2019 vs 2012 vs 1980s Versions | Gibson Moderne Reissue Review + Demo

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Gibson Moderene 80s Version review : • A Face Only a Mother C...
Episode Guide:
0:00 - Intro - Check Links In Description!
0:21 - History of Moderne
1:18 - First "Reissues"
3:03 - 2012 Run
3:29 - 80s vs 2012 Specs
5:51 - Moderne of Doom
6:06 - 2019 Gibson/Epiphone
7:48 - Insides / Specs
10:14 - Tone Test
12:09 - ZZ Top Inspired Jam
14:56 - Condition
17:04 - Blacklight
17:38 - Case
The Gibson Moderne is an interesting rare bird that was first introduced for the 1957 NAMM Show. They were introduced along side the Flying V, Explorer and Futura Models - however, no one has ever found one since. It is rumored that anywhere between 3-12 were originally made. Where they are now... no one knows.
The first time a Moderne can actually be proved to have been made is in the mid-70s by Ibanez. Following that is the 80s Heritage series done by Gibson. Since then, there have been a few short runs of this model, including this 2011/2012 model, Zakk Wylde Moderne of Doom and recently the Zzounds exclusive 2018/2019 Gibson and Epiphone runs.
The 80s run (and the believed originals) were made out of Korina wood and a rosewood fingerboard. Most Gibson reissues make them out of mahogany and change their headstocks to the futura design.
The difference between the 2019 and 2012 models comes down to the fretboard. 2019 has rosewood and the 2012 has granadillo. The thumb bleed pointers were removed from the knobs on the new ones as well. Besides that, they are nearly identical guitars.
2012 offered them in Trans Amber (not natural) and Black. The 2019 line up features the same translucent Amber color and an Aged Cherry finish which is very dark in color.
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[@Trog]

Gibson Moderne 80s Version Review : kzbin.info/www/bejne/laW4p4GAa7ibbtUsub_confirmation=1 Episode Guide: 0:21 - History of Moderne 1:18 - First "Reissues" 3:03 - 2012 Run 3:29 - 80s vs 2012 Specs 5:51 - Moderne of Doom 6:06 - 2019 Gibson/Epiphone 7:48 - Insides / Specs 10:14 - Tone Test 12:09 - ZZ Top Inspired Jam 14:56 - Condition 17:04 - Blacklight 17:38 - Case

[@Austin-fd4ep]

The Trogly's Guitar Show why don’t you write a collectors guide for buying vintage/reissued/modern guitars? You are very intelligent and speak to the simple guitar player like me who gets lost with some of the more complex electronic and hardware talk Just an idea 😊

[@fanoboss]

Hey Trogly , the correct French pronunciation is "Moe'-Nair ". Elwood Francis educated me about it.

[@raphaelmartinez736]

Hey Austin! here's a pic of Billy Gibbons' moderne which matches with the pics where he's seen playing it so google it! _ www.lespaulforum.com/forum/showthread.php?164452-Billy-F-Gibbons-Moderne-UP-CLOSE-!!!

[@johnjohnston6306]

Is the case made in the u.s?

[@mojorisen74]

My Wife got the Epiphone version for me for Christmas and it is really nice and well made! I highly recommend it!

[@omikl]

The Ibanez Futura was based on a supposed Moderne sold by Dan Erlewine to a Japanese collector in the late 60's. There's one grainy B&W photo of the Erlewine guitar floating around online and the Ibanez models had the same big scratchpate and, initially at least, the Melody Maker style headstock as the guitar in that photo. I've had a '74 Futura since '78.

[@zhiracs]

There's a couple (more recent) pictures of the Erlewine/Gruhn Moderne on display behind glass in Japan among some other classic guitars. Based on everything I've read about it, I for one am convinced that it's a genuine '57 body with a Melody Maker neck that the first owner had installed... and then butchered to shit thus necessitating the wacky pickguard.

