IS THIS A REAL 1959 GIBSON FLYING V??? | Joe Bonamassa & Norm at Norman’s Rare Guitars

[@JerryRiceBall]

You can tell Joe really loves this stuff. Seeing him in the back room takin apart the guitars, actually gettin his hands dirty was cool. He’s not there to promote himself, you can tell he’s there because he wants to be there.

[@scottbelongie9051]

OMG agreed he is such a guitar need I love it really he loves this stuff and u know that’s why he does it

[@dannys_rockmetal4865]

He is 100% a true guitar nerd. He's also well versed in guitar history. I'm a hard-core guitar nerd as well. You can tell when someone is authentic in their passion👍🎸❤

[@stringlocker]

Well he is from nerdville

[@dannys_rockmetal4865]

@@stringlocker 🤣That's true

[@drippinglass]

The new $10k ones are the same thing. Still overpriced, but good. I guess because I’m a car guy as well as a guitar player. No one is ever going to “fake” a ‘58 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz. Too many unique parts. Klon’s and old guitars are easy to repop.

[@Johnsormani]

You gotta love Joe. He is just such a great custodian for vintage guitars

[@chopperdeath]

At some point it's just a matter of dollar value, and this is independent of how it plays and sounds.

[@igo2054]

You may love this guy playing or not but hard to deny that he is 100% dedicated to his craft.

[@SPINNINGMYWHEELS777]

I wonder who would 'not' ... LOL can't imagine anyone thinking he is not a good guitar player - when I hear his playing it's like Clapton and Hendrix put together. But I could be way off. cheers Igor

[@Neverlost3234]

He’s a fantastic player

[@rlm4471]

Joe the player is great, but not so much my style. However, Joe the collector is just wonderful.

[@largelarry2126]

Have I got a story for you! I'm 71 and back when I has around 13, I was playing my brothers Gibson ES 125 that he got for graduation. I started a band when I was 12 and was stuck playing Jimi Hendrix songs on that ugly 125 and was embarrassed by the looks. Over and over, I ask my dad for a cool looking guitar but nope. By 1964 I convinced him, so he took me down to Arthers Music Stoor on Shelby St. in Indy. They had racks and racks of used guitars and my dad kept telling me to buy a quality guitar and not something that just looked cool. After about 45 mins. I found something cool but very odd looking. I ask the owner about the guitar, and he told us that they don't sell very well and that he had it for more than a year. He talked with my dad and said he would make us a deal on a trade. They did the deal and traded the ES125 plus a $125.00 on a 1958 Gibson Explorer. It was like new but had some light wear on the bridge with its tweed and purple case. I had it for years then got drafted and married in 1970 I was out of the military by 1972. We bought a 1969 Z/28 in 74 while living in double on the east side of Indy near Community Hospital. I ended up selling it to a high school friend that ran a music store at Eastgate shopping center for $450.00 after I was laid off. We needed money to get by and make the car payment. I loved the video and yes, I did get a little sad thinking about not having my old guitar around to play.

[@bluesingmusic3443]

Sometimes life gets in the way. My biggest regret, was in 1988 I was working at Boeing. A guy who knew i played had a friend who selling an old Gretsch Country Gentleman. I expected the guy would want at least $1K for it. He said $500. I was working 12 hr shifts, 7 days a week, making pretty good money. Told my EX wife I was going to buy the guitar, she bitched & complained so much. Told her "Look we can pawn it for that much." Still she snivelled. I was bringing home nearly $2K every 2 weeks. But to keep the peace I didn't buy it. She was gone at Christmas that year. Of course it would've been stolen in 1990, along with my other guitars. I knew who stole them, had people the guy who stole it, tell the cops he'd tried to sell them the guitars. The cops did nothing. Oh well I'm 65 now, I've got my Telecaster (only a 1992 but a sweet little guitar) & some cheap Chinese guitars I've turned into decent players, so I'm happy. But that Country Gentleman still haunts me.

[@bobboberson2024]

This side of Joe is awesome. Great knowledge and history. He’s a collector for real collector sake - not just filling his room with guitars.

[@kevinhuber8723]

Love you Norm, You had Joe come in please lets us hear what he has to say (instead of interrupting him mid sentence) Bonamassa obviously has some issues with it.

[@Beeker0420]

Joe Bonamassa = master guitar PLAYER and master guitar COLLECTOR! He both makes guitar history and covets guitar history...an artist who also works as a curator!

[@BennieTarrMusic]

Gay hat cokeheads.

[@uv77mc85]

His playing does nothing for me. He is technically good but its bland.

