June 2009 \ Features \ Gallery: Gibson Moderne Through the Ages

Gallery: Gibson Moderne Through the Ages

Rebecca Dirks

Tracing the evolution of the guitar world's biggest mystery: the Moderne
Premier Guitar June 2009
(2 of 18)



In 1957, Ted McCarty applied for patents on the designs of the Explorer, Flying V and Moderne. The patent was issued in 1958 with this drawing, and the rest is (incredibly murky) history. Check out our June issue next week for our investigation into the Gibson Moderne.

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Comments

 (46 comments) display by
UsernameComment
Ed
on 02/05/2013 		I saw a pic from the 1958 NAMM show in Guitar Player in the 70's. I think the show was in Cleveland. It had a clear pic of people with a Moderne (Futura?), but it had no pickups or no knobs or something, it has been a long time. If Gibson did not have a functioning guitar to show at the most important trade show in the US, then probably none were made. Did they make any bodies? At least one.....
Ronald LynnWood
on 11/10/2012 		If anyone wants to share their Moderne serial numbers and backs of the headstock for my collection, please email me: stornk at yahoo dot com
Desiree Lowman
on 10/23/2012 		My name is Desiree Lowman, I am the webmaster for www.wronashouseofguitars.com. In early 2012 an extensive rebuild was done on the web site, and frames were removed. I just did more work on it, and Glen Miller, referenced here, http://www.premierguitar.com/Magaz ine/Issue/2009/Jun/Gallery_Gibson_Modern e_Through_the_Ages.aspx?Page=16, was very sincere in his concern I retain all references to your site. On that page, and others possibly, you link back to us on a page that is no longer in existance, www.wronashouseofguitars.com/body_glen.h tml. It should now be http://wronashouseofviolins.com/glen_mil ler.html. Sadly I can not build a redirect on the site, it's hosting does not allow it. Thank You for your help. desirevie@roadrunner.com
Bill
on 12/08/2011 		Easy guitar to play sitting down! Tuck the small end against your right thigh and you can play comfortably for hours. Flying V works the same way, but the wings are evenly spaced. Great tone from all that wood mass. Mine is by a Candian company called Logical. Terrific axe and wildly different than the usual LP, Strat, 335!
Jeff Promo
on 12/07/2011 		I own Moderne serial# c-007. Purchased it new from Gus Zoppi Music in '87. It is STILL virtually NEW, and still has plastic on pickguard and control cover plate! Definitely NOT a players' guitar! TOO many angles and protrusions make it a DANGEROUS weapon to bandmates on small stages, doesn't hang well from strap, can't play it sitting down. Plus side is, it DOES sound great, (kinda loud), and is a great and UNIQUE collectible. Would LOVE to have mint examples in each color produced, as well as mint Flying V's and Explorers, to make a set.
Al Romano
on 11/26/2011 		I played the Moderne before anyone. I had more of them than anyone also. at one time I actually had 30 originals. I have 1 white one now which is the one I used on the my 1995 Sun Red Sun cd recordings. I had another white one which i used for the Sun Red Sun cover. I threw the Moderne in the air on the back cover. That cover guitar is in Hard Rock cafe. but the one i recoded with s/d E-027 is my main one Ive used. I put original PAF pickups from the late 1950s in it. Led Zeppelin Jeff beck producer Lief Mases said my Modern sounded better than a burst. Its a great sounding guitar I will be buried with It when I die.
GregC
on 11/20/2010 		I have a Moderne I bought new from Gruhn in 1986. Identifying number on back of headstock is H 058.
Randy
on 11/02/2009 		Check out Pearl Jam on youtube on Halloween 2009. Mike McCready can be seen playing a Gibson Moderne. Looks towards the end of this linked video for some good views. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e 0MtvJZU920
Stan
on 10/07/2009 		I just saw a youtube video of an interview with Rick Neilsen of Cheap Trick circa 1985 There is a Moderne in back ground and he even mentions that it is a Moderne and is exrtremely rare.
81 Firebird PHX
on 09/24/2009 		That black and white photo of Billy Gibbons' Moderne with the Les Paul headstock looks just like the Ed Roman Guyitars copy, right down to the pickguard swoops. It's on his Abstract Page or just do a search on Gumby. He was selling then for $3K until Gibson made him discontinue.



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