Spot-on Re-creation of the '58 Korina Explorer
Back in 1958, Gibson shipped 19 Explorers — space-age, futuristic solidbody electric guitars that were well ahead of their time. The Gibson Custom 1958 Korina Explorer is a meticulous re-creation of this coveted axe, crafted using three-dimensional scans of museum specimens and rare collector's items. Every dimension and contour of this instrument reflects its predecessor; its 1-piece korina body, its solid korina neck, and its Indian rosewood fingerboard are spot-on reproductions of the originals. And when you plug in, Gibson's acclaimed CustomBucker pickups churn out vintage-accurate tones that are downright addictive. Light-aged gold hardware rounds out this head-turning axe's enviable aesthetics. The 1958 Korina Explorer comes with a '50s-style brown-and-pink case.
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Attention-grabbing Korina body
Both the 1958 Korina Explorer's unique look and sound stem from its unorthodox choice of tonewoods. Back in the 1950s, a handful of guitar makers began to experiment with korina, an exotic West African tonewood. It's been a rare yet simultaneously popular choice ever since. Why? Because korina gives guitars such as the 1958 Korina Explorer a naturally rich and warm voice that's reminiscent of top-shelf mahogany. What's more the 1958 Korina Explorer's natural crème brûlée coloring makes it one of the most eye-catching guitars you're likely to come across.
Pure vintage PAF tone from CustomBucker pickups
Gibson paid just as much attention to this guitar's electronics as they did to its aesthetics. Every part of its internal signal path was designed to deliver dead-on late-1950s humbucker tone. Of course, it's next to impossible to find genuine '50s PAFs — even for Gibson. Instead, the Gibson Custom 1958 Korina Explorer sports a pair of Gibson's CustomBucker Alnico III humbuckers. The CustomBucker is the most historically accurate PAF copy ever, ensuring this 1958 Korina Explorer nails the sound of an original '58 Explorer.
Nitro finish, for the look and feel of a classic
The 1958 Korina Explorer wears a gorgeous nitrocellulose lacquer finish. Lacquer finishes — standard back in the day — are significantly thinner than today's polyurethane finishes, allowing the guitar to "breathe." Nitro finishes not only look amazing; they also enhance the instrument's tonal qualities. This guitar has the look (and feel) of a lovingly cared-for classic — one that will only improve with age.
Gibson Custom 1958 Korina Explorer Features:
- Meticulous re-creation of a 1958 Explorer crafted using 3-dimensional scans of the original guitars
- 1-piece solid Korina body yields a resonant sound reminiscent of top-shelf mahogany
- Solid korina neck offers spot-on vintage feel and playability
- Indian rosewood fingerboard with inconspicuous pearloid dot inlays
- Extra-rolled fingerboard binding mimics the broken-in look and feel of a vintage Gibson
- ABR-1 bridge with lightweight aluminum stopbar tailpiece
- CustomBucker humbucking pickups churn out early-'50s PAF tones
- Celluloid-tipped Kluson tuners and light-aged/VOS gold hardware
- Gorgeous thin VOS nitrocellulose lacquer finish