[@eternalme6077]

Loved the way Mike mixed it up!!! He's a ROCK MONSTER AND SO IS THIS GUITAR! 🎸💚

[@stephancano5100]

The audio mixes at 9:57 in the video

[@dar3mor6]

Too many TROGLIOS!!!

[@Trog]

Thanks - that clip was originally recorded during the 'condition' segment and I wanted to move it to a better fitting spot so I just dragged it off and apparently forgot about it! At least is is only for a few seconds!

[@stephancano5100]

@@Trog TOO MANY TROGLIOS!! :)

[@dar3mor6]

@@stephancano5100 Hey, that comment is mine!!!

[@wesleyalan9179]

@@dar3mor6 ....lol! I love your comment! You always call him that, it belongs to you rightfully!

[@elbik95]

I love Modernes, my dream guitar is a Gibson Moderne with the 08' Reverse Explorer Headstock... I've even edited pictures just to see what it'd look like and it's perfect

[@hydra26actual]

Just a note on the naming of the 2012 version. At the time, they were called Moderne XI as in "11" rather than XL. They were announced in 2011 and planned for production then but got delayed in release. I'm not sure why. As soon as I heard a rumor in 2011 that they were going to make modernes again, I went to an independent Gibson dealer about 2 hours away to ask and what I was told was they had no information other than price (no specs, no release date, etc) but I could put some money down to reserve one if they ever made them. I paid for the whole thing flat out. I'd almost forgotten about it entirely when many months later (into 2012) I got a call to tell me my Moderne was in. I drove the two hours to the store after work to get it, drove two hours back, and posted a photo on the Gibson Forum. The next day I found that someone on LPF had linked to my post and it was getting a lot of views, which makes it possible that I posted the first picture of a privately owned one on the internet. A lot of stuff changed from the time the first rumors were announced til I had it in my hand. It was initially believed on the web that it would have a rosewood board which ran afoul of the raids. It was believed it would be korina. It was not. The headstock shape was a surprise. I guess my memory is off on the pickups. I thought it had a 57+ in the bridge. Later on in late 2019, I got the 2019 model through AMS. I was hoping when they said limited edition it would be something different, but it was basically the same guitar, although this time with a rosewood board and on mine, a single piece, highly figured body.

[@jonanderson2026]

Totally original and cool guitar. Just got an '18 in Aged Cherry with the tortoise pick guard. Came from AMS in the unopened Gibson shipping box. Had to have my luthier set it up, as it was basically unplayable. Now it plays excellently and sounds killer. 57 classic and classic plus. Very balanced and fairly lightweight. I had one of the '80's in natural about 20-some years ago, and wasn't very impressed. This one rocks though!

[@gregaltenhofel7326]

I learned something about myself today. Of course I know I loved the rarity of the moderne & even the shape itself. How much you ask? This was the second time I’ve watched your video. 😎

[@ironeddie3911]

Brother I watch your show every morning before I go to work! ..... 👍🎸🎸🎸🎸👍

[@4Gunzo]

I still love it, and the futura

[@natesquiggles6666]

Glad they reissued these

[@hkguitar1984]

Great Video, thanks Austin/Mike. Question, typically how many guitars does Mike demo in a session? I ask because I want to compliment Mike for keeping each demo fresh. Again, good work guys, keep it up (no reference to the Moderne's control plate!).

[@Trog]

usually between 8-12 in a session

[@Trog]

it is a real talent!

[@hectorheath]

Love it.Gotta have one to complete my collecting

[@akc5150]

I think the reason for the single Schaller strap button is because you would have BOTH ends of the strap on the same button to do the ZZ 'propeller' spin that was popular at one time..... Only guessing as I did the same thing to a black Strat back in the 80's after I saw Saxon guitarist Paul Quinn do it on Top Of The Pops over here in England.

[@parkerm.]

Hi I love your Channel so much

[@thedondeluxe6941]

I miss the super wacky headstock on these new ones.

