The gibson guitars that tanked...he also invented 3 unsuccessful guitars??? BUT!!!

THE MODERNISTIC GUITARS

 Ted McCarty felt Gibson needed guitars to compete with Fenders especially their biggest seller the Stratocaster!
The V was first and then the Explorer ...they held back on the Moderne as sales were very weak and the whole idea lost it's initial enthusiasm.

1958

1958

The first one was not made until 1982.

THE FENDER STRAT WAS $275.00 and the Tele was $250.00
In today's money all these guitars were around $2000.00
The V sold 30 and later the Explorer sold 19.

I find it interesting to note that that today if you have accomplished a skill set worthy of a pro guitar it is unlikely that you can not afford one. Yes they may come from the east
but in the 50's you were stuck with a less then adequate 
or by today's standards a near unplayable guitar.

Archtops like the ES125 were doing over 1500
Fender were selling equally big numbers with the Strat.

Not until they came up with the SG did Gibson have a consistent
solid body big seller.

So both Fender and Gibson only sold a pro guitar
for $2000.00 USD
Hard to create a valid argument about high prices when today
a valid pro can squeak in for around $800.00 USD
A PRS SE is a good example.
the materials and construction, fit and finish
are totally pro.