Gibson unveiled the Flying V, Explorer and Moderne at the
1958 NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) trade
show, where they were all too successful in shocking the
industry. They were too futuristic for even the rock and
rollers of 1958, most of whom still played hollowbody
electrics. Production was extremely limited and original
Flying Vs and Explorers are now among the most prized
collectibles (the Moderne never made it into production).
With the Flying V and Explorer having blazed
a trail to a new level of guitar design, Gibson's next
solidbody, the SG, found easy acceptance. The
ultra-thin, double-cutaway body with sharply pointed horns
debuted in 1961 as a revamped Les Paul model. In 1963 it was
renamed SG--for Solid Guitar.
