Axes & Artifacts - Albert King's Tom Holmes THC Flying V

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[@TomTobin67]

This is a great video! Thanks, Premier guitars! I have an Albert King story for you: I grew up in Chicago (north side) and right after my 15th birthday in 1982, Albert King was playing a gig at Biddy Mulligan's pub and I wasn't old enough to actually go into the bar. While King and his band were sound-checking "Crosscut saw" I was standing outside playing air guitar and the pub's front door was open. King saw me playing air guitar outside and right after they finished sound check, I had my back turned to the pub and I heard a booming voice behind me "Hey boy, you play the git-fiddle?". I turned around and I saw a very large man, 6 foot 4 or something like that, fedora hat, pipe billowing smoke out of it; it was Albert King! I replied "Yeah,I do". Then he said "Let me learn ya somethin'". Then he brought me into the bar (I was only 15 at the time but the bartender didn't say anything) and sat me on the stage, puts a beige colored flying V in my lap with Albert King MOP on the fretboard and proceeded to teach me a pocket full of blues licks. Walking home from the bar, I was on cloud 9 and a half. I still play what Albert taught me to this day. It was an hour that I will never forget.

[@cosmicray007]

What a great story!!!

[@vinranke]

Great story! Make a video to teach us this precious licks, dude!

[@fernandobocadillos]

woooowwwwwwww duuuuddddeeee

[@robroy4058]

Amazing to think how humble the legends are compared to the losers people "worship" nowadays. Great story!!✌🎸

[@TheOpinionatedGuitarist]

Tom Tobin Awesome, life changing story! Thanks for sharing!

[@brucespruce4689]

Albert is the reason I play. I love BB and Freddie too but Albert is my fave. . In a lot of ways he invented the rock guitar solo. He could bend a note into the next area code! Obviously he was not technical player but god damn gimme Albert King over any shredder any day. Not to mention his great voice. Blues and soul power! I love lucy!

[@brucespruce4689]

also very cool and kind guest.

[@AdrianAndersson]

His bending technique is highly complex, more than most people realise.

[@alexandrewitkowski6184]

Same here, mate!

[@vmat1000]

The 5 note intro for Blues At Sunrise is what has knocked me out for the last 10 years. I loved Disraeli Gears when i was a kid in '67. EC called that The Albert King record or something like that. I'm in :)

[@kandr2013]

"He could bend a note into the next area code!" LOL....gonna have to use that one, Bravo

[@brucelk19]

Man that’s gotta be one of the most beautiful guitars ever made and there’s a lot

[@Jiv_Ing57819]

I know I want one : -)

[@TheHuester44]

I was very fortunate to see Albert at a blues club in chicago called Blues Etc. . I happened to be sitting in front of the stage on the right side. Albert came out and I just jumped out of my chair and shook his while saying Albert ! He chuckled but had a super strong hand . Great man and a beautiful soul and sound.

[@robertscottpurse1]

Albert King is one of my all time favorite guitar players. I've been listening to his music since birth, and I never get tired of it.

[@upreydeen]

I saw the version who had the Les Paul headstock on a Flying V during his session with Steve Ray Vaughan, very beautiful instrument

[@Nightdog1978]

I wrote 9 songs for Albert before he died. 3 of which were released on an album called Red House released in 91 in Europe and Asia only. I remember Albert playing this guitar while we were working in the studio. Billy and I sat on the tailgate of my pickup truck in West Memphis, Arkansas for Albert's retirement party one night. He had several. Anyway, Billy was still under contract at the time with his old manager and was not allowed to play with anyone other than ZZ Top. Joe Walsh and Albert were inside this little smoky black nightclub jamming at the time. The ceiling was so low in the building, neither of us could stand to be in there for long because of the smoke. Anyway, just a memory I thought I would share with y'all. Gibbons hung around Memphis quite a lot in those days while they recorded at Ardent Studios. This event was circa 1989 or 1990 btw as Albert passed away in 1992.

