• From: Rainy Wiltshire, UK
  • Registered: 2011-10-12
  • Posts: 131

Topic: Epiphone 58 Reissue flying V...opinions??

Hi people

I'm looking at getting a decent humbucker-equipped guitar to try and capture some of that...'Bonamagic' big_smile

However, being a lefty my choice is rather limited...and I don't have big money (being 19). However, I very much like the idea of getting an Epiphone korina 58 V reissue and flipping the nut and using it upside down (very Albert King!), and perhaps kitting it out with some good pickups and hardware...what do you think?

I've heard Joe himself rates the Epi '58 V reissues quite highly....:)

'What's the use in gettin' sober......when you're gonna get drunk again' - Louis Jordan
Guitars - Gibson VOS R8 LP, Custom built Telecaster w/Bare Knuckle and Duncan pickups, 60's/70's Kay Tulip  (for slide)
Amps n ting -1966 Fender Deluxe Reverb, 1961 Gibson GA30 Invader, Fredric Effects Golden Eagle, Wampler Faux Analog Echo

2 Reply by gsj (edited by gsj 2011-10-14 05:05:46)

  • gsj
  • gsj
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  • From: North Essex, England
  • Registered: 2006-09-21
  • Posts: 2,149

Re: Epiphone 58 Reissue flying V...opinions??

James, I used to work for a London guitar shop that had a dedicated Lefties section, the MD is left handed. They've now moved to the location of their sister company Strings Direct and if you take a look at their web site www.stringsdirect.co.uk you'll probably find quite a few lefties in stock. By the way, I'm not on commission for recomending them, just in case you wondered smile

never give up, never slow down
never grow old, never ever die young
  • From: Rainy Wiltshire, UK
  • Registered: 2011-10-12
  • Posts: 131

Re: Epiphone 58 Reissue flying V...opinions??

gsj wrote:

James, I used to work for a London guitar shop that had a dedicated Lefties section, the MD is left handed. They've now moved to the location of their sister company Strings Direct and if you take a look at their web site www.stringsdirect.co.uk you'll probably find quite a few lefties in stock. By the way, I'm not on commission for recomending them, just in case you wondered smile

Thanks for the recommendation man smile Checked 'em out, I wasn't aware that you could get left handed Squier Classic Vibe guitars! I know I'm after humbuckers but might have to check out the Classic Vibe 52 tele, heard great things about them...however, sadly no really decent solidbody humbucker-equipped guit-fiddles there in my price range...as much as I like the look of the cherry s/b LP and the cherry 335 in there big_smile

'What's the use in gettin' sober......when you're gonna get drunk again' - Louis Jordan
Guitars - Gibson VOS R8 LP, Custom built Telecaster w/Bare Knuckle and Duncan pickups, 60's/70's Kay Tulip  (for slide)
Amps n ting -1966 Fender Deluxe Reverb, 1961 Gibson GA30 Invader, Fredric Effects Golden Eagle, Wampler Faux Analog Echo
  • From: Rainy Wiltshire, UK
  • Registered: 2011-10-12
  • Posts: 131

Re: Epiphone 58 Reissue flying V...opinions??

I don't mind flipping a V over, being symmetrical and all...and I've had a few flipped over guitars before so the controls being on the 'wrong' side doesn't bother me...the only thing is, would I be able to get decent intonation from the tune-o-matic with the strings on the other way? I know it's through-body strung but the other half of the tune-o-matic is still there...

'What's the use in gettin' sober......when you're gonna get drunk again' - Louis Jordan
Guitars - Gibson VOS R8 LP, Custom built Telecaster w/Bare Knuckle and Duncan pickups, 60's/70's Kay Tulip  (for slide)
Amps n ting -1966 Fender Deluxe Reverb, 1961 Gibson GA30 Invader, Fredric Effects Golden Eagle, Wampler Faux Analog Echo
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Epiphone 58 Reissue flying V...opinions??

I think they are very good guitars.  I played an epiphone V a few years back that was just a standard model not a reissue and playing wise for bang for the buck it was every bit the guitar a Gibson USA was.  I thought the pickups were a bit on the wimpy muddy side but nothing a few mods couldn't fix.  However that day wasn't the epiphones day.  I went home with a used V from 89' that had some sort of heavy metal pickups in it and they killed anything I plugged them into.  Anyway that guitar is now long gone as well as a host of other guitar that were traded after it.

AD3THREE's Website

  • Registered: 2008-03-07
  • Posts: 508

Re: Epiphone 58 Reissue flying V...opinions??

Hi

I recently got a 92 korean Epiphone 58 , for a great price , nicely aged.
stuck some Dimarzio PAF PROs in it which honestly is a nice pickup
especially in neck position. fitted new pots and wiring

and hey , I love this guitar , my les paul is fighting for my attention
cause when I want to just pick up a guitar I keep going for the V
it is really easy to acess the higher frets too 

D.

"Everybody's entitled to my opinion. wink
  • From: Rainy Wiltshire, UK
  • Registered: 2011-10-12
  • Posts: 131

Re: Epiphone 58 Reissue flying V...opinions??

