Gibson Heritage Series Korina Flying V – USA 1982

Few guitars say "rock and roll" quite like the Flying V. Gibson built just 98 of the original Korina Vs across 1958 and 1959, and they have since become some of the most coveted electric guitars in the world. By the early 1980s Gibson brought the original design back with its Heritage Series reissues, and this is one of the Korina Flying Vs from that run: a faithful take on the 1958 spec, built in modest numbers and, for many players and collectors, the closest practical route to the real thing.

This one is serial A335, ink-stamped on the back of the headstock above the "Made in U.S.A." stamp. The body is solid korina (limba) with the open, wavy grain and golden Antique Natural tone you want, with a korina neck and an unbound rosewood fingerboard with simple dot inlays. The headstock has the correct 17 degree angle and a black face with a gold Gibson logo and a bell-shaped truss rod cover, just as on the originals.

The hardware is gold-plated and period-correct: a no-wire Tune-o-matic style bridge with body-through stringing, the V-shaped string anchor plate, and Kluson Deluxe-style tuners with aged cream keystone buttons. The six string ferrules sit on the back of the body in the classic V arrangement. The black pickguard with white binding carries three black numbered bonnet knobs, a cream-tipped three-way switch and the gold-trimmed output jack plate on the wing tip.

The pickups are the original Tim Shaw humbuckers, ink-stamped 153 and 154 with the patent number. They are Gibson's earliest attempt at reissuing the 1950s PAF, and they have a clear, open voice that is quite different from later Gibson humbuckers. The gold plating on the covers has worn and aged with the guitar, and the tuners are original too.

In the control cavity there are signs of past servicing. One pot looks like a later replacement and some of the wiring is newer than the factory cloth-covered wire, so a previous owner has had someone in there. The aluminium shielding and the factory ink markings in the cavity are all present.

It is in lovely original-looking condition for a guitar of its age. The korina finish is clean and bright, and the V plate, bridge and pickup covers carry the worn gold plating and gentle patina you'd expect after more than 40 years.

Comes in its original Gibson hardshell case, brown with a bright pink plush interior. It shows honest wear to the exterior and edges but is solid and complete.

Original Korina Flying Vs from the 1950s now sit well out of reach for most players and collectors, which makes the Heritage Series the smart way into the real thing. This is a genuine early-1980s Gibson USA Korina V with its original Tim Shaw pickups, its original tuners and its original case, and it looks, plays and sounds the part. It has the lightweight korina body, the classic gold hardware and that unmistakable shape on stage or on the wall. Korina Flying Vs from this era don't turn up in Australia often, and when they do they rarely come with this much original hardware and the case. If you've been waiting for one, this is a very good place to start.

Specifications

Year: 1982

Serial Number: A335

Model: Gibson Heritage Series Korina Flying V

Crafted In: USA

Finish: Antique Natural

Body: Solid Korina (Limba)

Neck: Three-Piece Korina

Neck Profile: Medium C

Fingerboard: Rosewood, Unbound

Inlays: Dots

Scale Length: 24.75"

Pickups: Original Tim Shaw Humbuckers (Stamped 153 and 154)

Controls: Neck Volume, Bridge Volume, Master Tone, 3-Way Toggle Switch

Bridge: Gold Tune-O-Matic with V-Shaped String-Through Anchor Plate

Tuners: Original Kluson Deluxe-Style with Cream Keystone Buttons

Hardware: Aged Gold

Case: Original Gibson Hardshell Case with Pink Plush Lining