The Explorer Custom, now featuring a bound headstock
The Gibson Custom Explorer™ Custom with Bound Head Veneer brings everything players love about the standard Explorer Custom, adding a refined three-ply bound headstock that elevates its visual appeal even further.
First unveiled in 1958 alongside the Flying V™, the Gibson Explorer™ broke sharply from the traditional electric guitars of the era. Initially misunderstood, the model’s tiny original run left the early Korina Explorers among the most sought-after vintage electrics in existence. As the years passed, musicians embraced its bold design and powerful voice, and by the 1970s, it reentered the Gibson lineup. Since then, it has become a go-to choice for countless players, especially within rock and metal. With its striking wedge-shaped body and signature “hockey stick” headstock, the Explorer has remained influential and iconic for generations.
This Gibson Custom Explorer Custom with Bound Head Veneer is crafted with a mahogany body framed by multi-ply top binding. Its mahogany neck is joined with a long tenon for exceptional resonance and stability, and carved to a comfortable Medium C neck profile. The ebony fretboard carries 22 medium jumbo frets and is adorned with mother-of-pearl small block inlays.
A matched set of Gibson humbucker™ pickups powers the instrument: a 490R at the neck and a 498T at the bridge. Together, they offer an impressively wide tonal palette, from shimmering clean textures to high-gain aggression. They are hand-wired to individual volume controls and a master tone control and topped with black Speed knobs. A black multi-ply pickguard adds another sleek visual element. Gold hardware appears across the guitar, including the pickup covers, Tune-O-Matic™ bridge, Stop Bar tailpiece, Grover® tuning machines, and strap buttons.
With a lineage stretching back to the late 50s, the Explorer has evolved many times. This latest Gibson Custom Explorer Custom with Bound Head Veneer takes the classic aesthetic of the regular model and enhances it with its elegant three-ply bound headstock. Paired with multi-ply body binding, a bound fretboard, and mother-of-pearl block inlays, it presents a particularly upscale look that is sure to turn heads onstage and among fellow players. Each guitar includes a Gibson Custom Certificate of Authenticity and a hardshell case.
Highlights
- Mahogany neck with a 1950s chunky D-shape neck profile and a long neck tenon
- 490R and 498T pickups
- Ebony fretboard with 22 medium jumbo frets and mother-of-pearl block inlays
- Gold hardware
Guitar Specifications
Body Specs
Body Specs
Binding Multi-ply
Body Finish Gloss nitrocellulose lacquer
Body Material Solid Mahogany
Body Shape Explorer
Weight Relief None
Neck Specs
Neck Specs
End Of Board Width 56.89mm / 2.24in
Fingerboard Material Ebony
Fingerboard Radius 12 in. | 304.8 mm
Fret Count 22
Frets Medium-Jumbo
Inlays Mother of Pearl Block
Joint Long Tenon
Neck Material Solid Mahogany
Nut Material Corian
Nut Width 42.85mm / 1.69in
Profile Medium C
Scale Length 628.65mm / 24.75in
Electronics Specs
Electronics Specs
Bridge Pickup 498T
Controls 2 volume, master tone
Neck Pickup 490R
Pickup Selector 3-way toggle
Hardware Specs
Hardware Specs
Bridge Tune-O-Matic
Control Knobs Black Speed Knobs
finish Gold
Jack Plate Cover Gold-plated Brass
Mounting Rings Black M69
Pickguard Black Multi-Ply
Pickup Covers Gold-Plated
Strap Buttons Brass
Switch Tip Black
Switchwasher Black
Tailpiece Stop Bar
Truss Rod 2-way Adjustable
Truss Rod Cover 2-Ply Black/White
Tuner Plating Gold
Tuning Machines Grover Kidney
Misc Specs
Misc Specs
Accessories Gibson Custom Certificate of Authenticity
Model: DSMXBVEBGH1E
Case Custom Shop Hardshell
Strings Gauge .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
Gibson Custom Explorer Custom with Bound Headstock, Gloss, Ebony
Gibson Custom Explorer Custom with Bound Headstock, Gloss, Ebony
Setup Included
Setup Included
Our craftory-trained technicians perform a final thorough inspection and detailed setup moments before your instrument is packed and shipped to you.
Case Included
Case Included
Your instrument ships with a factory-supplied hard- or soft-shell case for safe storage and transportation. Please refer to the product specifications for details.
Lifetime Warranty
Lifetime Warranty
Shop and play with confidence knowing that your instrument is protected by our limited lifetime warranty. Learn more about warranties and exclusions here .
