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
Specifications
Body Specs
Body Specs
Body Finish Master Artisan aged nitrocellulose lacquer
Body Material Korina
Body Shape Explorer
Neck Specs
Neck Specs
Fingerboard Material Indian Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius 304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count 22
Frets Reissue
Inlays Cellulose Dot
Joint Hide glue fit
Neck Material Korina
Nut Material Nylon
Nut Width 42.8mm / 1.69in
Profile '58 Vintage
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 Knobs Aged Gold Top Hats
finish Aged Gold
Pickguard White
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_Heavy1_Na
Case Custom G&G Wine Suede
Headstock Inlay Raised metal Gibson Logo
Gibson Custom Leo Scala Heavy Addiction Explorer #1, Natural
Gibson Custom Leo Scala Heavy Addiction Explorer #1, 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 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
Specifications
Body Specs
Body Specs
Body Finish Master Artisan aged nitrocellulose lacquer
Body Material Korina
Body Shape Explorer
Neck Specs
Neck Specs
Fingerboard Material Indian Rosewood
Fingerboard Radius 304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count 22
Frets Reissue
Inlays Cellulose Dot
Joint Hide glue fit
Neck Material Korina
Nut Material Nylon
Nut Width 42.8mm / 1.69in
Profile '58 Vintage
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 Knobs Aged Gold Top Hats
finish Aged Gold
Pickguard White
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_Heavy1_Na
Case Custom G&G Wine Suede
Headstock Inlay Raised metal Gibson Logo
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Previously from Leo Scala
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