A Foundational Instrument for Rock History
The 1958 Gibson Flying V known as “Number 7,” long considered the inseparable creative partner of blues-rock pioneer Lonnie Mack, is scheduled to hit the auction block on October 15. According to Intelligent Collector, the guitar will be the headline lot at Heritage Auctions’ Vintage Guitars and Musical Instruments Signature® event, alongside a 1962 Magnatone 440 amplifier that defined Mack’s signature sound.
Lonnie Mack, born in Indiana in 1941, was a trailblazer whose fingerpicking style and “blue-eyed soul” vocals influenced generations of blues-rock and Southern rock musicians. His custom-modified Flying V—which he claimed was the seventh produced by Gibson—became a fixture of his career. Mack’s modifications to the instrument, specifically the addition of a Bigsby tremolo arm, led to the widespread adoption of the term “whammy bar,” derived from his 1963 hit single “Wham!”
Preserving a Legacy
Following Mack’s death in 2016, the guitar remained with his family. His son, George Mack, noted that the decision to sell the instrument was made after the passing of his sister, Holly, who had inherited the guitar. “It’s such a piece of rock history,” George said, noting that the case still carries the scent of the smoky bars where his father performed throughout his career.
Aaron Piscopo, Director of Vintage Guitars & Musical Instruments at Heritage, described the lot as “one of the defining instruments of early blues-rock guitar.” Dave Hinson, Managing Director of Music for Heritage, added that the guitar remains in the state it was in at the time of Mack’s death, including original and era-correct tuners, making it a rare find for serious collectors.
The Auction Landscape
The auction also features a 1959 Gibson Les Paul Standard, Serial No. 9 0640, which stands in stark contrast to the heavily customized “Number 7.” While Mack’s guitar is prized for its historical modifications and celebrity provenance, the Les Paul is being highlighted for its pristine, all-original condition. Heritage notes that a standard 1958 Flying V would command high market value even without the celebrity backstory attached to Mack’s specific instrument.