Guitar Man by Indelicato M. J.;

Author:Indelicato, M. J.;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: biography
ISBN: 9781495050473
Publisher: Hal Leonard Corporation
Published: 2015-11-20T00:00:00+00:00

10.

Holy Grail, Where Art Thou?

In the world of vintage guitars, there are many objects of fervent desire. But nothing better qualifies as the collector’s holy grail than the elusive Gibson “Moderne.” This almost mythical instrument was supposedly built in 1957 as a prototype for the modernistic guitar line slated for introduction to the market by Gibson in 1958. Made from African limba wood—called “Korina” by the company—the product line included the Moderne, the Flying V, and the Explorer. Gibson manufactured approximately 100 flying V’s and 40 Explorers. Yet only two Modernes were ever made—or so the story goes.

Gibson was keen to release this so-called modernistic guitar line. Each of the new models was premised on the concept of cutting-edge, futuristic design. In 1957, the notion of space travel and sleek aeronautical design was certainly in vogue. The Sputnik space capsule was circling the globe in October of that same year, and there can be no question that the Explorer (shaped like a lightning bolt), the Moderne (shaped like Gumby), and the Flying V (shaped like the “flying wing” aircraft) were designed with these new sensibilities in mind.

With the release of the futuristic Stratocaster in 1954, the upstart Fender Corporation had trumped Gibson and challenged its supremacy. Not wanting to be left behind, Gibson hastened to produce a new line that not only looked more radical than Leo Fender’s successful Stratocaster but also, being constructed of light-colored limba wood, would show up prominently on the black-and-white television screens that were the standard at that time. So when Gibson brought the Explorer and the Flying V to the market, they were taken aback by the paltry orders they received from their dealers. After it became clear these instruments were a flop, Gibson quickly folded the Explorer and the Flying V. The guitars were ahead of their time.

Regarding the Moderne, some say it existed only as a concept drawing. Others claim the guitar was manufactured and sold, but in such limited numbers as to be virtually extinct today.

Like so many others, I have been fascinated by the mystery of the Moderne. I even traveled to Hawaii to meet the former president of Gibson, Mr. Ted McCarty, who headed up the company from 1948 to 1966 and was the moving creative force in Gibson’s revitalization. In decline when McCarty took the helm, the company became the undisputed market leader during his tenure. The innovations and new designs developed during the McCarty era included the pioneering humbucking pickup, the Les Paul guitar, the ES-335 line, the S.G. guitars, the Firebird series, and the signature series guitars such as the Trini Lopez model. Mr. McCarty also designed the line of modernistic guitars.

His is an impressive list of groundbreaking instruments. For those not familiar with these guitars or the terminology, it is enough to know that Ted McCarty made Gibson a household name and oversaw the manufacture of the finest guitars the company ever produced. Today, the “McCarty era” is synonymous with Gibson’s “golden age.”

Except for his legacy of innovation at Gibson, I knew very little about Mr.

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