Gibson Explorer

Gibson Explorer
Gibson Explorer with a set of EMG 81 and EMG 85 active pickups
Manufacturer	Gibson
Period	1958–1963, 1976–present
Construction
Body type	Solid
Neck joint	Set
Scale	24.75"
Woods
Body	Originally (1958–1963) korina, later models mahogany, alder, maple, or korina
Neck	Originally (1958–1963) korina, reissues mahogany, maple, or korina
Fretboard	Rosewood or Ebony (Gothic, and Classic White only)
Hardware
Bridge	Tune-o-matic, Gibson Vibrola or Floyd Rose locking vibrato.
Pickup(s)	2 or 3 Humbuckers
Colors available
Ebony, Cherry, Classic White, Natural

The Gibson Explorer is a type of electric guitar model by Gibson guitars, released in 1958. The Explorer offered a radical, "futuristic" body design, much like its siblings: the Flying V, which was released the same year, and the Moderne, which was designed in 1957 but not released until 1982. The Explorer was the final development of a prototype design that, years later, Gibson marketed under the name Futura.

The Explorer's initial run was unsuccessful, and the model was discontinued in 1963. In 1976, Gibson began reissuing the Explorer after competitor Hamer Guitars had success selling similar designs. The Explorer became especially popular among the hard rock and heavy metal musicians of the 1970s and 1980s.