[@angelgabriella7974]

Joe, Norm, the best 35 minutes I spent today. Thank you!

[@eivindgjengstjohansen9625]

It's 27 minutes

[@Hoodamax]

I really like how Joe is the "right amount of careful" in working on this. Some of these guys go waaaay overboard with fake reverence for their artifact. Joe treats it like it's a 64 year old guitar that he is clearly comfortable dealing with. Turning me into a bigger fanboy than I was already.

[@NewPraetorianBlues]

Agreed! Guitars are tools, and meant to be used. Nothing's wrong with the "case queen" type at all, but I love an old guitar with lots of little dings and scratches, it shows care in a different way.

[@uno1industries]

Ya I remember a video of some Fender guys wearing white gloves when handling one of Eric Clapton’s beat up 50s strats 💀 like the guitar would implode if you looked at it wrong.

[@greatpix]

This was one of the more interesting videos I've seen on the channel in years! It's always a good thing to learn more about guitars from one of the more knowledgable people of the history of this gear, Joe Bonamassa.

[@mr.smithgnrsmith7808]

My 11 yr old is absolutely obsessed with Joe Bonamassa….I constantly come into the house and hear him blaring Joe’s music…he loves Clapton, SRV, Gary Moore, Rory Gallagher, Metallica, Iron Maiden, Guns N’ Roses,AC/DC….make pops proud…he’s always talking about how nobody his age listens to the stuff he likes…I always tell him that’s a GOOD thing

[@extramolestrial5417]

Have him check out black mountain project. They're a classic rock band out of Arizona

[@sipius22]

Joe working on a 59 flying V at Normans...........Priceless!

[@joshuahymer15]

I see Joe saying it’s not right and Norm really wanting it to be right.

[@benlogan430]

Norm so wants that to be right, but it’s not. And Joe changes his mind slightly to be polite. When you’re talking that much cash you better be correct. Norm’s got some money into that one it sounds like?

[@joshuahymer15]

@@benlogan430 that is how I read it

[@TroubadourJuggernaut]

your right, Joe would NEVER buy that uncertainty but Norm might !!

[@camwinston5248]

Interesting vid...but a little bit more than inconclusive it seems..when Joe said he felt like he was in the movie " the lost divinci" , to me that was pretty telling and said alot. ....dollars to do-nuts Joe already has a good idea what it really is, where it came from and who made it.

[@MrMojabo]

Saying the electrics are time responsive but inconclusive is saying it's not perfect but it's close enough. It's real if I want it to be

[@charlieparker2773]

It might of been a year ago when this was put out , but it's one of the top shows that I have really enjoyed 🎸 Y'all are like family to me & " SMOKIN " JOE is family like a son 🩸I'm 71yo ,& have watched. Joe grow up & I'm very proud of him 🎸 Great person and the best guitarist undeniable 🎸🎸 Maybe one day I'll see him live 🎸🎸 THANK-YOU NORM & JOE 🎸🇺🇸

[@flashbazbo3932]

Joe Bonamassa comes off as one of the most humble and honest guy in show biz. Either he is an amazing actor or, he is what he appears to be. After watching a bunch of these Norm's videos and reading about him, I feel like I know the guy. Thanks to Norm for taking us along on another fun "Guitar Safari" into the history of another icon of the music world.

[@pulda015]

Lol, what about needing 20x $200,000+ vintage guitars and a chain of every vintage/rare combo ever to play "the blues" is humble?

[@LykanVarion]

@@pulda015 The dude has money, that's a given fact, and things at that rarity tend to be expensive for no reason other than just being rare. And he wants them, he has the means to acquire them, and he's super excited about all of them, studies them top to bottom, and most importantly, uses them, cause that's what they were made for. I bet he'd still look at rare awesome gear with the same excitement even if he had no cash to buy all of it with.

[@josephcapra8484]

"Never say never, and nobody knows everything" That's what you learn when you have really learned. Seems like most every guitar teaches you something. This is so refreshing to see honesty instead of just the usual hubris thhat a lot of folks display on video in dealing with this stuff. Nice vid.

[@iamnospa7683]

i was born in the early 50's in Indianapolis Indiana. My parents took me to buy a guitar (i had been playing my Silvertone amp in the case). I am pretty sure we went to Arthurs Music Store as there are photos from that era on their web site and they look familiar to me. The store owner said "I have something Gibson made special, more of a market test, why don't you try it?". I did not know what it was called, never seen one before, but it was a flying-V. It was odd, the strings went right thru the body, weird body shape. Same color as Norm is holding. I sat down and tried it. The guitar kept slipping off my leg ( I was sitting - no strap)! He said "i can sell it to you for $225", which at the time was alot of money. You could buy a used Les Paul Gold Top for $75 and there were plenty of them around. In 1960, the hollow body electric was more popular. The Gretch hollow bodies were most popular because guys like Bill Haley, Chet Atkins and others. Anyway, i passed on the V that day and instead bought a used Gretch 6120 which i still have. I am pretty confident the one Norm is holding may have been the one i tried.