[@ashton5959]

I love the moderne so much. It’s so weird it’s great

[@uwetittmann1423]

The sound is just great I think!

[@townshendshean]

I have a beautiful 2012...I love it! It has a great sound to it!

[@wesleyalan9179]

Yes! I love the Modern!!

[@RobotShlomo]

Rick Nielsen of Cheap Trick has a Moderne in his collection, but I don't know if it's a 50's model or an 80's reissue.

[@gagelink4963]

I thought there were only 3 designs for the namm show and the futura was what eventually became the explorer but I could be wrong

[@darrylcole5575]

No as trog shows at the begining of this episode a black and white photo from the 1958 namm show. The tall man in that pic is holding a futura . I have read and seen pics of a man who a prototype in the garbage. He grabbed it and left it in the back of his car for years. Recent pic I found of another guy who got that same guitar from the guy who found it in the garbage. It's the same guitar and it was painted black ? But underneath you can see the natural korina wood.

[@JoelDavidGonzalez]

Hi nice show I learn so much, I have a cuestion, long time ago I see a Gibson "Star" body shape just like a charvel random star, can you telk me something about this guitar? know you what model is? Thanks :)

[@jeffreybiscoe6]

I know your are in buisness because you love it and its the income so you sell them. BUT I never seen you jamming so comfortably in a groove . Keep it Forever .

[@vinniecostello1162]

The double audio at 9:56 killed my brain....

[@ironeddie3911]

I like it. Its very unique!

[@vmat1000]

Nice breakdown on this guitar. Didn't know about the later RI's. Only knew about the '80s version which 'ugly headstock' or not was close as right as was known. Actually played one back in '96 or so. Stopped by a shop a ways from where i live but by where i grew up. In town on a family bit with my then teen aged daughter and the shop owner says "You gotta see this" and drags out an '80s korina finished Moderne from behind the counter. Dug it but the kid was impatient so i didn't get to plug it in. Still a cool memory.

[@troywm1016]

Sick case candy!

[@fanoboss]

@ 9:55 Trogly VS Trogly

[@killercour]

I like it. It looks like something mastodon would use.

[@sassycat]

11:50 →12:10 - what aperture ratio camera angle were you using? It looks squished. 😨

[@gingerbeer914]

Tom Wheeler: "The Guitar Book" (1974-1979) page 81 (I have the Dutch edition with a foreword of Jan Akkerman of course) shows a Gibson shipping list of the years 1952-1960. This list comes from the Gibson headquarters administration. According to this shipping list 19 Modernes were shipped in 1958 and 3 in 1959. That's 22 Modernes that officially left the factory through the front door. But... it is also said that some left through the back door to the homes of certain Gibson employees. So, saying that the guitar did not exist in the 1950 is incorrect. There was/were at least one or more prototype(s) + 22 shipped guitars of the Moderne model in the 1957-1959 era. As long as people pay 300 grand for a '59 Les Paul Standard Cherry Sunburst, IMHO these Moderne guitars are worth 1-2 Million dollars each. They are only affordable for millionaires and museums with deep pockets.

[@walks1835]

Does anyone know how many of the 2019 run of Modernes were made. It seems very difficult to find this out even though it was Ltd run.

[@tomalexiou9573]

I like the sound of this guitar.Congrats to the owner!

[@GuitarMike1300]

A classic Trogly episode. No cringy edits, ridiculous jokes. Just a serious, to the point video. Thank you.

[@colinlillich]

I have an aged cherry v and you can see the wood grain through it

[@craigusselman546]

I actually really like the moderne I might get one its cool seriously.

[@alexl7539]

I have personally seen an original 1958 V and Explorer, a 1960 Les paul std. , a 1952 Les Paul goldtop and a 80's Gibson Moderne in "Guitars the museum" in Umeå (Sweden).

[@nigel7779]

Can you make a video about an EDS-1275?

