Billy Gibbons about his Moderne

[Phil 52]

Don't know if this short little video was posted here before.
Billy about his Gibson "Moderne"

 

[AA00475Bassman]

I say BS - just my subjective opinion - will someone please post one photo of this guitar - Thank you

 

[S. Weiger]

I don't buy into it, but: Nice case, I'm sure..

 

[S. Weiger]

I say BS - just my subjective opinion - will someone please post one photo of this guitar - Thank you

This was the best I could do:

 

[Phil 52]

IIRC the b/w pic was dicussed here years ago.
Don't know where I got it from.

The colored pic was taken on a tour way back in Europe.

 

[DutchRay]

IIRC the b/w pic was dicussed here years ago.
Don't know where I got it from.

The colored pic was taken on a tour way back in Europe.

As far as I know the color pic guitar is a replica, not a Gibson. He's had a bunch of guitars made by a luthier who's name escapes me, Gretsches, Tele's and others, all super light for easy touring.

 

[britbender]

As far as I know the color pic guitar is a replica, not a Gibson. He's had a bunch of guitars made by a luthier who's name escapes me, Gretsches, Tele's and others, all super light for easy touring.

Bolin ?

 

[MattD1960]

I think that video and BFGs attitude twards the guitar speaks volumes. if it was a fake he would be screaming heres the real one from the roof tops, if it was 100% legit he would be parading it around the museums and shows and gibson would probably be promoting it themselves. the idea that no one can make heads or tails of it is probably the gods honest truth. BFG is just stating all that he 100% knows about it and thats its back story and what other experts have said.

 

[Phil 52]

Bolin ?

Yes, John Bolin from Boise Idaho.
Over several decades he made countless guitars for Billy.

 

[Cliff Gress]

It's a very cool body shape. Head stock not so much.

 

[S. Weiger]

I think that video and BFGs attitude twards the guitar speaks volumes. if it was a fake he would be screaming heres the real one from the roof tops, if it was 100% legit he would be parading it around the museums and shows and gibson would probably be promoting it themselves. the idea that no one can make heads or tails of it is probably the gods honest truth. BFG is just stating all that he 100% knows about it and thats its back story and what other experts have said.

I agree, but I can't help noticing his countenance and body language when he says "Kalamazoo, Michigan" @ 0:28
as if he wants that to legitimize the guitar.. IDK.. maybe I've just seen too many Columbo episodes.

 

[Phil 52]

It's a very cool body shape. Head stock not so much.

That's what I'm thinking too.
The hockey stick head of the Explorer is also not my favorite.
I like the pointed and the split better.

 

[seafood]

The Irish have a saying.....''never let the truth get in the way of a good story "......Tall Texas Tales !!!!!!

 

[ch willie]

I dig everything about that guitar. The headstock is so odd, and I like it. It's just another color in the palette. Might not be the first color you go for, but it's fun to see it occasionally.

 

[thin sissy]

I dig everything about that guitar. The headstock is so odd, and I like it. It's just another color in the palette. Might not be the first color you go for, but it's fun to see it occasionally.

A dream guitar for sure. It also looks very comfortable to me.

 

[storngk]

I say BS - just my subjective opinion - will someone please post one photo of this guitar - Thank you

This is his Moderne that was in the Deborah Frost ZZ Top book:

 

[storngk]

I say BS - just my subjective opinion - will someone please post one photo of this guitar - Thank you

This is the other one:

 

[MattD1960]

This is the other one:

I BELIEVE years ago when this was batted around this guitar is the guitar bolin built for him. and the first black and white photo is the one that is being talked about as the maybe could be might be on the right day in perfect sunlight one

 

[darkwave]

I believe the B&W photo is one that Dan Erlewine owned for a short while and eventually ended up in a Japanese collection. Supposedly it was modded or made from spare parts (explaining the headstock) and it ending up in Japan may explain why the old Ibanez lawsuit model looks the way it does. I don't think I've heard of Billy being connected to that one before? It's been pictured in a few collectors books over the years with various stories before Dan talked about it on this form.

- Douglas C.

 

[storngk]

I believe the B&W photo is one that Dan Erlewine owned for a short while and eventually ended up in a Japanese collection. Supposedly it was modded or made from spare parts (explaining the headstock) and it ending up in Japan may explain why the old Ibanez lawsuit model looks the way it does. I don't think I've heard of Billy being connected to that one before? It's been pictured in a few collectors books over the years with various stories before Dan talked about it on this form.

- Douglas C.

The photo Phil 52 and I posted is from Deborah Frost's book: https://www.amazon.com/ZZ-Top-worldwide-Deborah-Frost/dp/0020029500

It is a completely different guitar from the black one that Erlewine had.

​

​