I am offering a Gibson Explorer Wine Red from 1989, a handcrafted in Nashville, Tennessee (USA), Explorer model with solid mahogany body (at only 3.65kg total weight), set-in mahogany neck with '60s style “C” neck profile and 43mm nut width, elegant ebony fingerboard (!) with pearl dot inlays and 22 medium frets, two legendary Gibson Bill Lawrence “The Original” humbucker pickups and Grover Mini Rotomatics tuners in a semi-transparent Wine Red nitrocellulose high-gloss finish with 3-ply white pickguard and shiny chrome hardware in very good original condition, including brown Gibson vintage hardshell case and professional setup with 10-gauge Elixir strings.

In 1986, the Norlin Corporation sold its Gibson shares, ending the “Norlin era,” and under new management, the focus returned to manufacturing quality. This new beginning was urgently needed and significantly saved Gibson from ruin. This 1989 Gibson Explorer Wine Red is an excellent example of the exceptional post-Norlin manufacturing quality at the Nashville factory. Building on the legendary Explorer models of the 1950s, this Explorer combines numerous traditional specifications with selected tonewoods, high-quality hardware, and outstanding US manufacturing quality. The result is an Explorer on steroids!

Accordingly this Gibson Explorer features a proven, non-weight-reduced solid mahogany construction tailored to the angular profile of this distinctive design, as well as a set-in mahogany neck with a one-piece completely black ebony fingerboard. The guitar breathes and resonates incredibly well acoustically and, when amplified, produces the rich, warm Explorer tone with super-long sustain. This is also ensured by a thin Wine Red Nitrocellulose high-gloss finish, which is aesthetically enhanced by the shiny chrome hardware, the matching 3-ply white pickguard, and the traditionally angled hockey stick headstock with Gibson logo inlay in mother-of-pearl.

At the heart of these Explorers are the two original “Circuit Board” humbuckers developed by Bill Lawrence, which impress with their melodic singing qualities, complex rich overtones, and extremely dynamic sound response, even at higher gain settings. Great growl and clarity at the bridge, a balanced and detailed middle position, and a warm and full neck pickup ensure a lively and versatile sound.

A sound sample of this exact guitar can be found above at the end of the photo gallery.

The medium-width '60s style “C” neck profile fits nicely in the hand and, together with the 43mm wide nut and 628mm scale length, results in smooth playability.

In short: if you're looking for a Gibson Explorer that impresses in terms of sound, playability, and appearance, this is the complete package!

Technical specifications:

• Origin: Nashville, TN, USA
• Year of manufacture: 1989
• Design: Explorer
• Body: Mahogany (solid)
• Neck: Mahogany, set-in
• Neck profile: 60s style “C”
• Fingerboard: Ebony with pearl dot inlays
• Fingerboard radius: 12"
• Frets: 22 medium
• Nut: 43mm
• Headstock: Angled hockeystick mahogany headstock with mother-of-pearl logo inlay
• Pickups: 2x Gibson Bill Lawrence “The Original” HB-R/HB-L Circuit Board Humbucker
• Electronics: 3-way switch, 2x volume & 1x master tone controls
• Tuners: Grover Mini Rotomatics
• Bridge: Gibson Tune-o-Matic
• Stoptail: Gibson Stopbar
• Hardware: Chrome
• Pickguard: White, 3-ply
• Finish: Wine Red, nitrocellulose
• Scale length: 628.6mm
• Weight: 3.65kg
• Serial no.: 82899776
• Includes brown Gibson vintage hardshell case
  

These early Gibson Explorer Post Norlin era Explorer models feature excellent craftsmanship and are extremely rare, especially in the ebony fingerboard version.

This Gibson Explorer is in very good original condition and technically flawless. Visually, there is various age-related superficial wear, which blends in well with the vintage patina of the instrument (see pictures). The frets are still in very good condition.

The instrument has been professionally set up with 10-46 Elixir Optiweb strings, and I (a long-time guitar teacher) will ship it fully insured with DHL (due to the oversize of the case, including a bulky goods surcharge) for €79.99 within Germany or €129.99 within the EU. Worldwide shipping is possible—individual shipping costs available upon request.

All pictures shown are of the actual instrument for sale.