When Dave Grohl performs live with the Foo Fighters he usually only uses his signature model Gibson DG-335 guitar but that doesn’t mean the man does not own a massive guitar collection. One of his most well known guitars is this custom black Flying-V used in the Foos 2011 “Rope” music video.
Usually mistaken for a Gibson Flying V, the history behind this guitar is pretty awesome. It was custom built by Dave Dearnaley in Cardiff UK in or around 1984 for Phil Campbell of Motörhead.
You can see the guitar in this video of Motörhead performing “Ace of Spades“.
From doing research on message boards, Campbell didn’t use it for too long and sold it to the guitarist from a band that opened for Motörhead for $800 after their tour ended.
The guitar then changed hands several times before Grohl snatched it up for $6500 in the late 90’s. Being the huge Motörhead fan he is, it was a no brainer purchase for him.
“I built it for Phil Campbell about the time he went from Persian Risk to Motorhead. It was about the 5th guitar I ever made. Apart from a bass I know off locally, it’s about the oldest survivor from my output.” – Dave Dearnaley
I saw a post on a message board from Dave Dearnaley where he said:
“Anyway glad to see it resurface in such good hands——I don’t have any pictures of it so anything would be gratefully received.”
Until now, there haven’t been any close-up photos of the infamous Motörhead/Foo Fighters Dearnaley Guitars Flying V. You ask and you shall receive, here you go Dave D, enjoy!!! I hope it brings back some great memories.
photo credit: Raul Rossell for feelnumb.com
Check out the killer skull volume knobs…
photo credit: Raul Rossell for feelnumb.com
And it wouldn’t be complete without a huge Motörhead “Aftershock” guitar pick signed by Phil Campbell that sits right behind the guitar.
