Having over 100 years to look back on one can find some innovative and interesting vintage Gibson guitars. Three of my favorite designs, designed by Ted McCarty, were the Explorer, the Flying V, and the Moderne. Making up the modernist line what makes these guitars interesting is not only their look but that they were released nearly 20 years before they became popular with musicians.
The Explorer (originally released in 1958 and 1959) ? The initial release of the Explorer was short-lived due a complete lack of demand. The body-design was considered futuristic, perhaps to futuristic. Today, many of us would associate the design to various musicians of the 1970s and 1980s especially the heavy metal rock bands. These Gibson guitars resemble an hourglass with the upper right and lower left points stretched apart. The Explorer had its come back in 1975 and variations of are still in production today.
The Explorer had a Tune-o-matic bridge and 2 humbucker pickups. Originally the body and neck were made from korina, while the later 1975 models could also be made from mahogany or maple. The earliest, pre-1959, Explorers had the tuners arranged in a 3+3 layout and a split-shaped head. The later 1959 models placed tuners off to one side in a straight line and have a head resembling a hockey stick. With production estimates as low 50, these early models are highly valued by collectors.
The Flying V was also originally released in 1958 and met the same fate as the Explorer when production ended in 1959. This vintage Gibson guitar however had an earlier revival and was re-released in 1967, 8 years before the Explorer. This was due in part to a handful of musicians, like Jimi Hendrix, picking it up in the 1960s. The Flying V, as the name implies, was shaped like a V only upside down. If you include the neck it more resembles an upside down Y.
The Flying V had 2 humbucker pickups, a 496R in the neck position and a 500T in the bridge position. The bridge was a tune-o-matic and the body was made from korina and mahogany. There was also a four-string bass version, the V Bass, released in 1981.
Reportedly, a few Flying Vs and the Explorers were shipped in 1963 after being put together with leftover parts.
The Moderne (designed in 1957) ? The Moderne was also designed and patented along side the other two modernist line of guitars, however, it was not released until 1982. This guitar never gained the popularity the Explorer and Flying did and only lasted 1 year when it was discontinued in 1983. The Moderne resembled the letter A with one side having a shorter leg and an extra stubby point towards the top. You will have to excuse my description, the point is all these guitars were abstract pointed guitars.
Ted McCarty filed for his design patent on these three vintage Gibson guitars nearly 20 years before their prominence. It makes you wonder if he saw make-up, spiked bracelets, and big hair coming.
When you play vintage Yamaha guitars you feel the history. Blue Tree Vintage offers a complete collection of these vintage guitars along with many others. Don?t let the history of music slip away.
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Source: http://home-family-parenting.info/the-vintage-gibson-guitars-before-their-time/
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