Models (44)
EXPLORER (KORINA)
View Details
- offset hourglass korina (African limba wood) body, white pickguard, korina neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, tune-o-matic bridge/stop tailpiece, blackface peghead with pearl logo inlay, 6-on-a-side tuners, gold (1958-59) or nickel (1962-63) hardware, 2 P.A.F. (1958-59) or patent number (1962-63) humbucker pickups, 2 volume/1 tone controls, 3-position switch, available in Natural finish, approx. 22 mfg. 1958-1959, parts clean-up during 1962-1963 (brown case 1958-59, black case 1962-63).
Since this is considered one of the "Holy Grails" of vintage guitars, very few authentic original 1958/1959 Explorers are traded today, and it is difficult to correctly value this instrument. However, a clean Explorer will probably bring between $350,000 and $450,000. Each instrument should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and we suggest having several appraisals performed before buying or selling.
A few early specimens were produced with a V-shaped peghead and a raised plastic logo. The first prototype was dubbed the Futura. The Explorer model was introduced shortly after the Flying V and had a 1958 retail price of $247.50. A modernistic concept guitar from Gibson, this model had very limited manufacture (estimated to be under 100 instruments). Even though the 1962-1963 period of manufacture was mostly a clean-up of earlier bodies and related parts that were never finished during the first production run, values seem to be the same for both periods. Until someone finds and documents a Moderne, the Explorer (Korina) will continue to be one of Gibson's most desirable and rarest electric instruments.
A few early specimens were produced with a V-shaped peghead and a raised plastic logo. The first prototype was dubbed the Futura. The Explorer model was introduced shortly after the Flying V and had a 1958 retail price of $247.50. A modernistic concept guitar from Gibson, this model had very limited manufacture (estimated to be under 100 instruments). Even though the 1962-1963 period of manufacture was mostly a clean-up of earlier bodies and related parts that were never finished during the first production run, values seem to be the same for both periods. Until someone finds and documents a Moderne, the Explorer (Korina) will continue to be one of Gibson's most desirable and rarest electric instruments.
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Explorer Reissue
View Details
- similar to Explorer (Korina), except has mahogany body/neck, available in Black, Natural (most common), or White finish, mfg. 1975-1980.
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Explorer (I)
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- similar to Explorer II, except has mahogany body, rosewood fingerboard with dot inlay, decal headstock logo, tune-o-matic bridge/stop tailpiece or black Kahler Flyer tremolo, 2 uncovered humbuckers, available in Black or White finish, mfg. 1981-89.
In 1987, ebony fingerboard replaced rosewood fingerboard; tremolo bridge was discontinued. This model was also available in a left-handed configuration (Explorer left hand), available 1984 to 1987.
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E/2 (E2, E II, EXPLORER II)
View Details
- offset hourglass Explorer-style body with beveled edges, five-piece laminated walnut/maple body, set walnut neck with maple stringers, 22-fret ebony fingerboard with dot inlays, Explorer-style headstock, six-on-one-side tuners, E/2 engraved truss rod cover, tune-o-matic bridge, TP-6 stop tailpiece, black pickguard, two exposed humbucker pickups, three black barrel knobs, three-way pickup switch, gold hardware, available in Natural finish, mfg. 1979-1984.
This model was also available with maple neck. Body woods on this model were interchangeable (i.e. walnut or maple used on top). Models with a bound curly maple top may be an Explorer CMT (see model below).
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EXPLORER KORINA REISSUE (1983 MFG.)
View Details
- offset hourglass korina body, black pickguard, korina neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, tune-o-matic bridge/stop tailpiece, blackface peghead with pearl logo inlay, stamped serial number on peghead, six-on-a-side Schaller tuners, gold hardware, two humbucker pickups, two volume/one tone controls, three-position switch, available in Antique Natural, Candy Apple Red, Ebony, or Ivory finish, mfg. 1983 only.
This was Gibson's first Explorer Korina reissue model. In 1983, this Limited Edition was designed as a reissue of 1958 Explorer. It is estimated that less than 100 instruments were produced. Current production instruments (1958 Korina Explorer) are part of the Historic Collection Series, found at the end of this section.
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Explorer Heritage (Limited Edition)
View Details
- similar to Explorer Korina Reissue, except has inked serial number on peghead, pearloid buttons, black control knobs, available in Antique Natural, Ebony, or Ivory finish, mfg. 1983 only.
It is estimated that 100 of these instruments were manufactured. Serial numbers on the Explorer Heritage models consist of a single letter followed by 3 digits.
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100% New
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Explorer Heritage (Custom Shop)
View Details
- similar to Explorer Korina Reissue, except has stamped serial number on peghead, black pickguard, gold hardware, available in Antique Natural, Ebony, or Ivory finish, mfg. 1983 only.
It is estimated that 500 of these instruments were manufactured.
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EXPLORER 83 (EXPLORER)
View Details
- offset hourglass body, mahogany neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, tremolo tailpiece (Kahler and Floyd Rose systems), six-on-one-side tuners, chrome hardware, two exposed coil humbucker pickups, two volume/tone controls, three-position switch, available in Black or White finish, mfg. 1984-89.
