0:20 The Moderne Intro 1:05 - Gibson's 1957 'Futuristic' Designs 2:37 - The Heritage Series - Birth of the Moderne 4:14 - How Does It Play? 5:54 - Tuning Stability? 7:18 - Other Specs/Info 8:46 - Why Only 3 Knobs? 9:56 - Serial #'s 11:36 - Black Demo 13:21 - White Demo 14:31 - Natural Demo 16:54 - Natural Condition 19:27 - Black Condition 21:13 - White Condition 24:41 - Blacklight Tests 26:24 - Original Cases.
Hey man. When you were trying to distinguish what the trussrod cover looks like I immediately identified it as rocket shaped. Which makes sense coming out in the 50's.
The moderne is V's cousin who came from out of town. No one liked him, but he ended up hooking up with a local girl who he would later fall in love with and marry. They would later hear mention of his name, but no one really remembered his face, significance, and above all else why they'd remember him to begin with.
For Historys Sake: 'am original owner of #F 028 - presently "not really for sale" in a glass case at a friend's guitar shop - - - he tells me a few young dudes have actually fallen to their knees going "we are not worthy" - While others HATE it. It's my BIG SHOW bird & amazingly versatile . . .
bear in mind that I come from the early 80s punk era.. but that said i LOVE these Guitars. Great tones and can handle all type of music, excellent play-abillity total upper fret access, and unforgettable looks, I I've had club owners ask our agent for our band by saying "send me that band with that guy who plays the weird looking guitar" The Gibson Moderne is a truly performance oriented Model. when they were new, they were only 899.00 , nearly half the price of a Paul, with none of the weight.
Great video! I’ve got a Gibson Moderne Heritage Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1982), made in Nashville, TN. Serial # E 083 - antique natural lacquer finish, Korina body and neck, rosewood fingerboard, with original brown tolex Guitar case. Its my most prized possession 👍
The body shape is weird, but cool at the same time. The gumby headstock is really off putting. Like I mentioned on the last video you had these in, the hockeystick headstock would have made it look cooler IMHO. Great info on these as usual Austin. Maybe this guitar is where the inventor of the string butler got their idea? God bless bro. 😎🎸
Great video! Back in the 80's I owned a korina wood moderne made by Ibanez. The best playing guitar I had. I passed it down to a family member while on hiatus from playing. Will have to inquire about it. Maybe find some pictures. Thanks for all your work.
I am interestingly attracted to the Candy Apple Red Moderne... More interesting by far than a “V”, more ‘50s’ than Explorer... an oddity and cool... It would be fun to have one.. I like it!!!!!
I'm hardly a guitar guy, but when I first saw a Moderne it was so different from any other guitar I'd ever seen. I just looked so cool. I can't play for beans, though I tried, and my calluses are long gone. But I've always wanted to know what people think of the Modern as an instrument. Is it balanced? Is it heavy? Is is awkward to hold or play? Are it's components any good? What genre would it be best for? The list goes on.
Mine is serial number G 068, natural. Bought new in Nashville in November, 1982. Lightly played, all original gear, excellent condition. Original case with paperwork and bill of sale from Gibson.
Thank you for the insightful vid here. I mentioned elsewhere i saw a natural finish one but didn't play it. It dawned on me that i quickly did just not plugged in. Aside from my daughter wanting to leave, this Gibson felt and 'sounded' good. I bought a '75 Strat in '76 and didn't plug it in before buying it. SRV said he didn't plug in Number 1 before he bought it, "...I knew. I just knew...". Still wish things were different.
Trogly....dude, i am really starting to fall in love with those Tim Shaw PAFs....they sound insanely good no matter what guitar you demo....i only heard about them in those new fenders...dont know much about the guy, but holy hell he makes a good pick up!!!....rock on my brother!!!
i almost bought a ZW Modern once but i changed my mind last second and bought a Fender Troy Van Leeuwen Jazzmaster instead.. got $100 off it tho so that's cool and all. I'd really wish the explorer had the "Dean like" headstock
The jazzmaster was great but the neck was a bit chunky and the top switch was annoying as heck but other than that it was a beautiful jazzmaster i still wish i had.
If you look carefully at the video, it is pretty clear that the impression mark on the headstock of the white one is the "made in USA" stamp. Dint know if there is simmering more, but made is clearly visible.
