The Story of The Epiphone Joe Bonamassa 1958 "Amos" Korina Flying-V

Joe Bonamassa tells the story of the original "Amos" and his Epiphone signature model.
▶ Products used in this video:
Shop the latest Joe Bonamassa Epiphone signature models: bit.ly/3DCiOhZ
Shop all Epiphone inspired By Gibson Custom Shop guitars: bit.ly/44PQaWy
Watch as the legendary ‪@JoeBonamassaTV‬ takes us on an exciting journey into music history as we discover one of the rarest 1958 Epiphone Flying V,'s fondly known as "Amos," now reborn as the Epiphone Amos Flying V.
This super rare Flying V has a special place in Joe's heart. Originally purchased from Norm's Rare Guitars, listen as Joe recounts how its connected to the famed Arthur's Music store in Indianapolis, Indiana. What makes the "Amos" Flying V unique is its rarity - with a black pickguard and a white jack plate, only 10 or 15 were made from a total batch of about 91 to 100 Flying V's before the series was shut down. It's a piece of American history and a legacy that continues with Epiphone.
Epiphone's faithful recreation captures the sonics of the original '58 Epiphone Flying V. Key features designed by Joe Bonamassa include a raised logo, a recreation of the truss rod cover, and a comfortable neck profile based on the original 1958 neck profile with bigger frets.
We also get an explanation as to why Joe prefers Flying V controls of Explorer controls, especially the pickup switches.
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ABOUT EPIPHONE
For 150 years, Epiphone has been a leading innovator in instrument design with models like the Casino, the Texan, and Masterbilt Century Archtop Collection. Epiphone began as the Stathopoulo family business in modern-day Turkey in the 1870s and rose to fame during the jazz age in Manhattan, before joining Gibson brands in 1957. Today, Epiphone continues to make history from its headquarters in Nashville, TN. Epiphones have powered classic recordings by Les Paul, The Beatles, and The Rolling Stones along with today's top artists like Peter Frampton, Gary Clark Jr., Tommy Thayer of KISS, and Lzzy Hale. Epiphone offers innovation, history, and a lifetime guarantee. Whether you are learning your first song in your bedroom, or rocking an arena, Epiphone has always been there, for everyone, for every generation, for every stage.

[@OfficialEpiphone]

Products used in this video: Shop the latest Joe Bonamassa Epiphone signature models: bit.ly/3DCiOhZ Shop all Epiphone inspired By Gibson Custom Shop guitars: bit.ly/44PQaWy

[@Dagger_323]

I love Gibsons but I absolutely would buy this and rock it on a stage. That sounds and looks phenomenal. Job well done, Epiphone.

[@TheGalwayFarmer]

.....sounds great through a huge expensive amp

[@MartyMcFlyV]

Joe is so unlike all other rock stars. He actually takes expensive vintage guitars on tours!

[@spare7400]

how in heck is he playing it without a strap, that V shape must make it impossible to hold and play lol

[@brogoram]

Spare like all other peoples that own a v playing on the couch. Sticking the v shape edge to their thigh. (Its impossible to do that standing though 😂)

[@deekay2]

Bubbles can play a mean guitar.

[@Big_Sierra]

Beautiful work. Love Epiphone.

[@lcollingwood5959]

I caved and purchased one today at my local store! Its a great guitar!

[@lcollingwood5959]

I love mine. Plays and sounds amazing! Smile every time i open the case. What its all about

[@BlueberryStinkFinger62]

Epiphone your so much better than Gibson..keep up the beautiful work..

[@PeteCrumble]

which is funny, since it's owned by Gibson. since 1957.

[@svtman93]

LOL. Keep telling yourself that

[@trillrifaxegrindor4411]

you should get yourself a job or try playing guitar occasionally, you yelling about epiphones on every video make you appear like a bit of a psychopath,people will buy what they want .

[@Dagger_323]

No they’re not. They’re both phenomenal companies

[@cadenwhitten9500]

Dagger 323 you sir have been not checking the news.

[@gerardgerard8344]

Just ordered mine! Can't wait to receive it! Cheers, G :D London

[@Tommy.McLean]

I've got one and I use it for all of my fast rythm on stage and recordings. Then I use my Gibson with dirty fingers for lead. This one, and the 2 x 2016 Korina reissues (exp & V) are amazing, bright, clean, and play fast as hell. ~Füzzy Müzzle

[@SimpleManGuitars1973]

I seriously just watched a video of Joe Bonamassa playing an Epiphone. Honestly.

