded research breakthroughs, visit: https://www.heart.org/en/.
About Gibson:
Gibson, the leading iconic guitar brand, has shaped the sounds of generations of musicians and music lovers across genres for 130 years. Founded in 1894 and headquartered in Nashville, Gibson Brands has a legacy of world-class craftsmanship, legendary music partnerships, and progressive product evolution that is unrivaled among musical instrument companies. The Gibson Brands portfolio includes Gibson, the leading guitar brand, as well as many of the most beloved and recognizable music brands, including Epiphone, which has been on every stage since 1873, Kramer, the original MADE TO ROCK HARD guitar brand, MESA/Boogie, the home of tone, KRK, behind great music for over 30 years, and Maestro, the founder of effect pedals. Gibson Brandsis dedicated to quality, innovation, and sound excellence so that music lovers for generations to come will continue to experience music shaped by Gibson Brands. Explore more at Gibson.com, Gibson App, and on Gibson TV, follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook, and visit us at the Gibson Garage.