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Average Price: $2,995
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$1001+
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Description
Step into the realm of musical myth with the Gibson Moderne, a guitar that effortlessly marries the allure of a bygone era with timeless sonic prowess. A part of Gibson's legendary '50s trifecta, the Moderne was designed alongside its iconic siblings, the Explorer and Flying V. Though it never reached mass production, its legacy has endured, captivating guitar enthusiasts with its mysterious origins and space-age design.
Crafted from solid mahogany, the Moderne promises a warm, resonant tone with exceptional sustain. Its slim-taper neck paired with a granadillo fretboard ensures a playing experience that is both comfortable and fluid, whether you're strumming chords or shredding solos. The unique V-shaped headstock and futuristic body contours make the Moderne not just an instrument, but a statement piece.
Equipped with a pair of '57 Classic humbuckers, this guitar delivers the rich, vintage tones reminiscent of Gibson’s legendary PAF pickups. From deep, mellow sounds to sharp, biting clarity, the Moderne covers a wide tonal spectrum, making it a versatile addition to any musician’s collection. The guitar is finished with vintage-style Gibson speed knobs and a chrome Nashville Tune-o-matic bridge, offering both aesthetic appeal and practical functionality.
Key Features:
- Solid mahogany body for enhanced sustain and warm tone
- Slim-taper neck with granadillo fretboard for comfortable playability
- '57 Classic humbuckers for versatile vintage tones
- Unique V-shaped headstock and space-age body design
- Chrome Nashville Tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar for stable tuning
Product specs
| Brand | Gibson |
| Model | Moderne |
| Finish | Aged Cherry, Trans Amber |
| Year | 2019 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Solid Body Electric Guitars |
| Body Material | Mahogany |
| Body Shape | V-Style |
| Body Type | Solid Body |
| Bridge/Tailpiece Type | Stop-Bar |
| Color Family | Red, Yellow |
| Finish Style | Gloss |
| Fretboard Material | Rosewood |
| Model Family | Gibson Moderne |
| Neck Construction | Set-Neck |
| Neck Material | Mahogany |
| Number of Frets | 22 |
| Number of Strings | 6-String |
| Offset Body | Offset Body |
| Pickup Configuration | HH |
| Right / Left Handed | Right Handed |
| Scale Length | 24.75" |
| Wood Top Style | Plain |
FAQs
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What is the neck profile of the Gibson Moderne like?
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The Gibson Moderne features a set-neck construction with a mahogany neck, providing a comfortable and smooth playing experience. Its profile is designed to accommodate various playing styles, offering both ease of access and stability.
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What kind of tones can I expect from the Gibson Moderne's pickups?
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The Gibson Moderne is equipped with a dual humbucker (HH) configuration, delivering rich and robust tones. These pickups are ideal for rock and blues, offering a warm, full sound with excellent sustain.
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Is the Gibson Moderne suitable for advanced players?
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Yes, the Gibson Moderne is well-suited for advanced players due to its high-quality construction, versatile tonal range, and unique V-style body shape, which allows for creative expression and performance.
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What is the body material of the Gibson Moderne, and how does it affect the sound?
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The Gibson Moderne is crafted from mahogany, a tonewood known for its warmth and resonance. This contributes to the guitar's rich, full-bodied sound, making it suitable for a wide range of musical genres.
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How does the Gibson Moderne's unique body shape influence playability?
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The V-style body shape of the Gibson Moderne not only offers a distinctive visual appeal but also enhances balance and comfort during performance, particularly when standing. This design supports ease of access to higher frets, facilitating dynamic playability.
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Gibson Moderne.
Mods and upgrades
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A user modified their Gibson Moderne with a non-standard wiring setup: Bridge / All Three / Neck + Middle, with neck and middle pickups out-of-phase.
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Someone recommends considering a TonePros locking bridge over Schaller roller bridges to avoid sustain loss, noting personal trials with both.
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A user moved the output jack to the guitar's side and plans on adding a Stetsbar tremolo, roller bridge, and a low-friction nut with a zero fret for enhanced performance.
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Features and functionality
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The Gibson Moderne's Split-V headstock may benefit from string trees for straighter string pull, but there are concerns about aesthetics and functionality improvements with options like the String Butler.
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User experience
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Despite being a niche model, owners appreciate the Gibson Moderne for its unique look and feel, promoting individuality in playing style.
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Owners appreciate the Moderne's wider fretboard, finding it ideal for players with larger fingers, enhancing playability despite its unconventional design.
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Despite its polarizing appearance, the Moderne is noted for being highly playable, with a body shape that makes it comfortable for practice sessions.
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Value and pricing
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A real Gibson Moderne typically sells for significantly more than $900, indicating potential value if found at a lower price point.
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The 1980s Gibson Moderne models are viewed as a smart investment due to their status as the first fully produced versions, making them desirable for collectors.
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Other
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The Moderne's design, with its unique and often polarizing aesthetics, evokes strong reactions, akin to the divisive nature of the Pontiac Aztec in the automotive world.
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The Moderne's rarity is highlighted by its limited reissues, with the last known batch being as recent as 2018, adding to its collector appeal.
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5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 2 Ratings
Artist usage
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In this photo taken from an Ultimate-Guitar article, James Hetfield can be seen playing the little seen Gibson Moderne.
Kirk Hammett uses the Gibson Moderne, as evidenced by a photograph showing him with the instrument.
In the provided photo, Billy Gibbons is seen with a Gibson Moderne. While he claims to own a 1950s prototype, he has not provided proof, suggesting this may be a reissue.
In an interview with Gear Gods titled "STEEL PANTHER on The Top 5 Guitar Riffs of All Time," Russ Parrish is seen using a Gibson Moderne with a custom finish.
In an interview with Vintage Guitar magazine, Bruce Kulick discusses his use of the Gibson Moderne.
At 2:52 you can see a close-up of the Guitar. The reason why is this guitar so special, its because Tito usually doesn't use it at live shows on Molotov.
Paul used to use a yellow Gibson Moderne Electric Guitar at the beginning of the band, over the years he gave the guitar to Mike Score as a gift and Mike used it on occasion.
"Then I started going crazy on Gibson Modernes. I ended up buying four of them, all early-’80s, all Korina – three naturals and one black."
Genre Usage
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Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Gibson Moderne, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Community setups
Show yoursSimilar
Add recommendation3 alternative and related items for Gibson Moderne, curated by the Equipboard community.
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A lawsuit era copy of the original Gibson Moderne design, the Ibanez Futura is almost as rare as the original, and is a collector's piece in its own right.
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The Epiphone is a more affordable version of the '58 style Gibson Moderne design.
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The most 'common' version of the Moderne, the Heritage series was created around the early 1980's based off of original Gibson blueprints.
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