Up for sale is a killer Gibson 80s Explorer in Classic White, based on the highly sought-after 1984 Gibson Explorer.

Few guitars are as closely associated with 1980s metal as a white Explorer, and it’s nearly impossible to see this guitar without thinking of James Hetfield and early Metallica.

Hetfield famously began using white Gibson Explorers during the Ride the Lightning era, with his 1984 “So What” and “More Beer” Explorers becoming some of the most recognizable guitars in metal history. That association continued through Metallica’s rise during the 1980s and helped cement the white Explorer as an icon of thrash metal.

While this is not a James Hetfield signature model, Gibson designed the 80s Explorer around the popular 1984 version, making the Classic White finish an especially appropriate choice for anyone who loves that era of Metallica.

Construction & Feel

The Explorer’s futuristic body shape dates all the way back to 1958, but it was during the 1980s that the design really found its home in hard rock and heavy metal.

This version features a solid mahogany body and mahogany neck with Gibson’s fast-playing SlimTaper profile. The Indian rosewood fingerboard has a 12” radius, 22 medium-jumbo frets and simple dot inlays.

Despite its aggressive appearance, the Explorer is an extremely comfortable guitar to play, particularly standing up. The SlimTaper neck gives it a fast, familiar feel that’s perfectly suited to everything from big rhythm chords to fast riffs and lead playing.

Electronics

A pair of Gibson 80s Tribute humbuckers gives this Explorer the powerful, fat sound associated with Gibson’s 1980s models.

There’s plenty of output and sustain for hard rock and metal, but these aren’t simply high-output one-trick pickups. They retain the clarity and dynamics you’d expect from a great pair of Gibson humbuckers and work equally well for lower-gain and clean sounds.

Of course, if your idea of an Explorer involves palm-muted riffs, a high-gain amp and a lot of downpicking, this guitar is more than happy to oblige.

Specifications

• Gibson 80s Explorer
• Classic White
• Based on the popular 1984 Explorer
• Gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish
• Mahogany body
• Mahogany neck
• SlimTaper neck profile
• Indian rosewood fingerboard
• 12” fingerboard radius
• 24.75” scale length
• 22 medium-jumbo frets
• Acrylic dot inlays
• Graph Tech nut
• 1.7” nut width
• Gibson 80s Tribute humbuckers
• Grover Mini Rotomatic tuners
• Aluminum Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge
• Aluminum Stop Bar tailpiece
• Gibson hardshell case included

Everything functions as it should, and the guitar plays and sounds fantastic.

The Bottom Line

If you’re looking for the classic 1980s white Explorer aesthetic, it doesn’t get much better than this.

The Explorer was already one of Gibson’s most distinctive designs, but players like James Hetfield helped transform the white 1984-style Explorer into one of the defining images of heavy metal guitar.

This isn’t a Hetfield signature guitar or replica. Instead, it’s Gibson’s modern take on the same 1984-era Explorer design that became so closely associated with Hetfield during Metallica’s rise in the 1980s.

The Classic White nitro finish, mahogany construction, fast SlimTaper neck and 80s Tribute humbuckers give it exactly the look and attitude you’d want from an Explorer like this.

Whether you’re chasing that early Metallica aesthetic or simply want one of the coolest guitar designs Gibson has ever made, this is a fantastic example.

Original Gibson hardshell case included.

The guitar will be carefully packed for shipment.

Please feel free to message me with any questions or requests for additional photos.