Vintage Faves with Joe Bonamassa | 1958 Gibson Flying V

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Hang out with guitarist Joe Bonamassa at the Vintage Platinum Room at Guitar Center Hollywood-“A place that I spend a lot of time, and even more money”-as he recounts the tale of one of his rarest finds.
In 2017, this 1958 Gibson Flying V was brought into Guitar Center Sacramento by the niece of the guitar’s original owner as she was settling his estate. It’s known as the “Trash Bag Flying V,” because it was found leaning against a wall with a trash bag over it.
The guitar didn’t even stop at GC first. Her uncle also had a Selmer saxophone, and she went to another store to sell it. The shop bought the sax, but referred her to Guitar Center for the Flying V.
“You could work in a music shop-or have 304 stores like Guitar Center-live three lifetimes, and still not have something this rare and this original walk in the front door,” says Bonamassa, who was driving down from Seattle after purchasing a 1934 Ford pickup truck when he was texted photos of the Flying V. “But lo and behold-there it was in all its glory. She actually thought the guitar wasn’t worth much. She was informed it was worth a hell of a lot.”
Bonamassa estimates the Trash Bag Flying V is one of only 90 models made by Gibson in 1958. But he doesn’t secret away such a valuable acquisition in a vault or collector’s case.
“This one is a rock guitar that needs to be played,” he says. “It goes out on the road with me.”
Check out Joe's 1939 Martin 000-42:
• Vintage Faves with Joe...
Get a closer look at Joe's 1959 Gibson EMS-1235:
• Vintage Faves with Joe...
Follow Joe Bonamassa:
jbonamassa.com/
Chapters
00:00 - Intro with Joe Bonamassa
00:31 - The Story Behind Joe’s ’58 Gibson “Trash Bag” Flying V
03:30 - Playing the 1958 Gibson Flying V
04:11 - Joe On the Collectibility of Flying V’s
05:56 - Outro

[@guitarcenter]

What do you think of Joe's '58 Flying V? Let us know in the comments! 👇

[@daviddenisson515]

Like many of the vintage guitars, they are superb instruments. An overpriced plank of wood. It is worth it if you can afford it, if you can't afford it you will not miss out getting a great sound and making great music with affordable guitars.

[@beachlifebestlife]

joes cost $247.50 new

[@alar7743]

Who knows why a Gibson Flying V made from Karina costs 10,000 and a guitar made from mahogany Gibson Flying V costs 15,000 - while the Epiphone Flying V from Corina costs 1000 ?????

[@f.duranleau4416]

Thank you Guitar Center for this fun video! It's really nice to see that Joe really appreciates vintage guitars and that he shares the stories with us...Really cool! Great playing by Joe but I think that this particular Flying V sound much better LIVE when played through his vintage high power tweed Fender twin amps...In this video it sounds a little muddy to my ears...Thanks again Guitar Center!

[@5barkerstreet]

junk

[@mp-kq3vc]

Told her the truth about the value and paid it. Extreme respect.

[@johnsmith-bk4ps]

Not exactly

[@leobender2910]

@@johnsmith-bk4ps says who?

[@robinbolton6064]

Asperger spectrum collecting. Collecting I think is the result of past trauma or insecurities in other areas of life. It’s one thing to be an expert. It’s another…. To need to know it all And own it all. Just sayin’

[@tom.m]

I never get tired of listening to Joe on old guitars. Playing them or talking about them.

[@GoblinModeJack]

Him and Steve Vai.

[@robb4340]

@@GoblinModeJack Both Passion For Guitars and Gear and Both Italian.

[@davidkrepps3747]

I love Joe and the preservation of history.

[@jamesmadison6650]

Very respectful what he said about paying someone what it’s worth. That’s very honorable. Not many people in this world do that anymore , sad to say.

[@12stringblues]

I just remember Jimi playin a V on the song Red House on a VHS tape I saw as a kid and thinkin that was the coolest guitar and sound I have ever seen.

[@klausswartz3369]

Great story, and I applaud you, Joe, for your honesty and integrity. Blessings to you many times over 🤌🏼

[@nathanjohns7789]

Joe is just a legend man, so humble and honourable.

[@rocinblues]

Oh the tone, tone for days, and days!

[@jaygatsby1]

Obviously he’s a great player, but he absolutely kills it in these kinds of vids, which he does a lot. His enthusiasm, respect and natural curiosity always come shining through.

[@GrahamsYouTube]

Not just a unreal guitarist, or a musician/songwriter, but a ceritified guitar and music equipment geek, whats not to like about Joe, love these videos, part of the history we need to keep for the future

[@crucified-music]

JOE BONAMASSA IS A DOUCHE BLUES kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5fNpWyMltCIqLs

[@brucemaier3943]

No dignity or integrity in taking advantage of others...Your actions will come back positive a hundred times over Joe! Great back story on this instrument.