Free & Fast Shipping
Free & Fast Shipping
Orders placed before 1:00 PM Monday - Friday will be processed the same day. Orders placed after this cutoff will ship the next business day. All orders over £50 receive free ground shipping. During sale and promotion periods delivery might take a little longer than expected.
Three Free Months of the Gibson App
Three Free Months of the Gibson App
For a limited time only, receive a three-month subscription to the Gibson App for free with the purchase of this product. Click here to learn more about the Gibson App.
The Explorer Custom, now featuring a bound headstock
The Gibson Custom Explorer™ Custom with Bound Head Veneer brings everything players love about the standard Explorer Custom, adding a refined three-ply bound headstock that elevates its visual appeal even further.
First unveiled in 1958 alongside the Flying V™, the Gibson Explorer™ broke sharply from the traditional electric guitars of the era. Initially misunderstood, the model’s tiny original run left the early Korina Explorers among the most sought-after vintage electrics in existence. As the years passed, musicians embraced its bold design and powerful voice, and by the 1970s, it reentered the Gibson lineup. Since then, it has become a go-to choice for countless players, especially within rock and metal. With its striking wedge-shaped body and signature “hockey stick” headstock, the Explorer has remained influential and iconic for generations.
This Gibson Custom Explorer Custom with Bound Head Veneer is crafted with a mahogany body framed by multi-ply top binding. Its mahogany neck is joined with a long tenon for exceptional resonance and stability, and carved to a comfortable Medium C neck profile. The ebony fretboard carries 22 medium jumbo frets and is adorned with mother-of-pearl small block inlays.
A matched set of Gibson humbucker™ pickups powers the instrument: a 490R at the neck and a 498T at the bridge. Together, they offer an impressively wide tonal palette, from shimmering clean textures to high-gain aggression. They are hand-wired to individual volume controls and a master tone control and topped with black Speed knobs. A black multi-ply pickguard adds another sleek visual element. Gold hardware appears across the guitar, including the pickup covers, Tune-O-Matic™ bridge, Stop Bar tailpiece, Grover® tuning machines, and strap buttons.
With a lineage stretching back to the late 50s, the Explorer has evolved many times. This latest Gibson Custom Explorer Custom with Bound Head Veneer takes the classic aesthetic of the regular model and enhances it with its elegant three-ply bound headstock. Paired with multi-ply body binding, a bound fretboard, and mother-of-pearl block inlays, it presents a particularly upscale look that is sure to turn heads onstage and among fellow players. Each guitar includes a Gibson Custom Certificate of Authenticity and a hardshell case.
Highlights
- Mahogany neck with a 1950s chunky D-shape neck profile and a long neck tenon
- 490R and 498T pickups
- Ebony fretboard with 22 medium jumbo frets and mother-of-pearl block inlays
- Gold hardware
Guitar Specifications
Body Specs
Body Specs
Binding Multi-ply
Body Finish Gloss nitrocellulose lacquer
Body Material Solid Mahogany
Body Shape Explorer
Weight Relief None
Neck Specs
Neck Specs
End Of Board Width 56.89mm / 2.24in
Fingerboard Material Ebony
Fingerboard Radius 12 in. | 304.8 mm
Fret Count 22
Frets Medium-Jumbo
Inlays Mother of Pearl Block
Joint Long Tenon
Neck Material Solid Mahogany
Nut Material Corian
Nut Width 42.85mm / 1.69in
Profile Medium C
Scale Length 628.65mm / 24.75in
Electronics Specs
Electronics Specs
Bridge Pickup 498T
Controls 2 volume, master tone
Neck Pickup 490R
Pickup Selector 3-way toggle
Hardware Specs
Hardware Specs
Bridge Tune-O-Matic
Control Knobs Black Speed Knobs
finish Gold
Jack Plate Cover Gold-plated Brass
Mounting Rings Black M69
Pickguard Black Multi-Ply
Pickup Covers Gold-Plated
Strap Buttons Brass
Switch Tip Black
Switchwasher Black
Tailpiece Stop Bar
Truss Rod 2-way Adjustable
Truss Rod Cover 2-Ply Black/White
Tuner Plating Gold
Tuning Machines Grover Kidney
Misc Specs
Misc Specs
Accessories Gibson Custom Certificate of Authenticity
Model: DSMXBVEBGH1E
Case Custom Shop Hardshell
Strings Gauge .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
