An all mahogany version of the legendary 1958 Explorer
Gibson Custom is the pinnacle of craftsmanship, quality, and sound excellence. Each instrument celebrates the Gibson legacy through accuracy, authenticity, and attention to detail.
In the late 1950s, Gibson designed a trio of futuristic-looking new models that were intended to bring fresh, modern-looking designs to the product lineup. One of these was the Futura™, which quickly morphed into the Explorer™ as we now know it. While the Explorer went on to become a true icon of the guitar world, it wasn’t instantly popular. Only 19 were shipped in 1958, its first year of production. Its subsequent popularity has made those late 50s Explorers among the most desirable and most expensive vintage guitars in the world, and one that has been played by guitar legends such as Eric Clapton, Slash, Allen Collins, Rick Nielsen, and James Hetfield.
Radically “space age” in appearance when it was introduced in 1958, the Explorer was way ahead of its time and still looks fresh, modern, and unique today. This is a testament to its enduring appeal and timeless design, which continue to captivate guitarists and collectors worldwide. Now, Gibson Custom is proud to introduce the 1958 Mahogany Explorer Reissue. It features all of the hallmarks of the original Explorers from 1958, with the only difference being that mahogany has been used instead of the original, rare Korina wood, but otherwise, all of the classic vintage Explorer features have been carefully recreated in this Historic Reissue model. Mahogany delivers a somewhat warmer sound than the slightly brighter Korina, making it a great choice for players who love the 1950s Explorer aesthetic but who are looking for a denser, all-mahogany tone for rock and metal. And since mahogany is more readily available than the scarcer Korina, this also makes this 1958 Mahogany Explorer Reissue the most accessible way to get Historic Explorer looks, features, and performance from Gibson Custom.
The 1958 Mahogany Explorer Reissue features a mahogany body with the original Explorer shape made to the vintage specifications, a mahogany neck with a 50s Vintage profile, and the original Explorer headstock design, complete with reissue Kluson® single-ring tuners. The unbound Indian rosewood fretboard is equipped with 22 authentic medium jumbo frets and cellulose dot inlays. The 1958 Mahogany Explorer Reissue is powered by two Custombucker humbucker™ pickups that are hand-wired to two volume and one tone control with CTS® potentiometers and a phone book capacitor. The Antique Natural nitrocellulose lacquer and gold hardware are VOS-finished, giving it the look of a new-old-stock guitar from the late 1950s. A Lifton™ historic reissue brown and pink hardshell case is also included. Here’s your chance to own a 50s spec Explorer, now available from Gibson Custom in its most accessible form yet.
Highlights
- Mahogany body
- Mahogany neck with a Vintage 50s profile
- Indian rosewood fretboard with 22 authentic medium jumbo frets and cellulose dot inlays
- Kluson single line, single ring tuners
- Nitrocellulose VOS finish and aged gold hardware
- '58 explorer white 4-ply pickguard
- Custombucker Alnico 3 pickups (unpotted)
- Hardshell case
Guitar Specifications
Body Specs
Body Specs
Body Finish Nitrocellulose VOS (Vintage Patina)
Body Material 2-piece Mahogany
Body Shape Explorer
Body Styles Explorer
Neck Specs
Neck Specs
Fingerboard Material Indian Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius 304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count 22
Frets Authentic Medium Jumbo
Inlays Cellulose Dot
Joint Hide Glue Fit
Neck Material Mahogany
Nut Material Nylon
Nut Width 42.8mm / 1.69in
Profile 50s Vintage
Scale Length 628.65mm / 24.75in
Electronics Specs
Electronics Specs
Bridge Pickup Custombucker Alnico 3 (Unpotted)
Controls 2 Volume, 1 Tone, 500K CTS Vintage Taper Potentiometers, Phone Book Capacitor
Neck Pickup Custombucker Alnico 3 (Unpotted)
Output Jack 1/4" Switchcraft
Pickup Selector 3-Way Switchcraft
Hardware Specs
Hardware Specs
Bridge ABR-1 No-Wire
Control Covers Brown Explorer
Control Knobs True Historic Black Top Hat with Dial Pointer
finish Aged Gold
Mounting Rings True Historic Black
Pickguard 4-ply White
Pickup Covers True Historic Aged Gold
Strap Buttons 2 - Brass
Switch Tip True Historic Amber
Tailpiece Lightweight Aluminum Stop Bar
Truss Rod Authentic 1950s No-Tube
Truss Rod Cover True Historic Black
Tuner Plating Aged Gold
Tuning Machines Kluson Single Ring Reissue
Misc Specs
Misc Specs
Case Historic Explorer Brown/Pink Hardshell
Model: 58MEXPANVOGH1
Headstock 1958 Explorer
Headstock Inlay Gibson Logo in Mother of Pearl
Strings Gauge .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
Gibson Custom 1958 Mahogany Explorer Reissue, VOS, Antique Natural
Gibson Custom 1958 Mahogany Explorer Reissue, VOS, Antique Natural
Free & Fast Shipping
Free & Fast Shipping
Orders placed by noon CST Monday-Friday (excluding holidays) will ship the same day. Orders placed after this cutoff will ship the next business day. All orders over $100 receive free ground shipping within the United States.
