Old Catalogues

[jdogric12]

Thanks for the speedy response! Wow, I never knew there was an Epiphone Comet amp! I was actually referring to the guitar they designed, and printed some literature of, in the late 90's, I think, but never mass produced. There were four in the line, there was a Moderne, and two others I can't remember the names of.

[electrofaro]

Oh, I remember that shape - was designed at Gibson in the same series as Flying V, "Futura" (kind of early Explorer) and "Moderne" - I think online these are usually presented as a trio, but there were more designs, in fact the "Futura" and "Moderne" were only called that at a much later stage in literature, as they were never produced in the late 50s - or at least didn't go into full scale production. Gibson's coming with a "Moderne XI this year.

I'll have to check what Gibson name was given to this model in the literature, though, Jason. Or if I can find out more about it.

[jingle_jangle]

Gibson's coming with a "Moderne XI this year.

...not surprising that Gibson will produce a weird-shaped, 11-string guitar...

[ken_j]

Patent date for the Moderne is Jan 7, 1958. Not sure when it hit the market.

[electrofaro]

Patent date for the Moderne is Jan 7, 1958. Not sure when it hit the market.

Ken, according to the database we use internally (and which may have been lifted straight from Bluebook publications???):

MODERNE
- originally designed as one of three Gibson modernistic concept guitars, this instrument was blue-printed in 1958. A debate still rages over whether or not they were actually built, as a 1958 Moderne has not yet been seen. There is some vague mention on a shipping list (that could also apply to the Explorer model). Ted McCarty, who was president of Gibson at the time (and part designer of the three models), has guessed that a handful were built as prototypes.

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MODERNE 1984 REISSUE (MODERNE HERITAGE)
- single cutaway sharkfin style korina body, black pickguard, korina neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, tune-o-matic bridge/stop tailpiece, tulip blackface peghead with pearl logo inlay, inked serial number on peghead, 3-per-side tuners with plastic single ring buttons, gold hardware, 2 humbucker pickups, 2 volume/1 tone controls, 3-position switch. Available in Natural finish, mfg. 1984 only.

[electrofaro]

...not surprising that Gibson will produce a weird-shaped, 11-string guitar...

Didn't you know it's perfect for the weird-shaped guitar player?

XI for 2011, of course (for those who might've missed the clues)

I kind of like the weird shape - it's so unusual!

[johnallg]

Very 50s Future.

[Ivan3000]

Not exactly a catalog but here is a couple of pages that might interest some Jam fans

Whats that bass with the full pickguard, is that a mod or a prototype?

[bassduke49]

Just a mod, I think. Looks like a pair of P pickups near the bridge and a new overall guard.