Gibson Reissues the Iconic Flying V Medallion

Will these guitars resell?

Gibson Flying V Medallion Guitar Reissue

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By RC Staff

14 July 2026

Key Points

The Gibson Custom 1971 Flying V Medallion Reissue retails for $4,999 with individually numbered medallions
Original 1971 Medallion Vs from the 350 unit run have sold for over $20,000
Gibson allows 30 day returns but can charge up to a 15 percent restocking fee, about $750

Guitar aficionados will have their chance to pick up a Gibson Flying V “Medallion” directly from the factory. These are reproductions of the original guitar from the 70s that’s become one of the most iconic designs is hard rock history, and they’ve sold for tens of thousands of dollars in recent years. Resellers are taking a close look at the opportunity, but there are a few hanging chads here that might complicate the flip.

Why the Flying V Medallion is So Special

Only 350 Medallion Vs left the Kalamazoo factory in 1971, and that scarcity, combined with players like Michael Schenker and Judas Priest’s K.K. Downing carrying them onstage, turned the model into one of the most coveted vintage Gibsons around.

Hammett has said he owns at least 15 originals himself. Gibson’s own Certified Vintage arm has priced surviving examples anywhere from the low five figures well past $20,000, depending on condition and provenance.

The 1971 Flying V Medallion Reissue is available now direct from Gibson in Medallion Cherry, built with a two piece mahogany body, T-Top humbuckers, and a hand numbered gold medallion on the bass wing, just like the originals. It ships in a Gibson Custom hardshell case. Gibson has not stated whether this run is capped at a specific number of guitars, which matters more here than on most reissues.

Risks for Resellers

This is where resellers need to pump the brakes. The original Medallion’s rarity is a huge part of why it commands those prices, and a reissue with no announced production limit cannot claim the same scarcity story yet. Spec wise, Gibson appears to have nailed the recreation, and reissues that faithfully capture the original usually do find a resale market. But without knowing how many of these Gibson plans to build, it is impossible to make any real claim about where secondary market prices will land.

Add in Gibson’s return terms and the math gets tighter. Buyers get a 30 day window, but Gibson can deduct up to 15 percent as a restocking fee at its discretion, which comes out to about $750 on this guitar. That is real money to lose if a flip does not pan out.

Bottom Line

This is a well built reissue of a guitar with real history, and it is worth a look for collectors and Flying V loyalists on those merits alone. As a flip, though, treat it as a slow burn rather than a quick win. Even a best case scenario likely means holding for several months with resale landing close to retail rather than far above it. Evaluate this one with your eyes open.