[@spare7400]

epiphone is a legit brand unto itself, its just that Henry Jusfuckwit whored out the name for $$, im glad Gibson went under, fuckers

[@taketheredpill1441]

And what's wrong with that? Epiphone has been around since the late 1800s, far before Gibson came into existence. The only reason why people look down on epis, is because they couldn't afford to keep factories in the US so Gibson bought them, now people think of them as a subsidiary to Gibson. I don't get it. Lots of guitar companies aren't made in the US (Ibanez, cort, etc) and they aren't devalued the way Epiphone is.

[@markwathen975]

A great guitar for a great guitarist!. You go Joe!!

[@bramzanden3475]

amazing that you do these replicas of Joe's vintage guitars!

[@Herbster41]

Beautiful guitar. Big Priest fan - loved the V ever since I first saw it on the cover of Unleashed in the East. 🤘🏻

[@edpitman7035]

I had an uncle called Arthur Amos - perhaps an omen that I should buy one

[@jrnjd3]

I took lessons at Arthur's Music about 10 years ago when I first started playing, cool place.

[@vcr210]

Got one... And also his Firebird one. Two of my faves. (And their value went way up over their retail price. Winning. )

[@macaholic100]

I got mine this week and it plays like a dream . The Pro Bucker pickups are bright and ballsy, I believe it has full Jumbo frets or beefy medium jumbos because I don't feel a lot of fretboard when doing high bends. This s a real korina V made with two slabs of wood seamed up the middle, no veneer on this V. I wonder, did Joe have the guys at Epiphone build these to the same dimentions as his 58 Amos v?

[@Big_Sierra]

Yes he did. They are nearly identical.

[@j_freed]

Korina is not a rare or expensive wood, it's just rare on old Gibsons. Mythology is excessive.

[@lauramoore9659]

I'M VERRRY THRILLLLED!!!! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

[@justpassinthru1191]

I played an Epiphone in 1972 and i still think it played better than any other guitar I have ever put my hands on. I still own my original 1972 Telecaster Deluxe Mocha (deemed the ugliest paint ever put on a Fender but I think it's beautiful) I bought it shortly after I got my Epi and stuck with my Fender because the Humbuckers were so nice and it still plays so sweet today. But I have been trying to find what model Epiphone I had? It was a solid body with beautiful sunburst paint and all gold tuners and switches. What is confusing me is I could have sworn it had a gold bridge plate on it? Joe is just a very nice guy, I'm 62 years old and temporarily unable to walk but I would love to see Joe Bonamassa Live! That is the only thing on my bucket list. I'm gonna see him one day, don't know how but I'm gonna sneak in as a Janitor or something and watch him play!!!

[@devids51]

Sweet guitar

[@fredsanford7619]

Those Vees have become pretty rare from what I've heard

[@jeffreymuckey2205]

The only Joe guitar I have ever seen with matching knobs. Joe whats up, I liked that on some of your guitars and your theory on it makes sense but I suppose probably do not want to do that to such a rare vintage.

[@jessetate9701]

Beautiful guitar

[@CurtisMcLeodMusic]

Omg that iron guitar throne in the back is so cool! Do a video about that!

[@raymartinez5339]

Damn looks good. And joe’s right, play the damn thing to age it

[@PlatinumBlack90038]

‘A guitar with a dumb headstock and a dumb tailpiece ― to whom, and how ― will I ever sell this?’ ― Amos Arthur, Arthur's Music, Indianapolis, Indiana in 1958. 😨 🔦 👽

[@vmat1000]

THIS IS GREAT!!! I've had an IBZ RR Sr for years (multi piece ash, body, multi piece maple neck) but Amos is as close as mere mortals can get to a real '58 Flying V and for under a grand!!! Bonus points for the black pg. I missed the Treasure Firebird and really don't need Amos but love this axe anyways!

[@liltacosoftruth]

I want one

[@MrHermango]

Watched the whole video, tried to come up with a smart alecky comment. But Joe seemed very sincere about this historical guitar that seemed personal to him.

[@lauramoore9659]

MY HEART MELTED!!!!!!!

