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Gibson Custom Shop Flying V Vs. Replica Korina Flying V

Mr. Legit

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Sep 11, 2016
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112
I have been bitten by the Korina or otherwise the Flying V & Explorer bug(Flying V In This Case), and I am debating getting a CS one or a replica. These days Gibson only has mahogany at the moment. What would you guys pick if you could? Just curious to see the opinions. The first image is flipped because I am lefty.
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VamboRool

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Nov 25, 2015
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You might want to consider a used Historic. I have an Explorer that I really like.
 

amorrow

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Oct 24, 2005
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217
I own two replicas, one Explorer and one Flying V. I wish there were more genuine korina Gibsons at a reasonable price but there just aren’t. Just my personal opinion, but I chose replicas with korina/Brazilian fretboards over comparably priced mahogany Gibsons.
 

Mr. Legit

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Sep 11, 2016
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Thank you Gary, I played Stratocasters that way for years, and I have owned USA Flying V’s upside down but never a CS one. I have enough dough now to buy a true lefty so no Jimi or Albert King style for me. Amorrow, do you have any photos of it? Seems you can get replicas these days far cheaper as well. I got to play the ‘58 at NAMM, and it was great, but some would not buy a Flying V if it isn’t Korina.
 

El Gringo

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Apr 8, 2015
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I happen to like very much the most recent offerings from Gibson Custom in the mahogany Flying V and Explorer and would not hesitate a second to snap one up . I bet tone wise they are close to the Korina ( African Limba )
 

amorrow

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Oct 24, 2005
Messages
217
Amorrow, do you have any photos of it? Seems you can get replicas these days far cheaper as well. I got to play the ‘58 at NAMM, and it was great, but some would not buy a Flying V if it isn’t Korina.

Sure, here are pics of each. Both are korina with Brazilian fingerboards. The Explorer is a Veschenko, refinished by Protocaster Guitars before I bought it. LOVE IT...only downside to me is the two-piece body, but honestly I couldn't imagine a better playing Explorer...love everything else about it. Previous owner put in Wizz pickups and had stainless frets added when refinished. The guy I bought it from advised me that a run of Vs were also made by Vaschenko and finished by Protocaster...would buy one of those in a heartbeat.

The V was built by Sonicguitars who sells on Reverb. When I got it I couldn't believe the neck joint....looks terrible, like a Fender/Gibson hybrid, cut it like a Fender and glued it like Gibson. Was honestly going to return it until I played it..sounds great with the custom pickups it came with, has a really nice neck with c or very soft v, and plays like a dream despite that godawful neck joint...a joy to play and couldn't bring myself to return it. Might eventually do something to visually correct that neck joint though.

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Mr. Legit

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Sep 11, 2016
Messages
112
Sure, here are pics of each. Both are korina with Brazilian fingerboards. The Explorer is a Veschenko, refinished by Protocaster Guitars before I bought it. LOVE IT...only downside to me is the two-piece body, but honestly I couldn't imagine a better playing Explorer...love everything else about it. Previous owner put in Wizz pickups and had stainless frets added when refinished. The guy I bought it from advised me that a run of Vs were also made by Vaschenko and finished by Protocaster...would buy one of those in a heartbeat.

The V was built by Sonicguitars who sells on Reverb. When I got it I couldn't believe the neck joint....looks terrible, like a Fender/Gibson hybrid, cut it like a Fender and glued it like Gibson. Was honestly going to return it until I played it..sounds great with the custom pickups it came with, has a really nice neck with c or very soft v, and plays like a dream despite that godawful neck joint...a joy to play and couldn't bring myself to return it. Might eventually do something to visually correct that neck joint though.

