1 Topic by nmagcorn (edited by nmagcorn 2015-08-31 09:01:05)

  • From: Maryland
  • Registered: 2012-05-13
  • Posts: 2,790

Topic: Rare Guitars on the 3 Kings Tour

Joe played some incredibly rare guitars at these shows. Everyone at this point is probably aware of Steven Seagal loaning him Albert King's "Lucy", but there were two more very rare guitars that were just recently loaned to Joe as well. A 1958 Explorer and a 1958 Flying V. And there was a really cool story that Rick Gould told us about these guitars.

"The Explorer and the Flying V are sister guitars. There were 2 brothers in 1958 who custom ordered matching guitars from the Kalamazoo plant. One was an Explorer and one was a Flying V. Shortly after receiving the guitars, the owner of the Flying V passed away and his brother then inherited that guitar. The owner of the Explorer was a player who played locally and people loved the Explorer and for many years people were constantly wanting to buy the guitar off of him. One day a well known musician, Rick Vito (Guitarist for Fleetwood Mac), saw the guy gigging with the Explorer and after the show went to talk to him and said he wanted to buy the guitar. The owner of the guitar said people always want to buy it, but they can't afford it. Well after much haggling they agreed upon a price. The next day Vito goes to the guy's house to get the guitar and he was worried the deal was going to go south. When he gets there the owner starts hemming and hawing and says "If you are going to buy this one, you have to buy my brother's as well." The man was worried because he wasn't sure what he was in for. The owner went and got this dusty old case and when he opened it up, the guy's jaw dropped opened because inside was a pristine Flying V, a perfect match to the Explorer. The Flying V also has double pick guards on it because the brother who ordered it was left handed."

There was an article written about all of this in Premier Guitar back a while ago http://www.premierguitar.com/articles/F … Holy_Grail

The Explorer is one of only 18 that exists in the world. At this point in time the guitars are now owned by another collector who is friends with Rick and Joe and he loaned them to Joe to play on this tour. It's so wonderful that these incredible instruments are still being used today.

The Explorer was played on "Oh, Pretty Woman" https://youtu.be/D5Jo25kQbj8

The Flying V was played on a number of songs, one of which being "Angel of Mercy" https://youtu.be/be4-PuYpPsM

  • From: Clearwater, Fl
  • Registered: 2013-11-02
  • Posts: 347

Re: Rare Guitars on the 3 Kings Tour

Thanks for the story.  Very interesting.

The only thing we deserve, is an opportunity.  Everything else has to be earned.
  • From: Seymour Duncan's Hometown, NJ
  • Registered: 2012-03-05
  • Posts: 2,309

Re: Rare Guitars on the 3 Kings Tour

bobkatmsu wrote:

Thanks for the story.  Very interesting.

+1

Very cool story ... so great Joe brings so many historic pieces out to play!!

"I was in Space for less than 2 weeks … and suddenly Jeaniene’s back … half the Band is off the gd wagon … we have comedians opening for us … and the nice kid that ran our website is now a kleptof’nmaniac.  Boy ... did you guys miss me!!"  Phil Valentine - Road Manager - Staton House Band

JBLP#251 (unaged) ... thank you Ron.
  • From: New Hampshire, USA
  • Registered: 2010-12-21
  • Posts: 3,650

Re: Rare Guitars on the 3 Kings Tour

yes this story is so cool the first time

i heard it

"Joe B saved my soul, forever grateful Ron"
"Some people dream of worthy accomplishments while others stay awake and do them"
Skinner #1,JBLP 145(aged),252, (unaged),#285HM, Bburst #026, Joes 052 BCC black LP, Strat> RT,EC Gilmour,Beck,Lenny LP> PK 83,CC#2,3,4,9,Amps>Carol Ann RAH JB-100 SN 001,JB100 Red SN02,OD2, OD3,Tucana 2&3 Triptix,Twinkle land, Plexi ,JB Jub, Jubs,Plexi,Satch,Two Rock>others
  • From: Ohio
  • Registered: 2014-02-23
  • Posts: 515

Re: Rare Guitars on the 3 Kings Tour

Great story......one thing for sure...what ever is in Joe's hands has a tendency to sing really good  smile

My Favorite Bonamassa Songs
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  • From: Massachusetts, USA
  • Registered: 2014-04-12
  • Posts: 663

Re: Rare Guitars on the 3 Kings Tour

Thanks Natasha, I love the back stories on these great old guitars

Play some cards & drink black coffee,
How I’d love to see you smile....
JBLP Std Goldtop
2015 R9 LP
  • From: Moved to Maryland
  • Registered: 2012-07-13
  • Posts: 1,961

Re: Rare Guitars on the 3 Kings Tour

Natasha, this is extremely cool!  Thanks!

"To repeat a good thing is to sit still; to take a chance is to grow." - Joe Bonamassa
I need some Joe...NOW.
Joe = Joy
  • From: Washington State
  • Registered: 2015-08-25
  • Posts: 148

Re: Rare Guitars on the 3 Kings Tour

Thanks, that is really interesting!

9 Reply by RoadcaseBoy (edited by RoadcaseBoy 2015-08-31 19:20:27)

  • From: Seymour Duncan's Hometown, NJ
  • Registered: 2012-03-05
  • Posts: 2,309

Re: Rare Guitars on the 3 Kings Tour

Looks like playing (and digging) the '58 V on the 3 Kings Tour has prompted Joe to stop at Norm's for his own '58 V ... from Norm's own collection. smile

The "Spinal Tap" V ... or maybe just "Nigel" smile

https://youtu.be/PfvGlOt0R48

"I was in Space for less than 2 weeks … and suddenly Jeaniene’s back … half the Band is off the gd wagon … we have comedians opening for us … and the nice kid that ran our website is now a kleptof’nmaniac.  Boy ... did you guys miss me!!"  Phil Valentine - Road Manager - Staton House Band

JBLP#251 (unaged) ... thank you Ron.
  • From: Maryland
  • Registered: 2012-05-13
  • Posts: 2,790

Re: Rare Guitars on the 3 Kings Tour

RoadcaseBoy wrote:

Looks like playing (and digging) the '58 V on the 3 Kings Tour has prompted Joe to stop at Norm's for his own '58 V ... from Norm's own collection. smile

The "Spinal Tap" V ... or maybe just "Nigel" smile

https://youtu.be/PfvGlOt0R48

Joe had mentioned when we were at the Baked Potato that I hadn't made a "V" coaster. Hmm, looks like I now know exactly what type to make. Thanks for the info RoadcaseBoy smile

  • From: Moncton, NB Canada
  • Registered: 2013-02-03
  • Posts: 469

Re: Rare Guitars on the 3 Kings Tour

That was great.  Love the background, the "safari".

Steve

2011 Gibson Joe Bonamassa Les Paul Studio...among others.
Beacon Theater, New York, May 18, 2013/Keeping The Blues Alive at Sea, Feb. 17-21, 2015/3 Kings Tour, Bangor, ME, Aug. 12, 2015
  • From: Crystal Lake, Il.
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 5,120

Re: Rare Guitars on the 3 Kings Tour

You can certainly tell that those guitars are related when you see them played live!
Great story!

"Rock ON & Keep the Faith"