Gibson 1958 Mahogany Explorer Reissue Antique Natural

Gibson 1958 Mahogany Explorer Reissue – classic electric guitar with futuristic design and warm mahogany tone

Overview and features

When Gibson introduced the Explorer in 1958, its radical design was decades ahead of its time. Only 19 units were produced that year, but it later became a true icon played by guitar legends such as Eric Clapton, Slash, and James Hetfield. The 1958 Mahogany Explorer Reissue is a faithful recreation from the Gibson Custom Shop, featuring the same shape and specifications as the original but built with mahogany instead of the rare Korina wood.

Construction and materials/components

The body is crafted from two pieces of mahogany, shaped to the original 1958 Explorer vintage specifications. The mahogany neck features a 50s Vintage profile and the classic Explorer headstock design. Its unbound Indian rosewood fingerboard has 22 medium jumbo frets with cellulose dot inlays. The all-mahogany build delivers a dense, warm tone with strong midrange character, ideal for modern rock and metal.

Electronics and sound

The guitar is equipped with two Custombucker humbuckers featuring Alnico 3 magnets. These hand-wound, unpotted pickups deliver an open and dynamic vintage response. The electronics include two volume controls, one tone control, CTS 500K Vintage Taper potentiometers, and a “phone book” capacitor. The result is a lively, responsive tone with authentic 1950s warmth and clarity.

Specifications

• Type: Electric guitar
• Body: 2-piece mahogany
• Shape: Explorer
• Neck: Mahogany, 50s Vintage profile
• Fingerboard: Indian rosewood, 22 frets, cellulose dots
• Scale length: 24.75″ / 628.65 mm
• Nut width: 42.8 mm (1.685″)
• Nut material: Nylon
• Bridge: ABR-1 No-Wire
• Tailpiece: Lightweight aluminum Stop Bar
• Tuners: Kluson Single Ring Reissue
• Pickups: 2 × Custombucker Alnico 3 (un-potted)
• Controls: 2 volume, 1 tone, 500K CTS Vintage Taper, Phone Book capacitor
• Hardware: Aged gold
• Finish: Antique Natural, VOS nitrocellulose lacquer
• Case: Historic Explorer Brown/Pink Hardshell