Gibson Custom 1957 Mahogany Futura Reissue Electric Guitar - Antique Natural

The Gibson Custom 1957 Mahogany Futura Reissue revives one of the rarest and most mysterious designs in Gibson’s "Modernist" lineage. Conceived alongside the Flying V and Moderne in 1957, the original Futura never reached full production—only a handful of prototypes were ever built, making authentic examples nearly impossible to come by. This meticulous reissue brings that lost design to life with a two-piece mahogany body shaped to original Futura specifications, offering warm, resonant tone with a surprisingly lively attack. A ’50s Vintage mahogany neck and unbound Indian rosewood fingerboard preserve the feel of the earliest prototypes, while dual unpotted CustomBucker Alnico 3 pickups deliver the open, expressive character of late-50s PAFs. Finished in Antique Natural nitro with VOS-aged gold hardware, the 1957 Futura Reissue captures the look, sound and intrigue of one of Gibson’s most elusive creations.

Two-Piece Mahogany Futura Body: Timeless Tone, Vintage Style

The Futura’s distinctive, angular silhouette is faithfully recreated using a two-piece solid mahogany body, staying true to the material used on the earliest known prototypes. Mahogany imparts a warm, harmonically rich voice with full low-end presence and smooth, singing mids, while its natural density provides impressive sustain and note separation. The Futura’s offset, futuristic contours promote excellent balance whether seated or standing, giving the guitar a surprisingly ergonomic feel despite its avant-garde appearance. Finished in Antique Natural nitrocellulose lacquer with a VOS treatment, the body exhibits soft, vintage character that recalls a well-preserved late-50s instrument. The result is a rare blend of vintage-correct design and dependable modern playability.

’50s Vintage Mahogany Neck With Unbound Rosewood Fingerboard

The mahogany neck is carved to Gibson’s ’50s Vintage profile, offering a substantial yet comfortable grip that encourages both expressive bends and steady rhythm work. Joined with traditional hide glue construction, the neck promotes exceptional resonance transfer between neck and body, enhancing sustain and tactile responsiveness. The unbound Indian rosewood fingerboard adds natural warmth and smoothness under the fingers, while 22 reissue frets and cellulose dot inlays preserve the understated look of the original Futura prototypes. A nylon nut provides consistent string spacing and allows for stable tuning during dynamic playing. Together, this neck-and-fingerboard pairing gives the Futura a classic Gibson feel with a uniquely responsive, vintage-influenced character.

CustomBucker Alnico 3 Pickups: Airy, Expressive PAF-Style Voice

Equipped with a pair of unpotted CustomBucker humbuckers loaded with Alnico 3 magnets, the 1957 Futura Reissue captures the breathy openness and dynamic sensitivity associated with early PAF pickups. These low-output humbuckers deliver chiming highs, detailed midrange and a warm, rounded low end that responds beautifully to variations in picking attack. Handwired electronics—featuring two volume controls, a single tone control, CTS 500k vintage-taper pots and a "phone book" capacitor—offer smooth, precise control of tonal color. From crystalline clean tones to rich, harmonically complex overdrive, the Futura’s pickup configuration provides versatility while maintaining an unmistakably vintage character.

Period-Correct Hardware With Aged Gold VOS Finish

Every component of the Futura Reissue’s hardware has been selected for both historical accuracy and reliable performance. The ABR-1 no-wire bridge and lightweight aluminum stopbar tailpiece enhance sustain and promote clear, ringing note definition, all while keeping the guitar’s feel authentically 1950s. Kluson single-ring reissue tuners maintain stable tuning and contribute to the rare split-V headstock’s vintage look. Aged gold VOS plating gives the hardware a gently worn patina, further reinforcing the feel of an uncovered late-50s prototype. True Historic top hat knobs with dial pointers complete the look, blending straightforward usability with period-correct style.

The 1957 Mahogany Futura Reissue: A Lost Icon, Reborn

The Gibson Custom 1957 Mahogany Futura Reissue offers players and collectors an extraordinary chance to own one of the most elusive designs in Gibson’s history. Its two-piece mahogany body, ’50s Vintage mahogany neck and responsive unpotted CustomBucker pickups deliver warm, articulate tone wrapped in unmistakable Modernist style. From its Antique Natural VOS finish to its split-V headstock and historically accurate hardware, every detail reflects a faithful revival of a guitar that nearly vanished into legend. Paired with a brown-and-pink Lifton historic reissue hardshell case, the Futura Reissue brings the mystique of Gibson’s lost era into the hands of modern musicians—and finally gives this once-forgotten design the spotlight it deserves.