In 1984, alder wood replaced Korina for the body. When the name was changed from the Explorer 83 to Explorer, this model was offered with optional custom graphics and original artist finishes.
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Explorer w/Black Hardware
View Details
- similar to Explorer 83, except has Kahler tremolo system and black hardware, mfg. 1985 only.
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Explorer CMT
View Details
- similar to Explorer 83, except has bound curly maple top, mfg. 1984 only.
Some models may have "E 2" engraved on the truss rod cover.
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100% New
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EXPLORER III
View Details
- offset hourglass Explorer-style alder body, set maple neck, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlays, hockey stick Explorer-style headstock with gold Gibson logo decal, six-on-one-side tuners, tune-o-matic bridge with a stop tailpiece or optional locking tremolo bridge, three soapbar P-90 pickups, two knobs (v, tone), two three-way pickup switches, chrome hardware, available in Alpine White, Camouflage, Ebony, or Red finish, 24.75 in. scale, mfg. 1984-85.
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100% New
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Explorer III w/Black Hardware
View Details
- similar to the Explorer III, except has a Kahler double locking tremolo and black hardware, mfg. 1985 only.
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100% New
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EXPLORER 425
View Details
- offset hourglass mahogany body, set-in mahogany neck, white pickguard, 22-fret ebony fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, Kahler vibrato, blackface peghead with pearl logo inlay, 6-on-a-side tuners, black hardware, 2 uncovered single coil/humbucker pickups, volume/tone controls, 3 mini switches, available in Natural finish, mfg. 1986 only.
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100% New
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XLP CUSTOM
View Details
- similar to Explorer 425, except has bound top, sharply pointed horns, rounded cutout on lower treble bout, 2 Dirty Fingers exposed coil humbuckers, double locking tremolo system, mfg. 1985-87.
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100% New
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X-PLORER (DSXR, EXPLORER '76 REISSUE)
View Details
- offset hourglass mahogany body/neck, white or mirror (2002-present) pickguard, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, tune-o-matic bridge/stop tailpiece, blackface peghead with pearl logo inlay, six-on-a-side tuners, chrome hardware, two ceramic (496R and 500T) magnet humbuckers, two volume/one tone controls, three-position switch, available in Cherry (disc. 2007), Classic White (CW), Ebony (EB), Natural, Natural Burst (disc. 2005), or Vintage Sunburst (VS, disc. 1994) finish, mfg. 1990-2013.
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Grading
100% New
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Explorer Gothic
View Details
- similar to the Explorer, except has Gibson's Gothic appointments which include a Satin Black finish, black chrome hardware, a black pickguard, truss-rod cover, and jack input plate, and no fingerboard inlays except a 12th fret moon and star design, mfg. 1998-2001.
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Grading
100% New
98% Mint
95% Exc+
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X-PLORER PRO (DSX+)
View Details
- similar to Explorer '76 Reissue, except has AA maple single bound top, ebony fingerboard with pearl block inlays, chrome hardware, available in Trans. Amber or Trans. Black finish, mfg. 2002-04.
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Grading
100% New
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EXPLORER 90 DOUBLE
View Details
- offset hourglass mahogany body/neck, 25.5 in. scale, white pickguard, 22-fret rosewood fingerboard with pearl dot inlay, tune-o-matic bridge/stop tailpiece, blackface peghead with pearl split diamond/logo inlay, 6-on-a-side tuners, gold hardware, 2 humbucker pickups, 2 volume/1 tone controls, 3-position switch, available in Natural finish, mfg. 1989-1991.
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Grading
100% New
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EXPLORER VOODOO (DSXV)
View Details
- features JuJu (JJ) finish and bright chrome hardware, mfg. 2002 only.
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Grading
100% New
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80%
N/A
70%
N/A
60%
N/A
Grading
N/A
100%
N/A
98%
N/A
95%
N/A
90%
N/A
80%
N/A
70%
N/A
60%
N/A
Grading
N/A
100%
N/A
98%
N/A
95%
N/A
90%
N/A
80%
N/A
70%
N/A
60%
N/A
X-PLORER STUDIO (DSXS)
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- smaller poplar Explorer body size (90%), mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard, pearloid dot inlays, two high output ceramic mini-humbucker pickups (2003-mid-2004) or regular humbucker pickups (late 2004 only), tune-o-matic bridge with stopbar tailpiece, 24.75 in. scale, available in Studio Copper, Metallic Blue, Studio Blue (disc. 2004), Studio Red (disc. 2004), Studio Yellow (disc. 2004) Metallic Green (available 2004 only), or Metallic Yellow (available 2004 only), mfg. 2003-04.
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Grading
100% New
98% Mint
95% Exc+
90% Exc
80% VG+
70% VG
60% G
Grading
N/A
100%
N/A
98%
N/A
95%
N/A
90%
N/A
80%
N/A
70%
N/A
60%
N/A
Grading
N/A
100%
N/A
98%
N/A
95%
N/A
90%
N/A
80%
N/A
70%
N/A
60%
N/A
Grading
N/A
100%
N/A
98%
N/A
95%
N/A
90%
N/A
80%
N/A
70%
N/A
60%
N/A