[@gregaltenhofel7326]

I believe that back cover was very well thought out. Hehe 😜

[@unclefungus7395]

There’s a couple zakk wylde morderne of doom models on reverb right now

[@martinclayton7260]

I didn't like those when I first saw them, but now, I kind of like it!

[@Burztur99]

Polish Defil made copy of this called Kosmos in 80's as I remember :)

[@jaikwillis]

and the neck profiles ?

[@WattchomanBrandySavage]

i actually dig them, they're kinda freaky but kinda cool

[@joshmark5297]

looks like a flying v had a stroke

[@dar3mor6]

Looks like it was made to Salvador Dalí.

[@wesleyalan9179]

Lol

[@johnm3152]

Or at least a gangrenous wing removed

[@wesleyalan9179]

Looks like the incestial child of the V and exploreer, haha!

[@trulsolsen683]

9:55 wait wut

[@RRW276]

I'd like it much better if had just the traditional Gibson headstock.

[@wesleyalan9179]

9:36 ....lol!

[@dar3mor6]

Yes, definitely it's an abstract guitar.

[@gabrielcallizaya7412]

What? 😂😂

[@clockwork914]

That’s 1 🍆 Helluva control cavity design❗️

[@MadRiverMoCo]

It’s upsetting how often I watch this video

[@garrettodonnell4177]

I design my own guitars. None of them are particularly good but I did figure out independently that having a convex cavity cover was a bad idea. Gibson on the other hand...

[@rckrbear]

Holly cow, I owned an Ibanez version of the moderne. I had no clue they made them first. Had it in the 80s and was told back then it was a copy of the Gibson.

[@fotomule]

Nice demo, but couldnt help notice how you struggled to find the right position for it. Seems like its rather ergonomically uncomfortable?.

[@AntmanFelix]

Hahaha I just got what you meant about the back plate hahaha. Granadillo for a fret board is a great alternative for rosewood. I would not know the difference unless I was told.

[@otavio048]

will you do another livestream answering questions

[@Trog]

maybe.

[@alabamahebrew]

I was watching a video the other day of some rock group and one of the guitarists was using one of these. I immediately recognized it from your previous video's but darn it I could not remember the name of the guitar lol. Now, I can't remember the group I was watching!! lol So Gibson came out with this in 57 but never did anything with it, Ibanez comes out with their version in the 70's and then Gibson reissues it in the 80's? LOL wanna bet it was Gibson's way of getting back at Ibanez for ripping off the LP?? lol.. It's a cool guitar but I'm not one for small guitar bodies.

[@sassycat]

I think the lawsuit Norlin brought against the Japanese guitar companies helped extract their pound of flesh, lol.

[@patricksommer3971]

A cheap Epi Moderne? Err, I have to go. Have to buy a Guitar!

[@captainpiefox9133]

What's up trogly?

[@mihneazoican2479]

Why are the small arrows of the pots called thumb bleeds?

[@Trog]

Because in the old days they were sharp at the top and would occasionally cut your thumb while turning the knobs

[@mihneazoican2479]

Lol, nice. Thanks man!

[@gibsonxpl85]

I always thought it was pronounced like ‘modern’. Cool guitars, holy grail indeed!

[@vmat1000]

MoDern!!

[@dar3mor6]

An abstract guitar indeed, Troglio!!! Any Picasso's paint (excluding the Guernica) is garbage aside with this unknown classic.

[@Foxonian]

I used to own the rare Epiphone reissue of the Moderne that came out in the late 80's. Ended up trading it due to the body shape being annoying for me when playing it.

[@vernonhoover1387]

Not a big fan of granadillo and I don't think I'm a real big fan of this.sounds ok with the 57's but is like to here on with the t shaws.great show.thanks

[@scottbogfoot]

Could you imagine this with a snow falcon burst?!!

[@stevenkimsey7039]

I want the midtown and this one too. Just ship them.

