Introduction
In 2024, Gibson embarked on a mission to revive a lesser-known model from the ’80s, aiming to elevate it to the esteemed company of the Les Paul, SG, and ES-335. The result? A revamped Victory that is not only sleeker and more aggressive but also resonates with modern sensibilities. This new iteration has garnered praise from both loyal Gibson enthusiasts and those who typically shy away from the brand. After 45 years of attempts, Gibson has finally delivered a super-strat option that players have been eagerly awaiting.
However, fans of this updated model have expressed a notable desire for one key feature: a locking tremolo system. responding to this feedback, Gibson has now integrated a Floyd Rose tremolo into the design.
Beyond the addition of the whammy bar, this enhanced Victory retains the specifications of its predecessor. True to many Gibson models, it features a mahogany body paired with an eye-catching figured maple top, all while being expertly contoured for optimal playability.
Latest Videos FromGuitar World
The guitar features a shredder-friendly SlimTaper mahogany neck,boasting a contemporary 10-14″ compound radius,24 medium jumbo frets,and an ebony fingerboard,all complemented by a Fender-like 25.5″ scale length. The neck is topped with a hockey stick headstock reminiscent of the Explorer, housing six Grover Mini Rotomatic tuners.
the pickups consist of a pair of 80s Tribute humbuckers, delivering tones that sit comfortably between classic PAF and the essence of hair metal. They are wired to a push/pull volume for coil splitting and a push/pull tone for inner/outer coil selection, providing an notable range of sounds for a dual-humbucker setup.
This guitar comes in a sleek Gibson case featuring black latches and is available in three unique finishes: the exotic Iguana Burst reviewed here, the metal-ready Translucent Ebony Burst, and the aquatic Deep Ocean Burst.
Specifications
- Launch price: $2,799 | £2,399 | €2,499
- Origin: USA
- Type: Six-string electric guitar
- Body: Mahogany with flame maple top
- Neck: SlimTaper mahogany
- Fingerboard: Ebony
- Scale length: 25.5 inches / 647.7 mm
- Nut: Graph Tech
- Frets: 24 Medium Jumbo
- Hardware: Floyd Rose, Grover Mini Rotomatic tuners
- Electronics: 80s Tribute pickups, 1 Push/Pull volume (Coil Split), 1 Push/Pull Tone (Inner/outer Coil Select)
- Weight: 6.7 lbs / 3 kg
- Left-handed options: No
- Finishes: Iguana Burst (as reviewed), Translucent Ebony Burst, Deep Ocean Burst
- included case: Gibson hardshell case
- Contact: Gibson
Construction Quality
Build Quality Rating: ★★★★
The craftsmanship meets Gibson’s current USA standards, showcasing a clean and precise build.
The first impression upon seeing the case is striking.It’s sleek and modern, featuring all-black Gothic-style latches. Even before opening it, the absence of brown tolex indicates that there’s no retro reissue inside. Upon receiving this electric guitar for review, I was unaware of which of the three finishes I would get. When I opened the lid, I was thrilled to find a stunning green burst finish.
The Iguana Burst top is even more captivating in person than in promotional images. As a traditionalist regarding finishes, I typically believe ES-335s should be red, Les Pauls should be sunburst, and Juniors should be TV yellow. However, this bold finish complements the Victory’s unique design beautifully, exuding a sharp, contemporary vibe.
Out of the case, this guitar feels solid and well-constructed, with no finish flaws or distracting marks to detract from its striking appearance.
The build quality aligns with Gibson’s current USA standards, featuring a clean and meticulous construction. The fretwork is extraordinary, polished and flawlessly installed. notably, there are no fret nibs-those small binding pieces that typically cover fret ends on Gibson models-eliminating the risk of snagging your high-E string on a rogue piece of plastic. While the absence of fret nibs can sometimes expose sharp fret ends if not dressed properly, this Victory model has perfect fretwork.
Nonetheless, I find myself questioning why Gibson opted not to use stainless steel frets for this model.We’ve seen this fret material on the modern Epiphone Futura, and it seems like a natural fit for the Victory as well.
If I have one critique regarding the design, it’s the positioning of the volume control.
The deeply contoured body and bevels make it genuinely comfortable to play, whether standing or seated, and it’s perfectly balanced. even with the extended peghead, there’s no neck dive to contend with.
The hardware is robust and well-calibrated. The Floyd Rose is expertly set up from the factory, providing a solid feel. There are no strange creaks, tuning instability, and importantly, no need to reach for an Allen key every few minutes. The Grover Mini Rotomatics perform admirably, even if they mostly serve an aesthetic purpose with the locking nut in play.
