Researching and authenticating guitars is clearly an enjoyable part of the job for Gardiner Houlgate's guitars and musical instruments auctioneer, Luke Hobbs, and it's clear that he got his teeth into a certain 1958 Flying V. "The guitar was purchased by the vendor in late 1990," he tells us, "and it had been imported from America to the UK in 1989 by a collector called Julian Marsh. He used to travel to the US with vintage Vox and Marshall amps and trade them for American guitars. This Flying V had come into a shop called the American Guitar Center in Washington [DC] that was run by a guy called John Sprung, and Julian got the guitar from him, along with some of the guitar's history.
"It was originally sold by a shop called the Thomas Piano Company in Newport News, Virginia," he continues. "Washington is sort of the closest big city, so the assumption is that it only travelled a short distance, but whether John Sprung got it from the original owner, we don't know.
"When he got the guitar back to the UK, Julian sold it on to Jed Johnson, another collector, but he only kept it for about six months. He contacted our seller and offered him the choice of two Flying Vs, the 1958 and a 1959 that also had some issues. After trying both, he chose the 1958 because he thought it sounded a lot better and it had its original case. But most of all he preferred the smaller neck profile."
Neck & Numbers
Mention of the neck leads us onto the most significant modification that has been made to the guitar. A previous owner decided to have the fretboard width reduced, and it now measures 40mm at the nut rather than the 42.8mm typical on Gibsons from this era. We'll refrain from commenting on the wisdom of this decision, but we can report that whoever performed the work had some skills.
This story is from the September 2023 edition of Guitarist.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the September 2023 edition of Guitarist.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
QUICK CHANGE
As Gibson finally adds some Quick Connect pickups to its Pickup Shop line-up, Dave Burrluck revisits this simple no-solder method to mod your Modern guitar
Return Of The Rack
A revered rackmount digital delay makes a welcome comeback in pedal form.
Pure Filth
This all-analogue preamp pedal based on Blues Saraceno's amp is a flexible powerhouse with a variety of roles.
Reptile Royalty
From Queen to King - there's another Electro-Harmonix royal vying for the crown of octave distortion
Tradition Revisited
Line 6 refreshes its Helix-based modelling amp range by doubling the number of available amp voicings - and more
Ramble On
Furch's travel guitar folds down so you can transport it in its own custom backpack and, the company claims, it returns to pitch when you reassemble it. Innovation or gimmick?
Redrawing The 'Bird
A fascinating reimagining of one of Gibson's more out-there designs, the Gravitas sticks with vintage vibe and mojo. Oh, and that sound...
1965 Fender Jazz Bass
\"They made them later on, but it's not something I've ever seen this early.
Boss Cube Street II
Regular readers will know that the last time I took the Boss Cube Street II out, I was in rehearsal for a debut gig in London.
STILL CRAZY
One of the most creative yet reliably great-sounding effects makers out there, Crazy Tube Circuits grew out of a fetish for old valve amps. We meet founder Christos Ntaifotis to find out more