By C.

The Gibson Futura is a lesser-known, yet highly intriguing guitar model that you might call a long lost sibling to the more familiar Explorer and Flying V models of the late 1950’s. Emerging as a prototype in 1957 for the NAMM show, the Futura was part of Gibson’s ambitious “Modernist” series, which also included the now-iconic Flying V and Explorer models. Despite its initial obscurity, Gibson officially put the Futura design into production in the late 1990’s as a Custom Shop model, and has since garnered a cult following among guitar enthusiasts and collectors for its unique design and historical significance.

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The Futura’s design was a bold departure from the traditional guitar shapes of its time. It featured an angular, futuristic body that was both visually striking and ergonomically unique. The body was made from Korina wood, also known as African Limba, which was chosen for its light weight and resonant tonal qualities. This choice of wood, along with the guitar’s radical body shape, contributed to its distinctive sound and appearance.

One of the most notable features of the Futura was its headstock design. The prototype sported a split headstock, which was unlike any other Gibson model at the time. Several korina Explorers are also known to have featured this shape, and this unique feature not only added to these guitar’s futuristic aesthetic but also influenced the design of later models. The split headstock, however, was not without its challenges. It proved to be difficult to manufacture and maintain, which contributed to the Futura’s limited prototype test run.

The Futura was to be equipped with Gibson’s PAF (Patent Applied For) humbucking pickups, which were a revolutionary development in the late 1950s. These pickups helped to eliminate the hum and noise that plagued earlier single-coil designs, providing a cleaner and more powerful sound and are now world famous (and quite valuable) on the second hand vintage market. The combination of the Korina body and PAF pickups gave the Futura a bright, punchy tone with excellent sustain, making it a versatile instrument suitable for a wide range of musical styles.

Despite its innovative design and high-quality construction, the Futura did not achieve commercial success upon its initial release. The guitar’s radical appearance was perhaps too ahead of its time, and it failed to resonate with the more conservative tastes of the late 1950s guitar market. As a result, very few Futura prototypes were produced, and the model was eventually shelved in favor of the more commercially promising Explorer and Flying V.

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The scarcity of original Futura prototypes has made them highly sought-after by collectors. Only very few are known to actually exist, and they are considered some of the rarest and most valuable Gibson guitars ever made. Above shows photo of one of the only Futuras to surface in the last 60 years. If they do appear on the market, they are expected to fetch exorbitant prices, reflecting their historical significance and desirability.

The legacy of the Gibson Futura extends beyond its rarity and collectibility. Its bold design and innovative features have had a lasting impact on guitar design and have inspired numerous subsequent models. The Futura’s influence can be seen in the Gibson Explorer, which adopted many of its design elements and achieved greater commercial success. Additionally, the Futura has inspired various other guitar manufacturers to experiment with unconventional shapes and materials, pushing the boundaries of guitar design.

In recent years, Gibson has acknowledged the historical significance of the Futura by releasing limited-edition reissues and tribute models. These modern interpretations aim to capture the spirit of the original while incorporating contemporary advancements in guitar technology. These reissues have been well-received by both collectors and players, further cementing the Futura’s place in the pantheon of iconic guitar designs.

We’ve all marveled at the magnificence of a Gibson Explorer, but how many of us can really say the same for the far lesser known Futura? While it remains on the radar mostly for vintage Gibson aficionados and collectors, the Gibson Futura prototype represents a fascinating chapter in the history of electric guitar design. Its bold, futuristic aesthetics, innovative features, and rare production run have made it a highly coveted instrument. Although it was not commercially successful in its time, the Futura’s influence on subsequent guitar models and its enduring legacy in the world of music cannot be overstated. The Futura serves as a symbol of Gibson’s willingness to experiment with guitar design, even in the face of commercial uncertainty.

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