Skip to main content
Music Radar MusicRadar The No.1 website for musicians
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Guitar Amps
  • Plugin Week 25
  • Guitar Pedals
  • Synths
  • Guitars
  • Artist news
  • Keyboards & Pianos
  • Controllers
  • Software & Apps
  • Drums
  • More
    • Recording
    • DJ Gear
    • Acoustic Guitars
    • Bass Guitars
    • Tech
    • Tutorials
    • Reviews
    • Buying Guides
    • About Us
More
  • Plugin Week A-Z
  • You Oughta Know
  • Fake AI band
  • 95k+ free music samples
  • Wrecking Crew
Recommended reading
Epiphone goes high-end with its Inspired By Gibson Custom 2025 collection: [from left] the '63 Firebird in Polaris White is joined by a 1959 Les Paul Standard, a '64 SG Standard, a 1960 Les Paul Special in TV Yellow and a 1962 ES-335 reissue.
Guitars Epiphone expands and upgrades Inspired By Gibson Custom range with 8 stunning "reissue" electrics
Kiesel Kyber: the all-new electric guitar from the Californian high-performance brand is a bold double-cut with some extreme contouring and a radical headstock design.
Guitars Kiesel debuts the Kyber – a radically contoured and super lightweight electric that screams shred
Jackson Pro Plus Pure Metal Series: the new limited range strips the Soloist, Rhoads and Kelly down with a single Fishman bridge humbucker, Floyd Rose and black finishes as standard
Guitars Jackson unveils stripped down single-pickup shred classics in ltd edition Pro Plus Pure Metal range
The Gibson Les Paul Music City Special – 50th Anniversary is a limited edition hybrid that combines the old Marauder and Music City Junior, and offers them in wine, tobacco sunburst and ebony finishes.
Guitars Gibson celebrates 50 years in Nashville with limited run twist on a cult electric played by KISS
Harley Benton ST-80FR
Guitars Harley Benton erupts with '80s shred fever as it launches the Floyd-equipped ST-80FR Series S-styles
Jackson X and JS Series Surfcasters: the long-awaited offset electric guitar is now being offered in white, satin black and metallic black, and and at the entry-level JS price point and the mid-priced X Series.
Guitars “A bold new take on a classic metal machine”: Having ridden the wave of popular demand, Jackson’s Surfcaster offset has landed – and it’s built for speed
Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom 1960 Les Paul Special Double Cut Reissue TV Yellow
Electric Guitars Epiphone Inspired by Gibson Custom 1960 Les Paul Special Double Cut Reissue TV Yellow review
  1. Guitars
  2. Bass Guitars

Epiphone introduces Ltd Ed Korina Flying V, Explorer and Explorer Bass guitars

News
By Michael Astley-Brown published 9 November 2016

Lightweight new models pack classic looks and tones

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Introduction

Introduction

Epiphone has announced three tasty-looking additions to its limited-edition line: the Korina Flying V, Explorer and Explorer Bass.

All three guitars promise rich tone and light weight from the korina bodies, while Epi’s Alnico Classic humbuckers are aboard the guitars and XR XT humbuckers feature on the Explorer Bass.

As with Epi’s recent koa Les Paul Custom and Wildkat models, we like the look of these. A lot. It’s a shame the Explorer doesn’t have a white pickguard for total Edge vibes, but hey, you can’t have everything.

The trio is up for sale exclusively at American Musical for $549 apiece in the US, but should hit stores around the rest of the world soon. Read on for the full skinny from Epiphone itself…

Page 1 of 4
Page 1 of 4
Epiphone Ltd Ed Korina Flying V

Epiphone Ltd Ed Korina Flying V

PRESS RELEASE: The Flying-V electric guitar was first released in a very limited run in the late 1950s and today original Flying-Vs are some of the most expensive instruments on the vintage market. Now, Epiphone introduces the legendary Flying-V profile to a new generation featuring an all Korina (also known as African Limba) body with modern hardware and superb vintage voiced Alnico Classic Humbuckers.

The Ltd. Ed. Korina Flying-V is made from solid Korina and finished in Antique Natural. Featuring a "1960's" SlimTaper D-Profile neck with a 24.75" scale and the Flying V's trademark "V" headstock. The Korina Flying-V is powered by an Alnico Classic humbucker in the neck position and an overwound, slightly hotter Alnico Classic Plus in the bridge position. Alnico Classics are similar in tone to the "PAF-style" humbuckers found in rare vintage Flying Vs and Les Paul Standards, and are made with Alnico-V magnets for a higher output with enhanced mids and highs.

Hardware includes a gold solid nickel LockTone Tune-o-matic bridge and traditional Flying-V style String-Thru Body "V" metal plate along with an Epiphone all-metal non-rotating ¼” jack.

Page 2 of 4
Page 2 of 4
Epiphone Ltd Ed Korina Explorer

Epiphone Ltd Ed Korina Explorer

PRESS RELEASE: The original line of Explorer electric guitars were also released in a limited run in the late 50s and like the Flying V, the Explorer was one of the more radical designs of its time. Embraced by classic rock and metal fans, the Explorer remains one of the most popular and coveted designs in Gibson and Epiphone's long history.

The new Ltd. Ed. Korina Explorer is made from solid Korina and finished in Antique Natural. The neck has a classic "1960's" SlimTaper D-Profile, a 24.75" scale, and features the Explorer's trademark headstock with a 60s era "Epiphone" script logo.

