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
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The Gibson Moderne remains the undisputed biggest mystery in the history of guitar. To what extent did the original exist? Designs? Prototypes? Unused parts? Production models? In the upcoming June issue of Premier Guitar (watch for it online next week), we take a deeper look into the mystery, and into the differing theories behind the existence of the original. Until then, we're looking at some of the Modernes that unquestionably existed -- reissues, knock-offs and custom builds that pay tribute to the enigma that is the Moderne.

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Comments

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UsernameComment
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.
Joe
on 07/16/2009 		Wasn't there a Futura on display with no knobs at the 1957 or 58 NAMM show? There is a picture of some Gibson executives holding it.
Joe
on 07/16/2009 		I think it is better to NOT re-make the Moderne , the the few that are here will be THEE Modernes. Thus making these very collectible in the future . I own one all original with case along with Korina Futuras, Explorer & V.
tony lalor
on 07/09/2009 		Just Watched a new documentary concert called VH1 Storytellers ZZ Top, Billy Gibbons uses his Moderne for 2 songs, it has the odd shaped headstock like the diagrams, sounds good too !



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