[@picksalot1]

Agree 100%

[@mheyl180]

Joe is such a gentlemen in every aspect!!! And - besides hearing him play, it's a joy to listen to him talk also, especially with all these unique stories to his guitars!! What a great video!!

[@crucified-music]

JOE BONAMASSA IS A DOUCHE BLUES kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5fNpWyMltCIqLs

[@DirtyDirkDiggler]

@@crucified-musicdude that blows

[@brushstroke3733]

So cool that Guitar Center called Joe to tell him about this instrument. He's such a good dude, people all around want to help him. And this is a win-win-win situation.

[@mattRRgraham1996]

Pretty baller. Love how it's looking as an aged instrument. You can see all the knicks and dings in it and the cracked nitrocellulose lacquer. It's got a whole history and life of memories associated with it. So cool.

[@WayCoolStudios]

Dude, thank you for brining such a great story and showing a little piece of history. What better person to give this rare guitar a home!

[@stonebrakerstudio8238]

Thank you Joe for everything you do just because of you I feel like there's no other guitar than Gibson or fender thank you for your help❤

[@rasputinsbeard3899]

Joe: "I believe in tonewood so much, that I made my kitchen cabinets out of it." Legend.

[@iaincobain3594]

I'm sure Paul Reid Smith agrees

[@aleksik4028]

How long is the sustain in those cabinets?

[@maxs972]

@@aleksik4028 "just listen for a minute, the sustain, listen to it"

[@patmcwilliamsmusic]

Love hearing the stories of the guitars Joe has gathered and how he respects where they came from. That is a beauty and so good that he plays it live. Each previous owners DNA is carried in those guitars. How cool they get to go along for a ride with JB on stage. Awesome!!

[@thesecondson30]

Boy is that guitar happy that it found Joe.

[@giftedplanksify]

Seen this dude playing this on a KZbin concert maybe 20 years ago. Phenomenal 🎉🎉

[@WMD116]

Joe needs to start doing a regular web series ("Guitar Safari! with Joe Bonamassa")

[@archstanton3763]

Great guitar and great story. It’s a guitar that has gone to the best home it could ever hope to have. Fantastic !

[@dwocelot6913]

"Clearly, I'm not married" Hahahaaha

[@davidbakerscuba]

Me either, that why I have cool guitars, lol

[@Timtime67]

That guitar sounds incredible.

[@donnycox2399]

Another great instrument found the right home. I love the story and yet another example of what Joe often talks about, "guitars find him".

[@scottkelly2558]

I love to hear Joe’s guitar stories. I’m glad he is working with Guitar Center. The guitar world needs both of you. I’m hoping and praying that it’s a successful collaboration for both of you. I know I am searching your online store for my next guitar.

[@shelbyavant5081]

What a magical piece, and a great story too. I collect Vs. Nothing like this, of course, but I'm glad it has such a good home. 💙🔥

[@deborahwarren8343]

Great story. An bravo for your kindness ❤

[@jubei7259]

That is one sweet find. Those original paf's sounded killer!

[@Jay-fx4tx]

The way someone treats other people is a direct line into thier personality and how they really are.

[@johnnyblade8115]

I bet those cabinets look and sound great!!

[@SixStringSicario]

Joe’s biggest attribute besides his playing is his dry and somewhat sarcastic upstate New York sense of humor.

[@LeeHoMusic]

I could watch this type of videos all day... JB as always great

[@johnheart6890]

It’s amazing how knowledgeable he is about guitars. He’s an absolute monster virtuoso and at the same time he could run a music store. There’s nobody like him.

[@singslinger9231]

Brilliant guitar player and all round decent human being. Had the privilege of seeing him in concert many years ago when he played in Singapore.

[@richwhitebear9785]

Joe a great blues guitarist..,he's a very rare gem out of the corners 👌 of the universe..,he 's got class & talent...,and great singing voice to go along with his guitar 🎸 licks..,from your fan..,Richie WBear

[@BigIronTexas]

I really like Joe Bonamassa. He seems like an interesting larger than life kind of person and I'm glad he has adopted so many vintage guitars that needed a good home, lol.

[@brushstroke3733]

I agree that he is larger-than-life in a positive vibe/energy sense, but it's also his regular guy, humble human authenticity that make him great.

[@EVERBLACKNYC]

Good Lord, that tone 🖤🖤🖤

[@davidcahan]

Flying V's are my FAVORITE guitars of all time. Nothing IMHO says rock n roll like a flying v does just looking at it

[@kaptkrunchfpv]

Not much a flying V guy, but I am a vintage instrument guy and a tone guy, and this work of art makes angels sing the blues. Holy cow! I might be a V guy now!