[@cedarblues]

Wow! Thanks for sharing! I remember buying that album when it came out, still have the cassette somewhere... I went up to Memphis for Albert's funeral. His band had a jam for him that night, Joe Walsh showed up and played some serious Blues with the band!

[@justinbradfield6499]

Thnx for that man thats amazing!!!!! wow that must have great!!!!

[@johnbohlinger4868]

Awesome.

[@reneask79]

Please join our Albert King forum at FB: facebook.com/groups/102078603171234/

[@LovelyTuber0418]

@@reneask79 also a story of Albert being at Bob Boyd's Music store in Little Rock one day and kids were looking at his car and he told them get away from that car and don't scratch it up while he was in the store before a show in the 1970's or early 80's.

[@depretorevincenzo6617]

I was in Long Beach to see what turned out to be his last performance when he gifted this guitar to Lee King. Rest In Peace Godfather of the Blues

[@davidherman8244]

Dick dale plays with the strings the same way it actually makes more sinc if you think about it you have more leverage for the heavier strings

[@MrJudo2go]

Thank you for the Flying V Albert King post. Excellent!!!

[@RastaSaiyaman]

You guys were wrong, Albert King owned SIX flying V's - The Korina - the 67 - The Erlewine - The white eighties Custom. (Which is in the collection of the Hard rock cafe) - The Tom Holmes AND! - A Bolin Custom Flying V in sparkle purple (Again in the collection of the Hard Rock cafe, donated by King himself as he at first donated the Erlewine but found that he couldn't live without that one, so he traded it for the Purple one)

[@Djarra]

The purple one is a bit odd, it's more pink than purple and the fretboard matches the colour

[@TheArtofBlues]

Its almost like fuchsia which now lives in the memphis stax museum. Tell me I’m wrong🤓

[@timhoovermusicman]

@@TheArtofBlues ok,you're wrong! But I really have no clue

[@TheArtofBlues]

Tim Hoover its not purple. Go see for yourself next time you are in memphis. #fuchsia

[@timhoovermusicman]

@@TheArtofBlues I was just messing with you,you said to tell you you're wrong,so I did😎

[@ryanbmd7988]

Fantastic show John, I appreciate seeing provenance of such a rare and historical instrument. Players want to know the back story, the style of player and minutiae of the hardware. One of the most impactful episodes I’ve watched.

[@FernandoLobo]

Holy crap. I just wish i was i millionaire to get this guitar. Not because is a great guitar, just because it belonged to Albert king.

[@Kohntarkosz]

Do you know who owns Albert's two Gibson Flying V's, as well as the Erlewine guitar? Stephen Segal! Yes, Mr. Crappy Movies himself apparently fancies himself a blues musician, and he has a collecstion of legendary gear. I believe I read he also has one of Steve Cropper's Tele and the little Fender amp that Cropper used for all of his Stax sessions.

[@jasonbates2687]

I love Vintage Flying Vs. I have an Epiphone '58 Korina replica but this one here is a Holy Grail guitar to me.

[@janedoe3570]

Otis Rush played upside down aswell

[@neilpatrickhairless]

Both vicious players

[@gusdupree2508]

It's been too long since we've seen axes and artifacts, thank ya

[@larniete-puki7651]

Beautiful V

[@pixamite1]

Love me some Albert King! The first time I heard an Albert King song, his unique tone almost made my head explode. I was hooked on his music since that day.

[@rockindavebyron3960]

If you sit classical style, there's no problem playing a V, Albert King also had a Flying V with a Les Paul style headstock, great video guys !!!

[@MrGibsn1960]

Tom Holmes pickups have been a favorite of mine for a long time. A buddy of mine has a set in a tele of his and OMG... Just one of those lifetime guitars with no name.

[@attichatchsound-bobkowal5328]

I saw the '80 Prokopow V in stages of completion when it was being worked on. At that time, Brad was at a store Called "Guitar & Drum Center" near Detroit.

[@MisterGuitarItalia]

John sounds great on that axe

[@onlyfromadistance7326]

Stunning guitar...

