March 2002 Issue - NAMM Show 2002 Report: Gibson Lenny Kravitz Signature Flying V
By Larry Meiners
Lenny Kravitz became a mega-rockstar after the release of his album 5 in 1998. A lifetime of musical efforts was rewarded when Lenny received Grammy awards for his hits, "Fly Away" and "American Woman." Lenny's recently released greatest hits album sold more than eight million copies worldwide. Kravitz wrote, arranged, produced and performed on his latest offering, his sixth album, titled Lenny. Oh yeah, Lenny also plays Flying V guitars!
Gibson released their latest Historic Signature Flying V guitar with Lenny's guidance. Gibson honored Lenny by producing a limited edition signature guitar for him and their Historic Division will produce only 125 of these special Flying V guitars. During the decade of the 1990s, Gibson produced signature Flying V guitars in 1991-1995 the Jimi Hendrix Flying V, 1992-1994 the Rudolf Schenker Flying V and 1993-1994 the Lonnie Mack Flying V.
Lenny's signature models are equipped with a gold mirrored pickguard and truss rod cover, one-piece mahogany body, gold short-style Maestro vibrola with "LENNY" engraved on the base, gold '57 Classic humbuckers and the coolest black-sparkle finish you've seen since it was sprayed on a few of the Flying V2 models (1979-1982). According to Gibson's promo flyer for his signature guitar, Lenny said, "… everything I could ask for in a guitar." That's good enough for me.
Lenny's official website can be found at www.lennykravitz.com and Gibson's Historic website is at www.gibsoncustom.com.
Read about all the Flying V models built from 1958-2001 in the book titled, Flying V - The Illustrated History, $19.95 retail price, available at JK Lutherie, 1-800-344-8880, www.jklutherie.com or at www.amazon.com.
2002 © Larry Meiners All Rights Reserved