[@cadenwhitten9500]

Says he doesn't like to use pedals Has a bunch of sig pedals

[@taz6601x2]

How's Joe feel about losing the bid on the Greeny to Kirk Hammett!?!!

[@valuedhumanoid6574]

The only knock on an Epiphone over a Gibson is the pickups. The higher the output, the less of the guitar you're hearing and more of just the pickups. That's why EMG's sound so homogeneous. It doesn't matter what guitar they're on, they will always sound the same. The lower output pickups seem to really be influenced by the guitar itself. Go and watch one of the Rob Chapman videos where they do the blindfolded challenge between Gibson and Epiphone. When they plug that Gibson SG in, it has a sound that Rob, Lee and Rebea could automatically identify as a Gibson SG. All the Epi's sounded the same because they all had the same high output Burstbucker III's in them. SIngle coil Strats are the perfect example of that phenomenon.

[@STSGuitar16]

I’d wager many of these high-end Epiphone’s are better than their Gibson counterparts these days

[@Braglemaster123]

SStrickland16 I agree

[@Big_Sierra]

Many of them are just as good.

[@lauramoore9659]

THANK YOU MUSICAL SOULMATE BESTIE ESTIE ESTIE ESTIE ESTIE ESTIE!!! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

[@squareyes1981]

I agree about the marks - I'm finished worrying about preserving my guitars to death, especially the longer I have one.

[@MisterGuitarItalia]

What's the difference between this one and the Epi Korina V released two years ago?

[@CHOPERUS23]

Why are they still putting the intonation adjustment screws the wrong way? 🙈🙈🙈🙈

[@ReelinandRockin99]

Hard to age a poly finish

[@mcafee1971]

Is that thing gonna go for 3Grand? Gibson's Prices are Ridiculous considering their quality .

[@liltacosoftruth]

I want a V, not many options out there... only could find a goth V, the non-Amos V, and this Amos V. ...and then there’s Jackson V’s-nah. I just want a cherry red, ‘67 style V. C’mon Epiphone! Is that too much to ask?!

[@hyunilkim6353]

For a moment, I thought Joe said "We're talking about anus."

[@mymixture965]

no relic, that´s great

[@MrJp5150]

I agree about aging a guitar by playing it !! I can not believe that guitar players will pay major dollars for a guitar that comes reliced !!

[@johannesrindt2569]

1:48 Maverick owned that guitar???

[@famachris]

Some detail about the what the pick-ups are is essential on Epiphone so you don't end up in Microphonic Land. It also looks like it has Epi's cheap tuners on it judging by the size of the posts.

[@jscottvillanueva1172]

Joe doesn’t use effect pedals? Huh. I never knew. Haha, great player and cool guy and guitar.

[@mukraker1]

He does use some, sometimes. They're videos.

[@thepurpleplayer9168]

He says people who do are lazy

[@rockngpa5094]

It’s funny how we all heard how guitar sales are so bad that ppl aren’t wanting or playing guitars anymore ... Then out of left field when sales are poor , Guitar Industry jack up all their prices 🤬🤬🤬 !

[@brucelk19]

Sick

[@Dailyvids25]

I am sure that they've got the sonics right ! Yeah right!

[@lauramoore9659]

THANK YOU MUSICAL SOULMATE BESTIE ESTIE ESTIE ESTIE ESTIE ESTIE!!!

[@claytonduguay9617]

Where's the LEFTY Epiphone?

[@jaie220]

This guitar is very good ... But I can not afford it ..😭😭😭

[@trollssuck7814]

Yep. 100% of the Reverend guitars and basses etc. are made of "Korina". They don't charge a dime more for that wood. They even paint solid colors over most of them. So, out any "MAGIC" about Korina wood is B.S. Don't pay more for it. Reverend doesn't pay more and don't charge more........so, don't pay more from anyone trying to gouge you for this TONEWOOD.

[@robotp5543]

If they go to lengths to mimic his Gibson 58 Amos guitar, why can it not say Gibson on the head stock instead of Epiphone. If Gibson can make a Flying V for around 2K sold in local music store, I'm sure they could have put Gibson on the headstock.

[@katereloumarianna5836]

Please, could anyone tell me what kind of amp is he using?

[@tidepoolbay]

I own one.

[@ryan.1357]

Where was this filmed?