[@wilhelmtheconquerer6214]

Remember Gibson's lawsuit against Dean? Yeah well, is it just me, or does that headstock shape seem familiar...

[@otavio048]

*The plot thickens*

[@squidge7436]

This headstock was created decades before Dean. It just isn't well remembered because it was the intital headstock for the Explorer/Futura, it was used on only the first few before switiching to the banana headstock. I agree though Gibson sueing Dean is still bullshit though.

[@stevenkimsey7039]

And the 1983 first reissue Les Paul guitar

[@randyheath8566]

Another video that I haven't seen 🎸 and I know that I watched it

[@davidpaul6656]

I always thought they should've made the headstock more like the Explorer's. It was a cool body shape, but Imo the headstock made it look kinda goofy

[@johnm3152]

I can imagine guitarist from DEVO playing this circa 1980

[@916rxyrox]

Why “Mow durn”? Thought it was modern “Moderne”! Just wondering.

[@killercour]

Jazz might have "the lick" but trogly has this 10:51

[@connorbettge3810]

i dream of the day they release these in lefty.

[@juanvaldez5422]

Eastwood has a version of this

[@IndyRockStar]

i want one.

[@johnjohnston6306]

It's nice in alot of ways.wondet why it wasn't hand sanded .on the inside abit.? Just to give it some freedom.just something.somethimg.😊

[@trulsolsen683]

3:52 Darrel Braun triggered

[@michapiasta1817]

Look for Defil Kosmos

[@rainerwinkler1026]

Now compate it with a 57 one

[@ThedarkBasshide]

La Explorer y la Flying V son geniales, avanzadas a su tiempo pero bien paridas. Pero la modem es un diseño terrible, tiene la ergonómia de un leño y un "estilazo funky" totalmente incomprendido!! 😂

[@peteflynnPAF]

Do people not know what "mint" actually means? Ridiculous. Thanks for the video!

[@trevor-johnsen]

My money is on that if an original exists, Rick Nielsen owns it...

[@otavio048]

the flying y

[@gedd74]

Flying WHY?

[@otavio048]

@@gedd74 to be fair i love the white one

[@duncandistortion]

The moving dorsal fin.

[@bigcatdaddy76016]

So much for the "57" Chevy design working on a guitar design.

[@marcmistermarc]

It’s not moaderne. Moderne. I bet you say oregano wrong as well.

[@vmat1000]

always thought Mo Dern. This just goes back to the ;80s. Check Norms Rare Guitars. Mark say the same way.

[@markjamesmeli2520]

Something about that design. It's too much, but not enough, all at the same time.

[@916rxyrox]

Maw dern…

[@otavio048]

Looks like a v that melted

[@julianblock4021]

Fuck that lol a headstock with a G and D string bend like that will go soooo out of tune so fast 💨

[@roberthenry6910]

Personally i think this is one of Gibsons ugliest models but in a good way. So bad its awesome type thing.

[@wesleyalan9179]

Yeah, i can dig it!

[@wadeguidry6675]

I like the mailbox flag control cavity cover....not.

[@darrylcole5575]

Kind of reminds me of a boomerang.......

[@duncandistortion]

I bet even paul stanley would laugh at it.

[@phatmanoflove]

Dumbest thing ever said in a guitar video. 1980's moderne made with korina. 2012 moderne made with mahogany. You can own both and get a completely different sound.

[@juanvaldez5422]

"And the pickups are different", but that has NOTHING to do with them sounding different. Its that sweet, sweet fat hard mahagony and that exotic curved cock korina...lol

[@briano.5746]

NO

[@claymationwaves]

zakk extreeme NO TASTE HAHA

[@JayEm1325]

Man thats hideous lol

[@alexwoolridge94aw]

I bet ol Billy Gibbons is full of shit claiming he owns an original.

[@wrongfuture]

I can't grasp why would anyone design such a distinguishably hideous guitar.