GIBSON EXPLORER

The 'Gibson Explorer' (now marketed as 'X-plorer' and 'Explorer Pro') is a type of electric guitar. The Explorer made its debut in 1958 under the name 'Futura'. It offered a radical, "futuristic" body design, much like its sibling, the Flying V. Its initial run was unsuccessful and it was discontinued in 1959. In 1975, Gibson began reissuing the Explorer after other guitar companies had success selling similar designs.

Contents

Highly valued

Explorer variations

Other makers

Notable Explorer players

References

See also

External links

Highly valued

Gibson produced fewer than 100 Explorers during the 1958 run of the original Korina wood model. The low availability of this guitar has increased its value significantly and made them prized collectibles.

Explorer variations

There have been several variants produced by Gibson, including several smaller, more "user friendly" versions such as the Studio Explorer and the Matthias Jabs designed Explorer 90 (named so because it was 90% the body of a regular Explorer). An explorer was also produced in Gibson's "Goth" line, which feature some of Gibson's most renowned guitars including the Explorer, Flying V, SG, and Les Paul in Matte Black Finishes. Several variants are also produced by Epiphone, Gibson's lower cost, offshore operation. These include a model produced in Korina Wood and Epiphone's own "Goth" model.

Other makers

The Hamer Guitar company created a tribute to the Explorer in 1974 called the Hamer "Standard" . Gaining popularity with the more progressive rock musicians of the day, Hamer's success led the way for other reissues, including those from Gibson.
The Jackson guitar company (now a subsidiary of Fender) was once sued by Gibson for their line of Kelly guitars, which are very similar to the X-plorer, although more lightweight. The Kelly was sleeker and lighter, but was otherwise identical. The most famous user of this line is Marty Friedman of Megadeth fame.
High-end guitar company Alembic Inc produced a few custom made bass guitars for the late John Entwistle of the Who. These basses had the body shape of the Explorer. After his death, Alembic released a limited number of the bass guitars based on John's custom basses. Warwick also produces the Stryker basses, based on the custom basses.
Other companies that have produced Explorer-esque guitars are: ESP, Dean Guitars, Ibanez, Jackson, Yamaha, Kramer and Peavey.
In 2007, the Xbox 360 video game ''Guitar Hero II'' was released with a controller shaped like the Explorer, as well as being one of the featured playable guitars in the game. (the first game, ''Guitar Hero'', had a controller shaped like a Gibson SG). A 3rd-party controller for both of the ''Guitar Hero'' games on the PlayStation 2 was made by Nyko, which also featured the Explorer design.

Notable Explorer players

References

★ ''Gruhn's Guide To Vintage Guitars'' By George Gruhn

★ ''The Ultimate Guitar Book'' By Tony Bacon

★ ''Guitar World Magazine-October 2005''

See also

★ Gibson Guitars

★ Dean Z

★ ESP EX

External links

★ Gibson's X-Plorer Webpage