Holy crap, you didn't hold back. I was looking into Vaschenko, and from last I checked, he still builds Flying V style guitars. However, how accurate are the replicas to the real deal vintage pieces? Vaschenko apparently got measurements of a real one, but there are claims like this everywhere on the internet. The 80's Korina Gibson series, I have read are not very accurate, and I wonder if these new CS ones are right other than the lack of Korina. Do you like the playability of the Vaschenko more than the Sonic? That heel construction would bother me as well. Nonetheless, those are absolutely beautiful.
 

corpse

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Jun 9, 2007
Messages
4,876
Banker- I have played several EXP's and V's and they kill. His guitars are on the latest Rival Son's, Mastodon, Clutch and Markus King records. He has a new website. bankerguitars.com
 

Mr. Legit

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Sep 11, 2016
Messages
112
Banker- I have played several EXP's and V's and they kill. His guitars are on the latest Rival Son's, Mastodon, Clutch and Markus King records. He has a new website. bankerguitars.com

The only thing I don't like is the Banker logo itself. I have no doubt they are fantastic guitars though. That is the really the only thing keeping me from buying one.
 

Stone

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Jun 22, 2003
Messages
147
I went the replica way after searching for ages. And the best is I could change a few details that I didn't like on the originals :peace2

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corpse

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Jun 9, 2007
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The only thing I don't like is the Banker logo itself. I have no doubt they are fantastic guitars though. That is the really the only thing keeping me from buying one.

Tell Matt to put it on the truss rod cover- and then get a new one from Danelectro...
 

CBRmatt600

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Oct 27, 2015
Messages
280
Tell Matt to put it on the truss rod cover- and then get a new one from Danelectro...

My V logos are polished stainless, hood ornaments essentially. They are however installed with two small eyeglass screws, so very simple to remove and cover or not cover with whatever you wish. I’ve got no problem shipping one logo-less either, and I also stock brass V plates with no logo as well.

I like to say it up front though, I’m wary of the word “replica”. My Korina V’s are faithful recreations that look, sound, and feel the part, with correct 50’s scale length Brazillian boards, and all the proper accessories. They are handmade one at a time however, and I’m always more concerned with building the best playing and sounding guitar possible above all else.
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https://ibb.co/jWmgxG5

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K_L

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Sep 11, 2014
Messages
566
The only thing I don't like is the Banker logo itself. I have no doubt they are fantastic guitars though. That is the really the only thing keeping me from buying one.
You could always contact Matt about building you one without his logo. He`s a great guy & it would be worth your effort I think--everything I have read from those who owns one of his custom-built guitars is nothing but 'high praise'. Plus his Exporers & Flying V`s are all authentic & authorized Gibson 1958 shaped guitars which in itself is pretty awesome! Plus they`re made w/ korina wood!
https://bankerguitar.com/
 

thin sissy

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Joined
Jan 2, 2006
Messages
2,691
My V logos are polished stainless, hood ornaments essentially. They are however installed with two small eyeglass screws, so very simple to remove and cover or not cover with whatever you wish. I’ve got no problem shipping one logo-less either, and I also stock brass V plates with no logo as well.

I like to say it up front though, I’m wary of the word “replica”. My Korina V’s are faithful recreations that look, sound, and feel the part, with correct 50’s scale length Brazillian boards, and all the proper accessories. They are handmade one at a time however, and I’m always more concerned with building the best playing and sounding guitar possible above all else.
jWmgxG5





https://ibb.co/jWmgxG5

jWmgxG5
Have you built and sold a V or Explorer to the EU these last couple of years? I think I would like to buy a korina V sometime next year, and yours look great. But is the rosewood thing too much of a hassle these days?
 

m bernardi

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Jul 17, 2002
Messages
534
i have one of the first six v venchenko made.brought it to people in the know they said it was the finest repliica of a v they scene!!!
 

Stone

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Jun 22, 2003
Messages
147
Have you built and sold a V or Explorer to the EU these last couple of years? I think I would like to buy a korina V sometime next year, and yours look great. But is the rosewood thing too much of a hassle these days?

Hej @thin sissy,
I have located a korina V with Brazilian rosewood fingerboard on sale here in the EU, in case you're interested. PM for pics and more info, I cannot send you PMs. :salude
 

CBRmatt600

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Oct 27, 2015
Messages
280
Have you built and sold a V or Explorer to the EU these last couple of years? I think I would like to buy a korina V sometime next year, and yours look great. But is the rosewood thing too much of a hassle these days?

Absolutely. I have guitars in the UK, France, Singapore, Australia, and am shipping a V to the Czech Republic this month. If it’s a Brazillian board guitar, it ships with a CITES passport.
 
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