I had tried out an Epiphone Moderne in Korina some time last year at the local music store, and I really quite liked it! So light, and it had the Futura headstock with the cutout :-)
Thanks a lot for this very good researched story of the Moderne. I first heard of this guitar while reading Gregoire Herviet's brilliant novel "Vintage". (Oh, how I would love to see that novel to be turned into a movie...) And by the way, kid (sorry for that :) ) You are a ripping good guitarist, with a great tone, phrasing and a feel for the good tunes
I have a custom made Moderne - natural flame maple ,black ebony fretboard with real mother of pearl block inlays. I love it. Everyone asks about it - even non-players. I’ve always thought the shape was cool - very 50’s space-age.
I have three of these I bought new in the 80's along with the Korina V and Explorer. Great guitars and I used mine live quite a bit till the 2000's. The Tim Shaw pickups on these are better than the ones on the Explorer and V for some reason. They are a lot hotter. These really stay in tune.
Had a black one in the mid 80's. Was still new hanging in the music store in 1986. Not sure what retail was but I paid 400.00. Sadly, I sold it a year later.
Question, how do you get your hands on all these amazing Gibsons? Do you buy and sell them? Buy and then quickly return (lol I have thought about buying, recording, then returning but that would lack integrity)? I own two Gibsons (SG, and J45). I am a Gibson player and want a LP so bad but like my others am saving up to someday have one. So did you save up to get yours? Sorry if it is a personal question but how do you afford all this?
I saved when I was in high school and college to buy guitars. Now I buy and sell as a business which then in turn allows me to make these videos. These 3 were brought in by a local fan of the show
Two things. 1) These were not made in Kalamazoo. They were all made in Nashville. 2) There were far more than 143 made. I built 124 of them myself. Including six of the prototypes.
Do you own any guitars you built from your time at Gibson? Always wondered if a builder wanted to buy one could they build it themselves to make sure it was perfect.
Somewhere some place there is lurking an original Moderne it's v hard to imagine Gibson filing a patent and never building some. So when it surfaces,? I'll keep checking Reverb in case
Im getting a Polish ~1980' mass produced copy of this monster, called "Defil Kosmos" from my friend today, to renovate and try go tego some sounds of it. It has a more normal (flying v?) looking headstock and some very strange, probably single coil pickups. Moderne headstock reminds me of the disfigured head "Sloth" dude from Goonies (@_@)
I noticed that it looks very unstable when playing standing … Not a fan of this particular style of guitar, but Explorers and Flying V's are great. I note that the Ibanez Destroyer is also somewhat similar to the Futura ...
Well in Poland in 1980's polish biggest back then guitar brand Defil produced legendary nowdays Defil Kosmos that just look like this guitar :D back when rippofs was okay
Could you try making a video on the Gibson Corvus? I honestly dig the design on that one myself, but I'll probably Neve have a chance to try one myself. I'd love to hear what you think of them!
The backgound music was slightly too loud and I forgot to take it off for the playing demo leaving the video worthless. I deleted it, fixed the issues and reuploaded the video
I definitely think so too, it’s basically the same thing, only on the modernes it’s built into the guitar, and all 3 of them stay in tune just as well as any other guitar I’ve owned.
5551144AT oh no, I haven't heard! I really can't feel good now at all. Howser is the best! Ps: thank you letting me know. I'll of crying in my pillow tonight, truly.
I really like the body look of this guitar, other than the headstock at least. Any body know were to by a cheap modern one of these? Or some sorta replica?
Got my Moderne at Manny's Music in New York in 1985 for $500 bucks. It sat hanging for 3 years in the store as no one liked the design. Got the case for an extra 50 bucks. That was a SCORE!!!
The backgound music was slightly too loud and I forgot to take it off for the playing demo leaving the video worthless. I deleted it, fixed the issues and reuploaded the video
I always said “modern-aye” but if you convert “moderne” from french to English, it’s pronounced “modern” so who knows how it’s supposed to be pronounced haha
0:20 The Moderne Intro
1:05 - Gibson's 1957 'Futuristic' Designs
2:37 - The Heritage Series - Birth of the Moderne
4:14 - How Does It Play?
5:54 - Tuning Stability?
7:18 - Other Specs/Info
8:46 - Why Only 3 Knobs?
9:56 - Serial #'s
11:36 - Black Demo
13:21 - White Demo
14:31 - Natural Demo
16:54 - Natural Condition
19:27 - Black Condition
21:13 - White Condition
24:41 - Blacklight Tests
26:24 - Original Cases.
its pronounced MOH-nair
Hey man. When you were trying to distinguish what the trussrod cover looks like I immediately identified it as rocket shaped. Which makes sense coming out in the 50's.
I realize Im quite randomly asking but does anybody know a good site to watch new series online?