Thanks for the opinions guys smile The Epi '58 Vs look like the real deal...very vintage. And I was drawn to it because a) they're easily flippable for us lefties and b) Joe B plays a korina V and gets the most wonderful tone from it, so it seemed the best option! However, I would change the pickups....but i think I may deffo be sold on the V! Great price too for a geniune korina body and mahogany neck guitar smile

The only other affordable humbucker option is an Epi LP....but I've never been too fussed about the lefty Epi Les Pauls...they're a bit hit and miss...and they don't do a lefty JB goldtop sad

Only other thought - anyone ever played a Gordon-Smith??

'What's the use in gettin' sober......when you're gonna get drunk again' - Louis Jordan
Guitars - Gibson VOS R8 LP, Custom built Telecaster w/Bare Knuckle and Duncan pickups, 60's/70's Kay Tulip  (for slide)
Amps n ting -1966 Fender Deluxe Reverb, 1961 Gibson GA30 Invader, Fredric Effects Golden Eagle, Wampler Faux Analog Echo
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Epiphone 58 Reissue flying V...opinions??

Did some searching, here's an answer from Joe about his Gibson reissue V. His comment on the epi is in bold  cool


Joe Bonamassa wrote:

My V is a 1981 A series flying V. I bought it at the  No 1 guitar shop in Hamburg Germany just prior to my performance at the Fabrik in late 2008. It is a great guitar with I believe Seymor Duncan pickups. It has been left completely the way I bought it.  Only thing that has been changed have been the strings.
It's a very cool guitar. I only play the one song on it.  It really has become one with our version of Just Got Paid Today.
Hope that helps. epiphone make a great cheaper version for like 700 bucks. Check them out you  don't want to spend a bunch o benjamins.
Joe B

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool

9 Reply by macg1 (edited by macg1 2011-10-17 21:35:02)

  • macg1
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  • From: St. Petersburg, FL
  • Registered: 2010-01-21
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Re: Epiphone 58 Reissue flying V...opinions??

You may also look into Tokai.  I have an early 90's one that after pickup upgrades is a real rocker!  My Michael Schenker moment  cool 300 bucks for the guit, about 100 bucks on some used buckers and it is good to go!

Amp: Firebird Musical Amplifiers
Guitars:62 LP SG , 02 FB VII, JB FB I, 76 Electra Omega, 64 Firebird V, 73 LPC, 61 Custom Tele, 59 and 60 Melody Maker
Effects: Mythos Chupacabra, Strymon Deco/Flint
  • From: New Castle, DE USA
  • Registered: 2011-01-03
  • Posts: 1,256

Re: Epiphone 58 Reissue flying V...opinions??

There will never be a REAL Gibson Korina V in my future, but I should think that the Epi with, say, SD Pearly Gates pickups would be close enough, no?

Terrance Shuman
New Castle, DE
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Epiphone 58 Reissue flying V...opinions??

Coach305 wrote:

There will never be a REAL Gibson Korina V in my future, but I should think that the Epi with, say, SD Pearly Gates pickups would be close enough, no?

I would stray from a Pearly Gates. Everyone and their brother has them... and there's better pickups out there that sound more vintage. The Pearly Gates pickup is a default choice for a lot of players and ends up being a marketing popularity choice. I'd probably go for Seymour Duncan Antiquity if you were stuck on Duncan pickups... but if you have the time to research... look at more options. wink

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: Rainy Wiltshire, UK
  • Registered: 2011-10-12
  • Posts: 131

Re: Epiphone 58 Reissue flying V...opinions??

If I can find a Tokai I could be swayed......my other option is one of the new Gibson Les Paul Tribute 60s Studios, nice chambered mahogany, P-90s, usual Studio appointments, and goldtop!....and a lefty for £750 smile anyone play one of these (right or left handed)? I've heard mixed reviews, some really good, some not so good...

'What's the use in gettin' sober......when you're gonna get drunk again' - Louis Jordan
Guitars - Gibson VOS R8 LP, Custom built Telecaster w/Bare Knuckle and Duncan pickups, 60's/70's Kay Tulip  (for slide)
Amps n ting -1966 Fender Deluxe Reverb, 1961 Gibson GA30 Invader, Fredric Effects Golden Eagle, Wampler Faux Analog Echo
  • From: New Castle, DE USA
  • Registered: 2011-01-03
  • Posts: 1,256

Re: Epiphone 58 Reissue flying V...opinions??

NPB_EST.1979 wrote:

I would stray from a Pearly Gates. Everyone and their brother has them... and there's better pickups out there that sound more vintage. The Pearly Gates pickup is a default choice for a lot of players and ends up being a marketing popularity choice. I'd probably go for Seymour Duncan Antiquity if you were stuck on Duncan pickups... but if you have the time to research... look at more options. wink

I only mentioned the Duncans as an example of an upgrade. Since I'm strictly a hobbyist, I don't really need to worry much about sounding like a lot of other players.  I know there are some fine options out there.  At the moment on eBay, for instance, there's an Epi Korina V that's had Gibson Classic '57s installed, and another that has Burstbuckers (which I love in my Joe B. Epi Goldtop, but don't want to duplicate).  For the kind of stuff I'd want to play on the V if I ever get one, the Duncans sound like a good option also.  I'm not that interested in how "vintage" they sound, only that they sound good...

Terrance Shuman
New Castle, DE