Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum
Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: FELINEGUITARS on November 03, 2008, 11:41:58 AM
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A few years back I built a Korina Flying V (was later reviewed by Guitra Buyer Magazine)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/CUSTOM%20BUILT/PICT0379.jpg)
It was based on some 1970s plans that I had and given my Schenker fixation it was what I wanted at the time
Now more recently I have made a couple of Flying V's and given them a smaller headstock - I wanted to have a meaner looking headstock, and also give a slightly straighter string path than the bigger headstock dictated.
Also I decided that the slleeker looks of the smaller headstock was more arrow like and followed the theme of the body shape better.
So it was only a matter of time before I decided to add the modification to my own guitar
Not that radical of a change, but I prefer the look
Here is the result:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/CUSTOM%20BUILT/PICT0023.jpg)
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I do like the older style v's
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i generally like the dumpty 70s headstock look with a '67 V body style...
but in the case of your V, having the chance to see them next to each other, i think it was the right decision to modernise the look with your new smaller headstock.
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I like the smaller pointier headstock, looks great!
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I like both but took more of a fancy to the smaller size for this guitar
It is smaller than either the 1958 or 1967 pointy versions
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Looks gorgeous!
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I always liked the pointier headstocks, so for me the change looks great!
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You made a perfect shot in that change!
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I've been trying to guess from the pics, but I can't tell - did you modify the existing headstock, or scarf on a new one?
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I like both headstocks, but the 2nd (pointier) one does match up with the body shape better.
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i am guessing holes were plugged, headstock was re-veneered (front and back??) and then re-cut to the new shape.
looks much nicer with the new shape!!
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I remember seeing the review of the korina V while browsing in WH Smiths on Notting Hill Gate, I think Ian Brown was in there that day too. The new headstock looks sleek and sophisticated.
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I've been trying to guess from the pics, but I can't tell - did you modify the existing headstock, or scarf on a new one?
Here you go Philly....
We cut a bit off each side , thus losing the old holes and added more Korina to each side and cut to size
Much better than plugging holes etc in this case
The original 58s had the same construction method - strips were added to the headstock on either side with the grain running parallel to the edge of the headstock.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v662/felineguitars/CUSTOM%20BUILT/PICT0029.jpg)
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nice volute detail as well..
i wasnt sure if i was right about the plugs, not looking at the lengthe of the new one compared to the old one, thx for the detail pic
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I do like the older style v's
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They just look weird to me
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To be honest, I've never played a V. Apart from a RR model - but I mean a Gibson-esque shape.
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To be honest, I've never played a V. Apart from a RR model - but I mean a Gibson-esque shape.
Some people claim that Vs are uncomfortable
But put a well balanced one on a strap and play standing up and it'll change your world
Full access to the neck and an almost weightless feel
Personally I love them.
I always make a couple of modifications if I can and have the jack input on the upper wing - like Randy Rhoads had on his Polka dot V - means you don't risk tripping over the lead.
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To be honest, I've never played a V. Apart from a RR model - but I mean a Gibson-esque shape.
Some people claim that Vs are uncomfortable
But put a well balanced one on a strap and play standing up and it'll change your world
Full access to the neck and an almost weightless feel
Personally I love them.
I always make a couple of modifications if I can and have the jack input on the upper wing - like Randy Rhoads had on his Polka dot V - means you don't risk tripping over the lead.
Yeah, the RR I had was neck-heavy so it sort of annoyed me. If I had a V that wouldn't nose dive all the time I would like them. Not saying I hate them though.
So this is yours for keeps? I might pop over sometime. I'm getting my MMs sent from home and I need them installed.
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That does look tasty Jonathan - almost getting converted to Vs here...
I'm not entirely sure what people mean by "older style" Vs, but I suspect my tastes run to "older" if this is it!! (All the flashy ones with no scratchplate, a binding, etc, don't tend to grab me). This might be because my only "V heroes" are Andy Powell and late-70s/early-80s KK Downing - so this one kinda fits the bill.
Personally I think the new headstock looks better than the bigger one - but both are/were good on this guitar.
I played a V years ago for a couple of rehearsals, and you're right about getting the strap balance right. Once you're set, they are extremely comfortable (as long as you don't sit down :lol:) - I just felt a bit self-conscious wearing it...
I still find the Explorer the sexier of the sisters, and for some reason I don't feel so self-conscious wearing one...
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i think i like the new one better, i think you did the right thing. :)
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So this is yours for keeps? I might pop over sometime. I'm getting my MMs sent from home and I need them installed.
Yeah (for now anyway - I get changes of heart just like everybody else)
I'm really fond of it....