@Anakin Morgan I watch on flixzone. You can find it by googling :)
@Boston Juan yup, have been watching on Flixzone for since april myself =)
The moderne its simply too ugly to hate, I love em :3
No, I pretty much hate it. I puked on my lap from that headstock.
QueeferSutherland You either love it to bits or hate it to gut... sooo :)
It's so ugly that its beautiful. And so unique and rare. I want one. ;_;
I can't help but laugh at it...but for some reason it's growing on me. I think I'll have a bass custom made in its image one day.
I love it!
Headstock looks like Gumby.
Bandit Keith King of Duel Monsters You know, now that you mention it... 😂
Could you never do that again
The moderne is V's cousin who came from out of town. No one liked him, but he ended up hooking up with a local girl who he would later fall in love with and marry. They would later hear mention of his name, but no one really remembered his face, significance, and above all else why they'd remember him to begin with.
For Historys Sake:
'am original owner of #F 028 - presently "not really for sale" in a glass case at a friend's guitar shop - - - he tells me a few young dudes have actually fallen to their knees going "we are not worthy" - While others HATE it.
It's my BIG SHOW bird & amazingly versatile . . .
Where can we see this beauty of yours ?
bear in mind that I come from the early 80s punk era.. but that said i LOVE these Guitars. Great tones and can handle all type of music, excellent play-abillity total upper fret access, and unforgettable looks, I
I've had club owners ask our agent for our band by saying "send me that band with that guy who plays the weird looking guitar"
The Gibson Moderne is a truly performance oriented Model. when they were new, they were only 899.00 , nearly half the price of a Paul, with none of the weight.
It might play well but it's really a butt ugly guitar. Oh boy.
I like the Moderne guitars. Looks great in Korina!!🎸👍🏻
Probably the best sounding demo ive heard on your channel yet. Those pickups r great.
Great video!
I’ve got a Gibson Moderne Heritage Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1982), made in Nashville, TN.
Serial # E 083 - antique natural lacquer finish, Korina body and neck, rosewood fingerboard, with original brown tolex Guitar case.
Its my most prized possession 👍
The body shape is weird, but cool at the same time. The gumby headstock is really off putting. Like I mentioned on the last video you had these in, the hockeystick headstock would have made it look cooler IMHO. Great info on these as usual Austin. Maybe this guitar is where the inventor of the string butler got their idea? God bless bro. 😎🎸
Great video! Back in the 80's I owned a korina wood moderne made by Ibanez. The best playing guitar I had. I passed it down to a family member while on hiatus from playing. Will have to inquire about it. Maybe find some pictures.
Thanks for all your work.
I am interestingly attracted to the Candy Apple Red Moderne... More interesting by far than a “V”, more ‘50s’ than
Explorer... an oddity and cool... It would be fun to have one.. I like it!!!!!
Historic video Trogly, like you say about displaying guitars many of us will never see, this channel is really important!
I remember seeing one of these in the 80's, still have the strat I bought.
Those are indeed odd but I love them
The more I watch them, the more I dig them.
Gibson should put those string guides on all of their guitars
I can't believe you got an Amish guy to play the electric guitar.
MrJam1001 😂
God dammit!!! 😂
@@JordyMarincic Shame he cant play it better.
i like the style. and the sound of it too.
Looks like the result of a Flying V mating with an Explorer. They forgot they're cousins XD
just tried to imagine this
I'm hardly a guitar guy, but when I first saw a Moderne it was so different from any other guitar I'd ever seen. I just looked so cool. I can't play for beans, though I tried, and my calluses are long gone. But I've always wanted to know what people think of the Modern as an instrument. Is it balanced? Is it heavy? Is is awkward to hold or play? Are it's components any good? What genre would it be best for? The list goes on.
Love this Guitar
Welp, you caught me just before bed , I suppose I can stay a few more minutes..
Or 30 lol
The black one looks amazing
Mine is serial number G 068, natural. Bought new in Nashville in November, 1982. Lightly played, all original gear, excellent condition. Original case with paperwork and bill of sale from Gibson.
Thank you for the insightful vid here. I mentioned elsewhere i saw a natural finish one but didn't play it. It dawned on me that i quickly did just not plugged in. Aside from my daughter wanting to leave, this Gibson felt and 'sounded' good. I bought a '75 Strat in '76 and didn't plug it in before buying it. SRV said he didn't plug in Number 1 before he bought it, "...I knew. I just knew...". Still wish things were different.
