Previously, we owned and sold a 2015 Gibson Blackout Explorer and being that they’re incredibly rare, and we couldn’t source another one; we decided that we should build one that’s similar to the original.  We wanted to build an Explorer that would embody Black Metal and it’s been customized to be as close to the original, with some additional features that make it the Blackest of the Blackouts.  

For this build we started off with a 2010 Gibson Explorer donor guitar and we stripped it down to a husk.  Then, we fully shielded this Explorer with conductive shielding paint, copper shielding tape, wired it with vintage style 22 gauge Gavitt shielded wire, and replaced the nut to a Graph Tech TUSQ XL. Next, we cleaned the fretboard, dressed the frets, and then we darkened the Rosewood fretboard using the Stew Mac “Ebonizer” method, and now the fretboard is a beautiful Ebony finish.  

To make this Explorer have the very best that Gibson has to offer for pickups, we used a double black bobbin Gibson Custombucker with relic’d pole pieces, that’s unpotted and installed in the neck position. This pickup delivers a beautifully clean and warm tone for dropped tunings.  For the bridge pickup, Gibson recently came out with a new version of legendary Dirty Fingers pickup called the Dirty Fingers SM Onyx, and it features a single ceramic 8 magnet, and has an Onyx finished pole pieces. This version gives you that metal crunch you expect from a Dirty Fingers pickup with more midrange bite.  

Then we used The Art of Tone Custom CTS 500K Audio Taper Pots for the volume controls, and a CTS B500K Linear Pot for the tone control with a .047uf/MF Sprague Orange Drop Capacitor.  Everything is then connected together with a AxLabs 3-Way Right Angle Toggle Switch in black and Pure Tone Technologies black nickel output jack. 

To give this Blackout Explorer the sleek sexy look that it’s know for, we used a WD Custom single ply matte black pickguard and truss rod cover, Grover Tune-O-Matic Guitar Bridge in Black Chrome, Advanced Plating Stop Bar Tailpiece in Solar Black, Grover Mini Rotomatics 205 Series Tuners in Black Chrome, and a Black Dunlop StrapLok System to keep this beautiful axe off the floor.  

We did a full setup on this guitar with and the neck is straight with the perfect amount of relief.  The frets and fretboard are in excellent condition with little signs of wear (See Photos).  It’s setup with D’Addario EXL120 (10-52) strings and has level consistent action across the fretboard.  This Explorer is very good overall condition with some scratches, marks, dings, and strap rash on the back (See Photos).  It comes with the original Black Gibson USA case and COA/warranty card. 

Please remember that this is a custom built guitar and we‘ve spent a good deal of time building it; and also significant amount money using the highest quality parts that are either Gibson branded or Custom made that exceed the quality the original Gibson parts.

This guitar will be fully insured and shipped using Reverb Safe Shipping.  If you’re an international buyer interested In this guitar please message us for a shipping quote. 

Weight: 8 Pounds 6 Ounces 

3-Piece Select Mahogany Body

1-Piece Select Mahogany Neck - Slim Taper Profile (1st .80” - 12th .90”)

Rosewood Fretboard (12” Radius) 

1.72” Graph Tech TUSQ XL Nut

Inlaid Mother Of Pearl Gibson Logo on Headstock

Neck Pickup: Gibson Custombucker Plus Double Black Bobbins - 8.4 Ohm Output and Black Relic’d Pole Pieces 

Bridge Pickup: Gibson Modern Collection Dirty Fingers SM - Onyx - 15.8 Ohm Output

Sprague .047uf/MF Orange Drop Capacitor 

Gavitt 22 Gauge Cloth & Shielded Wire 

Gibson Black Speed Knobs 

2 - TAOT Custom CTS 500K Pot Audio Taper (Volume Pots)

1 - CTS 500K Linear Pot B500K (Tone Pot) 

1 - AxLabs 3-Way Right Angle Toggle Switch 4-pole - Black

1 - Pure Tone Technologies 1/4” Mono Input Jack - Black Nickel 

Copper Conductive Shielding Tape in Routed Cavities 

Copper Shielding Tape With Conductive Adhesive for Control Cavity Cover & Pickguard 

Grover Tune-O-Matic Guitar Bridge Notched Black Chrome

Grover Mini Rotomatics 205 Series Tuners - Black Chrome

Advanced Plating Stop Bar Tailpiece - Solar Black

Custom Gibson Bell Truss Rod Cover Single Ply - Matte Black

WD Custom Pickguard Single Ply - Matte Black

#3 - 3/8” Black Screws (Pickguard, Backplate, and Output Jack)

#3 - 1/4“ Black Screws (Truss Rod Cover)

Gibson Explorer Jack Plate - Black

Dunlop Strap-lok System - Black

D’ Addario EXL-120 (10-52) Strings 

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