History & Significance
In 1958, Gibson introduced, and shipped only 19 Explorers at an MSRP of $247.50. The 19 Explorer's produced in 1958 were the lowest production number of any Gibson electric guitar that year, lower than the 81 Flying Vs, the 61 Byrdlands, 49 ES-295s, 48 L-5CESs, the 32 double-necks, and 30 Super 400-CESs. The Explorer was a mid-price Gibson, and the same-price Les Paul Goldtop, shipped 434 units, more than 20 times the Explorer figure. The Explorer was discontinued in 1963, after shipping on 3 more units.
Interestingly, the Explorer was only reinstated by Gibson in the mid-70s because US brand Hamer was doing a brisk trade with their splendid look-a-like Standard model. Other manufacturers also introduced Explorer look-a-likes including Ibanez and its “Lawsuit Era” Destroyer, one of which Eddie Van Halen modified into his famous "Shark" guitar. James Hetfield helped put the Explorer back in business in the 80s with his white 1984 Gibson Explorer, the one with the “So What” sticker used on Metallica's "Ride the Lightning" album.
With their space-age, futuristic designs that were ahead of their time, the instantly recognizable 1958-59 Korina Explorers are highly--collectible cultural icons, with 38 examples known to exist. They are one of the most valuable production-model guitars in the world, ranked at #1 by Vintage Guitar, typically selling between $400,000 and $600,000 with the most expensive sold for $1,100,000 in 2016.
In 2021, Gibson introduced a reissue of the 1958 Korina Explorer at an MSRP of $9999.
The M5 Guitar is a 2022 Epiphone ‘58 Korina Explorer Reissue SN 22091522476, and is a replica of Allen Collins guitar famous for use on the lead on Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Freebird". Made in partnership with the Gibson™ Custom Shop, the 1958 Korina Explorer™ Reissue is an impressive recreation of one of the most famous and valuable vintage guitars ever made. Like the ultra-rare original Gibson models from 1958, it features a solid Korina body and a Korina neck with a long neck tenon and a 1958 Explorer neck profile. The electronics are also top-notch, with Gibson Burstbucker™ 2 and Burstbucker 3 pickups wired to individual volume controls and a master tone control with CTS® pots and a Mallory™ capacitor, along with a Switchcraft® 3-way pickup selector switch and 1/4” output jack.
Artists & Notable Guitars
Eddie Van Halen's 1975 Ibanez Destroyer 2459 “The Shark”
- Body Shape - Explorer
- Body Material - Korina
- Neck Material - Korina
- Set Neck; Long Neck Tenon, Hide Glue Fit
- Neck Profile - 1960's SlimTaper; D-Profile
- Scale Length 24.724"
- Fingerboard Material - Indian Laurel
- Fingerboard Radius 12"
- Number Of Frets - 22
- Frets Reissue - Medium Jumbo
- Nut Material - Graph Tech
- Nut Width - 1.692"
- Inlays - Pearloid Dots
- Headstock - 1958 Explorer
- Headstock inlay - Pearloid "Epiphone" logo
- Hardware Finish - Aged Gold
- Tuner Plating - Aged Gold
- Bridge - LockTone Tune-o-matic
- Tailpiece - LockTone Stopbar
- Tuning Machines - Grover mini-Rotomatics; 14; 1 ratio
- Pickguard - '58 Explorer White
- Truss Rod - Dual Action
- Truss Rod Cover - 2-ply Bell White
- Control Knobs - Gold Top Hat with Nickel Dial Pointers
- Switch Tip - True Historic Amber
- Jack Plate Cover- Square; Black PVC
- Control Covers - Brown Explorer
- Strap Buttons 2 - Brass
- Mounting Rings - True Historic Black
- Pickup Covers - True Historic Aged Gold
- Neck Pickup - Gibson Burstbucker 2
- Bridge Pickup - Gibson Burstbucker 3
- Controls 2 Volume, 1 Tone, 500K CTS Pots, Mallory Cap
- Pickup Selector - 3-Way Switchcraft
- Output Jack - 1/4" Switchcraft > Epiphone All-metal 1/4"
Mach Five Guitar
Image Descriptions
Reference
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