DeLago Model V — Aged White Korina

In 1958 Gibson put the Flying V on the market — a guitar so far ahead of its time that it flopped completely. A few decades later those same instruments are among the most sought-after and expensive guitars in the world. And that wasn't only down to the shape, but above all to one particular tonewood: korina (black/white limba).

DeLago Guitars of Wuppertal build in small numbers by hand, and with the Model V they've taken on exactly that chapter of guitar history. The body is white korina — limba, botanically speaking — and anyone who has played a korina guitar knows why legends have grown around this wood. Korina is light, extremely resonant and gives an open, singing core tone with massive sustain. Add to that the characteristic grain, which comes into its own under a transparent finish. The ageing supplies the vintage feel and is simply superbly done here. Anyone who has handled an original instrument from that era will award top marks.

Playing a V is its own business. Sitting down it takes some getting used to; standing on a strap it's hard to beat. Access to the top frets is effectively unlimited, the instrument sits balanced against you, and the stage presence needs no discussion.

Sound-wise, you get the best of both worlds. The korina body delivers the openness and the overtones a mahogany guitar could never manage, while the solid construction provides push and a sustain where the note fades out rather than stops. Bell-clear cleans, creamy blues crunch, carrying rock tones — all of it is there. And the matching Amber Spirit of '59 PAFs play their part in this very successful piece of work.

A striking, handmade instrument from Ede's Private Stock.