Echopark Albert 58 Flying V Solid Body Electric Guitar (2017), ser. #XX-020/EL-1370, original brown tolex hard shell case.

Echopark Albert 58 Flying V Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (2017), made in El Monte, California, serial # XX-020/EL-1370, natural lacquer finish, limba wood (korina) body and neck, rosewood fingerboard, original brown tolex hard shell case.

This Echopark korina Flying V Historic "Albert 58" is a handmade close copy of a 1958 Gibson Flying V, with era correct korina wood, accurate fittings and a very thin nitro finish. While not carrying a Gibson logo, at the time it was made the company was allowing certain outside luthiers to produce their own versions of some classic models without threat of litigation.

Echopark Guitars began in 2008; luthier Gabriel Currie soon gained a reputation for exceptional sounding and playing hand-crafted solidbodies aimed at the vintage rocker market. Clients include Aerosmith, Jackson Browne, Queens of the Stone Age, Blackberry Smoke, The Raconteurs, Jimmy Vivino, Charlie Starr, Dave Catching, Richard Fortus and others. This 1958 korina Flying V replica is a standout, a short-lived but already storied model with a background of permissions given and withdrawn by Gibson, back and forth ill will and an online feud with a major player.

Apart from all that, this is a nicely built and generally accurate replica of an original '58 V, with some excellent workmanship and also some oddly sloppy spots. Anecdotally these are believed to have been built with 60 year old 1960s milled white limba (korina) that had been air drying for decades. Compared to "forgery level" copies like the MAX Flying V this guitar maintains its own distinctive identity with an "Echopark" headstock logo and wooden truss rod cover. The finish is a bit more matte surfaced than typical 1950s Gibson nitro, but actually thinner. The korina on the back has several prominent mineral streaks Gibson would likely have rejected (perhaps it would have been used to line Ted McCarty's den!) The brass tailpiece plate has an odd set of off center "ghost" string hole marks.

The guitar is fitted with proprietary Echopark "Arcane" PAF repros individually numbered 0114 and 0155. The hardware is styled after the originals, with a 3-layer white pickguard, authentic period spec Tune-O-Matic style bridge with thin adjusting wheels and proper Kluson-style tuners. The neck is fairly chunky and feels fantastic, with a beautiful thick rosewood fingerboard and a long tenon in the body joint. A serial # XX-020 is ink-stamped Gibson style on the back of the headstock; handwritten in the control cavity in magic marker under the finish is "4" and EL-1370. A COA signed by Gabriel Currie is included, but the scrawled serial number does not appear to match either of these.

On balance this is simply a really fantastic feeling and sounding instrument, definitely built with the player in mind more than the stow-it-in the closet collector and worthy of being gigged and/or recorded in the most demanding of situations.

Overall length is 44 in. (111.8 cm.), 17 in. (43.2 cm.) across at the widest point, and 1 7/16 in. (3.6 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.)., 7.23 lbs.

Although looking somewhat worn in with light induced "relic" wear (mostly to the pickup covers and tailpiece plate) this guitar appears actually not much used since new. The frets and fingerboard show hardly any play wear, and the finish has only minor scuffs and handling wear except for noticeable chipping around the string holes in the back of the body. Whatever the story of its pedigree, ignoring the hype, the internet hate and the hysteria it is simply a very fine sounding, great feeling korina V with an exceptionally lively and touch-sensitive tone. It resides in the original pink-lined brown G&G 1950's Gibson style HSC, the upper latch of which is not functional. Overall Excellent Condition.