[@iamnospa7683]

@@Malagon194 Yeah no kidding. 67 mustangs, late 50's Chevy's in mint condition. Heck i did not know, most did not. It all became junk eventually in that era.

[@BadRobotica]

When I saw that tool from Kings of Leon bust up that vintage walnut 335 it literally made me sick to my stomach. I’ll work all my life and never be able to have something like that. And to see this guy truly love guitars like you’d love a woman renews the faith. And one of my best thing in life to do is grab the coiled cable headphones turn out the light and listen to blues records. Joes LPs are one of my go to’s for this.

[@dagwood8409]

Very cool video. One thing that Seymour Duncan does when removing screws from vintage guitars is laying them out so when the guitar is reassembled all of the screws go back into the exact same spot they were removed from. He does that in the video when he's removing the pickups from Slashes AFD "Les Paul".

[@andrewkemp1882]

It blows my mind when people don't do exactly what you describe Seymour Duncan doing. People obsess over originality but surely that includes the way the screws age, which varies depending on where they are and how much sweat, etc, gets on them. All of my guitars are 40 or fewer years old and the range of wear on the screws is significant on each guitar.

[@ruipacheco2939]

lol That's exactly what I do/think when I dissamble my vintage gear... I thought that was me and my OCD, guess I was wrong ;)

[@davehopping7212]

@@ruipacheco2939 I've been doing that for as long as I've had vintage gear.It's just the right thing to do!

[@thejimmymeister]

I'd never have given a thought to issues of originality, but I always do that whenever I unscrew anything, including when swapping batteries in a $49 pedal. It's a habit. When you disassemble something with different sized screws for different holes, it can be very annoying not to have your screws straight.

[@snoo50]

Sign me in on the correct-position-aged-screw club! :)

[@pawlpoche8736]

I went to Arthur’s guitar in Indianapolis. After Joe bought the guitar from Arthur or Norman not sure who bought it, Joe had a replica built for the Arthur’s music store. At least it was there 3 years ago

[@pearlguy6351]

Love when true musicians are passionate about there specific craft wether it be guitars drums bass etc. guys like these are a rare bread they research and learn the history behind the instrument me personally I’m a absolute drum nerd own 20 kits I refurbish buy sell parts etc. great video guys

[@charlesbranch4120]

Thank you, Jen, Joe, Norm and other participants! I might not be "B-stock" but I recognize that over the years changes have occurred (hopefully for the better ) so minor defects in finish don't bother me. (Bought two "B-stock" acoustic-electrics this year, and both turned out to be incredible bargains, of for my SIL and the other I'll hang on to since it was signed by "The Dude.") What we do today will be history tomorrow.

[@monmixer]

Norm is the only person Joe lets get on his nerves saying the same thing over and over. lol Great video Norm and Joe. I mixed monitors for Joe at a blues festival in it's infancy in the pouring rain when he first started his solo blues career. He was a very polite young man to me.

[@thehaughtcorner]

Norm: STFU! God, he is unfocused and babbles and babbles.

[@monmixer]

@@thehaughtcorner Boyfriend cause you a bad day or what?

[@upstater1775]

I appreciate that you do the investigative work to ensure it is what it is!! Thank you and it builds to the legend that you guys are good to go

[@JJ_Marriott]

Love Joe’s enthusiasm, reminds me of myself with Lambretta parts. Nice to see genuine enthusiasts doing something they love.

[@thomasdeleon5830]

Really love seeing this, watching people that are so experienced in a subject such as this. Absolutely fascinating.

[@BennieTarrMusic]

Hahaha what a cokehead.

[@borgonianevolution]

It is amazing seeing how Joe has changed and grown over time. I remember listening to him while working in Rochester when he would be a guest feature on WCMF in the late 90's. Now here he is doing break downs on one of the most epic of instruments in Rock n Roll history. STILL seems really humble and down to earth. Even better to see a guitar put together the year I was born STILL in much better shape then I am 🤣

[@Ndlanding]

He still looks like a flid, especially with those caps. Give the guy a lollipop.

[@jhwk1970]

I took guitar lessons at Lyon Healy in Chicago back then. I recall seeing a Flying V on display and marveling at it’s strangeness. It sat for several weeks before disappearing.

