Gibson Explorer Electric Guitar (with Case)

With its jagged body and no-nonsense tone, the Gibson Explorer is an instantly recognizable hard-rock icon. Closely associated with the heavy metal explosion of the late '70s and early '80s, the Explorer was actually first introduced back in 1958 along with its sister, the Flying V. While the original '58 run of Explorers never really caught on (though have since fetched some of the highest auction prices of any guitar, ever), later releases of the Explorer were embraced by the who's who of rock titans like Metallica's James Hetfield and U2's The Edge. Today's Explorer carries all the wicked style and snarling tone of the classics with superb tonewoods and a pair of powerful humbucking pickups.

Excellent Tonewoods and Classic Hardware

Today's Gibson Explorer are built with a mahogany neck and body. Known for its resonance, mahogany is exactly the right wood to use when going for s big, rock tone. Both pieces are connected with a sturdy set-neck tenon which enhances the guitar's sustain -- the legendary sustain of Gibsons like the Explorer is one of the main reasons these have been go-to metal axes for decades. Tapping into the very best in the model's long legacy, the Explorer includes a tune-o-matic bridge, mini grover tuners on the angular headstock, pearloid dot inlays, and a ergonomic rounded neck profile.

Super Hot Humbuckers

The Gibson Explorer features two ceramic-based humbuckers with a Gibson 496R in the neck position and a 500T at the bridge. Both pickups churn out a full-ranged of heated tones with low-end growl for power chords and the high-end squeal for shredding. The dual-coils have been left uncovered which gives a little more high-end bite to the complex tonal picture.

Features:

- Classic Explorer design
- Mahogany neck and body with sturdy neck joint
- Hot humbucker pickups -- 496R and 500T -- for excellent rock tones
- Rounded neck profile, great for power chord chugging and high-fret shredding
- Tune-o-matic bridge with stopbar tailpiece
- Angular headstock with mini Grover tuners
- Included hardshell case

The latest Gibson Explorer is nearly identical to the second wave of Explorer production from the mid-to-late '70s. Guitarists of that era flocked to the Explorer for its bold body design, easy playability, and spectacular rock tone. With the current line of outstanding Explorer design, modern guitarists are sure to do the same. zZounds is an authorized dealer of Gibson products.

Manufactured in: Nashville, TN

Body Species: Mahogany

Neck Species: Mahogany

Profile: Rounded

Neck Joint Location: 19

Fingerboard Species: Rosewood; Ebony on Classic White

Scale Length: 24-3/4 in.

Nut Width: 11-1/16 in.

Inlays: Pearloid Dot

Hardware Plating Finish: Chrome

Tailpiece: Stopbar

Bridge: Tune-o-matic

Knobs: Black Speed

Tuners: Mini Grovers

Neck Pickups: 496R Ceramic magnet humbucker

Bridge Pickups: 500T Ceramic magnet humbucker

Controls: 2 volume, 1 tone, 3-way switch

Strings: Brite Wires .010-.046

Case Interior: Dark Gray Plush

Case Exterior: Black Reptile Pattern Hardshell

Case Silkscreen: Silver 'Gibson USA' logo

Dimensions and Weight in Packaging

Cherry

Shipping Weight: 29 lbs

Shipping Dimensions: 51 x 21 x 7 in

Ebony

Shipping Weight: 30 lbs

Shipping Dimensions: 51 x 21 x 7 in

White

Shipping Weight: 30 lbs

Shipping Dimensions: 51 x 21 x 7 in

Product Description

The Explorer's radical body shape debuted in 1958 and was almost 20 years ahead of its time. Not until the late 1970s did rock and roll's most daring guitarists embrace the cutting-edge model making the Explorer a rock classic ever since. Today's Explorer uses high-quality tonewoods and hardware for a guitar with outstanding tone and playability.