The Gibson Explorer is one of the guitar models produced by the Gibson Guitar Corporation. It is an angular, solid-body guitar with a single cutaway that typically features two humbucking pickups. Models that feature P-90 single coil pickups exist, but are rare to find. The only two current non-signature production models, the 70’s Explorer and 80’s Explorer, are each priced at $2,499.00 USD.
History[]
In 1958, the Gibson Explorer was launched alongside the Flying V, as a part of Gibson’s then-new Modernistic series, intended to prove that Gibson could compete with Fender by introducing new, innovative guitar designs. Inspired by the public’s fascination with outer space and spacecraft at the time, both models featured angular, pointed bodies, and were made out of Korina wood, also known as white limba.
Unfortunately, both the Explorer and Flying V were immediately unsuccessful, with only 22 Explorer guitars being shipped out until the model’s discontinuation in 1959. However, sometime in the early 1960s and ending in 1963, a handful more were produced using material from the original 1958-1959 run, most of them bearing serial numbers that date them to 1958.
A 1958 Gibson Explorer. (Image courtesy of Ultimate Guitar)
The Gibson Explorer was out of production until 1975. The guitar was first reintroduced as a “Limited Edition” offering, but demand was so high that it was made an official part of Gibson’s lineup until 1979, when it was again discontinued in favor of the Gibson Explorer E2. After that, the Explorer continued in many variations, including but not limited to the Explorer CMT, the Explorer Heritage, the 1984 redesigned Explorer, and the Designer Series Explorer.
In 1989, the Explorer was finally reissued in its original layout, continuing as a part of Gibson’s lineup until around 2023 when it was discontinued alongside the Flying V. There is currently no word on if Gibson plans to bring back the standard Explorer design.
Design[]
The Gibson Explorer features an angular solid mahogany body with two humbucking pickups. While the Explorer’s body shape remains the same throughout its different variations, different colors, layouts, and pickguards have been used as well.
The wiring diagram for a standard Gibson Explorer. (Image courtesy of Axekool)
The typical wiring style of a Gibson Explorer includes two volume controls, one for each pickup, a master tone control which controls the tone for both pickups, and a three-way toggle switch. The jack plate and output jack are located on the lower bout of the guitar, on the right hand side below the knobs.
The Gibson Explorer typically has an all-mahogany body, although in rare instances, a maple top can be added. In addition, some models from the 1980s had a solid alder body. Usually there is no binding on the guitar’s body, rather it will only be on the neck.
The bridge an Explorer uses is a Tune-O-Matic bridge with stopbar tailpiece, seen on almost all Explorers. A few limited-run models have been produced with tremolos such as those produced by Kahler and Floyd Rose.
A Gibson 498T pickup. (Image courtesy of Guitar Center)
A 1978 Gibson Explorer featuring a mother-of-pearl inlay on its headstock. (Image courtesy of Fretted Americana Inc.)
Explorers almost always feature two humbucking pickups. The type of humbucker has varied over the years, such as the original PAF, ‘82 Super humbuckers, 490R/498T humbuckers, and even EMG active humbuckers.
Like the body of the guitar, the Gibson Explorer’s neck is made out of solid mahogany on most models. The guitar can have either a rosewood or ebony fretboard with dot inlays. The neck is glued into the body with a “set neck” design, and the neck has twenty two frets, although Dave Mustaine has been spotted with a twenty four fret model during Megadeth concerts.
The headstock is ebony black with all six tuners on the left hand side of it. The Gibson logo is either inlaid in mother of pearl at the tip of the headstock, or the Gibson “silkscreen” logo is seen, depending on the model. As with all other Gibson guitars, the headstock is at a seventeen degree angle.
Finishes/Colors[]
A Gibson Brendon Small "Thunderhorse" Explorer. (Image courtesy of zZounds)
The most common finishes seen on a Gibson Explorer are ebony black, alpine or classic white, cherry red, and natural. However, some signature models have been produced in custom colors, such as the Brendon Small “Thunderhorse” Explorer which came in a silverburst finish, as well as some Explorers featuring a sunburst finish like you might see on a Les Paul.
Famous Users[]
- James Hetfield of Metallica
- Allen Collins of Lynyrd Skynyrd
- The Edge of U2
- Brendon Small of Dethklok/Galaktikon
- Bill Kelliher of Mastodon
- Lzzy Hale of Halestorm