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.
Price History