Fitz

Hi Sheepdog, I am not claiming it is a custom shop edition. And i believe the guitar is genuine. Reasons you claim this is fake 1. Should not have gold hardware 2. No markings on the tuners 3. You cant see made in usa 4. Hardware is not 24k gold 5. No 83 heritage vs were painted from the factory. 6. Does not appear to be nitro. Wow, for someone to admit you have far lass knowledge about the Korina '83 V's, you certainly seem to have a strong feeling that this is a forgery. I purchased this guitar in the late 90s from vintage and rare guitars in London. I gigged with it for years and have put it into retirement. I have toyed with the idea of selling it over the years. 1. Any of heritage Vs I see on reverb all have gold plated hardware. Not solid gold which I think you suggest Gibson put on the CSE 83s like your explorer. No I dont think its solid gold. I think It is base metal and gold plating. 2. You are correct, there are no markings on the tuners. However I had a look at other Vs of the time and they all must be fake. Look at the tuners here Gibson Flying V Heritage Birdseye Korina Reissue 1981-1983 | Reverb UK 3. I admit the photos i took years ago are not great quality, but if you look you can just make out the made in usa. I am going to take some better photos. 4. Its gold plate. Not solid gold 5. This one was. It is factory black. 6. Why is the finish checking then. It most certainly is a nitro finish.

Hey Eric, I was looking online and saw my old post from years ago. That's crazy. I still have the guitar. It made its way to Northern Ireland.

No I bought it years ago in 98 was thinking of selling

where would be the best place to sell this guitar

Thanks

how do you date the pots is it the same as the last 3 numbers on the pickups?

Gibson Europe have got back to me and confirmed it is a Heritage Flying V but said the following "The serial number would place the guitar around 1982 I think (the serial number is sequential and therefore difficult to date exactly), but I cannot confirm that there were only 20 made; we don’t have this info available as it’s considered as confidential information." A helpful guy, here on the forum and works at Gibson, replied the following This does indeed appear to be a Flying V Heritage model, likely made in 1983. From what I was able to find, this was only shown on the Gibson price list from 1981-1983 and only came with Korina woods. We have no records of production totals from this time, but there were likely more than 20 made in Ebony finish between 1981-1983. This is all great help but I emailed the guy from http://www.flying-v.ch/ and am hoping he might shed some light on it

The tan thing is to connect the strap. It came with the guitar when I bought it So I have just left it on

Post more pics. Get a Photobucket or Flickr account, upload pics to that account. You can then post links here. Will do thanks for your help

I've been in touch with the service department from Gibson. Just waiting to see if they can shed any light on this.

is this a bigger photo

Hi That guitar is lovely looking. I always wanted the natural. But I think it might be a 81 because the A although Im not 100% sure on that. It would be interesting if you looked under one of the pick ups to see. I took a look under the bridge pickup and the number is 154683 so that should be june 83 but the guitar s/n is G 012. Which I've been told is a 1984 number. I have also been told that its probably Mahogany and NOT korina, which would make sense to paint it black and not leave it natural. The person that told me this said the way to check if its mahogany or korina is to check under the pickups. So i did. Would you know if this is mahogany or korina?? Thanks for getting back to me

Hi I am new to this forum. I have a Heritage black flying v from 1982/3. I am trying to find out more info on this guitar and when I check the internet I can't get the info I am looking. I had been looking for a korina flying v for so long. I was searching magazines and phoning vintage shops in London and eventually I found one. "1982, factory black, gold hardware, very good condition and excellent tone" the guy said on the phone. "Original case and it is one of twenty they made in black." I told him it sounded good but what I really wanted was a Natural korina 82 v and not really the black. He sent some photos to me in the mail and I had a chance to look at the guitar. I left it for another month or so but still couldn't find the v I wanted. They seem so hard to find so I called the guy and they still had it and afew days later my "new" 1982 korina flying v arrived. What a guitar! Stunning! Now, the guitar had been used, afew dings but they add to the character. I just found myself staring at the guitar, she is so alluring. The serial number also gave more credibility to the wiff of BS 1/20 I was told by the salesman trying to make a sale. G 012 Painted on the back of the headstock and made in USA stamped. I have trawled the internet looking for anything to back up this one of twenty story. 1981 to 1983 Heritage Flying V's The guitars have an inked serial number preceeded by a letter Serial Number Annn 1981 Bnnn 1981 - 1982 Cnnn 1982 - 1983 Dnnn 1983 It goes on to say that in 81 on red and natural were made 83 nat red blk and white. so is mine an 83 because in 84 only white was available. (http://www.flying-v.ch/numbers/numbers.html) Any help would be great. Thanks for reading