[@jenniferwhitewolf3784]

Oh gee!! Did Gibson blow it or BLOW it... Ho hum Gibson flying vees.. ... THIS is how they should be. Love this ... carved top, beautiful wood... Albert was such an inspiration, so cool to see in detail, such an important instrument of his. Beautiful ..

[@Stefan-]

If you want something similar in a classic V shape production guitar minus the carved top, get a Dean V instead, i love em.

[@alexstewart839]

This is a sorely under-watched and underrated PG series. I think it's the ideal use of Bohlinger's vast skillset.

[@glitterkittensreid5079]

That TOM bridge looks like it is positioned for a left handed strung guitar, not a left handed guitar strung right handed. Sweet carved top Flying V. Never seen one before this one or since then.

[@brentscott6326]

Albert King might have my favorite guitar tone ever....

[@pg123ab]

Great video. Bollinger rocks 🙌

[@jamieforbes3661]

As a lefty guitar player for more than forty years , Albert's mahogany's THC V is the pinnacle of dream guitar's for me! Wish I had a spare hundred grand lying around.

[@derricksuttles6635]

His pink flying v is in Memphis @ stax studio museum on display

[@chocodiledundee1]

Amazing Flying V , I’ve got the Gibson Jimi Hendrix Flying V signature... but I do love the latest Custom shop Flying Vs.... Albert King is one of the most legendary blues guitarist ever ... he was absolutely untouchable... jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page , Eric Clapton , Gary Moore and SRV they all emulate Albert King not say copy licks by licks ...lol , Albert King was Hot Rod man .... R.I.P legendary Texas Diamond! Wow man that was awesome to see this video footage wow what a legendary guitar

[@silverpairaducks]

Wow what a Cadillac

[@vmat1000]

The more i looked at this V the more beautiful it looked. I've played V's sitting down since '82. Maybe the IBZ RRSr 'paddle board' lower wing helped then the Cort Arrow's 'belly cut'. I just play them like a normal guitar.

[@RastaSaiyaman]

The Velvet Bulldozer could smoke any other guitarslinger with his amp on standby.

[@neilpatrickhairless]

Can't disagree

[@Goomer]

What a beaut!

[@10oclocktic]

Class !

[@pb12661]

the Erlewine guitar was his favorite and most associated with him. IMHO I was lucky enough to get to play it/hold it one time.

[@vwharman]

P I always thought the Erlewine was his #1, I think he called in Lucy (I always wondered if bb or Albert was the first on the Lucy/Lucille tip).

[@alanwann9318]

I went to buy tickets for Albert King here in Newcastle on Tyne U.K.was when Born under a bad sign was released, I came out the box office turned the corner passing the stage door and suddenly came face to face with Albert King,Iwas dumbstruck just managed to say hello.No one else in the street at that time recognised him.

[@stevenmgyori3826]

DamnSon,How did you get your hands on that!Never mind, It may be incriminating!Thanks John!

[@fernandobocadillos]

how about the fluo pink flying v? are you going to review that one?

[@rootmanpoet]

What about the Hofner Flying V, his main guitar?

[@Dave-xb3xe]

So... tell me more about his 'headspace'? Can you find a brainbox flying through a headspace and if not, why not?

[@SmewthePew]

Beyond cool

[@kamo8977]

Fantastish

[@davidherman8244]

Albert is the king of cool

[@moonpie22399]

You guys should’ve had me demo it 😉

[@brucespruce4689]

I wanna get funky! I wanna get down!

[@jamesbutterson5218]

Carved maple top and mahogany body 💚THC.

[@moonpie22399]

Actually , Albert had one last V that was of a pinkish color.

[@MontyCantsin5]

Albert King used that pink V for some of his last live performances. It can be seen in clips such as Albert King live at Pori Jazz Festival in '92 (5 months before he died). It was built by John Bolin and given to King by Billy Gibbons on Christmas day 1987.

