WezV Posted May 8, 2012 Report Share Posted May 8, 2012 So i am going to be building a Moderne. some random ebaying has led to templates and a precut body blank winging their way towards me the first question you may have is "Why?" simply because i want to - i have a fondness for ugly duckling oddball guitar designs initially i was thinking of making a fairly accurate replica of the guitar that never existed - but i just noticed gibson have actually done another run of "reissues" This has led me to rethink and maybe do a Modernised Moderne first thought was headless, but i will save that for the corvus when i eventually build one - and john has already done that idea, twice!! if i do go for an up to date version i certainly wont be using any of the original headstock designs - well, possibly a slim flying v one i am contemplating a fanned fret version ??? speaking of headstocks, gibson did manage to do an almost passable version of the original sadly they put it on this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Juntunen Guitars Posted May 9, 2012 Report Share Posted May 9, 2012 You know a lot of people rip on the moderne saying it's ugly and what not. I personally like it, I don't think it's ugly and I definately prefer the original headstock over the V or Dean style one. That said this should be a cool build, I'll be watching it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauliemc Posted May 9, 2012 Report Share Posted May 9, 2012 Was never a fan of these. look very awkward. But I saw Joe Satriani's & actualy liked the way it felt in the hand. Played nice, despite the fact that they were never supposed to have existed . It was a korina guitar, which I think for gibbo, often means it was most likly a pre-production mule for testing. Will be interesting to see your own take on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WezV Posted May 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2012 The 50's ones are the myth. Joe's would be the 80's "reissue"- they did about 200 of them. Apparently there are 400 of the new reissues Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WezV Posted May 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2012 Or a copy, there are some of those about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RestorationAD Posted May 9, 2012 Report Share Posted May 9, 2012 Wez I would build a replica. For me the Moderne is a piece of Gibson legend not a great guitar. I think modernizing one would only produce a moderne ugly guitar. For me I would think owning a Korina Moderne replica would be about the nostalgia not the playability. I look forward to whatever you decide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NotYou Posted May 9, 2012 Report Share Posted May 9, 2012 (edited) The idea of a modern Moderne sounds great to me! I think the design is pretty damn sexy and I'm always for improving old designs. I think if you're going to do it, you should make it better. Evolve that b*tch! FWIW, this is coming from somebody with no interest in replicas. Edited May 9, 2012 by NotYou Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WezV Posted May 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2012 i did have a quick mock up of the way i would probably go - not with this fretboard though, but you get the idea not perfect yet and i would want to do something more with the electrics - but i do think the idea of making it fanned fret has potential Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted May 9, 2012 Report Share Posted May 9, 2012 (edited) I know exactly how to put you off this strange perverted idea Wez. <edit: I have no idea whether he tries to "talk" in this video as this computer is currently spread across the room and loosely connected in bits and isn't connected to the amp right now> Edited May 9, 2012 by Prostheta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RestorationAD Posted May 9, 2012 Report Share Posted May 9, 2012 +1 Prostheta!!! Don't do it Wez! Wez... don't do it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lester Corncrake Posted May 9, 2012 Report Share Posted May 9, 2012 How about a Moderne Custom Black Beauty? Black finish, 5 ply binding, gold plate, block inlays... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westhemann Posted May 9, 2012 Report Share Posted May 9, 2012 Ack..is that supposed to be listenable? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RestorationAD Posted May 9, 2012 Report Share Posted May 9, 2012 Ack..is that supposed to be listenable? You clicked on it? Wow... sucker. When I saw the Zactardy looking headstock I knew better. Didn't want to get indoctrinated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted May 9, 2012 Report Share Posted May 9, 2012 I was trying to follow Thumper's dad's advice.....but I can't do it. That is one seriously ugly guitar. On the bright side, pretty much anything youdo would be an improvement. SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim37 Posted May 10, 2012 Report Share Posted May 10, 2012 the moderne doesnt have to be a total loss Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WezV Posted May 10, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 10, 2012 the moderne doesnt have to be a total loss that is pretty awful Tim prostheta - why mention zachary!!! O.K, that may have helped put me off the idea of making a more modern styled one How about a Moderne Custom Black Beauty? Black finish, 5 ply binding, gold plate, block inlays... but this has seriously got me considering a gold or black top version black finish on top only, cream binding, Cream P-90's and wraparound bridge, trapezoid inlays Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avengers63 Posted May 11, 2012 Report Share Posted May 11, 2012 My $0.02: Don't modernize it. Use the headstock/tuners they put on the gawd-offal reverse Explorer, but keep everything else per the original specs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WezV Posted May 13, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2012 done some more photoshopping - i am liking the bound blacktop idea 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackdog Posted May 13, 2012 Report Share Posted May 13, 2012 So i am going to be building a Moderne. ........ speaking of headstocks, gibson did manage to do an almost passable version of the original YES Wez !!!! Do it !!! For some strange reason I can't possibly explain I like the design of the Moderne... Must be korina, of course. Love the idea of the blacktop. Not too much the fanned fret thing... Just keep it traditional, but the above headstock is definitely the one to use !!! (though I would probably make a mirror version of it...) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WezV Posted May 13, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 13, 2012 i think i nearly have a plan the body has already been cut out - its mahogany for this one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackdog Posted May 14, 2012 Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 i think i nearly have a plan the body has already been cut out - its mahogany for this one Exactly what I had in mind ! Love it already ! And with P90s and a wrap-around is going to be a tone monster ! What scale will you use ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WezV Posted May 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 probably 24 5/8" for a traditional gibson feel although part of me thinks the introduction of modern tuners would look daft if everything else was pure vintage - so is it worth going for a modern adjustable bridge but then my last firebird build had the steiny tuners, pigtail bridge and tru-oil finish but still had a strong vintage vibe without being an accurate replica Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted May 14, 2012 Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 Did you join the neck and wings using a V-joint? That is where the line is drawn Wez ;-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WezV Posted May 14, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 if i had you would all know about it by now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted May 14, 2012 Report Share Posted May 14, 2012 Har! Next time I cook up a bird I will have to use that V joint now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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