A faithful reissue of Gibson's legendary Explorer, this mahogany-bodied instrument delivers warm, midrange-rich tones through Custombucker pickups inspired by vintage PAF humbuckers. The '50s Vintage neck profile and period-correct gold hardware—ABR-1 bridge, Kluson tuning machines—provide authentic playability and aesthetic appeal. An iconic design that captures golden-era Gibson character.
From Gibson:
An all mahogany version of the legendary 1958 Explorer. Gibson Custom is the pinnacle of craftsmanship, quality, and sound excellence. Each instrument celebrates the Gibson legacy through accuracy, authenticity, and attention to detail.
In the late 1950s, Gibson designed a trio of futuristic-looking new models that were intended to bring fresh, modern-looking designs to the product lineup. One of these was the Futura™, which quickly morphed into the Explorer™ as we now know it. 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 most expensive vintage guitars in the world, and one that has been played by guitar legends such as Eric Clapton, Slash, Allen Collins, Rick Nielsen, and James Hetfield.
Radically “space age” in appearance when it was introduced in 1958, the Explorer was way ahead of its time and still looks fresh, modern, and unique today. This is a testament to its enduring appeal and timeless design, which 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, but otherwise, all of the classic vintage Explorer features have been carefully recreated in this Historic Reissue model. Mahogany delivers a somewhat warmer sound than the slightly brighter Korina, making it a great choice for players who love the 1950s Explorer aesthetic but who are looking for a denser, all-mahogany tone for rock and metal. And since mahogany is more readily available than the scarcer Korina, this also makes this 1958 Mahogany Explorer Reissue the most accessible way to get Historic Explorer looks, features, and performance from Gibson Custom."