It has a pair of VH2s and sounds great
I used a couple of carbon fibre rods to strengthen the neck as well - not that it needed it but it has lightening fast response to treble frequencies - a nice edginess to the sound
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I've been trying to guess from the pics, but I can't tell - did you modify the existing headstock, or scarf on a new one?
Here you go Philly....
We cut a bit off each side , thus losing the old holes and added more Korina to each side and cut to size
Much better than plugging holes etc in this case
The original 58s had the same construction method - strips were added to the headstock on either side with the grain running parallel to the edge of the headstock.
Cheers Jon, I thought plugged holes might weaken things a bit. Looks very neat, and I agree with Wez, I like the volute. Never been sure why people get sniffy about volutes, I don't know if they actually strengthen things or not but they can't do any harm.
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I've been trying to guess from the pics, but I can't tell - did you modify the existing headstock, or scarf on a new one?
Here you go Philly....
We cut a bit off each side , thus losing the old holes and added more Korina to each side and cut to size
Much better than plugging holes etc in this case
The original 58s had the same construction method - strips were added to the headstock on either side with the grain running parallel to the edge of the headstock.
Cheers Jon, I thought plugged holes might weaken things a bit. Looks very neat, and I agree with Wez, I like the volute. Never been sure why people get sniffy about volutes, I don't know if they actually strengthen things or not but they can't do any harm.
There is only one reason that people get funny about volutes and I have heard some absolute rubbish spouted by people who don't have any idea what they are talking bout.
I'm tempted to make a separate post about this subject as it is so misunderstood.
Let me explain:
At the end of the 1960s /early 1970s Gibson looked at problems often faced by owners of their guitars
One of the main problems was headstocks getting broken off.
At this time they had been mainly making SGs for much of the 1960s which have a habit of falling over if you stand them up or nosediving on s strap and falling off the stupidly small strap buttons that Gibson did and still do insist on putting on their guitars.
One thing that can happen if a guitar falls to the ground and lands on its headstock is that the headstock can get broken off. Another factor that adds to this phenomenon is Gibson's use of 1 piece necks made from mahogany.
So if there is a weak/weaker point (along a grain line) that is where the neck will split.
So Gibson sensibly decided to add a volute - an extra ridge of wood nicely carved to add extra strength just where the neck needs it most. - a good move in my book.
Unfortunately this was the early 1970s and a lot went wrong at Gibson in the 1970s - and what really suffered was their quality control.
The company was being run by business graduates (MBAs) rather than luthiers and changes were brought in to cut costs, to avoid good being returned, or damaged easily.
Some moves were good like the introduction of the volute .
Other things were bad - some guitars became overbuilt (chunky necks) and didn't have the finesse of the guitars of the 50s and 60s.
Some odd designs crept in too, but demand for Gibsons was at an all time high and they couldn't make enough to keep up.
Quality suffered a lot at times .
The thing was that some of those guitars were really great and others were a bit poorly made
Guitarists became aware that things weren't all they should be with Gibsons as a whole and wondered how to tell if it was a good one or a bad one - especially buying second hand.
"It's Easy".........experts would say.
Avoid the ones with the volutes (anything made in the 1970s)
And somehow the volute came to be seen as the problem rather than all the underlying issues.
Now there were some awesomely good 70s Gibsons (some players did have the necks reshaped or refretted by a good repairman and as a result got the best from the guitars).
But the volute was never the problem (although Gibson did allow the volute to get a bit big and ugly at times)
Some companies like Hamer understood this issue and what the good and bad ideas were
Hamer guitars were made with 3 piece necks for stability and resistance to breaking. (Gibson did this for a while too - was a good idea)
Hamer tended to use a small but sufficient volute for strength at times too.
They certainly made some great quality USA made guitars.
They were both an influence on me! ( I tend to make 3 piece necks with a volute)
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Agreed with all stuff you spoke about volute and 3 pieces...
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It's a big improvement imo, really flows better.
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yeah, great post... personally i dont do volutes but i dont do necks the one peice gibson way... 3 or more plus CF reinforcement on most of my gibson style necks
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Scuse my ignorance chaps...
Volute? (Great post by the way Jonathan) I've heard of them, but never really wondered what they were before...
From what you're saying I'm guessing it's the extra wood on the back of the headstock producing the rather nice "thumb-to-index-finger-curved" ridge just above the nut-line? Is that right?
If so, I used to have a guitar with one on, can't for the life of me remember what it was, but I always found it rather comfortable and comforting to have it there :D
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From what you're saying I'm guessing it's the extra wood on the back of the headstock producing the rather nice "thumb-to-index-finger-curved" ridge just above the nut-line? Is that right?
Exactly it