With over 100 years of vintage Gibson guitars one can look back and find some interesting and innovative designs. Three of the most interesting include the Explorer, the Flying V, and the Moderne, all of which were designed by Ted McCarty. These three guitars made up the modernist line and perhaps the greatest testament to Ted's vision was that they where introduced nearly 20 years before they became hits in the music industry.
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 body and neck of the original Explorer guitars are made from korina and used a 3+3 tuner layout with a split-shaped head. The newer version, 1975 and up, are made from maple and/or mahogany and went to placing the tuners in a straight line and a hockey stick shaped head. The production estimates for the original Explorer guitars go as low as 50 so they have become highly valued by collectors.
The Flying V (originally produced in 1958 and 1959) - The Flying V, like the Explorer, was unpopular was discontinued after only a couple years. Jimi Hendrix and a few other musicians however picked up the Flying V, in the 1960s. This caused a bit of popularity and the Flying V was brought back in 1967, eight years before the Explorer. The body of these vintage Gibson guitars are very much shaped like upside down Vs, or Ys if you include the neck.
The Flying V's body was made from mahogany and korina. It had a 500T and 496R bridge in the bridge position and neck position respectively. There were also to humbucker pickups. The V Bass, a four-string bass version, was released in 1981.
A few of the Flying Vs and the Explorers were shipped in 1963.
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.
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 body and neck of the original Explorer guitars are made from korina and used a 3+3 tuner layout with a split-shaped head. The newer version, 1975 and up, are made from maple and/or mahogany and went to placing the tuners in a straight line and a hockey stick shaped head. The production estimates for the original Explorer guitars go as low as 50 so they have become highly valued by collectors.
The Flying V (originally produced in 1958 and 1959) - The Flying V, like the Explorer, was unpopular was discontinued after only a couple years. Jimi Hendrix and a few other musicians however picked up the Flying V, in the 1960s. This caused a bit of popularity and the Flying V was brought back in 1967, eight years before the Explorer. The body of these vintage Gibson guitars are very much shaped like upside down Vs, or Ys if you include the neck.
The Flying V's body was made from mahogany and korina. It had a 500T and 496R bridge in the bridge position and neck position respectively. There were also to humbucker pickups. The V Bass, a four-string bass version, was released in 1981.
A few of the Flying Vs and the Explorers were shipped in 1963.
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.
About the Author:
When you own any of the vintage Ovation guitars you hear the history. Blue Tree Vintage offers a full selection of these vintage guitars for sale among many others. Don't let the history of music slip away.