Gibson Custom Shop 57 Mahogany Moderne

DESCRIPTION

In the late 1950s, Gibson introduced a trio of radically futuristic “Modernist” designs intended to redefine electric guitar aesthetics: the Flying V™, the Futura™ (precursor to the Explorer™), and the Moderne™. While the Flying V and Explorer eventually reached production, the Moderne became one of the greatest mysteries in guitar history, with no authenticated original 1957 examples ever confirmed.

Patented in 1957, the Moderne was astonishingly ahead of its time. Its space-age silhouette remains bold, unconventional, and striking even by today’s standards. Now, Gibson Custom brings this legendary design to life with the 1957 Mahogany Moderne Reissue, based on archival records and original patent drawings.

This reissue features a solid mahogany body shaped to vintage specifications, paired with a mahogany neck carved to a 50s Vintage profile. The unbound Indian rosewood fingerboard carries 22 reissue frets and classic cellulose dot inlays, delivering an authentic late-50s playing experience.

Equipped with a pair of unpotted Custombucker™ humbuckers with Alnico 3 magnets, the Moderne Reissue offers warm, articulate vintage tones with exceptional clarity and dynamic response. Finished in Antique Natural nitrocellulose lacquer with VOS-treated gold hardware, it captures the look and feel of a true new-old-stock instrument from the golden era. A Lifton™ historic brown and pink hardshell case is included.

Specifications

GENERAL

Series: Gibson Custom
Orientation: Right-Hand
Color: Antique Natural
Country Of Origin: N/A

NECK

Headstock: Moderne “Gumby” Headstock with Raised Gibson Logo
Headstock Binding: N/A
Neck Material: Mahogany
Neck Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer (VOS)
Neck Construction: Set Neck
Fingerboard Radius: N/A
Fingerboard Material: Indian Rosewood
Position Inlays: Cellulose Dot
Number of Frets: 22
Truss Rod: N/A
Truss Rod Nut: N/A
String Nut: Nylon
Nut Width: 1.687" (42.85 mm)
Nut Material: Nylon

BODY

Body: Mahogany
Body Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer (VOS)
Body Shape: Moderne
Body Material: Mahogany

HARDWARE

Bridge: Historic Reissue ABR-1 No-Wire
Tailpiece: Aluminum Stop Bar
Pickguard: N/A
Pickup Covers: N/A
Control Knobs: True Historic Bleach White Top Hat with Dial Pointer
Switch Tip: N/A
Hardware Finish: Gold (VOS)
Tuning Machines: Kluson® Single Ring Reissue
Strings: N/A
Neck Plate: N/A
Strap Buttons: N/A

ELECTRONICS

Bridge Pickup: Custombucker™ Alnico 3 (Unpotted)
Neck Pickup: Custombucker™ Alnico 3 (Unpotted)
Pickup Configuration: HH
Controls: 2 Volume, 1 Tone
Switching: N/A
Capacitor: Phone Book Capacitor
Pots: 500K CTS® Vintage Taper Potentiometers

MEASUREMENTS

Fret Size: Reissue Vintage
Scale Length: 24.75" (628.65 mm)