[@cedarblues]

I saw Albert in '91 and '92, both times he played the pink V. The Tom Holmes V was around before '88, he played it on stage with SRV and BB, Paul Butterfield was there too, he passed away in May '87, so that '88 date is wrong. Here's the video showing the THC V kzbin.info/www/bejne/j5uYnJqVibmIqNU

[@MontyCantsin5]

You are absolutely correct. I've done a bit more research into this and it's impossible that this THC V was built in '88 given that King can be seen playing it on 15th April 1987 alongside Butterfield and Vaughan. I have edited my comment above to reflect this. The reply I got from Tom Holmes yesterday states that he '...does not keep any records' and was unsure when he actually made the guitar so just told Gruhn's 'Around 1988'. The footage you provided a link to is conclusive proof though so Holme's date can be discounted. So the question remains: Which guitar was in fact the last to be made? The Bolin V which was presented to Albert on Christmas of '87, or the THC V that seems to have been made in early '87? There must only be a few months between them and this could throw the 'official' chronology off by quite a bit!

[@jimihendrix1117]

I was wondering about that guitar!!

[@MBRMrblueroads]

I wonder who got it ?

[@donarmando916]

Tom Holmes seemed to be not only a wonderful pickup maker, but also a great luthier. His pickups sound absolutely awesome, even better than the Cream Ts and in this guitar they sound just amazing. Sadly his pickups are almost not obtainable anymore.

[@chokpic8263]

hello do you still have the guitar?

[@jbloodwo]

Doesn’t Dick Dale also play “upside down?”

[@brucespruce4689]

I believe so. Otis Rush, Coco Montoya as well.

[@arnolddealiii4259]

Beautiful guitar, and is one of the sharpest V's I've ever seen... that said take away the history of the instrument, I would like to see that guitar priced around $2500. $130,000 is a little too steep for my blood!

[@yakamarezlife]

If the 57 Lucy ever sold it'd be worth about $500k

[@yakamarezlife]

If your going to play one of albert kings guitars play it lefty the way it's meant to be played

[@vmat1000]

i'll be honest, when i heard the opening demo, i wanted to bail. Killer axe and story, though. I have the '77 or so GP with Albert on the cover (the DE axe) as well as the VG issue with Segals collection (the '58, '67 and DE... wth???). This Holmes i never saw but love it. RRSr and Cort Arrow here so i like V's.

[@Kohntarkosz]

Dan Erlewine said when he met Albert, Dan told him that "I'd love to build a guitar for you, I've got some walnut that's the same shade as your skin". Ouch! But apparently, Albert didn't take offense, or if he did, he got over it, because he went ahead with plans for the Erlewine guitar, and I've seen plenty of pictures of him playing it, so he must have liked what Dan did.

[@thee-wolf]

Would being yoked like john make me a better guitar player? 💪💪💪

[@christianboddum8783]

The tuneomatic must be at the wrong angle. Maybe some aestetic consideration, but you can see the bridge is maxed on intonation. Cool guitar though.

[@harrisonvos5069]

It was built for a lefty...

[@christianboddum8783]

Yeah, but Albert had the strings reversed with the thin strings on top, so the bridge shouldn't be reversed!

[@mariannwatt2678]

I cant belive that gibson dident build albert king a flying v guitar at one point the guy isva major part of guitar history in the us and world wide but this guitar is just bad ass the carved top looks real good

[@aaronbourbonnais2555]

Heard he knew The Dude

[@pippipster6767]

Who is Gnik Trebla ?

[@wesleyalan9179]

Hahahaha

[@mikekopmanis2099]

Seahawk is a great player as well.....sure, sure....

[@TheChadPad]

That thing is wonderful. You're lucky Albert played em strung righty or you wouldn't have gotten to play it at all!

[@raserx63]

Ritchie did Bobby Lupo for that guitar...

[@Invincible_Force]

Steven Seagal Rig Rundown when?

[@YaoEspirito]

Hahahaha!

[@leonjohnson1370]

Y'all some cool mo fos with Alberts guitar. Chris Cain needs to play that guitar. Give it to Chris Cain as a gift and hang out with him while he plays shit out of it for you! .