[@robertwilliams1770]

I was totally hoping he was going to have a definitive answer the fact that he's honest and don't have a definitive answer makes me more impressed my mom passed away sitting around Heaven drinking coffee was the song that I dedicated to my mom and I will always be grateful to Joe Bonamassa for that thanks Joe

[@joemcgraw5529]

Joe Knows his way around a guitar for sure and hes right from what I heard sometimes parts are used that were onhand at that time .it could be a second because they used different year electronics

[@petervenskus4706]

It's the routing. The routing for the control cavity is different. Joe covers the real V up right away when both are on camera. The mystery V control cavity is different. Joe definitely knows what he wants to see.

[@drippinglass]

A year ago a music store in NYC had a ‘58. They wanted $425k for it. They showed the pix of the control cavity. So others have seen it.

[@petervenskus4706]

@@drippinglass I don't think they wanted to show them together. I know Joe didn't.

[@nickmonk7945]

@@drippinglass 425k sheeeesh

[@05645ci]

If Norm and Joe can't validate a vintage flying V, the rest of us flying blind! Love the videos from Norm's; and Norm, as far as blues and jazz not at the grammies ; Joe's right, it's our age; I'm 69 and every year I watch the CMA's and don't see much country, and the MTV's and don't see any rock; us old hippies just gotta roll with the changes I reckon:)

[@cantstartafire]

Yes sir.... well, said. These kids missed some great outlaw country back in the late 70s and as for rock, well... you know.

[@shelleyking8450]

Joe is a player AND a detective, and amazing at both. So good to see someone with the true knowledge and reverence of a collector helping Norm out. They got a definite maybe for their work.

[@Chaomhainn]

Nice to have a current working guitar man who has the insight on these rare V guitars. Somewhere Joe gained knowledge on V's and other guitars to be on the side of caution of finding out if they are real or aftermarket knockoffs from a forger of instruments , avoiding getting burned . Great presentation from a reputable guitar shop . Cheers 04/17/2022

[@alvinmarcus5780]

Joe is one guy you could just sit down and have a coffee with and there would be none of this " Rock god " vibe with him. Ain't many you can say that about. Joe remembers where he came from and God bless him it's never left him. A true gentleman. 👍😊

[@danlikey2]

You could make a series where Joe goes around and authenticates guitars at guitar shops, and I would watch every one of them.

[@joshwallace2183]

or where he acts like he is qualified to, then at the last moment admit he doesn't know them well enough to do so. what video did you watch?

[@muzicaempathica6479]

Hear 👂 Hear ‼️. ✌😎

[@benperry490]

love Norm, but in this case id love to see him let Joe do the talking but it's Norm's video and store so what ya gonna do...hey wheres my T-shirt?

[@jsullivan2112]

Love Joe, rad dude, so much passion and knowledge for his instrument, and what a player!

[@jfinester]

I bought a new SG Standard in 1967. It came in an Archkraft chipboard case, which I swapped for a used Firebird case, almost identical to the case that Flying V was in. The only difference I could see was that the Flying V’s case had the neck retaining strap and mine didn’t. The width of mine matched up with the SG, but at the headstock end there was about an inch gap between the end of the case and the headstock. I used to keep a hand towel rolled up in there to stop the guitar from sliding back and forth.

[@frankw9619]

Joe going full Trogly. Almost expected him to say "take an individual look at its parts and specs".

[@stringlocker]

I trust Joe More taking that thing apart. Trogly would say oops the screwdriver slipped but it's under the pickguard nobody will see it.

[@znmcg]

@@stringlocker you must not have seen joe break the bridge when the little piece came off lmao

[@stringlocker]

I think everybody felt that.

[@Richtone85]

@@znmcg What part of the video? The saddles fall out of ABR1 bridges as there is no retaining wire.

[@michaelr.4878]

What is the deal with that Trogly guy anyway? What is his story? Does he have a developmental issue or something? He is very, very odd.

[@claytonphelps9911]

Always, always love these, I watch Joe's Live From Nerdville often. This is awesome.

[@thejakefromstatefarm6768]

Joe does keep himself busy! That man is on a stage every night. I play 4 nights a week. Wednesday,Thursday, Friday, Saturday and some weeks i feel drained. Granted our sets are anywhere from 4 hours to 6 hours. With breaks. But i just can’t imagine playing as much as joe does.

[@jackpeters9349]

Joe's a ROBOT

[@toddpeterson2992]

With Joe and his band, you get your monies worth and more. My money well spent.