Trogly....dude, i am really starting to fall in love with those Tim Shaw PAFs....they sound insanely good no matter what guitar you demo....i only heard about them in those new fenders...dont know much about the guy, but holy hell he makes a good pick up!!!....rock on my brother!!!
They made an Epiphone version in the mid-90's that was very well made(made in Korea with Gibson pickups). Think it was only availible in natural.
This was one of my favorite guitars of all time.
I've never seen these before. Thanks Trogly
I just went in a guitar center and got to play one of these it was in perfect condition and it played great!!!!
i almost bought a ZW Modern once but i changed my mind last second and bought a Fender Troy Van Leeuwen Jazzmaster instead.. got $100 off it tho so that's cool and all.
I'd really wish the explorer had the "Dean like" headstock
I love the Dean Z's. they are beautiful.
Leon although the ZW Moderne would have been the better investment technically, how do you like the signature guitar?
The jazzmaster was great but the neck was a bit chunky and the top switch was annoying as heck but other than that it was a beautiful jazzmaster i still wish i had.
I have a Gibson one and an Epiphone one. It's a very comfortable guitar. The neck rules!!!!
I prefer the Futura over this, but I'd love to have both
Quirky looking but cool. My two favorites are the Korina natural finish or the white one. They sound pretty good as well, nice!
So glad I found one of these
Epiphone, but still very happy
If you look carefully at the video, it is pretty clear that the impression mark on the headstock of the white one is the "made in USA" stamp. Dint know if there is simmering more, but made is clearly visible.
I made a boat load of these when I worked at Gibson in Nashville!
It would be pretty cool to own one along with the Explorer and Flying V.
Lovely guitars. Really cool.
Thanks for intro music, I was becoming restless!
I've seen pictures of the Futura but assumed it was a prototype Explorer.
It was. The only known photo of any of the Modernistic guitars at the '58 NAMM Show is of a couple of guys holding the prototype Explorer/Furtura.
Thank you for posting about these interesting guitars
I have never seen a Moderne in person but I have always wanted one just because of how odd they are. I would gig the hell out of it.
It is supposed to be similar to the late-50s car designs where they have angular fins. Guitar Hero II and 80s claimed it.
Please do a tutorial on how you do those sweet Photoshop pics!
Great review, I had heard of but never saw the moderne before. I need to know what song is being played at 13:13.
Andrew Tomkovich “Bath Salts” by Highly Suspect
Different but i really like those, I would rock one for sure.
I had tried out an Epiphone Moderne in Korina some time last year at the local music store, and I really quite liked it! So light, and it had the Futura headstock with the cutout :-)
Great job on these guitars sounds awesome too
Yes I would rock this guitar
Thanks a lot for this very good researched story of the Moderne. I first heard of this guitar while reading Gregoire Herviet's brilliant novel "Vintage". (Oh, how I would love to see that novel to be turned into a movie...)
And by the way, kid (sorry for that :) ) You are a ripping good guitarist, with a great tone, phrasing and a feel for the good tunes
this shape is iconic polish guitar named Defil kosmos which means space
They look beautiful
I have a custom made Moderne - natural flame maple ,black ebony fretboard with real mother of pearl block inlays. I love it. Everyone asks about it - even non-players. I’ve always thought the shape was cool - very 50’s space-age.
Never heard of anyone who looked this shape. It's really, really ugly. It looks like someone slipped while routing the shape.
I have three of these I bought new in the 80's along with the Korina V and Explorer. Great guitars and I used mine live quite a bit till the 2000's. The Tim Shaw pickups on these are better than the ones on the Explorer and V for some reason. They are a lot hotter. These really stay in tune.
These things are sweethearts. I'd love to have one, way more than an Explorer or V, myself.
I still love these, just like the futura. I'd like to see one on the channel
Very Jetsons!
Wanted one since I first started playing 37 years ago. Have yet to find one. Even a reissue.
Had a black one in the mid 80's. Was still new hanging in the music store in 1986. Not sure what retail was but I paid 400.00. Sadly, I sold it a year later.
Tuning staybility hahaha, you crack me up dude I love your videos.
Question, how do you get your hands on all these amazing Gibsons? Do you buy and sell them? Buy and then quickly return (lol I have thought about buying, recording, then returning but that would lack integrity)? I own two Gibsons (SG, and J45). I am a Gibson player and want a LP so bad but like my others am saving up to someday have one. So did you save up to get yours? Sorry if it is a personal question but how do you afford all this?
