1985 Gibson Explorer, Red. S/N 82325525 with original Gibson hard shell case. This Gibson was found in a storage auction purchase. It was neglected and I cleaned it up while also performing some amateur luthier work to it. I am rating it as fair condition because I'm sure a professional luthier would find more to do being that it has some damage to the finish, some ware and most likely needs professional adjustments. I cleaned it up including the fretboard and frets. The body got a good cleaning and wiping down - no polishing creams or chemicals where used. The body has what appears to be a crack in the finish (top edge and extending onto the face). I've looked at this closley and I believe it is just in the finish and not the wood body itself but, hard to be sure without removing the finish and I'm not about to do that nor attempt a repair that's above my limited experience. The body also has dents, dings and small cracks in the finish. The neck has a good dent in it's finish that's about the size of a large pistachio nut.

The electronics were improperly wired and did not function so I pulled schematics from the Web and after removing all components I cleaned and properly resoldered the connections. The pickups work now. I believe one is a Gibson Humbucker and the other is a Dimarzio Humbucker From Hell (my best guess). I also purchase some black ABS material and made the electronics backing cover from scratch. The original went missing and the replacement that was on there was garbage. Mines not perfect but much better than before and it protects the electronics now. I cleaned the Kayler bridge, (shows ware also) installed new Gilmour Boomers and adjusted the intonation and height as best I could and both seem pretty good. The neck might need a slight adjustment but it's very good as it is and I've left it alone.

This is the first Gibson I've owned and the first I've ever worked on so my experience is very limited but I thing everything is original except for the back cover, the plastic covers around the pickups (they look different to me than pics online) and the strings. The tremelo bar is missing. Please ask before you purchase. I've sold online for many years on other platforms and I am always willing to provide as much information as possible so, if I've overlooked something, let me know.

The case. It looks original and fits the guitar like a glove. The interior is clean and in very good condition except for the two little straps that limit the travel when opening the lid. I've left them as is, for the buyer to decide how best to reattach. The two locking clasps are without key and the one one the left is incomplete and is inoperable. The center clasp works. The handle is in good working condition and looks good. The hinges on the rear work well, are without excessive play, the center one has had a couple of it's original rivets replaced with screws. The corner protectors are ale there (8), 6 are attached and working properly, 2 are in need of reattachment because the metal feet are missing. The heaviest ware and damage to the vinyl is to the lower parts of the case. It looks a little rough but dose a nice job protecting the guitar.