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New Gibson Korina Explorer & Flying V annnounced!

Cody

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Jul 23, 2002
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4,494
So.. it looks like I just sealed the deal on mine. Question for you guys: I'm considering having them swap out the white pick guard for the black one that's included. I think it would suit this particular guitar better. I am just concerned if that might affect the value at all.
It’s a fully reversible and intentional option for those that so desire, so unless you’re planning on getting rid of the white pickguard altogether (don’t), it won’t affect the value at all.
 

Icandrive55

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Oct 26, 2019
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166
That's what I was hoping. But for whatever reason, apparently the black guard requires new screw holes?? I asked them about it and they said it would require drilling extra holes in the body. It's very bizarre. I'm not sure why they would include something that isn't reversible like you said. If that's really the case, I suppose I could find a different black guard that matches the existing screw holes.
 

goldtop0

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Aug 19, 2003
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8,931
I suppose I could find a different black guard that matches the existing screw holes.

That would be the sensible thing to do.
Interesting you should go this way as I remember discussing the black guard, pup rings and toggle switch thing as on the first '57 GTs with TW59 a few years ago, and he said that as regards those vintage LPs the white parts are worth more on the instrument than the rarer black ones and as a result from what he'd seen those guitars sold for less.
 

Cody

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Jul 23, 2002
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That's what I was hoping. But for whatever reason, apparently the black guard requires new screw holes?? I asked them about it and they said it would require drilling extra holes in the body. It's very bizarre. I'm not sure why they would include something that isn't reversible like you said. If that's really the case, I suppose I could find a different black guard that matches the existing screw holes.
Wow! I had not heard that.

That makes no sense to me… but then again, that never stopped anyone before.
 

Icandrive55

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That would be the sensible thing to do.
Interesting you should go this way as I remember discussing the black guard, pup rings and toggle switch thing as on the first '57 GTs with TW59 a few years ago, and he said that as regards those vintage LPs the white parts are worth more on the instrument than the rarer black ones and as a result from what he'd seen those guitars sold for less.
Oh, that's really interesting. You find out all kinds of cool facts on this forum. On the V's, for me at least, it just depends on the guitar. Some look better with white, and others black. This isn't the best photo but I'll post more when I receive it. It just has a dark overall quality to it. 80179 03.jpg
 

Cody

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Jul 23, 2002
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I just looked at a Reverb listing of one, with a partial shot of the optional black pickguard in the case. The screw hole placements look the same as on the white guard.

Being that they aren’t recreating the very earliest vintage black V guard (that did have a different screw configuration), I can’t imagine that they bungled the fit so badly that two guards that appear to have the same screw hole placements aren’t interchangeable.
 

Icandrive55

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Oct 26, 2019
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166
I just looked at a Reverb listing of one, with a partial shot of the optional black pickguard in the case. The screw hole placements look the same as on the white guard.

Being that they aren’t recreating the very earliest vintage black V guard (that did have a different screw configuration), I can’t imagine that they bungled the fit so badly that two guards that appear to have the same screw hole placements aren’t interchangeable.
I just had a look at the same listing. I agree.. it looks exactly the same. I can't imagine they just didn't feel like doing it. They've been really helpful. I'll ask them to check with Gibson if they're actually different. Who knows.. maybe it came with the wrong one. It would definitely be wrong if it came with the smaller version that they do of that pick guard that doesn't go all the way across the pickups.
 

sws1

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Dec 4, 2001
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2,846
The guard configuration is exactly the same. Just do it yourself.

5btIwLF.jpg
 

sws1

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Dec 4, 2001
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They truly work on this 2021 Korina "V", frankly compared to my 2010, sws1's Korina V is quite something.
View attachment 14842View attachment 14843
I give my 2010 a 50/100 as far as replica and 98/100 on these 2021 "V"s.
My 2 cents...

p.s. If I could, I would sell my 2010 Korina to get one of these for sure. But I would need to sell my Pearly on top of the V to be able to get it. Ah! I'll keep my 2010 Korina :sneaky:

Gaston

These also don't have the scalloped / curved edge that you find next to the rubber pad on the originals. Non issue for me, but clearly all the scans Gibson supposedly did of originals doesn't mean they used them.
 

akstrat61

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Feb 16, 2004
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1,845
For me, the guitars look very nice! And, I’m sure they play and sound great. But, I can’t get over the pricing structure? Not sure any other market other than guitars are doing this?

