Ten Flying V Guitars Designed With Leo Scala Kick-Off Gibson’s Master Artisan Collection Featuring Collaborations Between Gibson Custom Shop and Renowned Luthiers Across the Globe
NASHVILLE, TN (April 5, 2022) The new Master Artisan Collection from Gibson features the iconic instrument brand collaborating with renowned luthiers across the globe for one-of-a-kind guitar collections. Every new series in the Master Artisan Collection will feature instruments and accessories that are custom designed and built to be the pinnacle of craftsmanship, authentically Gibson Custom Shop, and extraordinarily rare.
Gibson Custom Shop is proud to launch of the new Master Artisan Collection with the Leo Scala Super ‘58 Flying V’s, its first collaboration with Los Angeles based luthier Leo Scala, the founder of Scala Guitars and one of the world’s foremost guitar makers. During his three decade career, Leo has established an enviable reputation for his unique creativity and impeccable craftsmanship, in addition to his passion for Gibson instruments.
Above: Front and Back of the Leo Scala Super ’58 Flying V - The Seraph
The ultra-rare and desirable Gibson Master Artisan Collection feat. Leo Scala consists of ten, one-of-a-kind, Flying V style guitars with Korina bodies and necks, Brazilian rosewood fretboards, hand-wound pickups, and painstaking detailed and finish work. Each Leo Scala Super ‘58 Flying V is like no other guitar in existence and is designed to be enjoyed for a lifetime. All guitars come with a custom hard case with plush ruby interior and a Certificate of Authenticity with Leo’s signature. The new Gibson Master Artisan Collection is only available directly from the Gibson Garage in Nashville, TN.
Above: The Seraph available in Custom Metal with a double pickguard.
“When I build a guitar, I am not building a guitar,” says Leo Scala. “I’m first building a knob. Then I’m winding the pickup. I’m 100% dialed into each and every one of those details. I build a whole lot of different little things. The guitar is just a place where everything comes together.”
The Leo Scala Seraph is made with over-the-top originality, to stand above the rest, with a metal double pickguard, engraved with the art deco likeness of a 1937 Pontiac hood ornament. Only one model.
Above, Top to Bottom: The 777, The Hybrid, and the Custom Classic. All available in Black, White, and Custom Metal.
The Leo Scala 777 includes a Bigsby B7 vibrato tailpiece like performer Lonnie Mack installed on his “Number 7” Flying V. Meanwhile, the Leo Scala Hybrid includes added brass stoptails to the V-Plate allowing for alternate stringings. Lastly, the Leo Scala Classic Custom guitars are the closest to the original 1958 specifications.
Though his guitars have the visual impact of sculpture, the looks are never the most important thing to Scala. “It’s always the sound,” he adds. “It can be extremely flashy, but if you pick it up and it doesn’t do its own thing, then you just missed the whole point. It’s not art that should be hanging on a wall; it’s a performing piece of art. That’s what this collection represents, and I feel honored to be asked to contribute to an iconic legacy.”
Explore the Gibson Master Artisan Collection feat. Leo Scala on Gibson.com.
For more on Leo Scala:
https://scalaguitars.com/
https://facebook.com/scalaguitars?fref=ts