[@thejakefromstatefarm6768]

@@toddpeterson2992 oh ya definitely worth every penny.

[@KaiserBlade]

Or as well .

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

Is "Dave Davies" V still about ?

[@glennfeit8294]

Pete made a few in the mid 80’s and had his kids play them to “age” them. I remember when he finally sourced the “right” floor runners to cut for the skid strip. Check the edges of the ribbing in the skid strip. See if the edges are worn.

[@DVRMNaitor]

Who is Pete?

[@sheldonjr7194]

@@DVRMNaitor Pete townsend... pay attention man

[@lumpyguitar5169]

😳😳😳😳👈🏽 Inconclusiveness personified not unwarranted. Gibson has been known to find bodies and parts at different times and put them together rather than discard. You use what you have at the time to complete the model especially if it’s in demand, right? Several Gibson pick guards I’ve seen over 55 years crack, warp, or shrivel up in some instances. One explanation for the tuners could be the other ones cracked and were replaced with the closest match. In conclusion I’ll leave it to you experts; It’s worth whatever anyone’s willing to pay for it. Thanks for making me smile 😎🎸👍🏽🇺🇸.

[@MrKenny777]

These beautiful vintage guitars with provenance (is that the word?) are such treasures. I don't play guitar that well, but I'd love to hold that flying v and play a few chords.

[@cherrypickerguitars]

Larry McCray is a freak’n legend ! I’m so happy to hear that JB produced him! I’m a promoter in Ontario Canada. Larry and his bro drummer only lived two hours from me. I presented Larry many times - in clubs and on festival stages,dating back to last century! He’s waited a long time for proper recognition. I played his rosewood strat on one occasion - the first one I ever saw. I’m sending a huge hello to Larry, and congrats on your new record and your famous producer! And hi to Joe! You did one show for me and I don’t think you were 20 yrs old yet! Cheers, from Rowan in London Ontario (Canada South Blues Society, Great Lakes Blues Society, Bruce County Blues Society, CHRW 94.9 fm)

[@melvynobrien6193]

Spent a great Christmas when I was a kid in London, staying with relatives on the Canadian Forces Base.

[@thomasz4981]

Yes, my favorite at the Windsor Blues Fest. Lucky to see him many times around here.

[@cherrypickerguitars]

@@thomasz4981 Hey Thomas! I was “the London partner” to Ted Boomer, Woody, Bernie and the Windsor crew, from around 2000 to 2010. Back when we would book acts to “share” between the Windsor, London and Thunder Bay International Blues Festivals. Larry and I became good friends. I haven’t seen him in about five years now, but we had many post show breakfasts together and we rocked a whole lot of hotel rooms in the region! My promoter days are behind me now, and I’ve become a humble guitar builder/repair/restore guy, working alone in my wood shop and listening to the blues! Peace

[@thomasz4981]

@@cherrypickerguitars That's cool, my cousin Jeff does the promoting now.

[@mjc4art]

I have to admit the more things like this I see with Joe, the bigger fan I become.

[@tablature6121]

I remember going into Gruhn's in Nashville back in the early 2000's (old location), and a fellow was sitting at a desk right by the entrance, in front of the desk sat a Flying V. It was also a '58, or so the guy told me. Price tag: $38,000. I try to visit Gruhn's every time I go to Nashville and when someone asks if they can help me find something, I say, "No, I just come in to drool on your stuff." Usually gets a laugh -- nice folks there.

[@hailmaryrecordings8255]

I played a Pink one that was once owned by Rick Neilson in the summer of ‘86. My dad was in a band with Rick’s guitar-tech at the time and I played that V at an after party. I believe he told me it was refinished because the original finish was toxic? It’s been a long time.

[@trevorgwelch7412]

Just my humble opinion but I think Joe sounds best on a vintage Fender Stratocaster with over drive and uni vibe . 🎸🇺🇸✨✨✨🏆🎼🎼🎼🎼🏄🏽‍♀️

[@DesignRhythm]

I agree with Norn about the Grammies.. the Blues & Jazz are timeless art forms and should definitely be promoted.

[@melvynobrien6193]

Let's not forget that Blues and Jazz are based on western European music theory created by white men.

[@hermitrob5481]

Its real man. The whole process was an inexact science in that era. Any number of slight changes could have made for any number of reasons. Gibson and Fender weren't in the business letting stock go unused. I'd buy it.

[@greghenderson4582]

There was a 59 or 58 Flying V that had a middle pickup routed in it .it was owned by two local accomplished players and I have a picture of this guitar !!! ...also there was another one that the bottom 2 points were sliced off ...and it looked kinda like a wedge !!! I have always wondered what happened to both of these guitars !!!