[@ryanchadwick4432]

How many pedals did you use?

[@riffwizardsupreme]

If I get one, first song I'm playing is Amos Moses... Also, INDIANA BITCH!!! FINALLY SOMETHING WE'RE FAMOUS FOR THAT PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT!!!

[@SleepingGiant45]

I wish it came left handed.

[@granvillefriel1877]

Want it

[@f.duranleau4416]

At the very beginning of this video, Joe's tone is too muddy for the low register notes.

[@pb12661]

you know..

[@edwardking7135]

I have a lot of Epiphone guitars it's so easy to get that fat neck ,Your fit and finish is awesome and you got PaF sound down pat. I've walked away from a few Gibsons because they looked like junk. Gibson needs to wake up They think if it said Gibson everyone will buy it ,not anymore people want a awesome guitar.

[@internetnow5243]

Don't need any special stories about the Bonamasa 'Anus' ... I don't Wang Chung those chords pal.

[@rkharper]

get yourself the standard Epiphone 58 V, which is a killer guitar for its price. This thing is twice the price for basically the same guitar (upgraded Pickups, Pots, a silly raised Logo, and a Case), promoted by a major DB, who never would play that Epi. No, thank you.

[@rkharper]

Michael Veil did you play one, or do you assume that? I actually got myself one a month ago. I like FAT necks. It definitely isnt the fattest I own, but it's nowhere near slim. The frets are Perfect!!! After a quick setup (which I can happily perform on my own, nut height lower, trussrod, bridge lower and intonation) I can truly say, the Standard is a friggin good instrument - not just for the price, just a good good guitar. Pickups? If Id change em, definitely NOT to the Burstbuckers! I can get Lollars and still be cheaper than this JBV.

[@shanejones2932]

He is a famous guitar and amp collector.. He helps design decent, value guitars designed like classics that most people can't afford or even play. These epi collaborations are pretty cool imo; but why would he play an epiphone when he has millions invested in classic gear? My guess is no one else would either. Classic guitar collector and bluesman who helps make value guitars based off his personal knowledge of these instruments...idk dude, I think I'd have a beer with him

[@cadenwhitten9500]

He uses epiphone flying v's a lot

[@ATH_Berkshire]

Rafi Kirder i

[@Masterfighterx]

So you missed that it has a Korina body?..

[@SergeCeyral]

Considering how weird (if not absolutely ugly) these guitars were regarded in those days, I just wonder if Arthur Amos ordered more than one model to the factory (and the time it took to sell them)... Nice guitar btw, but next to impossible to play while seated: it's funny to see JB holding it almost like a classical guitar.

[@4572dk]

Thats how yourr meant to sit with them...

[@thepurpleplayer9168]

They are actually pretty nice sitting down since it is the same angle you would most likely play standing

[@vmat1000]

I beg to differ about playing this style V sitting down. When i got my IBZ which really looks like a '58 here, the ping pong paddle material set into the lower wing had some wear but now it's nearly smooth but still works. I don't play out these days so i play at home sitting down. Never an issue with 'Blondie'.

[@Swampster70]

Well, kinda. The rubber strip on the bottom was put on the original flying V's so it wouldn't slip while you played them and it was 'thought' that you'd put the bottom edge on the top of your leg. But, most people don't play them like that and that's the reason the rubber strip never made it past the first year or two of production...

[@macesteffy2066]

Damn, you know what Epiphone, you just may have sold me. I still know most of your guitars are crap though, it's okay.

[@nicatquluzad8969]

He is laying when he says it is brighter than regular les paul.

[@001mcampbell]

Joe is lying through his teeth. The Epiphone shouldn’t be allowed in the same building with the Gibson.

[@needmoretime4028]

Create and make something that isn't blues . Boring. When are people gonna create the next genre of music and theory along side it ?

[@semilivesixstringstrumist5595]

Sorry Joe but It would be a great guitar to have if your name wasn't all over it. I do like your playing but not a Fan Boy to anyone.

[@doctordox6278]

his name isnt all over it.

[@brubakersflatcakes9755]

It's a great guitar and his name is nowhere on it aside from initials on the case. The case, I say.

[@kamaboko1]

I guess you don't own any guitars, because every guitar has a name on it. Gibson, fender, Schechter, Martin, etc.