The original Explorer of 1958 was more radically modernistic than its famous cousin, the Flying V. Musicians finally caught up with the Explorer in 1976, and today's Explorer revives the first reissue. Features include 496R/500T ceramic humbuckers, a Mahogany body and neck with a rosewood fingerboard, and chrome hardware. A Gibson deluxe hardshell case is included.
In 1958 "At the Hop" by Danny and the Juniors topped the radio and record charts for 7 straight weeks, surpassing 2 other monster hits that year-"The Purple People Eater" by Sheb Wooley and "The Chipmunk Song" by, of course, The Chipmunks. In that same year Gibson's Ted McCarty met a challenge from rival Leo Fender and introduced 3 revolutionary, highly stylized solidbody electric guitars -- the Explorer, the fabled lost Moderne, and the Flying V.
The Pickups
The 496R is a smokin? neck pickup with incredible sustain and cutting power. You'll be amazed how the high-output ceramic magnet adds more highs with increased definition and no muddiness.
The 500T is built to deliver the no-holds-barred, in-your-face hard rock licks you want. The powerful multi-ceramic magnet structure enables this monster to cover lots of territory. It can scream or growl - never losing its rich combination of enhanced lows and crystal clear highs.
Technical Info
Body: Mahogany
Neck: Mahogany
Neck Profile: Rounded
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Inlay: Dot
Scale: 24-3/4 in.
Nut Width: 1-11/16 in.
Bridge: Tune-o-matic
Tailpiece: Stop bar
Hardware: Chrome
Pickups:
496R ceramic magnet humbucker
500T ceramic magnet humbucker
Controls: Two volume, one tone, three-way switch
Strings: Brite Wires .009-.042
A reissue of a reissue? Yes! Way ahead of its time in '58, the Explorer had only a limited production run. Reissued in '76, it was embraced, then underwent several changes over the years. This is a reissue of the '76 model, complete with mahogany body and set neck, 496R and 500T humbuckers, and gold hardware. Includes case.