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Gibson Explorer
The legendary Gibson Explorer made its first appearance back in 1958. Much like the Explorer’s sister guitar; the Gibson Flying V which was released the same year, the Gibson Explorer was immediately exciting due to its striking futuristic body design.
The Gibson Explorer is back as part of the Gibson Original lineup, providing players with a guitar based on the original designs that made this iconic axe so important. When you pick up a new Gibson Explorer, it's like taking a step back in time and picking up a new guitar from the Gibson production line in the 60s.
A LEGEND AMONG ROCK AND METAL GUITARISTS
Gibson actually discontinued the Explorer in 1963 but it made a return when Gibson noticed other guitar companies had begun releasing similar designs. The Gibson Explorer came back in full force in 1976 and was found to be especially popular with hard rock and heavy metal guitarists throughout the 1970s and 1980s.
CHARACTERISTICS OF A GIBSON EXPLORER
Two humbuckers and a Tune-O-Matic bridge are key to the Gibson Explorer which has been played by many famous guitarists over the years. As we mentioned before, the slick and distinctive body shape is another striking asset to this timeless model.
The Gibson Explorer is one of the most iconic Gibson guitars thanks to its offset design. This is an integral part of its appeal to metal guitarists - it looks aggressive, but can be tamed when need be.
The offset design of the Gibson Explorer guitar is comfortable to play whether you're stood up or sat down. This is perfectly balanced ensuring you can work your way around the guitar with ease. A set of humbuckers within the Gibson Explorer guitar have all the power you need to bust out the big metal riffs, but with enough versatility to dial it back for blues and indie rock. In fact, the clear, powerful tones of the Gibson Explorer have been utilised by players of all genres.
WHICH FAMOUS PLAYERS HAVE USED A GIBSON EXPLORER?
A shortlist of famous Gibson Explorer players includes Matt Heafy of Trivium, Pete Willis of Def Leppard fame, Eric Clapton, James Hetfield of Metallica, The Edge of U2 fame, Dave Grohl from Foo Fighters and Mattias Jabs of Scorpions.