The Moderne is a classic Gibson design that was never brought to production, making it one of the most interesting electric guitar of that era! Epiphone brings the Moderne to life with the Limited Edition 1958 Korina Moderne which revives the phantom guitar with great style and appointments. Featuring a light Korina body with an Antique Natural finish, Epiphone Alnico Classic Humbuckers, and Wilkinson Vintage machine heads with Tulip Buttons. Available for a limited time only!
Epiphone Exclusive Run LE 1958 Korina Moderne Reissue Features
- Legendary ‘Moderne’ design, modeled after the rare original prototype
- Korina (African Limba) body with Antique Natural Finish Epiphone Alnico Classic Humbuckers
- Wilkinson Vintage machine heads
The Mystery of the Moderne - The Phantom Electric
The original Moderne was intended to be the third guitar in a series of futuristic designs that included the Flying V and the Explorer that were intended to revive lagging sales. Though the Flying V and the Explorer were put into production in the late 50s in small quantities and eventually became classics, the Moderne was never officially released and only a handful of prototypes ever made it out of the Epiphone and Gibson factory in Kalamazoo, Michigan. For decades, the mere existence of a true Moderne prototype has been a kind of Holy Grail for guitar collectors. Now Epiphone makes the world’s most rare and exotic electric guitar available to everyone at a great price with modern hardware, superb pickups, and Epiphone’s Limited Lifetime Warranty.
Korina Tonewood
The Ltd. Ed. ‘1958’ Moderne body is made from Korina (African Limba) wood which is renowned for its lightweight and excellent tonal properties. Gibson first used Korina wood in the late 50s for the first limited run of the Flying V and the Explorer and the original Moderne is rumored to have also been made from Korina. As time went on and guitar production accelerated during the 1960s and 70s, luthiers and guitarists rediscovered Korina as an alternative to Mahogany, Alder, and other woods typically found in solidbody guitars. The Moderne features a Korina neck with a ‘1960's’ SlimTaper D-Profile with a 24.75” scale length, a Pau Ferro fretboard with pearloid "Dot" inlays, and 22 medium jumbo frets. The Moderne headstock is modeled after late 50s Flying-Vs with a raised "Epiphone" logo.
Epiphone Alnico Classic Humbuckers
The new Korina Moderne is powered by an Epiphone Alnico Classic Humbucker in the neck position and a slightly hotter Epiphone Alnico Classic Plus Humbucker in the lead or bridge position. Epiphone’s Alnico Classic pickups feature Alnico 5 magnets which have a slightly higher output than typical humbuckers and offer enhanced mids and highs. Controls include an Epiphone all-metal 3-way Pickup Selector along with Volume controls for the Bridge and Neck pickups and a Master Tone Control, each with Black Top Hat knobs.
Moderne Hardware
The Ltd. Ed. 1958 Korina Moderne comes with rock solid Epiphone hardware including a gold LockTone Tune-o-matic bridge and Stopbar tailpiece, an Epiphone All-metal 1/4" output jack, and Wilkinson Vintage machine heads with vintage style Tulip Buttons. An optional hard case is also available.
Limited Lifetime Warranty
The Ltd. Ed. “1958” Korina Moderne comes with Epiphone’s Limited Lifetime Guarantee and Gibson’s world famous 365/24/7 Customer Service. The Ltd. Ed. “1958” Korina Moderne will be available for a limited time only. See your favorite Authorized Epiphone Dealer for details while supplies last.
Epiphone Exclusive Run LE 1958 Korina Moderne Reissue