Gibson Custom Explorer Custom, Ebony Fingerboard, Gloss Ebony Overview
Making its debut in 1958, the Explorer's initial production run was unsuccessful - causing it to be discontinued in 1963. But things had seriously changed by the mid 1980s, and with its popularity and demand rising amongst hard and heavy rock musicians, the Explorer legend was reborn; this custom model being the cumulative effect of decades of evolution.
Gibson's classic humbuckers from the late 1950s provided the basis for their later pickups, including the 490R and 498T with which this guitar is equipped, and staying true to its rock heritage this guitar delivers more than enough of that classic Gibson tone; upper mid and top enhancing Alnico V for the bridge, with smooth and smoky Alnico II for the neck.
Featuring premium Custom Shop finesse, Gibson have taken the Explorer's retro-futuristic design and subtly dressed it with an ebony fretboard, blacker-than-black ebony finish, and complimentary gold hardware. CTS pots, a Switchcraft toggle switch, and a hand-wired loom further instil this guitar's unique vibe.
What do Gibson say?
The classic Gibson Explorer dives into new aesthetic and sonic territory with this Custom-appointed version, replete with multi-ply binding, pearl appointments, gold hardware, and a solid Ebony fingerboard. It's an electrifying, upscale look which brings with it Gibson's signature playability, instantly-recognizable voice and Gibson Custom's unwavering commitment to building the best guitars on the planet.
- Body
- Body Material: Solid Mahogany
- Binding Style: Multi-ply
- Weight Relief: None
- Finish: Nitrocellulose Gloss
- Neck
- Neck Material: Solid Mahogany Medium C-Shape
- Scale Length: 24.75" / 62.865cm
- Fingerboard Material: Solid Ebony
- Fingerboard Radius: 12" / 304.8mm
- Number of Frets: 22
- Frets: Medium-Jumbo
- Nut Material: Corian
- Nut Width 1.69" / 42.85mm
- End-of-Board Width 2.24" / 56.89mm
- Inlays: Mother of Pearl Block
- Hardware
- Finish: Gold
- Bridge: Tune-O-Matic
- Tailpiece: Stop Bar
- Tuners: Grover Kidney
- Pick Guard: Black Multi-Ply
- Truss Rod Cover: 2-Ply Black/White
- Control Knobs: Black Speed Knobs
- Switch Tip: Black
- Switch Washer: Black
- Jack Plate: Gold-plated Brass
- Electronics
- Neck Pickup: 490R Humbucker
- Bridge Pickup: 498T Humbucker
- Controls: 2 500K CTS Volume Pots, 1 500K CTS Tone Pots, Hand-Wired Harness
- Miscellaneous
- Strings: .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
- Case: Custom Shop Hardshell
- Included Accessories: Certificate of Authenticity Booklet
