This is a hands-on review and video demo of my 1981 Gibson Victory MVX — Gibson’s early-’80s answer to the superstrat, in its original Candy Apple Red finish. In this post, you’ll learn the story behind this forgotten Gibson, how its MVX switching system delivers 10 distinct pickup sounds, hear how it sounds in the full video demo, and get my honest take on it.

About the Gibson Victory MVX

Hello and welcome to another edition of the Guitar Bucket List! Today, we feature my 1981 Gibson Victory MVX. In the early ’80s, superstrats were everywhere, and the Victory MVX was Gibson’s answer — a guitar built to cover a lot more ground than a traditional Gibson. Mine is a 1981, still in its original Candy Apple Red finish, and it’s a great example of Gibson trying something genuinely different. Make sure to check out the video below to hear how this Victory MVX sounds and to hear all 10 of its pickup sounds for yourself.

Watch the video demo

Specs & details

• Model: Gibson Victory MVX
• Year: 1981
• Finish: Candy Apple Red (original)
• Switching: MVX system — 10 distinct pickup sounds

The headline feature here is the MVX switching system. This guitar was designed from the start to be versatile — one instrument that could handle the wide range of sounds players were asking for in the early ’80s, without giving up what makes a Gibson a Gibson.

How the switching works: the 10 sounds

Most guitars give you a handful of pickup combinations. The Victory MVX’s switching system goes further, giving me 10 distinct pickup sounds to work with. In the video, I go through them one at a time so you can hear how much the character of the guitar changes from one setting to the next — some are bright and clear, others are thick and full, and there’s a lot in between. It’s the kind of flexibility superstrat players expected, in a guitar with Gibson on the headstock.

Playing impressions

What I enjoy most about this guitar is that I don’t have to put it down and grab another one when the song changes. With 10 sounds on tap, I can go from clean, chiming chords to a fatter lead tone right on the guitar. It still feels like a Gibson when I play it, but it covers ground that my other Gibsons simply don’t.

The verdict

The Victory MVX never became one of Gibson’s famous models, and I think that’s a shame. It’s an honest, well-thought-out guitar from a period when Gibson was willing to experiment. If you like Gibsons but want the versatility of a superstrat, this is one worth knowing about — and my 1981 in Candy Apple Red is a keeper.

More guitars like this

Watch the full Gibson Victory MVX demo on YouTube, and keep exploring with two more Gibson reviews: the Gibson Les Paul Standard ’60s and the Gibson Les Paul Custom M2M Silver Sparkle. You can also browse every review in the Guitar Reviews hub.