If I didn't know better, I would swear this guitar was the "real deal." It's kinda like going out with your supermodel girlfriend only to realize later you became a circus sideshow freak on a talk show because you inadvertently grabbed a hold of a tree trunk. But, in this case, you won't need a shrink or find yourself on Montell, exacting revenge. This guitar is a true Gibson. This super sexy Flying V started its existence as a 2001 Historic, but as in life, or a guitarist's life anyway, we like our new guitars old, 'cuz we just can't give up a kidney or auction off our wives game- worn panties on eBay (I think they passed laws against that.) This baby right here went through a transformational phase. The fretboard on this guitar is actually the fretboard from a 1958 Les Paul Junior and that means it's real, old Brazilian rosewood. The finish and fretboard replacement was, in fact performed to vintage specs by master luthier Terry Mueller and the incredible aging job by the world- renowned luthier Dave Johnson. You know, if a fake Mona Lisa can hang in the Louvre, be patronized by over 6 million people a year and touted as the real deal, so too can this guitar be to your friends. When they say, " Man, that must have cost you a fortune.", you can go, "Why yes it did." and tell 'em that your dividend checks came in on pork bellies, or maybe it was your speculation on the winter crops and your sale of orange juice futures that afforded you such luxuries. Whatever it may be, I'm here to tell all of y'all that this guitar is as to a real '59 as Milli Vanilli was to Pop music but in this case, this guitar can deliver the mail. As always, thank all of you for taking time to spend with Ray and I. I realize our stories are a bit kooky at times, but in the true spirit of Rock-n-Roll, we try our best to be original, just like you- our loyal family members.