“A handsome and versatile instrument that deserves its second chance”: Gibson Victory Figured Top review

It hardly set the world alight on its first release, but tasteful upgrades may yet see the new Victory models receive the recognition they deserve

Gibson Victory Figured Top
(Image: © Future / Olly Curtis)

Guitar World Verdict

While this reviewer can’t pretend to have been the old Victory’s biggest fan, Gibson has definitely won him over with this latest and much-improved incarnation of the model. At around two grand (and a couple of hundred less for the uncapped, satin-finished base model) it’s fairly priced, too, but we can’t wait to see what the almost inevitable Epiphone version brings.

Pros

  • +

    Refined contours, improved switching and pepped-up looks.

  • +

    A plethora of great sounds from a simple control setup.

  • +

    A great neck.

  • +

    It’s fairly priced.

Cons

  • -

    Gibson could have spent more time matching the figured cap’s two halves.

  • -

    The guitar definitely needs gripper push-pull knobs

You can trust Guitar World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing guitar products so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

What is it?

It’s tough for brands like Gibson and Fender, who hit bullseye with models such as the Les Paul, ES-335, Stratocaster and Telecaster, to bring something new to the table. Witness Fender’s Coronado and Starcaster semis, which had neither the operational brilliance of the ES-335 nor the ‘cool kitsch’ of Gretsch’s offerings.

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Ratings scorecard
TestResultsScore
Build qualityMismatched-maple cap is a little disappointing but build is otherwise refined.★★★★☆
PlayabilityGreat neck, well-contoured body – though we kept reaching for the non-existent whammy bar.★★★★☆
SoundsIt's a versatile electric with a simple set of controls.★★★★☆
OverallOn playability and tone alone, the Victory's second act is well-earned, but it's also a handsome instrument. It could well be a sleeper hit in Gibson's current lineup.★★★★☆

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Dave Burrluck
Gear Reviews Editor, Guitarist

Dave Burrluck is one of the world’s most experienced guitar journalists, who started writing back in the '80s for International Musician and Recording World, co-founded The Guitar Magazine and has been the Gear Reviews Editor of Guitarist magazine for the past two decades. Along the way, Dave has been the sole author of The PRS Guitar Book and The Player's Guide to Guitar Maintenance as well as contributing to numerous other books on the electric guitar. Dave is an active gigging and recording musician and still finds time to make, repair and mod guitars, not least for Guitarist’s The Mod Squad.