Gibson USA 2019 Explorer Tribute In Satin Ebony

The Gibson Explorer was released alongside the Flying V in the late 1950s to mixed reaction. It rewrote the design rulebook for the electric guitar, but many saw it as too radical - fast forward to the 21st Century, and this incredible instrument still turns heads and divides opinion. Gibson's 2019 Explorer Tribute features a number of design tweaks that strike the balance between old-school and precision.

Body & Neck

The body is solid Mahogany, ensuring brilliant resonance and an articulate mid-range. Mahogany makes another appearance for the neck, with a familiar 24.75" scale length and Slim Taper profile.

This Explorer is an absolute breeze to play, retaining a classic vibe but accommodating for the needs of modern playing styles. One of the most notable design tweaks is a return to Rosewood for the fretboard. Gibson have explored the use of Granadillo, Pau Ferro and other Rosewood substitutes over the years - but nothing compares to the original!

Pickups & Electronics

Gibson have got a little adventurous on the pickup front. The 2019 Explorer Tribute is armed with 2 x Dirty Fingers+ humbuckers. These notorious high-output pickups aren’t for the faint-hearted; ‘loud’, ‘obnoxious’ and ‘crazy’ are terms that have been used to describe them. We’ll go so far as to say they offer heaps of power and punch, perfect for all manner of distortion & fuzz tones – go nuts!

Hardware

Next up, Gibson have employed their go-to Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge - this is the tried-and-tested Gibson solid-body formula. Understated in look but efficient and hardy in functionality.

Black top hat knobs and a black 5-ply pickguard with toggle switch add the perfect sleek finishing touch to the Explorer's stealthy aesthetic. This stunning addition to Gibson’s 2019 line-up has plenty of attitude up its sleeve – it’s up to you to tame it!

Specifications

Body

• Body Style: Explorer
• Body: Mahogany
• Binding: None

Neck

• Neck: Mahogany
• Neck profile: Slim Taper
• Nut width: 1.695”
• Fingerboard: Rosewood
• Scale length: 24.75”
• Number of frets: 22, cryogenically treated
• Nut: Tektoid
• Inlay: Acrylic Dots
• Binding: None

Hardware

• Bridge: Nashville Tune-O-Matic
• Tailpiece: Stop Bar
• Knobs: Black Top Hats
• Tuners: Grover Mini Rotomatics
• Plating: Black Chrome
• Pickguard: Black 5-ply
• Case: Designer Series Gigbag

Electronics

• Neck pickup: Dirty Fingers+ Rhythm
• Bridge pickup: Dirty Fingers+ Lead
• Controls: 1 volume, 1 tone, 1 toggle switch