[@barbershoppodcast]

Filmed in my hometown of Hamilton, Ontario - Hung over and sleepy Sunday session of these legends as Stevie was at the Elmo I think in Toronto and Albert had played down the street at Hamilton Place - both the night before. Albert shows his colors here - brilliantly. kzbin.info/www/bejne/al7Eoa1oa6eZfrs

[@freddycookjr.2164]

NO ONE PLAYS THE V LIKE MICHAEL SCHENCKER SEE IT LIVE AND YOU WILL KNOW

[@PaulMcCaffreyfmac]

I've almost never seen Albert King play a V without a Les Paul type headstock (apart from as a young man). This seems to me to be a bit of a mutt - more Gibbons than King in terms of association

[@DMSProduktions]

THC, toke on maaannn... \m/

[@maxpuppy96]

tune it down 3 steps and make them strings slinky and get them Albert bends go to the 1 minute mark in the video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIrdmHtqpch0gaM

[@DMSProduktions]

HIPSTER!!! HIP-sterrr...

[@mikemartin6554]

great vid....beardman needs some de-rodent though.

[@rickyshipman1951]

To play the blues you need to slow down

[@matthewortiz7977]

Could you have at least started the song with some albert king bends 😷

[@brucespruce4689]

Lol this. Still great vid though

[@johnbohlinger4868]

I'm not even going to try to sound like Albert. I'm unworthy.

[@bananabana6630]

danmar 007 why do you feel the need to but someone down please explain? Why do you have to make it about being a competition as for who can play the best or better, or greatest? What ever happened to musicianship? I don’t play guitar but I will challenge you to show us how much better you are at playing guitar. I would love to see your playing. A video of you playing a killer guitar riff of original material . How many gold and platinum records do you have. Put up or shut up and maybe I could be wrong but I would say im100% you won’t 🤐

[@dezionlion]

Big necks have nothing to do with big hands or big people!

[@goiastr7760]

I'm lefty so...... can get it ? 😆 XD

[@aaronbourbonnais2555]

Who the fack is holmes, tradem, luck?

[@JackstandJohnny]

Wait so is homeboy playing it upside down during the intro?

[@kionihernandez356]

Dick dale style, then?

[@danmar007]

Seagal is not a "great" player.

[@DMSProduktions]

LOL!

[@arnolddealiii4259]

I think he's a good player, as good as any bar band playing the blues. That said I agree he's not a great, but who is these days? To quote Billy F Gibbons, "I never strive to be a great guitarist or the greatest, I just wanna be a good one!"

[@DMSProduktions]

He has a 1 thumb plucking technique!

[@arnolddealiii4259]

And? I mean he isn't Joe Bonamassa but does it matter? I'm sure when I kick back and drink a beer while I listen to him. Would I pay $10? Sure. Would I pay $25? Maybe not. Keep in mind at one point Seagal had Doyle Bramhall II as his second in guitar.

[@DMSProduktions]

Yes, but PROTECT your wife/sister/daughter...

[@magicalien8799]

small fingers, no soul

[@crimsonchrome3012]

if you cant play alberts guitar left handed then put it down and go home

[@MoeSlislack]

it's kind of lame that steven segal has those guitars.

[@operationremodel]

I really hate the way John plays

[@I.am_Groot]

Great guitar.. awesome tone.;. but i gotta ask. do anybody else at Premier get to be on cam? Same dude.. every time.. gets...zzzzz...zzzZZzz.... a lil old

[@HomoChomsky]

Thunder Buddy, better one great player paid decently than a bunch of mediocre ones.

[@femaregioniv8297]

The intonation must be terrible

[@godsgifttotheinternet4538]

The only reason a left handed guitarist uses a right handed guitar is because they can't find a left handed guitar since 95% of all guitars are right handed, there is absolutely no reason for a right handed guitarist to ever use a left handed guitar . That guitar looks ridiculous upside down with his name on the fretboard.

[@nationalduo4945]

Sad that Steven Segal owns this guitar, Albert Collins guitar and so on...this guys says he is a real player lol....go check him out for yourself and you will be embarrassed watching him...seriously

[@hubertsumlin9697]

Bad karma to play that BS at the beginning of the video on his guitar. Just saying, it would be like playing Smoke On The Water or something on one of Django's.