A Korina icon, reimagined by a Master Artisan
Fully functional, unmistakably Gibson, and completely one of a kind, the Leo Scala Heavy Addiction Explorer™ stands as a powerful synthesis of historic design and obsessive modern craftsmanship. Created as part of the Gibson Custom Master Artisan Collection, each of the four guitars in this limited Heavy Addiction group reflects a singular artistic vision executed with uncompromising attention to detail.
The Master Artisan Collection unites Gibson Custom with a small circle of Master Artisans whose work transcends traditional production boundaries. For this collaboration, Gibson turned to Leo Scala, one of the world’s most respected contemporary guitar makers. When Gibson President and CEO Cesar Gueikian first visited Scala’s Los Angeles workshop, their shared reverence for Gibson history and handmade instruments sparked a collaboration rooted in authenticity, experimentation, and creative freedom.
Working from a foundation inspired by the original late-1950s Explorer design, Scala approached the form not as a replica, but as a living platform for expression. These Heavy Addiction Explorers are built from Korina for both the body and neck, honoring the material choices of the original era while emphasizing resonance, balance, and unmistakable tonal character. The Indian rosewood fretboard features rounded edges and is dressed with 22 reissue frets, creating a fluid, well-worn feel from the first moment in hand. The ’58 Vintage neck profile delivers a substantial yet inviting shape that rewards long sessions of expressive playing.
Every surface tells a story. Each individual guitar is hand-lacquered and aged by Leo Scala himself, producing a Natural finish that appears deeply permeated by time. Heavy aging is not cosmetic here; it is intentional, expressive, and unique to each instrument. Two guitars in the Heavy Addiction group feature white pickguards and jack plates, while two are fitted with black ones, further distinguishing the guitars within the group. No two are exactly the same.
Electronics are equally uncompromising. Leo Scala hand-wound Retrophonic humbuckers™ define the sound, with an Alnico 3 neck pickup and an Alnico 2 bridge pickup, both with double black bobbins and housed in aged-gold covers. These are paired with 50s-style hand-wiring, VIPots vintage taper 550k potentiometers, and a phone book tone capacitor to preserve clarity, touch sensitivity, and harmonic complexity. As Scala himself describes the process, the guitar is not built as a single object, but as a collection of precisely realized details that ultimately converge into a cohesive whole.
Though visually striking, this instrument was never meant to be admired from across the room. It is a performing piece of art, engineered for sound first and foremost. Each example includes a custom G&G wine suede hardshell case with Leo Scala aged hardware, a custom leather strap from Don Pepe in Spain, and a custom hand-signed Certificate of Authenticity box from Leo Scala.
The Leo Scala Heavy Addiction Explorer is not simply rare. It is deeply personal, relentlessly crafted, and built for players who understand that true character cannot be replicated.
Highlights
- Leo Scala Retrophonic Alnico 2 (8.4k) humbucker in bridge position
- Leo Scala Retrophonic Alnico 3 (7.7k) in neck position
- Leo Scala Master Artisan Heavy Addiction aging
- '58 Vintage neck profile
- Korina body and neck
- Handmade black caiman leather strap by Don Pepe from Spain
- Hand‑crafted Certificate of Authenticity box from Leo Scala
- Custom G&G wine suede hardshell case with Leo Scala custom-aged hardware
Especificaciones
Cuerpo
Cuerpo
Acabado del cuerpo Master Artisan aged nitrocellulose lacquer
Cuerpo Korina
Forma del cuerpo Explorer
Mastil
Mastil
Material del diapasón Indian Rosewood
Radio del diapasón 304.8mm / 12.0in
Recuento de trastes 22
Trastes Reissue
Incrustaciones Cellulose Dot
Union Hide glue fit
Material del mastil Korina
Material de la cejilla Nylon
Ancho de la cejilla 42.8mm / 1.69in
Perfil '58 Vintage
Longitud de la escala 628.65mm / 24.75in
Electrónica
Electrónica
Pastilla de puente Leo Scala Retrophonic Alnico 2 (8.4k)
Controles 2 volume, 1 tone
Pastilla de mástil Leo Scala Retrophonic Alnico 3 (7.7k)
Conector de salida 1/4"
Pastilla de diapasón 3-way toggle
Hardware
Hardware
Puentes ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic
Controles Aged Gold Top Hats
finish Aged Gold
Golpeadores White
Cordales Stop Bar
Clavijeros Kluson Deluxe with Leo Scala Custom-Color-Infused Celluloid Tips
Miscelánea
Miscelánea
Accesorios Custom-made Certificate of Authenticity from Leo Scala and Blue Bell strap made by Don Pepe
Model: CS-ART-114_Heavy3_Na
Estuche Custom G&G Wine Suede
Incrustación en la pala Raised metal Gibson Logo
Gibson Custom Leo Scala Heavy Addiction Explorer #3, Natural
Gibson Custom Leo Scala Heavy Addiction Explorer #3, Natural
Garantía de por vida
Garantía de por vida
Toca tu instrumento con la seguridad de nuestra garantía limitada de por vida. Obtén más información sobre las garantías y sus excepciones aquí .