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 .
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.
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.
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.
An all mahogany version of the legendary 1958 Explorer
Gibson Custom is the pinnacle of craftsmanship, quality, and sound excellence. Each instrument celebrates the Gibson legacy through accuracy, authenticity, and attention to detail.
In the late 1950s, Gibson designed a trio of futuristic-looking new models that were intended to bring fresh, modern-looking designs to the product lineup. One of these was the Futura™, which quickly morphed into the Explorer™ as we now know it. While the Explorer went on to become a true icon of the guitar world, it wasn’t instantly popular. Only 19 were shipped in 1958, its first year of production. Its subsequent popularity has made those late 50s Explorers among the most desirable and most expensive vintage guitars in the world, and one that has been played by guitar legends such as Eric Clapton, Slash, Allen Collins, Rick Nielsen, and James Hetfield.
Radically “space age” in appearance when it was introduced in 1958, the Explorer was way ahead of its time and still looks fresh, modern, and unique today. This is a testament to its enduring appeal and timeless design, which continue to captivate guitarists and collectors worldwide. Now, Gibson Custom is proud to introduce the 1958 Mahogany Explorer Reissue. It features all of the hallmarks of the original Explorers from 1958, with the only difference being that mahogany has been used instead of the original, rare Korina wood, but otherwise, all of the classic vintage Explorer features have been carefully recreated in this Historic Reissue model. Mahogany delivers a somewhat warmer sound than the slightly brighter Korina, making it a great choice for players who love the 1950s Explorer aesthetic but who are looking for a denser, all-mahogany tone for rock and metal. And since mahogany is more readily available than the scarcer Korina, this also makes this 1958 Mahogany Explorer Reissue the most accessible way to get Historic Explorer looks, features, and performance from Gibson Custom.
The 1958 Mahogany Explorer Reissue features a mahogany body with the original Explorer shape made to the vintage specifications, a mahogany neck with a 50s Vintage profile, and the original Explorer headstock design, complete with reissue Kluson® single-ring tuners. The unbound Indian rosewood fretboard is equipped with 22 authentic medium jumbo frets and cellulose dot inlays. The 1958 Mahogany Explorer Reissue is powered by two Custombucker humbucker™ pickups that are hand-wired to two volume and one tone control with CTS® potentiometers and a phone book capacitor. The Antique Natural nitrocellulose lacquer and gold hardware are VOS-finished, giving it the look of a new-old-stock guitar from the late 1950s. A Lifton™ historic reissue brown and pink hardshell case is also included. Here’s your chance to own a 50s spec Explorer, now available from Gibson Custom in its most accessible form yet.
Highlights
- Mahogany body
- Mahogany neck with a Vintage 50s profile
- Indian rosewood fretboard with 22 authentic medium jumbo frets and cellulose dot inlays
- Kluson single line, single ring tuners
- Nitrocellulose VOS finish and aged gold hardware
- '58 explorer white 4-ply pickguard
- Custombucker Alnico 3 pickups (unpotted)
- Hardshell case
Guitar Specifications
Body Specs
Body Specs
Body Finish Nitrocellulose VOS (Vintage Patina)
Body Material 2-piece Mahogany
Body Shape Explorer
Body Styles Explorer
Neck Specs
Neck Specs
Fingerboard Material Indian Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius 304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count 22
Frets Authentic Medium Jumbo
Inlays Cellulose Dot
Joint Hide Glue Fit
Neck Material Mahogany
Nut Material Nylon
Nut Width 42.8mm / 1.69in
Profile 50s Vintage
Scale Length 628.65mm / 24.75in
Electronics Specs
Electronics Specs
Bridge Pickup Custombucker Alnico 3 (Unpotted)
Controls 2 Volume, 1 Tone, 500K CTS Vintage Taper Potentiometers, Phone Book Capacitor
Neck Pickup Custombucker Alnico 3 (Unpotted)
Output Jack 1/4" Switchcraft
Pickup Selector 3-Way Switchcraft
Hardware Specs
Hardware Specs
Bridge ABR-1 No-Wire
Control Covers Brown Explorer
Control Knobs True Historic Black Top Hat with Dial Pointer
finish Aged Gold
Mounting Rings True Historic Black
Pickguard 4-ply White
Pickup Covers True Historic Aged Gold
Strap Buttons 2 - Brass
Switch Tip True Historic Amber
Tailpiece Lightweight Aluminum Stop Bar
Truss Rod Authentic 1950s No-Tube
Truss Rod Cover True Historic Black
Tuner Plating Aged Gold
Tuning Machines Kluson Single Ring Reissue
Misc Specs
Misc Specs
Case Historic Explorer Brown/Pink Hardshell
Model: 58MEXPANVOGH1
Headstock 1958 Explorer
Headstock Inlay Gibson Logo in Mother of Pearl
Strings Gauge .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