[@bretspangler8717]

I have a 58 reissue, I swapped in a white poker chip to get as close to Amos as possible, I had to grab it while watching this video, such a cool resonant instrument

[@f.duranleau4416]

Joe is an amazing guitar player and a very good singer! He really knows and digs all this vintage gear but I think that he could do a whole show playing a brand new Gibson Les Paul Studio and that he would still sound great!

[@BennieTarrMusic]

Or a Fender because they're better.

[@danadavis9121]

It pains me to see Norm so twisted up by the question of this guitar's authenticity. It's too bad they couldn't reach a verdict. This video made me feel like I was hanging out with "the guys", though. That's pretty cool! Joe and Norm are two guys who will never hang out with me. I'm a 70 year old guitar owner (not a real player). The whole world of guitars and people who appreciate them is a separate reality. Love it!

[@henseleric]

I bought a Washburn parlor guitar (1920s) from Norm's in 1976...he has been passionate a very long time.

[@sysop007]

Very cool! Not often you get to see quarter million dollar guitars taken apart. Joe and Norm are the guys!

[@ralphwhaley4164]

Definitely not a waste of 26:50!! My dad was a vintage car guy and we he used to get together with his buddies over an old MG it was just like this! Great stuff!

[@kingbrutusxxvi]

I had the re-issue version a while back and it was so neck heavy that I could only play it sitting down. The pickups were INSANE but I absolutely hated playing it and it spent most of it's life hanging on the wall as beautiful artwork. ;-) I ended up trading it and several other guitars for a '50s Strat but I still miss looking at it.

[@benwood7132]

I do wish they would talk about what the inconsistencies are, specifically. Though I understand why they may not, due to the assist it could give fakers…

[@petervenskus4706]

An sg/lp or sg standard of that era would have had the exact same wiring, with the ceramic disc capacitor. The wiring in the mystery V was era correct and Joe mentions that.

[@petervenskus4706]

@@brushstroke3733 Joe's guitar was an original 58. Shipped in 58. The other one was claimed to be, by everyone in the video, to be a left over 59 body, assembled and shipped in the 60s. Hence the 60s wiring pat number pickups, and 60,s hardware. Watch the video again if you missed it.

[@petervenskus4706]

he says exactly what I said above. The parts that means the control assembly, will be different, but the bodies should be identical and they aren't. You must have missed the whole thing about 60s parts.

[@petervenskus4706]

@@brushstroke3733 the leftover explorer and V bodies were rumored to have trickled out of Gibson in the 60s. Slapped together with whatever parts were current at the time.

[@brushstroke3733]

@@petervenskus4706 Yup, I missed it. I was wrong. You were right.

[@fatseaturtle]

Always a fun time when Joe stops by the shop.

[@GeorgeBonez]

I mean no disrespect at all to anyone but I don’t think I’ll ever understand the appeal of a Flying V. I mean I honestly wouldn’t have one unless it was given to me and then I would probably just hang it on the wall. I know Id never play it. I’m glad V’s give so much pleasure to others tho. They really bring a lot of smiles to a lot of people so the guitar definitely has its place.

[@mandojoe8031]

This reminds me of when Geraldo tried to find Al Capone's lost treasure in an underground tunnel in Chicago.

[@glenkepic3208]

This is great !!! IBZ RR Sr from '76 here. Black guard like what Norm's holding (no poker chip). '82, Gibson launches the "AirBorn Again" campaign, '58, black guard. Ordered the poster. On a garage wall for over 30 years. man, Mark Agnessi, did a vid for one. Wound up buying it. found out later, it was owned by Satch. dang, i recall an '80s interview where he said he'd bought one.

[@JDShellnut39]

As a filmmaker and guitar enthusiast I love inconclusive endings! Enjoyed every frame of this, even with Joe not playing a single note!

[@simonvanderheijden432]

This video says a hell of a lot more about Norm than it says about the guitar. Norm's nervous energy is of the charts, he's constantly trying to get Joe to say the guitar is legit..

[@montys8th]

If it was legit then Joe would own it already.

[@kcave23]

Doesn't he own them both?

[@TheMichguff]

My friend Craig Blair used one. He was friends with Leslie West who also had one. Craig told me some wonderful stories over the years.

[@jakemoeller7850]

Thank you for mentioning Leslie West. He and Mountain were one of my favorite records to put on the turntable! Wonderful memories.

[@mercse]

Could it be an employee project guitar using left over parts? I remember hearing that guitars that don't make the "A" list can be taken off the line and put into storage for later rework and that sometimes staff take on these rejects as personal projects to build out for their own use.