[@Robert.Averkios.Antonsen]

Great story, Joe! Love the sound of those early V's!

[@castorkat4868]

what a tone. wow

[@froblivion8284]

I love that a great vintage instrument is still being played & as for being in Joe’s hands & on the road … vintage guitar lottery ! Sounds great (of course)! 👍

[@bnastali]

The right person for the job. Joe rocks the V worldwide.

[@cowboygypsey]

Great story.

[@CrushingAxes]

Awesome! V's are great! Very cool guitar!

[@MrUmandMrEr]

Heard some Billy Gibbons there , definitely.

[@cpk313]

I made a telecaster out of Korina. Love it!

[@johnsmith-ug5tp]

The always entertaining and inspirational Joe B.

[@gmswhackos2652]

Looks awesome and sounds awesome

[@RothBeyondTheGrave]

V's & Explorer's are the only ones for me. Got my 1st Explorer from that Hollywood Guitar Center back in 2005!

[@Diazamps]

They’re still out there I’ve had a few in my hands as a kid

[@silvestrovirdis2315]

Oltre che un bravissimo esecutore Joe è un grande esperto del fascino che certe chitarre come queste possono esprimere !

[@adamyoung2147]

Man you jam! And you are a great story teller.

[@vovagreen7414]

спасибо джо...вы не только замечательный гитарист и понимаете свой инструмент...вы еще и человек с юмором... спасибо!🙂

[@DMDvideo10]

Great player, great person... Love that guitar. Planning on a kit build of that model to go with my Explorer kit build of the same Korina style!

[@allanmakela3011]

Fascinating stories,have a 98 Epi v,and like nice strats,you also catch yourself looking at them often,Joe is right the design was too futuristic for the 50,s,choice of Korina,superb also

[@marklorne6790]

a great guitar player and a nice guy.

[@bakontrackz]

Thank you Joe, thanks a lot for sharing all of this...

[@briandetweiler2864]

Great story, my first Sears V was a crazy dark 70s looking wood I have no idea but I thrashed it through a giant Peavy bass amp...

[@zachkieri1185]

“Clearly I’m not married….” I’m still laughing from that one 😅😅😅😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣

[@walther9161]

Love Joe and yes I’d say he is an honest guy!! I’m building one right now and debating whether to relic it or not .. I’m leaning relic!

[@Guilhermetmfranco]

that's beautiful!!!

[@MichaelSorensen-bl3ec]

Nice find, you did the right thing. I remember reading a story about a guitar store in London (if I remember correctly) in the late 50's or early 60's that had one of the very early Flying V guitars literally hanging up outside the store. The owner of the store thought it would never sell, but thought it looked like an eye-catching gimmick that would entice customers.

[@beachlifebestlife]

when my dad purchased his 58' blonde unbound es 335 ( only 50 made) he said he remembered seeing one at the time. back in the day the number 335 denoted the retail price as well...His receipt says $267.50

[@brianwells4507]

Joe don't forget Lonnie Mack, Jimi Hendrix and Leslie West used them too? Although Jimi and Leslie's were 70's reissued. But its definitely Albert King that put the instrument on the map! As much as Hendrix the Stratocaster or Johnny Winter with the Gibson Firebird

[@cmonsterz]

Lonnie Mack. His name absolutely SHOULD be synonymous with the Flying V. Pure lightning ⚡️

[@craigtilton8957]

So Cooooollllllll!!!

[@birdman316]

kool V brother! sounds nice too!

[@jeremypatino7661]

Here comes another signature model

[@mtacoustic1]

Joe could make a mop sound good!

[@mrdeanv4414]

Very Cool..! I have 2 gibson V's and the first 5 usa Dean V's that Dean Guitars built for Michael Schenker....

[@thefilmandmusic]

Fascinating ….

[@mikeprokop8947]

Cool!!!!!

[@aritikka5240]

I read somewhere that Leo Fender bought the extra Korina wood from Gibson and used it to make some Fenders.

[@Fraeg]

Lol I was in that GC 2 weeks ago in Sac Town.

[@artneville5994]

I live in Sacramento, I remember when this happened. A GC employee said the original owner played in a SF jazz combo. Only in SF…..

[@jerry-st7rc]

I go to this guitar center all the time. I live in arden arcade. Makes me sick thinking I could have bought this at an estate sale. Just a hypothetical pipe dream.

[@robbie5984]

Teacher says every time a bell rings, Joe makes the guitar market go way up.

[@CasperLCat]

Joe’s crack about CLEARLY not being married, because he still does all this crazy musician stuff, shows he’s got some real humility, which would make him a decent husband, ironically.

