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.

The 1958 Mahogany Explorer Reissue features a mahogany body with the original Explorer shape made to the vintage specifications, a mahogany neck with a 50s Vintage profile, and the original Explorer headstock design, complete with reissue Kluson® single-ring tuners. The unbound Indian rosewood fretboard is equipped with 22 authentic medium jumbo frets and cellulose dot inlays. The 1958 Mahogany Explorer Reissue is powered by two Custombucker humbucker™ pickups that are hand-wired to two volume and one tone control with CTS® potentiometers and a phone book capacitor. The Antique Natural nitrocellulose lacquer and gold hardware are VOS-finished, giving it the look of a new-old-stock guitar from the late 1950s. A Lifton™ historic reissue brown and pink hardshell case is also included. Here’s your chance to own a 50s spec Explorer, now available from Gibson Custom in its most accessible form yet.

Body Material: 2-Piece Mahogany
Body Shape: Explorer
Neck Material: Mahogany
Neck Joint: Hide Glue Fit
Neck Profile: ’50s Vintage
Fingerboard Material: Indian Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius: 12" (304.8mm)
Number of Frets: 22
Fret Type: Authentic Medium Jumbo
Inlays: Cellulose Dot
Scale Length: 24.75" (628.65mm)
Nut Material: Nylon
Nut Width: 1.69" (42.8mm)
Bridge Pickup: Custombucker Alnico 3 (Unpotted)
Neck Pickup: Custombucker Alnico 3 (Unpotted)
Pickup Selector: 3-Way Switchcraft
Controls: 2 Volume, 1 Tone | 500K CTS Vintage Taper Pots | Phone Book Capacitor
Output Jack: 1/4" Switchcraft
Bridge: ABR-1 No-Wire
Tailpiece: Lightweight Aluminum Stop Bar
Control Covers: Brown Explorer
Control Knobs: True Historic Black Top Hat with Dial Pointer
Mounting Rings: True Historic Black
Pickguard: 4-Ply White
Pickup Covers: True Historic Aged Gold
Hardware Finish: Aged Gold
Strap Buttons: 2 Brass
Switch Tip: True Historic Amber
Truss Rod: Authentic 1950s No-Tube
Truss Rod Cover: True Historic Black
Tuning Machines: Kluson Single Ring Reissue
Tuner Plating: Aged Gold
Headstock: 1958 Explorer
Headstock Inlay: Gibson Logo in Mother of Pearl
Strings: .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
Case: Historic Explorer Brown/Pink Hardshell