Gibson Explorer Custom Shop Guitar Roland GR-300 Synthesizer Ready 1985 Gloss Black Very Rare

Here is a very rare 1985 Gibson Explorer Custom Shop Roland GR300 synthesizer guitar. The Roland GR-300 synth unit is not included.

As far as I can find, only a handful of these were ever built and sold. Someone that worked at Gibson recently contacted me and told me there were only 18 of these made.

The guitar is a one owner and in museum quality.
It has Gibson factory Tim Shaw T-Top covered pickups.

It has an ebony fingerboard with med jumbo frets. The frets have no wear marks or grooves.

It has a 24 pin connector.

The guitar can be played like a traditional electric guitar if you chose.

Please ask for more pics if you like. I have some with the pickups out, the strings off, and the rear cavity cover removed.

I am waiting to hear back from the Gibson Custom Shop to find the exact specs on the body and neck woods used.

Another one of these may never be seen for sale.

Comes with the original California Gal hard case.

Guitar will be professionally packaged and shipped with insurance.

The following is an email I received after sending an enquiry to Gibson USA about the history of this guitar:

Hey Scotty,That’s an awesome guitar you’ve got! The 1985 Gibson Custom Shop Explorer that's set up for the Roland GR-300 Synthesizer is definitely a rare find. Those guitars were part of a cool collaboration between Gibson and Roland in the early '80s to blend traditional guitar play with synth sounds.

Here are the details from our records:

Serial Number (SN): 82665540

Item Description: Explorer Synth, Ebony Finish, Chrome Hardware

Item Number: DSSYEBCH1

Wood Specs

For a 1985 Gibson Custom Shop Explorer, here's what you’re likely looking at:

Body: Usually made of mahogany, which gives it that warm, rich tone and great sustain.

Neck: Most likely mahogany as well, matching the body and contributing to a thicker, fuller sound.

Fretboard: Typically either rosewood or ebony. Rosewood gives a warmer sound, while ebony is a bit brighter and snappier.

Cool Features of Your Guitar

Synth-Ready Setup: Your Explorer is probably fitted with a Roland GK-1 hexaphonic pickup and a 24-pin connector to work with the Roland GR-300 synth. This setup lets you mix regular guitar sounds with synth effects, giving you a lot of tonal options.

Custom Electronics: Because it's designed for synth use, there are likely extra controls on the body for things like patch selection, volume control, and blending guitar and synth sounds.

Explorer Style: The Explorer’s unique body shape not only looks killer but also adds to its sustain and resonance because of its larger body mass.

Extra Info

Rarity: Not many of these were made, especially in the Custom Shop, making yours quite special and collectible.

Value: Because they’re rare and appeal to both guitar and synth enthusiasts, these guitars can be pretty valuable.

Upkeep: With the unique electronics and setup, it’s a good idea to have a guitar tech who knows vintage Gibsons and synth guitars give it a once-over to keep everything in tip-top shape.

If you want more detailed info or a deeper dive into the history of your guitar, reaching out to a vintage guitar expert like Walter Carter is always a good move.

Enjoy that amazing guitar, Scotty!

Cheers,

Consumer Support

Gibson, Inc.