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Conference napalm::guitar

Title:GUITARnotes - Where Every Note has Emotion
Notice:Discussion of the finer stringed instruments
Moderator:KDX200::COOPER
Created:Thu Aug 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3280
Total number of notes:61432

1543.0. "The Gibson Moderne" by AQUA::ROST (Chickens don't take the day off) Mon Oct 30 1989 10:41

    Of all the solid-body guitars built by Gibson, perhaps the rarest is the
    Gibson Moderne.  The Moderne was one of three guitars with radical
    body shapes built by Gibson in the late fifties, the others being the
    Explorer and Flying V.  Unlike the other two, the Moderne never went
    into production.  While a number of prototypes were apparently built,
    one reference book, Tom Wheeler's "The Guitar Book" claims *none* of
    these instruments have ever been found.  
    
    Wheeler's book shows a picture of a fake Moderne that is owned by a
    Japanese collector.  It was cobbled together from parts (probably from
    Vs and Explorers) in order to appear authentic.  One dead giveaway is
    that it has a traditional Gibson headstock, unlike the patent drawings
    which show a sort of upside-down triangular headstock.
    
    You can imagine my shock when I was in NYC back in the early eighties
    and saw a Moderne in the window at Manny's....then saw another in
    another store!!!  Apparently, Gibson did a brief reissue (obviously in
    small numbers) in the early eighties.
    
    Has anyone else seen one of these, original or reissue?  Has anyone
    seen anybody *playing* one?
    
    						Brian
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1543.1RARE=$$$$USRCV1::REAUMESupreme Court- Syracuse HoopMon Oct 30 1989 13:4713
      Yup, I've seen one about the same time, early eighties. This was
    at the House of Guitars in Rochester, NY. This place has all sorts
    of obscure guitars all over the joint. They sometimes aren't very
    neat about how they are displayed. You'll see a case full of Les
    Pauls leaning up against each other. Makes it tricky getting one
    out. They must have over a thousand guitars, no sh*t. 
      Among those off the wall pieces I did spot a Gibson Moderne!
    I also have seen the Tom Wheeler book as well as a "rare bird"
    article in GP showing the patent drawing of the guitar. So I knew
    what I was looking at. It had a Gibson tag on it and looked brand
    new so it had to be a reissue. I should've inquired as to the price.
    I'll bet there are still some out there. I might call around then
    post a note.
1543.2FWIWIOSG::CREASYNobody's perfectMon Oct 30 1989 16:005
    I remember seeing a few of the reissue Modernes... they appeared to be
    quite common over here in the UK. The price tag was about comparable
    with a new V or Explorer at the time.
    
    Nick
1543.3RAINBO::WEBERMon Oct 30 1989 16:4316
    The Moderne "reissue" (they never issued them in the first place) was
    based on the sketches you've seen published, including the strange
    stringing on the headstock. It came in two flavors, one with mahagony
    with standard finishes, one in Korina. Gibson introduced this with much
    fanfare, and it bombed rather nicely. There are dealers who still have
    these in stock new, never sold.
    
    They generally go for about $600-800, maybe a little more for Korina.
    There is not a big market for them, yet. Maybe in five years. Maybe
    not.
    
    An original one, if it really exists ,which I doubt , would probably
    get you $100k in Japan.
    
    Danny W.
    
1543.4I found one! not cheapUSRCV1::REAUMESupreme Court- Syracuse HoopMon Oct 30 1989 17:1813
      
       It didn't take long. I found a place that has two of these 
    reissues in stock. Because of its uniqueness they will only sell
    one. The one available is Korina wood and comes with the original
    case ( because of the weird shape probably ). The first price I
    was given : $2000! Keep in mind that I called specifically looking
    for this guitar. If I was just wandering around the store and had
    been a little less specific I would probably get a better price.
    They probably figured I was a collector willing to pay the big
    bucks. If someone's interested or just eccentric drop me a message.
    						
    						john r.
    						
1543.5KnihtUSRCV1::REAUMESupreme Court- Syracuse HoopTue Oct 31 1989 13:426
      Stupido! I forgot to add that there were 200 of these reissues
    made according to Gibson. Anyone interested in an investment?
      The same place also has the Gibson map guitar. The body is the shape
    of the United States map. No the headstock isn't shaped like Alaska!
    Gibson made these when they started their Gibson USA sales campaign
    aimed at Japanese imports.
1543.6facts stranger than fiction !VIKING::JACQUESTue Oct 31 1989 17:368
    
    National also made a "map" guitar. These have been covered in Teisco 
    Del Rey's "off the wall" column.  The body on these guitars was made 
    of plastic.  Perhaps the strangest looking body shape I've ever seen 
    was a potato-shaped guitar custom made by Ibanez for the guitarist in 
    "Devo" (Whip it good !).
    
    Mark         
1543.7I could spend hours in the HOG, and do.MISFIT::KINNEYDThey say, time loves a heroWed Nov 01 1989 17:427
    I've seen the Moderne you saw at the HOG. I was wondering if it was and
    authentic Gibson issue or someones basement version. Looked to be in 
    beautiful shape. The HOG has many bizzzzarre shaped guits. Like the one
    tha is shaped and painted like a .38 revolver. I guess you have to have
    a certain something to play an ax like that! 
    
    D. Kinney
1543.8buy em' while they're cheapRAINBO::WEBERWed Nov 29 1989 11:4013
    If anyone is really thinking of buying a Moderne, Gruhn has two of them
    on his current list, for $800 and $900.
    
    Better yet, call Paul Schein at Washington Music (301-946-8808),
    mention my name, and he'll sell you a new one (or 6 of them,
    for that matter) at dealer cost:
    
    $685 w/case, includes continental US shipping!!!
    
    Disclaimer: I get nothing from this, except I'd hate to see anyone pay
    $2000 for a guitar that dealers still have in unsold inventory
    
    Danny W.