Electric guitar
Maker
Gibson, Inc.
Date1958-1967
Place MadeKalamazoo, Michigan, United States, North America
ModelExplorer
Serial No.8-4645 (factory order number)
SignedInlaid in mother-of-pearl on head: GibsonMarkingsStamped in black ink on back of head: 8 4645
Stamped on tuner plates: KLUSON DELUXE
DescriptionThe Explorer model was one of a set of modernistic-looking electric guitars developed by Gibson in 1957-1958. They were made from a light-colored tropical hardwood that the company called Korina. These guitars, which also included the more famous Flying V, were not popular at the time and were soon discontinued. A few previously unfinished Korina guitars were completed in the Gibson factory between 1963 and 1967, including this one. Among collectors, Korina guitars are considered to be “Holy Grail” instruments that are exceptionally rare and valuable. This Explorer formerly belonged to John Entwistle, bass player of The Who and a long-time guitar and bass collector. He traded the instrument to his fellow-collector, guitarist, and bandmate Robert Johnson, who performed with him in his band Ox in 1975.
Date: 1958/1967; [pot codes not visible from top due to soldering – 1958 date according to Phil Jones]
Stringing: six steel strings
Pickups and hardware: two double-coil pickups with individual pole pieces, two volume and one tone potentiometers with black plastic knobs and white numbering and lettering [1 through 10 and “TONE” or “VOL.”]; selector switch with ivory plastic head; three-ply black-white-black jack plate cover
Body: korina [limba]; brown Butyrate control assembly plate
Head: three-piece korina [limba] (including portion integral with neck) veneered with black-dyed holly; black-over-white 2-ply celluloid bell-shaped truss rod cover
Neck: korina [limba]; integral with head; bolted to body with chrome-plated steel plate
Fretboard: Indian rosewood with 22 nickel-silver frets; single mother-of-pearl dots and ivory-colored plastic side dots behind, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 15th, 17th, 19th, and 21st frets; double mother-of-pearl dots and double ivory-colored plastic side dots behind 12th fret
Nut: translucent white resin
Bridge: chrome-plated brass with individually adjustable saddles
Tailpiece: chrome-plated brass
Tuners: 3 pairs of nickel-plated steel covered worm-gear tuners with nickel-plated steel heads
Pickguard: five-ply black and white celluloid; secured to top with 8 nickel-plated steel Philips’ head screws
Strap buttons: aluminum secured to body with nickel-plated steel Philips’ head screws
Finish: clear
DimensionsTotal guitar length: 1143 mm (45”)
Back length [neck joint to center end]: 437 mm (17-3/16″); diagonally: 698 mm (27-1/2″)
Upper bout width: 247 mm (9-23/32″)
Waist width: 292 mm (11-1/2″)
Lower bout width: 356 mm (14″)
Side height (including edging) at heel: 37 mm (1-7/16″)
Side height, at center: 39 mm (1-9/16″)
Side height, at end: 39 mm (1-9/16″)
Head length: 188 mm (7-17/32″)
Head width, top: 41 mm (15-25/32″)
Head width, bottom: 75 mm (2-31/32″)
Neck length (nut to body): 417 mm (16-7/16″)
Neck width, nut: 42 mm (1-5/8″)
Neck width, body joint: 56 mm (2-3/16″)
Vibrating string length (nut to bridge edge): 625 mm (24-5/8″) at high E-string; 629 mm (24-25/32″) at low E-string
ProvenanceFormerly in the collection of John Entwistle (bassist for The Who), Stow-On-Wold, England.
Purchased by the NMM Board of Trustees from Robert Johnson, Memphis, Tennessee, 2012.
Published ReferencesGevik, Bryan (2021, May 14) 1952 Gibson Les Paul vs. '58/'67 Explorer - Old Guitars and the Local Musicians Who Love Them [Radio broadcast]. SDPB. https://www.sdpb.org/blogs/images-of-the-past/1952-gibson-les-paul-vs-5867-gibson-explorer-old-guitars-and-the-local-musicians-who-love-them/
Gevik, Brian, "Images of the Past: Old Guitars and the Local Musicians Who Love Them," SDPB Magazine (June 2021), cover, pp. 4-5
Credit LineBoard of Trustees, 2012
Object number14720
On View
On view
