In the late 1950s, Gibson designed a trio of futuristic-looking new models that were intended to bring fresh, modern designs to the product lineup. One of these was the Futura, which quickly evolved into the Explorer as known today.

While the Explorer went on to become a true icon of the guitar world, it wasn't instantly popular. Only 19 were shipped in 1958, its first year of production. Its subsequent popularity has made those late '50s Explorers among the most desirable and expensive vintage guitars in the world--an instrument played by legends such as Eric Clapton, Slash, Allen Collins, Rick Nielsen, and James Hetfield.

Features:

- Tonewoods updated for a warmer, denser tone
- Old-school electronic components ensures vintage tone
- Mahogany body and neck
- Indian Rosewood fretboard
- 50s Rounded Medium C neck profile
- Unpotted Custombucker humbuckers
- True Historic Black Top Hat knobs
- Aged Gold hardware
- Historic Explorer case included

Radically "space age" in appearance when it was introduced, the Explorer was way ahead of its time and still looks fresh, modern, and unique today. Its enduring appeal and timeless design continue to captivate guitarists and collectors worldwide.

Now, Gibson Custom is proud to introduce the 1958 Mahogany Explorer Reissue. It features all of the hallmarks of the original Explorers from 1958, with the only difference being that mahogany has been used instead of the original, rare Korina wood. Mahogany delivers a somewhat warmer… read more sound than the slightly brighter Korina, making it a great choice for players who love the 1950s Explorer aesthetic but who prefer a denser, all-mahogany tone for rock and metal. Since mahogany is more readily available than Korina, this also makes the 1958 Mahogany Explorer Reissue the most accessible way to get Historic Explorer looks, features, and performance.

The reissue is built to vintage specifications, featuring a mahogany body in the original Explorer shape, a mahogany neck with a 1950s Vintage profile, and the original Explorer headstock design with reissue Kluson single-ring tuners. Its unbound Indian rosewood fretboard includes 22 authentic medium jumbo frets and cellulose dot inlays.

For tone, the 1958 Mahogany Explorer Reissue is equipped with two Custombucker humbuckers, hand-wired to two volume and one tone control with CTS potentiometers and a phone book capacitor. The Antique Natural nitrocellulose lacquer finish and aged gold hardware receive a VOS treatment, giving the guitar the look and feel of a "new old stock" late '50s instrument.

To complete the package, a Lifton historic reissue brown and pink hardshell case is included. This is your chance to own a true 1950s-spec Explorer--now available from Gibson Custom in its most accessible form yet.

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