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Gibson Explorer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Gibson Explorer | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Manufacturer | Gibson |
| Period | 1958, discontinued, then re-issued since 1975. |
| Construction | |
| Body type | Solid |
| Neck joint | Set |
| Woods | |
| Body | Originally ('58-'63) korina, reissues mahogany or korina |
| Neck | Originally ('58-'63) korina, reissues mahogany or korina |
| Fretboard | Rosewood or Ebony (Classic White only) |
| Hardware | |
| Bridge | Tune-o-matic |
| Pickup(s) | 2 Humbuckers |
| Colors available | |
| Ebony, Cherry, Classic White, Natural | |
The Gibson Explorer (now marketed as X-plorer and Explorer Pro) is a type of electric guitar. The Explorer made its debut in 1958 under the name Futura. It offered a radical, "futuristic" body design, much like its sibling, the Flying V. Its initial run was unsuccessful and it was discontinued in 1959. In 1975, Gibson began reissuing the Explorer after other guitar companies had success selling similar designs.
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Gibson produced fewer than 100 Explorers during the 1958 run of the original Korina wood model. The low availability of this guitar has increased its value significantly and made them prized collectibles.
There have been several variants produced by Gibson, including several smaller, more "user friendly" versions such as the Studio Explorer and the Matthias Jabs designed Explorer 90 (named so because it was 90% the body of a regular Explorer). In 1979 Gibson introduced the E2 model also known as the Explorer II featuring a 5 piece walnut/maple construction and contoured body. This model was discontinued after 1983 making it a rare and desirable model. An Explorer was also produced in Gibson's "Goth" line, which feature some of Gibson's most renowned guitars including the Explorer, Flying V, SG, and Les Paul in Matte Black Finishes. Several variants are also produced by Epiphone, Gibson's lower cost, offshore operation. These include a model produced in Korina Wood and Epiphone's own "Goth" model.
The Hamer Guitar company created a tribute to the Explorer in 1974 called the Hamer "Standard" . Gaining popularity with the more progressive rock musicians of the day, Hamer's success led the way for other reissues, including those from Gibson.
The Jackson guitar company (now a subsidiary of Fender) was once sued by Gibson for their line of Kelly guitars, which are very similar to the X-plorer, although more lightweight. The Kelly was sleeker and lighter, but was otherwise identical. The most famous user of this line is Marty Friedman of Megadeth fame.
High-end guitar company Alembic Inc produced a few custom made bass guitars for the late John Entwistle of the Who. These basses had the body shape of the Explorer. After his death, Alembic released a limited number of the bass guitars based on John's custom basses. Warwick also produces the Stryker basses, based on the custom Explorer-style basses.
Other companies that have produced Explorer-esque guitars include ESP, Dean Guitars, Ibanez, Jackson, Yamaha, Kramer and Peavey.
In 2007, the Xbox 360 video game Guitar Hero II was released with the X-plorer controller shaped like the Explorer, as well as being one of the featured playable guitars in the game. (The first game, Guitar Hero, had a controller shaped like a Gibson SG). The Nyko FrontMan is a 3rd-party controller for both of the Guitar Hero games on the PlayStation 2, which has an Explorer-esque design. The Macintosh and PC versions of Guitar Hero III include a controller featuring the X-plorer design.
- Gruhn's Guide To Vintage Guitars By George Gruhn
- The Ultimate Guitar Book By Tony Bacon
- Guitar World Magazine-October 2005