EPIPHONE

1958 Korina Flying V and Explorer

- DAVE HUNTER

WHEN GIBSON UNVEILED the Flying V and Explorer in its Modernist Series in 1958, their radical designs quickly proved the very definition of "ahead of their time." Gibson president Ted McCarty and his team concocted the sharp angles and space-age looks to conquer the rock and roll revolution, but not too many notable artists were bold enough to embrace the daring styles, and relatively few were sold before the models were deleted from the catalog after 1960.

Today, most see these Modernist designs as having been aimed at musical styles that were yet to be born. After the Flying V's 1967 reissue (and further iterations that followed in the '70s), and the Explorer's 1976 re-introduction after rock-leaning competitors began adopting the shape, these models quickly secured their icon status in heavy rock and metal and have remained hotly in demand ever since.

Rarely, however, have they been available in anything close to the original specs, other than via the occasional runs from the Gibson Custom Shop. Usually built from mahogany or woods other than the korina of the 1958-'60 series, and often with other altered specs and appointments, the majority of the reinventions have honored the shapes of the originals while rarely capturing the full essence of the revolutionary 1958 guitars.

That's the void that the Epiphone Inspired by Gibson 1958 Korina Flying V and Explorer seek to fill as closely as possible, given their accessible price point. And at first glance, each certainly nails the appearance and overall vibe of the Gibson originals, using the correct body woods, accurate-looking hardware and plastics, and more.