EPIPHONE PROPHECY FLYING V

T
he distance between
Gibson’s entry-level US
build and a top-of-the-
range, Chinese-built
Epiphone is closing all
the time. Take the Epiphone 1959
Les Paul Standard, a quite
stunning collaboration with
the Gibson Custom Shop that is
arguable better dressed than a Les
Paul Tribute. Or take this Prophecy
Flying V, which takes the
high-road when it comes to spec.
Here we’ve got a mahogany
body with a AAA fl ame maple
veneer – like the ’59 LP – though
it is also available in Aged Satin
Black. The Prophecy V has a set,
mahogany neck, carved into
Gibson’s Asymmetrical Slim
Taper profi le. Originally the
asymmetrical carve was an
accident, with variances on
hand-carved necks meaning some
had an ever-so-slightly fatter
profi le on the bottom-strings’ side
and a thinner profi le down under
the top strings. But then it became
a feature, off ering the best of both
worlds, speed and comfort
The multi-play cream and black
binding, MOP block with abalone
triangle inlay, and the diamond
inlay on the headstock lend the
Prophecy V a Custom Shop vibe,
its satin fi nish making it one
tactile instrument. The hardware
is quality, too. There’s a LockTone
tune-o-matic and stop-bar
tailpiece, locking Grover tuners;
both fi nished in brushed nickel,
matching the volume and tone
controls. The Graph Tech
NuBone nut is perfectly cut.
Now, if you’re thinking that this
spec is pretty darn pro, then the two
Fluence Custom Voiced humbuckers
should confi rm your suspicions.
Very much the 21st-century pickup,
the active Fluence ’buckers are
multi-voiced and powered by
9V battery that’s hidden in
a compartment on the rear of the
instrument. Engage the push-pull
on the volume control to toggle
between a high-output modern
humbucker and a classic
Burstbucker/PAF-style voicing,
while a push-pull on the tone
control activates a single-coil mode.
If you’ve tuned in for the
high-gain humbucker, you’ll be
pleased to know that it lends itself
to some ripping metal tones.
Indeed, the Fluence skews modern.
Those weaned on Sabbath and Priest
might prefer the more open PAF
tones, which go very nicely with
some JCM800 crunch or fuzz box
and clean up nicely, while the
single-coil mode is a good option.
What more could you need?
Remember, however, that the
Flying V design is exceptionally
balanced on the strap but is
awkward when played seated.
Just don’t jam your elbow into it
like Dave Davies would have – this
one’s more WarEnsemble than
Waterloo Sunset...
Jonathan Horsley
MORE WAR ENSEMBLE
THAN
WATERLOO SUNSET ...
EPIPHONE PROPHECY
FLYING V
With top-dollar spec and classy finish,
is this 2020’s best metal guitar?
1
2
3
£799
AT A GLANCE
FEATURES
SOUND QUALITY
VALUE FOR MONEY
BUILD QUALITY
PLAYABILITY
OVERALL RATING
SUMMARY
Photography: Phil Barker
1
ASYMMETRIC
NECK PROFILE
The Slim Taper neck is
one of the fastest we
have played on an
Epiphone... Or indeed
a Gibson.
2
LOCKING
TUNERS
The Prophecy Flying
V’s Grover Locking
Rotomatic tuners
are a welcome sight,
keeping things stable
for players with
aggressive styles.
3
FLUENCE
CUSTOM
VOICED
HUMBUCKERS
Push-pull functions
on volume and tone
controls offer you
three voices: modern
high-gain humbucker,
vintage humbucker
and single-coil.
BODY: Mahogany with
AAA flame maple
veneer
NECK: Mahogany with
Asymmetrical Slim
Taper profile, 12” radius
SCALE: 628mm
(24.72”)
FINGERBOARD: Ebony
FRETS: 22
PICKUPS: 2x Fluence
Custom Voiced
Humbuckers
CONTROLS: 1 x volume
with push/pull, 1 x tone
with push/pull, 3-way
pickup switch
HARDWARE: LockTone
Tune-O-Matic with
LockTone stop-bar,
Grover Locking
Rotomatic tuners,
brushed nickel
LEFT-HANDED: No
FINISH: Yellow Tiger
Aged Gloss (reviewed),
Black Aged Gloss
CONTACT: Epiphone
www.epiphone.com
JANUARY 2021 TOTAL GUITAR
REVIEW
93
TGR340.gear_epi.indd 93 03/12/2020 18:54