A Dark Addiction Explorer masterpiece from Leo Scala
The Gibson Custom Master Artisan Collection brings together the skill, imagination, and individuality of some of the world’s most distinctive luthiers, and the Leo Scala Dark Addiction Explorer™ represents one of the most striking collaborations in the series. Handcrafted by renowned Master Artisan Leo Scala, this one‑of‑a‑kind instrument channels the energy of the original 1958 Explorer while pushing its character into bold new territory. Finished in Dark Natural, which deepens and shifts depending on the light, going from a shadowy, understated presence to a glowing amber under stage lights, this heavily aged (Ultra Aging ++) interpretation is built to perform, inspire, and stand apart.
Scala has spent more than 25 years crafting guitars in his small Los Angeles workshop, where his singular blend of creativity, European artistic influence, and obsessive craftsmanship has earned him a devoted following among discerning players. His background—rooted in classical music, chemical engineering, and the textured visual world of old European architecture and relics—infuses every instrument he creates. His guitars have been played and collected by artists such as Slash, Richard Fortus, Phil X, Doug Aldrich, and Jason Momoa, all drawn to the unmistakable personality of his work.
That personality is shaped by Scala’s process, which centers on the idea that every element of a guitar deserves its own full attention. He focuses on materials, techniques, and design principles that echo those used during the Explorer’s earliest years, drawing on period‑correct methods while adding his own conceptual flair. A heavily aged 1958 Explorer known as “Big Ed” served as a key influence in this series, and after building custom Explorers for Slash and Jason Momoa, Scala created ten related but distinctly unique Explorers for the Master Artisan Collection. The Dark Addiction Explorer is one of the three individual builds in that group, offering its own identity, voice, and visual impact.
Its Korina body and hide‑glue‑fit Korina neck establish a resonant, harmonically rich foundation. The Indian rosewood fretboard features pearloid dot inlays, 22 reissue frets, and a ’58 Vintage neck profile with rounded edges for an inviting, broken‑in feel. A distinct neck dent at the 4th fret mirrors the matching mark found on the vintage “Big Ed,” adding a subtle historical reference. Scala’s hand‑wound Retrophonic humbuckers™, with Alnico 2 magnets in the neck and Alnico 5 magnets in the bridge, are voiced for clarity, warmth, and articulate power, complemented by 50s‑style hand wiring, VIPots vintage taper potentiometers, and a phone book capacitor.
Leo Scala hand‑aged and color-infused Kluson® tuners, an ABR‑1 Tune‑O‑Matic™ bridge, a lightweight aluminum Stop Bar tailpiece, and Master Artisan‑aged gold hardware elevate both feel and function. The white 4‑ply pickguard, aged gold Top Hat knobs, and raised metal Gibson headstock logo complete the instrument’s expressive aesthetic. The Dark Addiction Explorer ships in a custom wine suede G&G hardshell case with matching accents and Leo Scala aged hardware, along with a handcrafted darker brown leather Blue Bell strap made by Don Pepe in Spain and aged by Scala, plus a custom certificate of authenticity.
The Leo Scala Dark Addiction Explorer is more than a collector’s piece—it is a performing work of art, purpose‑built for players who want a guitar with a story, a voice, and a singular presence all its own.
Highlights
- Leo Scala Retrophonic Alnico 2 (8.4k) humbucker in bridge position
- Leo Scala Retrophonic Alnico 3 (7.7k) in neck position
- '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
- Leo Scala Master Artisan Dark Addiction aging
Specifications
Body Specs
Body Specs
Body Finish Master Artisan aged nitrocellulose lacquer
Body Material Korina
Body Shape Explorer
Neck Specs
Neck Specs
Fingerboard Material Indiana Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius 304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count 22
Frets Reissue
Inlays Cellulose Dot
Joint Hide glue fit
neck-finish Big Ed dent at 4th fret
Neck Material Korina
Nut Material Nylon
Nut Width 42.8mm / 1.69in
Profile \Big Ed\ 1958 Explorer
Scale Length 628.65mm / 24.75in
Electronics Specs
Electronics Specs
Bridge Pickup Leo Scala Retrophonic Alnico 2 (8.4k)
Controls 2 volume, 1 tone
Neck Pickup Leo Scala Retrophonic Alnico 3 (7.7k)
Output Jack 1/4"
Pickup Selector 3-way toggle
Hardware Specs
Hardware Specs
Bridge ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic
Control Covers White
Control Knobs Aged Gold Top Hats
finish Aged Gold
Pickguard White
Pickup Covers Gold
Tailpiece Stop Bar
Tuning Machines Kluson Deluxe with Leo Scala Custom-Color-Infused Celluloid Tips
Misc Specs
Misc Specs
Accessories Custom-made Certificate of Authenticity from Leo Scala and Blue Bell strap made by Don Pepe
Model: CS-ART-114_Dark_Dark
Case Custom G&G Wine Suede
Headstock Inlay Raised metal Gibson Logo
Gibson Custom Leo Scala Dark Addiction Explorer, Natural
Gibson Custom Leo Scala Dark Addiction Explorer, 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.
