Gibson Victory Electric Guitar Dark Walnut Satin
Gibson's 1981 shred machine reborn with modern refinements. All-mahogany construction, 25.5" scale, 24 frets, and coil-splittable '80s Tribute humbuckers deliver hot-rod versatility - if you can work the frustrating push-pull pots.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- +'80s Tribute humbuckers voiced for high output without sacrificing clarity - perfect for hard rock and metal
- +Push-pull volume splits both pickups to coil-split mode, tone control selects inner/outer coils for tonal variety
- +25.5" scale length provides better string tension for lower tunings than standard Gibson 24.75" scale
- +Compound radius (10"-16") ebony fretboard and SlimTaper neck profile enhance playability for leads
- +Guitar World gave it 4/5 stars, calling it "fairly priced" at $2,000 and praising the "much-improved incarnation"
Cons
- −Smooth, tapered push-pull knobs are "about the worst shape to pull up in the heat of the moment, especially with sweaty fingers" per Guitar World review
- −Neck pickup positioned further from traditional sweet spot due to 24-fret neck - some users worried about tone
- −Limited reviews - too new to assess long-term reliability
- −At $1,999, you're paying Gibson USA prices for a reissue of a model that originally failed in the market
The Verdict
Guitar World’s 4/5 (80%) rating is spot-on for a guitar that’s clearly aimed at players who want Gibson quality with super-Strat features. The 25.5″ scale and 24 frets break Gibson’s traditional mold, and the coil-splitting circuit is clever – when it works. But that Guitar World criticism about the push-pull knobs is brutal and accurate. Fumbling for tone options mid-solo defeats the purpose of a shred guitar. The Victory is cool, distinctive, and well-made, but at two grand you could get a used PRS Custom 24 with better switching ergonomics. Buy this if you want to stand out, not if you need foolproof functionality.
