The Jazz Moderne was one of a short series of guitars I created for Gibson Custom that became known as the Art Deco Series. Both General Manager Rick Gembar and I are big fans of the Streamline Era and he heartily endorsed my pursuit of these pieces.
The most obvious feature of this guitar is the colorful orange fan that radiates from the tailpiece and spreads across the top. The Pickguard and Truss Rod Cover are made of swirling Italian Plastic, edged with mother of pearl stair steps. The Pickguard is inlaid with a Gibson script logo, hand cut from 14 carat gold. The title, “Jazz Moderne” is engraved in a mother of pearl band running vertically on the Pickguard.
The gold plated Tailpiece is engraved, “ Super L-5”, as is the Plastic Heel Cap.
The back of the guitar is a hand cut marquetry veneer that was inspired by the elevator doors of the Bullocks Wilshire Building in Los Angeles, California, circa 1929.
The Heel of the Neck is hand carved and poly chromed to a pattern I designed for this one of a kind guitar.
The back of the Headstock features a black veneer with a stinger. I designed the inlay which is made of Indonesian pearl and sterling silver. Mother of Pearl Imperial knobs on gold Kluson Tuners complete this unique guitar. We also included a framed marquetry back to go along with this package.
The jazz Moderne sold for $40,000.00 in the year 2000.
