Gibson Custom Shop 1958 Korina Flying V
Reissue — Natural Korina
A radical design that became one of the most iconic shapes in guitar history. The 1958 Korina Flying V is raw, resonant and unmistakably bold, with a tone that sits somewhere between clarity and aggression.
Manufacturer and Model Background
The Gibson Flying V was introduced in 1958 as part of Gibson's "Modernist" series, alongside the Explorer. At the time it was considered too futuristic and only a very small number were produced — making original 1958 Korina Flying V guitars among the rarest and most valuable electric guitars ever made. The use of korina wood, also known as limba, gives these instruments a unique tonal character. Compared to mahogany, korina is slightly lighter and has a more open, resonant midrange.
The Custom Shop reissue recreates these early instruments with period-correct construction, including korina body and neck, set-neck design and vintage-style humbuckers. These reissues are built in limited numbers and are highly regarded for their accuracy and feel. The certificate of authenticity confirms this instrument as a genuine Gibson Custom 1958 Korina Flying V, serial 811221.
Why This Guitar Matters in Blues
Although often associated with rock and heavier styles, the Flying V has deep roots in blues. Its wide dynamic range and strong mid presence make it particularly effective for expressive lead playing. The korina construction gives it a woody, vocal quality that works exceptionally well with tube amplifiers, especially when pushed into natural breakup.
What Respected Blues Guitarists Did With It
Albert King made the Flying V legendary. His upside-down left-handed playing style and massive string bends created one of the most recognizable blues tones ever recorded. The Flying V became inseparable from his sound and visual identity. Albert King's use of the instrument showed that this guitar is not about speed or technical flash — it is about phrasing, space and authority in every note.
Joe Bonamassa later acquired and plays one of Albert King's original Flying V guitars, further cementing the model's legacy within modern blues.
Sound Profile
The korina Flying V has a very distinct tonal footprint — positioned between a Stratocaster and a Les Paul.
Gibson Custom Certificate of Authenticity — 1958 Korina Flying V, serial 811221.
Live Performance
Jam session with Henk Bosman at Café De Stamboom, Den Haag.
What Makes It Special
The combination of korina wood, radical body shape and vintage humbuckers creates a unique interaction between resonance and amplification. The large body wings contribute to sustain and projection, while the set-neck construction ensures strong note bloom. It is also one of the few guitars where the visual identity is just as powerful as the sound. On stage, a Flying V immediately stands out.
For Gerbman this guitar represents a different side of blues. Where the Stratocaster is about glassy dynamics and Texas bite, the Flying V adds weight, authority and sustain. It is particularly suited for slower blues, expressive bends and vocal phrasing inspired by Albert King.
At the same time, it is not a daily player. The shape, the feel and the role it plays in the sound make it more of a specialist instrument. That is exactly why it eventually left the collection — even though the sound itself remains unforgettable.
The Gibson Custom Shop 1958 Korina Flying V is a statement, both visually and sonically, and a direct link to one of the most expressive voices in blues history.
Rarity and Availability
Original 1958 Korina Flying V guitars are among the rarest electric guitars ever produced and are considered highly collectible. Custom Shop reissues are produced in limited runs and remain desirable on the secondary market. Rarity classification: highly collectible.
Variants and Alternatives
- Original 1958 Korina Flying V — extraordinarily rare and valuable
- Gibson Custom Shop Historic reissues — various aged versions with period accuracy
- Early 1980s Gibson Flying V reissues — the first wave of reproductions
- Modern Gibson Flying V in mahogany — more accessible, different tonal character
- Epiphone Flying V — budget-accessible version of the same design
- Custom korina builds from boutique luthiers — rare but available for those who seek the specific wood
