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 produced in 1958 and 1959) - The Explorer had a short-lived production period due to its lack of success. The body-design at the time was considered futuristic. Today, however, we would recognize this design as popular in the late 70s through the 80s in relation to heavy metal bands. I think this makes Gibson about 15 years ahead of its time. The body has two long points and two short points. The shape reminds me of an X with one of its lines or a Z with its center line grossly exaggerated. The Explorer did have a come back in 1975 and variations of the Explorer are still in production today.
The Explorer had two humbucker pickups with a Tune-o-matic bridge. The original guitars had a neck and body made from korina with the newer, 1975 and later, may also be made from maple and/or mahogany. In 1959 the Explorer went from a 3+3 tuner layout and split-shaped head to placing the tuners in a straight line of to the side and a hockey stick- shaped head. The original guitars a highly valued by collectors mainly because production estimates are as low as 50.
The Flying V (originally released in 1958 and 1959) - Inline with the Explorer the Flying V was also discontinued after only 2 years due to lack of demand. The Flying V was revived eight years ahead of the Explorer, in 1967, due mainly to a few musicians, including Jimi Hendrix, picking it up in the 1960s. The body of these vintage Gibson guitars, as the name implies, are shaped like an upside down V or upside down Y if you include the neck.
The Flying V had a 496R and 500T bridge in the neck and bridge position respectively, and 2 humbucker pickups. The body was made from korina and mahogany. A four-string bass version, the V Bass, was released in 1981.
A few of the Flying Vs and the Explorers were shipped in 1963.
The Moderne, although designed and patented in the same time frame as the other two vintage Gibson guitars in the modernist line, it was not released until 1982. This guitar lacked the popularity the Explorer and Flying V found and was therefore quickly discontinued in 1983. It had a shape that resembled the letter "A" only one side, the top, was short while the bottom leg was longer. There was also a short stub towards the top of the A. Please excuse my written description. The idea behind these guitars was to be abstract a not really resemble anything.
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.
The Explorer (originally produced in 1958 and 1959) - The Explorer had a short-lived production period due to its lack of success. The body-design at the time was considered futuristic. Today, however, we would recognize this design as popular in the late 70s through the 80s in relation to heavy metal bands. I think this makes Gibson about 15 years ahead of its time. The body has two long points and two short points. The shape reminds me of an X with one of its lines or a Z with its center line grossly exaggerated. The Explorer did have a come back in 1975 and variations of the Explorer are still in production today.
The Explorer had two humbucker pickups with a Tune-o-matic bridge. The original guitars had a neck and body made from korina with the newer, 1975 and later, may also be made from maple and/or mahogany. In 1959 the Explorer went from a 3+3 tuner layout and split-shaped head to placing the tuners in a straight line of to the side and a hockey stick- shaped head. The original guitars a highly valued by collectors mainly because production estimates are as low as 50.
The Flying V (originally released in 1958 and 1959) - Inline with the Explorer the Flying V was also discontinued after only 2 years due to lack of demand. The Flying V was revived eight years ahead of the Explorer, in 1967, due mainly to a few musicians, including Jimi Hendrix, picking it up in the 1960s. The body of these vintage Gibson guitars, as the name implies, are shaped like an upside down V or upside down Y if you include the neck.
The Flying V had a 496R and 500T bridge in the neck and bridge position respectively, and 2 humbucker pickups. The body was made from korina and mahogany. A four-string bass version, the V Bass, was released in 1981.
A few of the Flying Vs and the Explorers were shipped in 1963.
The Moderne, although designed and patented in the same time frame as the other two vintage Gibson guitars in the modernist line, it was not released until 1982. This guitar lacked the popularity the Explorer and Flying V found and was therefore quickly discontinued in 1983. It had a shape that resembled the letter "A" only one side, the top, was short while the bottom leg was longer. There was also a short stub towards the top of the A. Please excuse my written description. The idea behind these guitars was to be abstract a not really resemble anything.
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.
About the Author:
When you play vintage Peavey guitars you can hear the history. Blue Tree Vintage offers a complete collection of these vintage guitars along with many others. Don't allow the history of music slip away.