Just wondering if the car market put out a replica of a 1965 Ford Mustang, could they sell it for 200K, maybe four times the price of a new car? Just a thought. MHO and I‘m not trying to put down the guitars in any way. Congrats to all new owners!
 

sws1

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Dec 4, 2001
Messages
2,846
For me, the guitars look very nice! And, I’m sure they play and sound great. But, I can’t get over the pricing structure? Not sure any other market other than guitars are doing this?

Just wondering if the car market put out a replica of a 1965 Ford Mustang, could they sell it for 200K, maybe four times the price of a new car? Just a thought. MHO and I‘m not trying to put down the guitars in any way. Congrats to all new owners!

1965 Ford Mustang Replica: $120k. And this was 5 years ago.

https://www.core77.com/posts/34829/You-Can-Now-Buy-a-Brand-New-Ford-Mustang—with-the-1965-Body
 

Icandrive55

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Oct 26, 2019
Messages
166
The guard configuration is exactly the same. Just do it yourself.

5btIwLF.jpg
Thanks for uploading this. I'll plan on doing it myself. I just asked them to make sure it came with the right pick guard.

From them: "You actually have to drill the screw holes to place it on the guitar. So if you were to remove it, the holes would still be on the top. Probably not the most desirable thing and the modification to the “original state” of the guitar would make it yours after the modification."

That does not sound like it came with the right one. Should be easy to sort out though.
 

sws1

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Dec 4, 2001
Messages
2,846
Thanks for uploading this. I'll plan on doing it myself. I just asked them to make sure it came with the right pick guard.

From them: "You actually have to drill the screw holes to place it on the guitar. So if you were to remove it, the holes would still be on the top. Probably not the most desirable thing and the modification to the “original state” of the guitar would make it yours after the modification."

That does not sound like it came with the right one. Should be easy to sort out though.

Who is "they" and "them"? Gibson?
 

Icandrive55

Active member
Joined
Oct 26, 2019
Messages
166
For me, the guitars look very nice! And, I’m sure they play and sound great. But, I can’t get over the pricing structure? Not sure any other market other than guitars are doing this?

Just wondering if the car market put out a replica of a 1965 Ford Mustang, could they sell it for 200K, maybe four times the price of a new car? Just a thought. MHO and I‘m not trying to put down the guitars in any way. Congrats to all new owners!
The most I ever spent on a guitar before this one was $5k, and that was astronomical for me! My thinking for these was that they are very very expensive but actually reasonable compared to the other Murphy Lab guitars. The Les Paul Standards sell around 10-12k and they're not in limited numbers, don't have rare woods like korina and BRW, and the special case. It's just rare on top of rare. I can't fathom ever purchasing an original '58 so this seemed as good as I could possibly ever get. My ultimate goal is an original '67 V though :) One day!

I almost wonder if they don't clone them perfectly to leave room for improvement on future reissues. I mean, if you really nail it, where do you go from there?
 
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GreenBurst

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Mar 5, 2004
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748
For me, the guitars look very nice! And, I’m sure they play and sound great. But, I can’t get over the pricing structure? Not sure any other market other than guitars are doing this?

Just wondering if the car market put out a replica of a 1965 Ford Mustang, could they sell it for 200K, maybe four times the price of a new car? Just a thought. MHO and I‘m not trying to put down the guitars in any way. Congrats to all new owners!
Here, take your pick.

 

guitarbob123

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Jan 2, 2009
Messages
214
The rep at Musician's Friend Private Reserve.
It sounds a bit like they don't realise it already has a pickguard installed or they're giving the generic advice.

What they're saying would apply if it was an R9 without a guard already installed.
Perhaps it's the new guy having a go at answering questions this week :ROFLMAO:
 

goldtop0

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Aug 19, 2003
Messages
8,931
Here, take your pick.


Not to derail the thread........about 10 years ago or so I happened in to the Jaguar restorer dealership here in Auckland and asked the sales chap there about the XK150 soft top(modern day chassis, parts and bits and pieces, brakes etc).......he looked down his nose at me and replied NZ$365k. Nice idea I thought but no way..........luckily guitars are a lot cheaper other than '50s LPs ;)
 

somebodyelseuk

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Jun 10, 2020
Messages
454
Serious, 50K? Not really sure how to comment??? Best left unsaid.
Probably to cover the cost of working the wood.
The wood isn't rare, but it's really bad for your health, the Epi korinas carried carcinogen warning tags here, even though they were only veneered.
Gibson probably don't want to make em, so make them so expensive to stop people wanting them... bit like cigarette pricing.
 
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