Kalamazoo Spec
Kalamazoo Spec
Handcrafted Guitars by Echopark.
Officially licensed by Gibson.
Handcrafted Guitars by Echopark.
Officially licensed by Gibson.
Gabriel Currie Established Echopark Guitars in 2008 personally hand-making instruments for players like Aerosmith’s Joe Perry, Jackson Browne, Charlie Starr, Josh Homme, Joe Bonamassa, David Catching, Larry McCray, Dean Fertita, Jimmy Vivino and many more. In November 2016, Currie was drawn to relocate from Los Angeles to Detroit, just hours away from Gibson’s birthplace in Kalamazoo. “Everything that is perfect about the instrument had already been developed long before any of us got here!” he says. “My goal is to help preserve this legacy and take part in building inspiring instruments."
The Flying V made its ambitious debut in 1958, capturing the "retro-future" spirit of the times, but sold fewer than 100 in its first two years. After a brief rebirth in the late '60s, thanks to iconic rock and blues legends adopting the guitar as a tool for performing and recording some of the greatest guitar tones ever produced in history.
Maybe they were too unique or too fancy for the era,Dating back to 65' the last great era of instrument design in Kalamazoo Michigan, Famed car designer Ray Dietrich took on the lines of mid-50s car tailfins, the more standard double-cutaway design with the bass horn being longer than the treble horn and the headstock having the tuners mounted on the treble side that also features a much more resonant Full tenon ("set") neck rather than the old neck-through construction.
The Flying V made its ambitious debut in 1958, capturing the "retro-future" spirit of the times, but sold fewer than 100 in its first two years. After a brief rebirth in the late '60s, thanks to iconic rock and blues legends adopting the guitar as a tool for performing and recording some of the greatest guitar tones ever produced in history.
Originally conceived as the Futura in the 1958 Futuristic Series, the Explorer debuted alongside the Flying V and the mythical "Moderne." This creation found its home early on with southern rock and blues icons and has etched a tonal footprint in American rock and blues, world over, to this day.
Maybe they were too unique or too fancy for the era. Dating back to 65' the last great era of instrument design in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Moderne aka La FuturinaTwo classic, late '50s Gibsons meet in this re imagined hybrid, dubbed "La Futurina."
More Models Coming Soon...
Charlie Starr
Blackberry Smoke
"Guitars are like snowflakes. No two are ever the same, not even if they're the same make and model. I was listening to mixes of a new Blackberry Smoke live album in which a whole heap of guitars were played. When we came to the songs on which the Echopark 58 Albert was played, everyone in the room (including the drummer) said that's the best sounding guitar on the recording...nuff said. God bless you, Gabriel."
Jimmy Vivino
The Basic Cable Band, Legendary Recording Artist
"My Albert feels like it's the first V every made. Like a 1957 prototype one of a kind made from hand chosen vintage Korina and hand crafted like a piece of fine art. Light as a feather and stings like a bee... like a King Bee or Queen Bee depending on how you squeeze the notes out."
Richard Fortus
Guns n' Roses
"My Echopark 58 Albert V is not only the most beautiful V I've ever seen, it is one of the best sounding guitars I've ever come in contact with. It's an amazing work of art that makes me smile, every time I pick it up. It just doesn't get any better. It's perfect in every way."
David Catching
EAGLES OF DEATHMETAL, MOJAVE LORDS, EARTHLINGS, RANCHO DE LA LUNA
"There has never been a greater Flying V built than my beloved Echopark V by Gabriel Currie. None sound better or play easier. It is quite literally the best ever made."
Mark Chatfield
The Silver Bullet Band
"What can I say? As a collector and ex-vintage guitar dealer, I’ve owned my share of Gibson, Hamer, Dean and boutique made Explorers. I can’t remember feeling as attached to any as much as this one (from the minute I picked it up)! It’s just everything a guitar should be. Perfect fit & finish, lightweight, perfectly balanced, great playability & sounds incredible! (It's the best sounding guitar I have on the road). I couldn’t be happier, (especially when my boss, Bob Seger) turned to me one night before we walked on stage and said “I love that guitar!" Me too! Thanks Gabe!"
The Explorer body shape®, Explorer headstock®, Flying V body shape® and Flying V headstock® are trademarks of Gibson Brands and are used under license. All Rights Reserved.