[@user-lu1bi6tz1m]

Yeah I think one of those in pretty much mint condition are going for around the million dollar mark or very close to it..they are just so very rare...🎸🎸🎸

[@ninjalife8467]

Everything is fantastic - the video and the story, the only question is why this rare and original piece of korina doesn`t sound at all))))

[@thereforeayam]

I had a Selmer alto that had been pulled off a manufacturing line. Only part of the engraving, no neck. Someone even added a number to the serial number on it, as if it had been smuggled away from some 'to be completed' room somewhere. It was as if the factory switched design without finishing out the skid of bodies, tossing partial(s) into storage, indefinite style. With the Flying V--there may exist, because the makers dropped the line, axe(s) that were finished by a person(s) that salvaged or cleaned away the forms & templates--even the guy that emptied the dumpster lol, then 'finished' the guitar themselves. Partly imo but probably. Would have to see other 1958 finish examples.

[@fntsmk]

Obviously a great guitar, and Joe B makes it sound like a great guitar. I respect that Joe B. values and loves this rare vintage axe. For me, there is zero allure. If someone gave me a 1958 Flying V, the first thing I would do is try to get hold of Joe B to see if he wanted to buy it. As they say, "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." To me, the V is the ugliest (and certainly the most unwieldy) guitar ever made (by Gibson) next to the Gibson SG, which just reminds of the Devil every time I see one. But please don't think I'm pissing all over Gibson guitars... I proudly own a 2016 Custom Shop Les Paul and a vintage '92 ES-355TD SV "BB King Lucille" Artists Model, the latter of which is probably the best playing guitar I've ever played. Still in awe of Joe's 3-state "Nerdville" collection, and his awesome playing ability! Press on brother Joe! Thanks for being America's most ardent caretaker (aside from Norm) of American vintage guitars!

[@robertfraser7199]

If anyone is curious about the value, made from '58 to '59 Gibson stopped production because they only managed to sell 98 of this new design. It was brought back in '63 and again in 1967 to the present day. A 1958 V like the one joe is holding here will easily fetch $100,000 but can sell for as high as $200,000 - $250,000. I bet the seller was shocked.

[@johnsmith-bk4ps]

Thats more like what he paid, its worth way more

[@stratman9449]

3 out of 90...that's not bad going Joe...leave a little 87 for us.....haa.....sounds good too..... and of course it'S a beauty.....

[@VlrGuitarWorld]

Guitar center please send me to Nerdville😊

[@blueishxx]

interesting version of story

[@user-vi3kh3zp5d]

I wonder what Uncle Norm thought about this purchase?

[@cigarboxguitar9519]

I would love to know what condition it was in exactly when it was brought to Guitar Center. Especially the neck, frets, pickups and electronics. What was done to it to make it playable on tour with Joe B.?

[@frank1672]

Man thats got some Clapton vibes

[@jimsilva8079]

Speaking of the mojo inherent in the korina wood, let's not the third (and often forgotten) member of the '58 exotic family -- the now twice abandoned "Moderne".

[@Nordic_Sky]

In the early 1980s I had the chance to trade a burst plus $2,500 for Ronnie Montrose's V. I decided against it because I didn't like the V as a player. Much is made of Vs and Explorers because they are rare, but, at least to me, a burst is a much superior instrument. If you're rich enough to have both, good on you. But for me, the choice is clear.

[@andyderby150]

V is not my cup of tea but I can look at it and tell it’s bad ass, I would own an Explorer I really love the way Allen Collins wielded like a chainsaw and the way it screams! But I have 2 GLPs that I got dialed in.

[@thirdstonewanderer864]

The one time I was in Nashville, about 1980 I think, Gruhn Guitars had two original Flying V's behind glass, priced at $45,000 each.

[@ericm4426]

45 k in 1980 i find that hard to believe

[@jamesmarciniec4787]

Cool story. Awesome Guitar.👍

[@Shred_The_Weapon]

Even if the first generation Flying V is a killer model, I think it is one of the single most overvalued electric guitars on the market. It’s a perfect specimen of why the vintage market needs to cave in. It was better when it was undervalued.

[@brandlessheadphones]

the fucking mojo on this instrument, DAMN!

[@adamswanson8216]

10 points on the respect note being fair is what it’s all about not all of us are experts. I like to think I’m a gear expert, but I would hope if I made a mistake or was not sure that someone would be honest with me too Joe. Killer tones, gray guitar. When are you gonna have these pick ups done or have this model copied by Gibson? 3:21 3:25

[@vintagepipesnightmares]

Albert and Billy didn’t used them for their sound. That’s guitarded ! It’s their look that made people not wanting them and than wanting them.

[@jroberts2nd]

“Clearly I’m not married.” 😂