[@mattdoliver1984]

Definitely plausible, don’t know why this wasn’t mentioned

[@steveferry4922]

If that were the case, would it have an appropriate S#, and why would it be marked as a second?

[@johnsmith-bk4ps]

Nothing was etched in stone at gibson. Plenty of anomalies

[@mercse]

@@steveferry4922 I believe that bodies and necks get the serial number on the headstock before the finish goes on. If tgere is a blemish or damage during or after the spraying / curing process. The carcass could be set aside for refinish or if the blemish isn't too bad it could be labled a second. Seconds are sometimes finished and sold as such.

[@andyg.lohner8069]

...hard to say what was wrong for Joe. To me it seem's mostly some routing shapes and maybe some tooling marks. Parts which where machined and then glued together. As @Johnsmith wrote... Gibson and consistency usally is not writing in the same sentence, maybe why Joe really seem'ed to look for shapes, routs and marks, the stuff they most likely share. Other things can often be off due fitting and hand done work, hand work they call it, hand made instrumenrs. Plus with this low run production number instrument, it makes them all close of being prototypes of each other... Almost :).

[@kilterkaos1]

I have a 69 Torino cobra with an SCJ drag pack. I’m in the middle of restoring to factory. This car doesn’t have traditional shock towers. It has what looks to be a (machined) flat plate laying on top of the shock tower instead of the traditional apron. I’ve been 20 years trying to get an answer. Good luck!

[@blues6782]

You can see the flying v on Pete Townshend solo album "Chinese eyes".

[@stuartkennedy4570]

I love to listen to Norm and Joe. Talk about the history and specs of the old guitars

[@brianjenness4289]

Wowzy was I nervous when Joe was taking off the guard screws. And so we still don't know. Loved seeing uncle Norm. And Joe.

[@brushstroke3733]

I was shocked he didn't place them into a jig of some sort to keep them all organized by their original positions. He seemed to just put them all together. In my experience, it is always best to put screws back in their original holes and not mix them up.

[@brianjenness4289]

@@brushstroke3733 yeah I know. Just put those screws on the mat carpet. No container. Or jar. No order too replace each in the right holes. Thts how you crack the guard.

[@drippinglass]

Come on. They are wood screws. They go back in to the threads they tapped.

[@brianjenness4289]

@@drippinglass you bought a fake klon. 😂. Do you think we would listen to you. ROFL.

[@drippinglass]

@@brianjenness4289 It sounds just like the $5k ones. But I’ll admit. It isn’t a 100% copy. It isn’t gooped. Which means it can be fixed if anything goes bad.

[@charmandrews]

After taking some photos, at around 12.15, Joe says "we're going to get a definitive answer...etc" but we didn't... or did I miss that bit?

[@groverbaker6404]

Phenomenal!@ Joe and NORMS!! What a combo!!!

[@baeschler]

Love the conversations between you two. I would never consider watching one a waste of time.

[@frankw9619]

I've had a thought on this. It seems as though Joe saw something that he didn't want to disclose on camera, as someone said in the comments below. I was watching a video a few weeks ago about a dealer who would remove bodies from Gibsons etc but then reuse the neck on a new body so that the serial number remained the same. I wonder if that's what's happened here

[@snoo50]

Makes sense. A Roman 59 V? :p But IMO Joe seems to not have a definitive answer up until it ends, I think he would disclose it... or maybe not, for the vintage guitar market's sake...

[@tallpaul1020]

Joe is my favorite guitar nerd in the world!!!! I love watching him and listening to him talk history of guitars. Oh he can play too.😁 Never miss a show when he comes close to my town. Love the video,Norm,Joe and the gang thx!!

[@dr.buzzvonjellar8862]

Like Norm alluded, what collector/player has seen and played more of these than Joe? He’s as close to an expert as exists.

[@johnsmith-bk4ps]

There's old guitar dudes seen more of these than joe

[@BruceLee-bf5ks]

@@johnsmith-bk4ps Who? A few dealers likely have but not many at all.

[@johnsmith-bk4ps]

@@BruceLee-bf5ks Metallica has a few. Lots of the dealers decades back have seen more than a couple. Gruhn comes to mind for starters

[@russblack443]

Larry McCray is great. He lives not far from where I do in Saginaw. I used to go to Callahan's Music Theatre in Auburn Hills. How many guys are going to play at least three sets in what's basically a bar with maybe 300 people. Him,his brother Steve who is the drummer and the bass player Neal are super nice guys. Very approachable and truly do love the fans. He would sign anything for you. Even if you haven't bought it from him. I took my Delta hurricane CD and he got a kick out of it because it was his first album. I have asked a ton of questions about his gear,how many guitarist's are willing to give up the secrets of their tone. He told and showed me his pedals and where he sets the overdrive. Super down to earth and nice guy.