One design flaw I noticed is the placement of the volume control, which is situated directly beneath the Floyd arm. I found myself unintentionally rolling down the volume during dive bombs. This is a common issue for Strat players, so it’s not unique to the Victory, but a slight adjustment in the volume control’s position would resolve this problem.
Playability
playability Rating: ★★★★★
The SlimTaper neck profile is incredibly fast, yet it never feels to thin or insubstantial.
There’s a unique sensation when picking up a guitar with a well-set Floyd. It inspires a different approach to playing. Reflecting on my past, I recall my Dimebag Darrell phase, during which I owned a dean Razorback before trading it for a ’72 Fender Tele Deluxe.That experience taught me the liberating potential of a Floyd Rose, and I was eager to dive back into that world with the Victory.
The SlimTaper neck profile is genuinely fast, yet it maintains a comfortable thickness. The compound radius transitions from 10″ to a flatter 14″ as you move up the neck, a subtle change that substantially enhances shred runs and expansive legato licks.
This guitar feels slick and responsive. The setup is low-1.25mm on the low-E and 1.00mm on the high-E-ensuring a buzz-free experience,and the tremolo remains stable even after aggressive use.
Ultimately, this is a guitar that encourages continuous playing, whether I’m shredding scales or experimenting with classic Floyd Rose techniques.The only adjustment needed was adapting to the volume knob’s position,a minor trade-off for the overall excellence of the instrument.
Sound Quality
Sound Quality Rating: ★★★★
While these pickups may not be considered high-output by today’s standards, they certainly deliver a robust performance.
The tonal character of the Victory is shaped by a pair of Gibson 80s Tribute pickups. These passive humbuckers, equipped with Alnico 5 magnets, are also featured in the reissues of the Explorer and Flying V from the ’80s.
For my testing, I connected to a Positive Grid Spark Live amplifier along with its corresponding cabinet.I cranked up the gain, added a hint of delay, and began exploring the capabilities of the Victory.
Although they may not be classified as super high-output by contemporary standards, these pickups certainly pack a punch. They provide ample power for hard rock and metal genres while maintaining clarity and definition for cleaner tones. The midrange is smooth and prominent, the bass is tight, and the treble offers a satisfying bite. This pickup configuration aligns perfectly with the guitar’s intended vibe.
The push/pull volume control for coil splitting and the push/pull tone for selecting inner or outer coils provide a wide array of tonal possibilities for a dual-humbucker setup.
Switching from the high-gain amplifier to a Roland JC model, I wanted to assess how it performed with cleaner tones. Activating the coil split revealed that while the single-coil sounds won’t fool anyone into thinking they’re hearing a Strat, they are certainly usable for live performances.
Experimenting with the inner and outer coils in the middle position produced an interesting out-of-phase sound that is fantastic for funk or any style that requires stepping outside the typical Gibson sound. This tone is indeed quite versatile.
conclusion
Every aspect of the Victory floyd Rose resonates with quality, from its striking finishes to its durable hardware and impressive pickups.
Much like a Pokémon evolving into its final form, the Victory has reached its most refined and powerful iteration. The addition of the Floyd Rose truly feels like the final piece this model needed. It has become the super-strat alternative that Gibson enthusiasts have long desired, standing strong against competitors in the shredder market.
Everything about the Victory Floyd Rose feels right, from its vibrant finishes to its sturdy hardware and excellent-sounding pickups. While this guitar is already fantastic, I can’t help but wonder how much more it could be if Gibson took a few more risks.
It’s clear that buyers are not drawn to the Victory solely for its nostalgic ’80s appeal; rather, it represents the most contemporary offering in Gibson’s current lineup. With that in mind,I would love to see Gibson take this further in future iterations. Why not incorporate stainless steel frets? And while we’re at it, how about equipping it with Fishman Fluence pickups for added versatility?
Of course, this may just be wishful thinking on my part. Ultimately, this remains an outstanding instrument. If you’re in search of a high-performance, visually striking, and highly playable guitar for modern music styles, this is the one you’ve been waiting for.
Guitar World Verdict: The Victory is a stylish, robust shredder that has the potential to win over even the most skeptical Gibson fans. It boasts excellent craftsmanship, effortless playability, and the 80s Tribute pickups deliver great sound for high-gain applications.
