Gibson vs Kiesel: guitar giant allegedly sends cease and desist over Ultra V design

Gibson and Kiesel guitar comparisons
(Image credit: Kiesel/Future)

Ever since Gibson’s notorious Play Authentic video and well-publicized lawsuit against Dean, guitarists have been wondering whether any other firms will face off against one of the world’s biggest guitar companies - and it seems Kiesel is next to go head-to-head.

In a video published on the brand’s Instagram channel, Vice-President Jeff Kiesel revealed that the company had recently received a cease-and-desist letter from Gibson regarding Kiesel’s Ultra-V model and apparent similarities to the Flying V.

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Michael Astley-Brown
Editor-in-Chief, GuitarWorld.com

Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com, in addition to being an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict. He has a master's degree in journalism from Cardiff University, and over a decade's experience writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as 20 years of recording and live experience in original and function bands. During his career, he has interviewed the likes of John Frusciante, Chris Cornell, Tom Morello, Matt Bellamy, Kirk Hammett, Jerry Cantrell, Joe Satriani, Tom DeLonge, Ed O'Brien, Polyphia, Tosin Abasi, Yvette Young and many more. In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock under the nom de plume Maebe.