Phil O'Keefe Posted June 1, 2015 Share Posted June 1, 2015 Ted McCarty's futuristic oddballs from the late 1950s - the Explorer / Futura, the Flying V and the mythical Moderne. The Explorer and V have both been very popular and Gibson has released multiple versions of each over the years, while the Moderne probably never made it beyond prototypes in the late '50s, but has been commercially released since then; first in 1982. All three designs still look fresh and modern, even today - over a half century after their design and introduction. The question is, which of these three will win this week's Guitar Deathmatch? As always, that's up to you - so vote for your favorite now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil O'Keefe Posted June 1, 2015 Author Share Posted June 1, 2015 Note to self - maybe next week we can consider Explorer vs FIrebird... and maybe even throw in a little RD action to keep things interesting... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Preacher Posted June 1, 2015 Members Share Posted June 1, 2015 I'm voting Flying V specifically for this one... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitarcapo Posted June 1, 2015 Members Share Posted June 1, 2015 I never liked the way you couldn't rest a Flying V on your knee to play it. The design also removes wood from a critical place on the guitar where you need it most for tone: at the bridge. Also it's a ridiculous affair trying to add a Bigsby and a Floyd Rose looks goofy there. The "Moderne" looks ugly so I guess of the 3 I'd vote for Explorer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members gardo Posted June 1, 2015 Members Share Posted June 1, 2015 I choose the flying V Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Bucksstudent Posted June 1, 2015 Members Share Posted June 1, 2015 I've never seen a Modern in person, and the only player I know of who played one was the dude in Japan, if I recall. He also had an RD. The Flying V has that awesome thick yet brittle tone. I had a 70's MIJ copy made of Mahogony with sweet pickups, but sitting was a pain. The Explorer is better for sitting, and you can poke your eye out with it, so that's good. Tone wise... I mean, the Explorer has that Gibson sound, sort of like a larger SG tone, and the V has it's own vibe. If I had to pick between then, I'd go Explorer. I probably wouldn't be as cool as The Edge or James Hetfield if I played one, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mr.Grumpy Posted June 1, 2015 Members Share Posted June 1, 2015 I would LOVE to have a Moderne, and regret not buying one when they were re-issued a couple of years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members WRGKMC Posted June 1, 2015 Members Share Posted June 1, 2015 I don't think there's much tonal differences between these if you had them all loaded with the same pups. The choice is purely aesthetic.I think the V gets a bad rap for comfort by many who haven't owned one. They aren't that hard to play sitting if you put the right knee in the crotch with one tail fin above and below. The Explorer is definitely not comfortable sitting in an arm chair. I did a pup change in one recently and noticed that discomfort while sitting in my living room. At least with a V you can get the one tail over the arm. I haven't played a Modern. It looks to have a little better ergonomics but its still got a large fin that would be a problem in an arm chair. I'd never buy one though. That hatchet headstock just loops too oddball for my tastes. I mean if I got one cheap or donated to be I'm sure it would be a good player, it just the bent banana look wouldn't be something I'd go looking for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members WRGKMC Posted June 1, 2015 Members Share Posted June 1, 2015 The reverse versions are even stranger looking and in fact the Modern may be even more comfortable if its not neck heavy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jtr654 Posted June 1, 2015 Members Share Posted June 1, 2015 I've owned both V and Explorer and I picked the V. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Pine Apple Slim Posted June 1, 2015 Members Share Posted June 1, 2015 I like Explorers. Vs are cool but I like the tone and the ergonomics of the Explorer better. I have the blonde Epi 58 Korina reissue, a great guitar. I'm always on the lookout for the matching V. But the price would have to be right. I got the Explorer for $300 with case and it was mint. I'd give the same for the matching V, just because:) even though I doubt I'd ever play it much. I've never even seen a Moderne in person. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators Ratae Corieltauvorum Posted June 2, 2015 Moderators Share Posted June 2, 2015 The Explorer and non Gibson derivatives were axe porn of my youth, especially Mattias Jabs. I actually had a chance to buy one of his spares after a tour around 2004, but I was active with the bottle then and didn't complete the transaction. On exactly like this from his own collection Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Notes_Norton Posted June 2, 2015 Members Share Posted June 2, 2015 I've never owned any of these, but I'll vote for the V because it's the least offensive looking The first one I saw was played by Lonnie Mack, and he played the V quite well. Insights and incites by Notes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members thatsbunk Posted June 2, 2015 Members Share Posted June 2, 2015 All too pointy for me... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil O'Keefe Posted June 2, 2015 Author Share Posted June 2, 2015 Of the three, I have to admit that the Explorer is the only one that has ever really tempted me... I've never owned one, but I do like them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members humbuckerstrat Posted June 5, 2015 Members Share Posted June 5, 2015 The Samick V I bought around Christmastime is the only guitar I've been playing with any regularity since then. I also put a GFS Wilkinson roller bridge and GFS REDactives in it. It didn't take long for me to get used to playing it sitting down, I was determined to learn how. D'Addario 11s feel great on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members guitarcapo Posted June 6, 2015 Members Share Posted June 6, 2015 One guy voted for the Moderne....lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members badpenguin Posted June 7, 2015 Members Share Posted June 7, 2015 Make that two guys. I had an Explorer, liked it, but not enough to keep it. Always hated the V's.... maybe if I was 15 and into metal.... naaah, not even then. But the Modern, well,it's different. Played the epi version, and kinda dug it, the way it sat on the body fit. And the tones were usable. IF I see another, I will more than likely snatch it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members AJ6stringsting Posted June 7, 2015 Members Share Posted June 7, 2015 I just put my one leg between the "V" and it's like playing while standing up ..... PROBLEM SOLVED !!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members AJ6stringsting Posted June 7, 2015 Members Share Posted June 7, 2015 Those Kahler trems have a nasty habit of not returning to pitch ( the G string). That's why Kahler wasn't that popular, you had to pull up on the bar to get it to pitch. It was a very common problem back in the 1980's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members AJ6stringsting Posted June 7, 2015 Members Share Posted June 7, 2015 Nice !!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members AJ6stringsting Posted June 7, 2015 Members Share Posted June 7, 2015 I own a 1971 Medallion Series Gibson Flying V. So I voted for the V, but lately I've been gassing for an Explorer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members *BLEEP* Posted June 8, 2015 Members Share Posted June 8, 2015 "Twas just looking at a images of all 3 of these odd geetars. Apart from the strange headstock, the Moderne appears to be the most practical and sit or stand friendly of the bunch. The V is generally alright, unless you sit down. The back end of the Explorer is a huge waste of wood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members humbuckerstrat Posted June 9, 2015 Members Share Posted June 9, 2015 AJ6stringsting commented 06-07-2015, 02:13 PM Nice !!!! Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Notes_Norton Posted June 9, 2015 Members Share Posted June 9, 2015 The first V I ever saw was in the hands of Lonnie Mack - Texas Blues/Rock player. Albert King played a V a lot too. It may be common for metal players to use a pointy guitar, but they weren't the first nor the only ones to do so. Me? I prefer hollowbody archtops and strat shaped guitars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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