- originally designed as one of three Gibson modernistic concept guitars (with the Explorer and Flying V), 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). Tom Wheeler, in his book American Guitars, suggests that some were built - and when the music retailers responded in a negative way, Gibson sold some at a cut rate price to employees and destroyed others. 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.
It´s hard to hang a price tag on something that hasn´t been seen. Until one actually shows up, and is authenticated, values cannot be determined.