The Ltd. Ed. Korina Explorer is powered by an Alnico Classic in the neck position and an overwound Alnico Classic Plus in the bridge position. Controls include individual volume controls for each pickup and a master tone, all with vintage-style Black "Top Hat" knobs.

The Explorer's gold hardware includes legendary Grover Mini-Rotomatic machine heads with a 14:1 ratio for fast and reliable tuning and a LockTone Tune-o-matic bridge and StopBar tailpiece.

Page 3 of 4
Page 3 of 4
Epiphone Ltd Ed Korina Explorer Bass

Epiphone Ltd Ed Korina Explorer Bass

PRESS RELEASE: As a complement to the Epiphone Explorer, check out the one-of-a-kind Ltd. Ed. Korina Explorer Bass which features Epiphone XR and XT humbuckers carefully wound to reveal the full tonal range of the Korina body.

XR and XT humbuckers offer bassists exceptional power and range making the new Korina Explorer bass one of the most versatile electric basses on the market today.

Controls include individual volume pots for each pickup and a master tone, all with vintage-style Black "Top Hat" knobs. Hardware includes an Epiphone fully-adjustable flush mounted bridge and tailpiece combo along with an Epiphone all-metal non-rotating ¼” jack along with Epiphone Premium die-cast machine heads and gold hardware.

Page 4 of 4
Page 4 of 4
Michael Astley-Brown
Michael Astley-Brown
Social Links Navigation

Mike is Editor-in-Chief of GuitarWorld.com, in addition to being an offset fiend and recovering pedal addict. He has a master's degree in journalism, and has spent the past decade writing and editing for guitar publications including MusicRadar, Total Guitar and Guitarist, as well as a decade-and-a-half performing in bands of variable genre (and quality). In his free time, you'll find him making progressive instrumental rock under the nom de plume Maebe.

Read more
Epiphone goes high-end with its Inspired By Gibson Custom 2025 collection: [from left] the '63 Firebird in Polaris White is joined by a 1959 Les Paul Standard, a '64 SG Standard, a 1960 Les Paul Special in TV Yellow and a 1962 ES-335 reissue.
Epiphone expands and upgrades Inspired By Gibson Custom range with 8 stunning "reissue" electrics
Kiesel Kyber: the all-new electric guitar from the Californian high-performance brand is a bold double-cut with some extreme contouring and a radical headstock design.
Kiesel debuts the Kyber – a radically contoured and super lightweight electric that screams shred
Jackson Pro Plus Pure Metal Series: the new limited range strips the Soloist, Rhoads and Kelly down with a single Fishman bridge humbucker, Floyd Rose and black finishes as standard
Jackson unveils stripped down single-pickup shred classics in ltd edition Pro Plus Pure Metal range
The Gibson Les Paul Music City Special – 50th Anniversary is a limited edition hybrid that combines the old Marauder and Music City Junior, and offers them in wine, tobacco sunburst and ebony finishes.
Gibson celebrates 50 years in Nashville with limited run twist on a cult electric played by KISS
Harley Benton ST-80FR
Harley Benton erupts with '80s shred fever as it launches the Floyd-equipped ST-80FR Series S-styles
Jackson X and JS Series Surfcasters: the long-awaited offset electric guitar is now being offered in white, satin black and metallic black, and and at the entry-level JS price point and the mid-priced X Series.
“A bold new take on a classic metal machine”: Having ridden the wave of popular demand, Jackson’s Surfcaster offset has landed – and it’s built for speed
Latest in Bass Guitars
Darkglass Electronics Kaamos: this high-end twofer is a hard-working addition to any bass player's pedalboard, and features a comprehensive suite of controls.
“A versatile overdrive and a high-quality octaver – two pedalboard mainstays in one box”: Darkglass Electronics Kaamos review
Ernie Ball Music Man Pino Palladino StingRay: the bass legend's new signature model is offered fretted or fretless, and in a deep and luxurious 79 Burst finish.
Pino Palladino teams up with EBMM for a signature StingRay inspired by the bass that started it all
MXR MB301 Bass Synth: the six-knob pedal is pictured in use against a petrol-blue background.
“Thunderous sub-octave, expressive envelope, and lush modulation effects with killer tracking and sustain”: MXR unveils the MB301 Bass Synth – instant funk for your pedalboard
Carol Kaye, 1966
Wrecking Crew director explains how the group of LA’s elite session musicians got their name
Carol Kaye, 1966
Bassist Carol Kaye on why she’s “turning down” her Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction invitation
I Wanna be Your Man: The Bootleg Beatles are after a new Paul McCartney
Latest in News
Ringo Starr
Ringo Starr names his proudest moment in The Beatles
beyonce album cover
Beyonce takes to a flying golden stallion on her last few Cowboy Carter dates
Billy Joel
Billy Joel reveals the classical music origins of one of his biggest hits
Exodus Gary Holt
"It might have been like 12 people there”: Exodus’ Gary Holt pulls zero punches in his new autobiography
blur and oasis
“I am happy to accept and concede defeat”: Damon Albarn just admitted that Oasis won
Jeff Lynne ELO
"Jeff is devastated": ELO's last ever mega-gig plunged into jeopardy after last-minute cancellation of last night's Manchester show

MusicRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

  • About Us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Careers

© Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...