I saved when I was in high school and college to buy guitars. Now I buy and sell as a business which then in turn allows me to make these videos. These 3 were brought in by a local fan of the show
Two things. 1) These were not made in Kalamazoo. They were all made in Nashville. 2) There were far more than 143 made. I built 124 of them myself. Including six of the prototypes.
Do you own any guitars you built from your time at Gibson? Always wondered if a builder wanted to buy one could they build it themselves to make sure it was perfect.
@@thejkyle Yes! I have several.
Somewhere some place there is lurking an original Moderne it's v hard to imagine Gibson filing a patent and never building some. So when it surfaces,? I'll keep checking Reverb in case
Im getting a Polish ~1980' mass produced copy of this monster, called "Defil Kosmos" from my friend today, to renovate and try go tego some sounds of it.
It has a more normal (flying v?) looking headstock and some very strange, probably single coil pickups.
Moderne headstock reminds me of the disfigured head "Sloth" dude from Goonies (@_@)
This is my number guitar design shape
Great guitar! Awesome playing!!
I noticed that it looks very unstable when playing standing … Not a fan of this particular style of guitar, but Explorers and Flying V's are great. I note that the Ibanez Destroyer is also somewhat similar to the Futura ...
I think this guitar looks great and looks unique, it looks like the wings of a 50’s Chevy or Cadillac
Nice playing froggy
Well in Poland in 1980's polish biggest back then guitar brand Defil produced legendary nowdays Defil Kosmos that just look like this guitar :D back when rippofs was okay
Could you try making a video on the Gibson Corvus? I honestly dig the design on that one myself, but I'll probably Neve have a chance to try one myself. I'd love to hear what you think of them!
I like the Corvus/Futura - I just haven't found one at a price I'm willing to pay, yet! I've came close - but will definitely find one some day
what happened to the first vid?it seemed great to me?
The backgound music was slightly too loud and I forgot to take it off for the playing demo leaving the video worthless. I deleted it, fixed the issues and reuploaded the video
Sounds really good dude
I have wanted one for decades. I remind those who hate it. No one ever made a difference by being the same as everyone else.
I really like the body shape and I'm someone who HATES Flying V's but the headstock ruins it for me.
11:06 Wow, those out-of-alignment tuners would drive me crazy. 😖
One of these with a reverse Corvus headstock would be perfect.
What a unique guitar created by Gibson.
I think this is where the String Butler idea came from
Well, it wouldn’t surprise me...
I definitely think so too, it’s basically the same thing, only on the modernes it’s built into the guitar, and all 3 of them stay in tune just as well as any other guitar I’ve owned.
Love the black one
The more I look at it the more I like it. I think the black looks best
Hope someday, you and the host of 'California Gold' can do an episode! 🍺😄
Life-Row-Toll Huell Howser died a few years back...
5551144AT oh no, I haven't heard!
I really can't feel good now at all. Howser is the best!
Ps: thank you letting me know. I'll of crying in my pillow tonight, truly.
bruce kulick from kiss used to use one onstage, a black one
I really like the body look of this guitar, other than the headstock at least. Any body know were to by a cheap modern one of these? Or some sorta replica?
I have a mini first act that looks pretty similar
I love his warehouse
I actually like it
11:40 or so - awesome riff!
Got my Moderne at Manny's Music in New York in 1985 for $500 bucks. It sat hanging for 3 years in the store as no one liked the design. Got the case for an extra 50 bucks. That was a SCORE!!!
These pickups scream too!!
My father was a Kalamazoo Gibson employee and said that the original Moderne never made it past the blueprint stage and was never built.
I love it! Never even knew they existed. Gotta have one but I can only afford a chinese epiphone model.
It's "GUMBY" DAMN IT!!! LOL!!! Will
I love the headstock. But. Imagine explorer headstock. Straight sexy!
What about math mcflys guitar from back to the future?
Zach Johnson Gibson RD
I have my dads old one he’s had since 64!
Then it’s probably valuable. Because no one had seen an actual one from that time frame.
ever seen the epiphone poly mod modernes?
'57 Chevy Bel Air rear fender (not Leo) inspired.
At 12:30 your guitar tone sounds like Brian May's.
Jesus Christ, I commented earlier and you took the post down ! What gives ??😮
The backgound music was slightly too loud and I forgot to take it off for the playing demo leaving the video worthless. I deleted it, fixed the issues and reuploaded the video
Am I the only one who wants to pronounce it "Mo-DAIRN?'
Also, that low E tuning peg angle. Ooof.
☝ i say mow-DAIRN
I always said “modern-aye” but if you convert “moderne” from french to English, it’s pronounced “modern” so who knows how it’s supposed to be pronounced haha