[@geezberry8889]

man Norm is really pushing hard for the guitar to be legit. What if this what if that

[@joelspaulding5964]

Some nice, subtle birdseye on that top. Joe has an amazing passion and knowledge of these and many other guitars. Well worth the watch!

[@chaoticembrace6984]

the only thing that makes this guitar , or any other one ever made 'invaluable ' is - the unconditional love from its owner, no matter what anyone else says about it.

[@garyread9860]

ive played early Gibson and early Fenders and the best guitar i have ever played for feel and tone was a 90's Tanglewood hollow body it was fantastic.

[@jchang7524]

Lol I was thinking right at the end “man what a disappointing conclusion” when Joe said the “what did we learn? Joe and uncle Norm wasted 30 minutes of my time” line haha.

[@ed.earmand2611]

I saw this when it came out and just rewatched it. still a great video. lol.

[@cebjr]

Joe is a great guy and player.

[@earthianfriendly5708]

That's what I like about Joe quick videos, is that he always, always I say, throwing some practice on the fly.

[@nicirvin1994]

I'm really surprised that he's not putting the screws back in the same holes.. Might seem Petty but.. Just for argument sake.. Might be the first time they have been out.. Let's keep it as original as factory finish as possible..

[@WebberLai]

for Joe i believe guitar just a tool with story to him

[@scrumpymanjack]

I agree. Probably been opened many times etc. but I still wouldn't want to be the one returning the screws to different holes.

[@divebomb99]

Agreed, surprised me a bit too. I have a strip of wood with a row of drill holes for keeping them in line to make sure they go back in the same order. OCD... and I love it.

[@leonarddaneman810]

Thanks to gun making, screws are pretty standardized and identical. We aren't talking stretched bolts torqued out in an engine.

[@WebberLai]

@@leonarddaneman810 not really,guitar and bass mix UK an US size make so many problem Even human got the same problem One of famous story is Kiss looking for new guitar player,they want a tall guy must over 6 feet They call Yngwie Malmsteen：are you over 6 feet Yngwie Malmsteen : no , I’m 192cm Kiss : what the fxxk Yngwie Malmsteen : and they never call again (192 cm close to 6’2 )

[@robertcormier242]

I watched video of Rick Neilson of cheep trick. And ohhh my God the collection is devastating....he has 3 59 Korina vee s. And 2 or 3 59 explorer's it's a must watch 👍👍👍👍

[@UncleWayne5104]

I would have liked to hear him play it

[@Andy-ri1ns]

I swear I could watch these two wax lyrical and geek out about vintage guitars ALL DAY

[@davolk9525]

Joe keeps referencing that there are things he likes and things that are questionable about authenticating the V. But he never lists what those "things" are.

[@Zoetropeification]

They made a slight reference near the beginning about not wanting to give too many Gibson proprietary details that could possibly be used to create fakes in the future. Joe did say he has never seen an authentic V without a groove along the back of the body and the guitar in question has no such groove.

[@DVRMNaitor]

Norm, we need a part 2 of this video.

[@TnTravelers33]

Wish it wouldn’t have cut after joe looked inside both pick guards it felt like it skipped the most important part

[@YeatzeeGuitar]

He said it's fake and that's very damning for the owner so they cut it out. My guess at least

[@TnTravelers33]

@@YeatzeeGuitar I figured as much

[@josephcharbonneau8740]

Awesome flyin v!!! Much much love to you norm and your family I’m praying for him every day!!! 😍

[@johnsmith-bk4ps]

Joe mixed up the pickguard screws!

[@fishingfreak9734]

I want to believe its a living Frankenstein of "leftovers", but no doubt a cool guitar. !! Awesome mini documentary Jen, Joe and Norm.

[@CNFir-fs6zs]

A carcass is a dead body of an animal or human. Norm and Joe kept throwing that term around, and husk. It's the body of the guitar without all the parts. Joe said he's sending pics to someone who knows a lot more than him about it. Let's hear the prognosis of the expert that the lesser expert is asking. The luthier in the store seems like he could also add to authenticity questions. Thanks guitar detectives.

[@14lamnc1]

With no disrespect to the luthiers working for Norm's, I highly doubt they've been fixing original 50's Flying V's daily to know all the variations and to properly authenticate it.

[@FransvandenBergeMuziekschuur]

I love their combined knowledge.