Estuche incluido
Estuche incluido
Tu instrumento incluye un estuche rígido o blando de fábrica para guardarlo y transportarlo con seguridad. Consulta las especificaciones del producto para más detalles.
Ajuste incluido
Ajuste incluido
Nuestros técnicos artesanos llevan a cabo una pormenorizada inspección final y configuran los instrumentos antes de que se embalen y envíen.
A Korina icon, reimagined by a Master Artisan
Fully functional, unmistakably Gibson, and completely one of a kind, the Leo Scala Heavy Addiction Explorer™ stands as a powerful synthesis of historic design and obsessive modern craftsmanship. Created as part of the Gibson Custom Master Artisan Collection, each of the four guitars in this limited Heavy Addiction group reflects a singular artistic vision executed with uncompromising attention to detail.
The Master Artisan Collection unites Gibson Custom with a small circle of Master Artisans whose work transcends traditional production boundaries. For this collaboration, Gibson turned to Leo Scala, one of the world’s most respected contemporary guitar makers. When Gibson President and CEO Cesar Gueikian first visited Scala’s Los Angeles workshop, their shared reverence for Gibson history and handmade instruments sparked a collaboration rooted in authenticity, experimentation, and creative freedom.
Working from a foundation inspired by the original late-1950s Explorer design, Scala approached the form not as a replica, but as a living platform for expression. These Heavy Addiction Explorers are built from Korina for both the body and neck, honoring the material choices of the original era while emphasizing resonance, balance, and unmistakable tonal character. The Indian rosewood fretboard features rounded edges and is dressed with 22 reissue frets, creating a fluid, well-worn feel from the first moment in hand. The ’58 Vintage neck profile delivers a substantial yet inviting shape that rewards long sessions of expressive playing.
Every surface tells a story. Each individual guitar is hand-lacquered and aged by Leo Scala himself, producing a Natural finish that appears deeply permeated by time. Heavy aging is not cosmetic here; it is intentional, expressive, and unique to each instrument. Two guitars in the Heavy Addiction group feature white pickguards and jack plates, while two are fitted with black ones, further distinguishing the guitars within the group. No two are exactly the same.
Electronics are equally uncompromising. Leo Scala hand-wound Retrophonic humbuckers™ define the sound, with an Alnico 3 neck pickup and an Alnico 2 bridge pickup, both with double black bobbins and housed in aged-gold covers. These are paired with 50s-style hand-wiring, VIPots vintage taper 550k potentiometers, and a phone book tone capacitor to preserve clarity, touch sensitivity, and harmonic complexity. As Scala himself describes the process, the guitar is not built as a single object, but as a collection of precisely realized details that ultimately converge into a cohesive whole.
Though visually striking, this instrument was never meant to be admired from across the room. It is a performing piece of art, engineered for sound first and foremost. Each example includes a custom G&G wine suede hardshell case with Leo Scala aged hardware, a custom leather strap from Don Pepe in Spain, and a custom hand-signed Certificate of Authenticity box from Leo Scala.
The Leo Scala Heavy Addiction Explorer is not simply rare. It is deeply personal, relentlessly crafted, and built for players who understand that true character cannot be replicated.
Highlights
- Leo Scala Retrophonic Alnico 2 (8.4k) humbucker in bridge position
- Leo Scala Retrophonic Alnico 3 (7.7k) in neck position
- Leo Scala Master Artisan Heavy Addiction aging
- '58 Vintage neck profile
- Korina body and neck
- Handmade black caiman leather strap by Don Pepe from Spain
- Hand‑crafted Certificate of Authenticity box from Leo Scala
- Custom G&G wine suede hardshell case with Leo Scala custom-aged hardware
Especificaciones
Cuerpo
Cuerpo
Acabado del cuerpo Master Artisan aged nitrocellulose lacquer
Cuerpo Korina
Forma del cuerpo Explorer
Mastil
Mastil
Material del diapasón Indian Rosewood
Radio del diapasón 304.8mm / 12.0in
Recuento de trastes 22
Trastes Reissue
Incrustaciones Cellulose Dot
Union Hide glue fit
Material del mastil Korina
Material de la cejilla Nylon
Ancho de la cejilla 42.8mm / 1.69in
Perfil '58 Vintage
Longitud de la escala 628.65mm / 24.75in
Electrónica
Electrónica
Pastilla de puente Leo Scala Retrophonic Alnico 2 (8.4k)
Controles 2 volume, 1 tone
Pastilla de mástil Leo Scala Retrophonic Alnico 3 (7.7k)
Conector de salida 1/4"
Pastilla de diapasón 3-way toggle
Hardware
Hardware
Puentes ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic
Controles Aged Gold Top Hats
finish Aged Gold
Golpeadores White
Cordales Stop Bar
Clavijeros Kluson Deluxe with Leo Scala Custom-Color-Infused Celluloid Tips
Miscelánea
Miscelánea
Accesorios Custom-made Certificate of Authenticity from Leo Scala and Blue Bell strap made by Don Pepe
Model: CS-ART-114_Heavy3_Na
Estuche Custom G&G Wine Suede
Incrustación en la pala Raised metal Gibson Logo
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Previously from Leo Scala
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