Swipe to scroll horizontally
|
Category |
Findings |
Rating |
|---|---|---|
|
build Quality |
Exceptional craftsmanship with flawless fretwork and a solid, contemporary feel. The positioning of the volume control could be improved. |
★★★★ |
|
Playability |
Outstanding feel with a fast neck and a perfectly calibrated Floyd Rose that remains stable even after aggressive dive-bombing. |
★★★★★ |
|
Sound Quality |
A diverse range of tones from high-gain metal to classic rock, with an additional out-of-phase sound option for versatility. |
★★★★ |
|
Overall Impression |
The Gibson Victory Floyd Rose is a highly capable modern super-S-type guitar that appeals to contemporary players who may not typically favor Gibson’s traditional models. |
★★★★☆ |
Also Consider
Hands-On Videos
American Musical Supply
Watch On
ZzSounds
Watch On
Sound Quality Rating: ★★★★
While these pickups may not be considered high-output by today’s standards, they certainly deliver a robust performance.
The tonal character of the Victory is shaped by a pair of Gibson 80s Tribute pickups. These passive humbuckers, equipped with Alnico 5 magnets, are also featured in the reissues of the Explorer and Flying V from the ’80s.
For my testing, I connected to a Positive Grid Spark Live amplifier along with its corresponding cabinet. I cranked up the gain, added a hint of delay, and began exploring the capabilities of the victory.
Although they may not be classified as super high-output by contemporary standards, these pickups certainly pack a punch.They provide ample power for hard rock and metal genres while maintaining clarity and definition for cleaner tones. The midrange is smooth and prominent, the bass is tight, and the treble offers a satisfying bite. This pickup configuration aligns perfectly with the guitar’s intended vibe.
The push/pull volume control for coil splitting and the push/pull tone for selecting inner or outer coils provide a wide array of tonal possibilities for a dual-humbucker setup.
Switching from the high-gain amplifier to a Roland JC model, I wanted to assess how it performed with cleaner tones. Activating the coil split revealed that while the single-coil sounds won’t fool anyone into thinking they’re hearing a Strat, they are certainly usable for live performances.
Experimenting with the inner and outer coils in the middle position produced an interesting out-of-phase sound that is fantastic for funk or any style that requires stepping outside the typical Gibson sound. This tone is indeed quite versatile.
Conclusion
Every aspect of the Victory Floyd Rose resonates with quality, from its striking finishes to its durable hardware and impressive pickups.
Much like a Pokémon evolving into its final form, the Victory has reached its most refined and powerful iteration.the addition of the Floyd Rose truly feels like the final piece this model needed. It has become the super-strat alternative that Gibson enthusiasts have long desired,standing strong against competitors in the shredder market.
Everything about the Victory Floyd Rose feels right, from its vibrant finishes to its sturdy hardware and excellent-sounding pickups. while this guitar is already fantastic, I can’t help but wonder how much more it might very well be if Gibson took a few more risks.
It’s clear that buyers are not drawn to the Victory solely for its nostalgic ’80s appeal; rather, it represents the most contemporary offering in Gibson’s current lineup. With that in mind, I would love to see Gibson take this further in future iterations. Why not incorporate stainless steel frets? And while we’re at it, how about equipping it with Fishman Fluence pickups for added versatility?
Of course, this may just be wishful thinking on my part.Ultimately, this remains an outstanding instrument. If you’re in search of a high-performance, visually striking, and highly playable guitar for modern music styles, this is the one you’ve been waiting for.
Guitar World Verdict: The Victory is a stylish, robust shredder that has the potential to win over even the most skeptical Gibson fans. It boasts excellent craftsmanship, effortless playability, and the 80s Tribute pickups deliver great sound for high-gain applications.
Swipe to scroll horizontally
|
Category |
Findings |
Rating |
|---|---|---|
|
Build Quality |
Exceptional craftsmanship with flawless fretwork and a solid, contemporary feel. The positioning of the volume control could be improved. |
★★★★ |
|
Playability |
outstanding feel with a fast neck and a perfectly calibrated Floyd Rose that remains stable even after aggressive dive-bombing. |
★★★★★ |
|
Sound Quality |
A diverse range of tones from high-gain metal to classic rock, with an additional out-of-phase sound option for versatility. |
★★★★ |
|
Overall Impression |
The Gibson Victory Floyd Rose is a highly capable modern super-S-type guitar that appeals to contemporary players who may not typically favor Gibson’s traditional models. |
★★★★☆ |
Also Consider
Hands-On Videos
American musical Supply
Watch On
