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COLLECTOR'S EDITION

THE 1958 FLYING V AND EXPLORER

MADE WITH KORINA AND BRAZILIAN ROSEWOOD, GIBSON CUSTOM SHOP MURPHY LAB AGED CLONES OF THOSE BUILT IN 1958.

CLONED IN EVERY CONTOUR USING 3D SCANNING TECHNOLOGY, CRAFTED FROM SOLID KORINA AND BRAZILIAN ROSEWOOD AS THOSE MADE IN 1958, AND HAND-AGED IN THE ADVANCED GIBSON CUSTOM SHOP MURPHY LAB.

WATCH: THE HUNT FOR THE '58 KORINAS

WATCH: THE HUNT FOR THE '58 KORINAS

CLONED IN EVERY CONTOUR USING 3D SCANNING TECHNOLOGY, CRAFTED FROM SOLID KORINA AND BRAZILIAN ROSEWOOD AS THOSE MADE IN 1958, AND HAND-AGED IN THE ADVANCED GIBSON CUSTOM SHOP MURPHY LAB.

REMAKES AS RARE AS THE ORIGINALS

In 1958, the year they were introduced, we shipped only 19 Explorers and 81 Flying Vs — the exact numbers our Custom Shop luthiers have created for this collector’s edition. Their space-age and futuristic design was ahead of its time. And as their style caught on, their value as collectibles grew.

The guitars were discovered tucked into garages. Wrapped in trash bags. Covered in dust. A lucky few people were able to drag out that old brown case and open it to see the natural Korina body in its plush pink bed.

REMAKES AS RARE AS THE ORIGINALS

In 1958, the year they were introduced, we shipped only 19 Explorers and 81 Flying Vs — the exact numbers our Custom Shop luthiers have created for this collector’s edition. Their space-age and futuristic design was ahead of its time. And as their style caught on, their value as collectibles grew.

The guitars were discovered tucked into garages. Wrapped in trash bags. Covered in dust. A lucky few people were able to drag out that old brown case and open it to see the natural Korina body in its plush pink bed.

WITH THE HELP OF THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION, PATIENCE, AND GRIT, GIBSON HAS RECREATED THAT “HOLY GRAIL” VINTAGE OWNERSHIP EXPERIENCE.

WITH THE HELP OF THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION, PATIENCE, AND GRIT, GIBSON HAS RECREATED THAT “HOLY GRAIL” VINTAGE OWNERSHIP EXPERIENCE.

It took three years to ethically source the tonewoods. Specimens in museums and collections were scanned with a 3D wand, and every dimension and contour was put into a digital model and precisely reproduced. Then they were custom-aged by the artisans in the Murphy Lab to give them the vibe and feel of the originals: the lacquer checking, subtle neck wear, and hardware patina of instruments that have spent 60 years in the careful hands of musicians.

These aren’t tributes. They’re clones.

It took three years to ethically source the tonewoods. Specimens in museums and collections were scanned with a 3D wand, and every dimension and contour was put into a digital model and precisely reproduced. Then they were custom-aged by the artisans in the Murphy Lab to give them the vibe and feel of the originals: the lacquer checking, subtle neck wear, and hardware patina of instruments that have spent 60 years in the careful hands of musicians.

These aren’t tributes. They’re clones.

MEET THE KORINAS

Gibson Custom Shop Murphy Lab Aged, Limited Edition, Available Only in the Continental USA

THE 1958 KORINA FLYING V

Exclusive Edition of 81 Guitars

  • 2-piece center seam solid Korina Flying V body
  • Brazilian rosewood fingerboard
  • Solid Korina neck
  • Murphy Lab Custom Aging
  • Custombucker PAFs
  • White pickguard mounted with black included

THE 1958 KORINA EXPLORER

Exclusive Edition of 19 Guitars

  • 1-piece solid Korina Explorer body
  • Brazilian rosewood fingerboard
  • Solid Korina neck
  • Murphy Lab Ultra Light Aging
  • Custombucker PAFs
  • White pickguard mounted with black included

REPLICA CASE, REPLICA CANDY

The experience wouldn’t be complete without that brown and pink case, which we pack with a vintage-style cable, strap, picks, and a period-correct pennant.

THE COMPLETE KORINA EXPERIENCE CURATED BY MARK AGNESI

For the most devoted collectors, Gibson is offering a once-in-a-lifetime package including both Korina guitars and a private visit to our headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee.

  • A 1958 Korina Flying V and Explorer
  • First-class round-trip airfare for two to Nashville
  • Overnight accommodations at the 4-star Westin Hotel, a short walk from the Gibson Garage
  • Exclusive Gibson backstage tour, including the Gibson vault, private artist performances, and meet and greets
  • Private showcase at the Gibson Garage
  • Chef catered evening
  • Visit the Custom Shop and meet pioneering luthier Tom Murphy
  • Tour of Gibson USA with master luthier Jim DeCola
  • A commemorative gift bag, with other surprises

THE HISTORY OF THE GIBSON FLYING V AND EXPLORER

1957

At the NAMM show in June, we previewed a “Futura” prototype instrument, a precursor to the Explorer.

1957

We filed patents on June 27th for the Flying V, Futura, and a model called the Moderne.

1957

In November, we formally announced the forthcoming Flying V model in the Gibson Gazette mailer to dealers.

1958

ORIGINAL RELEASE

In March,we debuted the Flying V at Hauer Music House.

1958

During 1958 we shipped 81 Flying Vs and 19 Explorers.

Among the first musicians to buy Flying V models were Lonnie Mack, who went on to play his “Number 7” guitar the rest of his career, and Pete Mitchell, who bought an example with a black pickguard from Arthur’s Music in 1958, only to trade it the following year. That guitar is now known as “Amos” and resides in the collection of Joe Bonamassa.

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