A Dark Addiction Explorer masterpiece from Leo Scala
The Gibson Custom Master Artisan Collection brings together the skill, imagination, and individuality of some of the world’s most distinctive luthiers, and the Leo Scala Dark Addiction Explorer™ represents one of the most striking collaborations in the series. Handcrafted by renowned Master Artisan Leo Scala, this one‑of‑a‑kind instrument channels the energy of the original 1958 Explorer while pushing its character into bold new territory. Finished in Dark Natural, which deepens and shifts depending on the light, going from a shadowy, understated presence to a glowing amber under stage lights, this heavily aged (Ultra Aging ++) interpretation is built to perform, inspire, and stand apart.
Scala has spent more than 25 years crafting guitars in his small Los Angeles workshop, where his singular blend of creativity, European artistic influence, and obsessive craftsmanship has earned him a devoted following among discerning players. His background—rooted in classical music, chemical engineering, and the textured visual world of old European architecture and relics—infuses every instrument he creates. His guitars have been played and collected by artists such as Slash, Richard Fortus, Phil X, Doug Aldrich, and Jason Momoa, all drawn to the unmistakable personality of his work.
That personality is shaped by Scala’s process, which centers on the idea that every element of a guitar deserves its own full attention. He focuses on materials, techniques, and design principles that echo those used during the Explorer’s earliest years, drawing on period‑correct methods while adding his own conceptual flair. A heavily aged 1958 Explorer known as “Big Ed” served as a key influence in this series, and after building custom Explorers for Slash and Jason Momoa, Scala created ten related but distinctly unique Explorers for the Master Artisan Collection. The Dark Addiction Explorer is one of the three individual builds in that group, offering its own identity, voice, and visual impact.
Its Korina body and hide‑glue‑fit Korina neck establish a resonant, harmonically rich foundation. The Indian rosewood fretboard features pearloid dot inlays, 22 reissue frets, and a ’58 Vintage neck profile with rounded edges for an inviting, broken‑in feel. A distinct neck dent at the 4th fret mirrors the matching mark found on the vintage “Big Ed,” adding a subtle historical reference. Scala’s hand‑wound Retrophonic humbuckers™, with Alnico 2 magnets in the neck and Alnico 5 magnets in the bridge, are voiced for clarity, warmth, and articulate power, complemented by 50s‑style hand wiring, VIPots vintage taper potentiometers, and a phone book capacitor.
Leo Scala hand‑aged and color-infused Kluson® tuners, an ABR‑1 Tune‑O‑Matic™ bridge, a lightweight aluminum Stop Bar tailpiece, and Master Artisan‑aged gold hardware elevate both feel and function. The white 4‑ply pickguard, aged gold Top Hat knobs, and raised metal Gibson headstock logo complete the instrument’s expressive aesthetic. The Dark Addiction Explorer ships in a custom wine suede G&G hardshell case with matching accents and Leo Scala aged hardware, along with a handcrafted darker brown leather Blue Bell strap made by Don Pepe in Spain and aged by Scala, plus a custom certificate of authenticity.
The Leo Scala Dark Addiction Explorer is more than a collector’s piece—it is a performing work of art, purpose‑built for players who want a guitar with a story, a voice, and a singular presence all its own.
Highlights
- Leo Scala Retrophonic Alnico 2 (8.4k) humbucker in bridge position
- Leo Scala Retrophonic Alnico 3 (7.7k) in neck position
- '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
- Leo Scala Master Artisan Dark Addiction aging
Specifications
Body Specs
Body Specs
Body Finish Master Artisan aged nitrocellulose lacquer
Body Material Korina
Body Shape Explorer
Neck Specs
Neck Specs
Fingerboard Material Indiana Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius 304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count 22
Frets Reissue
Inlays Cellulose Dot
Joint Hide glue fit
neck-finish Big Ed dent at 4th fret
Neck Material Korina
Nut Material Nylon
Nut Width 42.8mm / 1.69in
Profile \Big Ed\ 1958 Explorer
Scale Length 628.65mm / 24.75in
Electronics Specs
Electronics Specs
Bridge Pickup Leo Scala Retrophonic Alnico 2 (8.4k)
Controls 2 volume, 1 tone
Neck Pickup Leo Scala Retrophonic Alnico 3 (7.7k)
Output Jack 1/4"
Pickup Selector 3-way toggle
Hardware Specs
Hardware Specs
Bridge ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic
Control Covers White
Control Knobs Aged Gold Top Hats
finish Aged Gold
Pickguard White
Pickup Covers Gold
Tailpiece Stop Bar
Tuning Machines Kluson Deluxe with Leo Scala Custom-Color-Infused Celluloid Tips
Misc Specs
Misc Specs
Accessories Custom-made Certificate of Authenticity from Leo Scala and Blue Bell strap made by Don Pepe
Model: CS-ART-114_Dark_Dark
Case Custom G&G Wine Suede
Headstock Inlay Raised metal Gibson Logo
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Previously from Leo Scala
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