Gibson Electric Explorer 80s Ebony Original

The Essentials to Know About the Gibson 80s Explorer Guitar

• Iconic look and 80s attitude: the Explorer shape, designed for rock and metal, with a glossy nitrocellulose lacquer finish.


• Big vintage-typed sound: the 80s Tribute humbuckers deliver a dense, incisive, and generous tone, ideal for riffs and solos.


• Fast playing comfort: SlimTaper mahogany neck and Indian rosewood fingerboard for a smooth and efficient feel.


• Stage-ready: reliable hardware (Tune-O-Matic + Stop Bar) and hard case included for transport.

A cult model updated, inspired by 1984

First introduced in 1958, the Explorer has established itself over the decades as a unique guitar, recognizable among all. While its futuristic shape attracted rockers from the 1970s, it was especially in the 1980s that it became a reference, carried by the hard rock wave. This 80s Explorer captures the spirit of a landmark 1984 model: a direct approach, a fast feel, and a thick sound designed to cut through a busy mix.

For whom, and for which styles?

The Gibson 80s Explorer is aimed at intermediate to advanced guitarists seeking an electric guitar with a strong character, both for stage and studio. It excels in hard rock, heavy metal, muscular rock, and punk, with an ideal power reserve for palm-muted chords, sharp riffs, and singing leads. Its SlimTaper neck promotes fast playing without sacrificing the "Gibson" feel.

The sound

The mahogany body + mahogany neck duo provides a warm, dense sonic foundation rich in low mids, with natural sustain that highlights sustained notes and vibratos. The 80s Tribute pickups reinforce this identity with a "fat" and punchy output, perfect for pushing a tube amp, handling heavy distortion, and maintaining presence in solos. The simple and effective electronics (2 volumes, 1 master tone, 3-way selector) allow quick switching from powerful rhythm to more incisive lead, while using volume controls to clean up the sound.

Technical specifications

Body shape	Explorer	Finish	chrome
Body material	mahogany	Bridge	aluminum Nashville Tune-O-Matic
Body finish	glossy nitrocellulose lacquer	Tailpiece	aluminum Stop Bar
Profile	SlimTaper	Tuners	Grover Mini Rotomatic
Neck material	mahogany	Pickguard	none
Joint	glued, set neck	Truss rod	adjustable
Scale length	24.75" / 628.65 mm	Control knobs	Black Speed
Fingerboard material	Indian rosewood	Selector knob	black
Fingerboard radius	12" / 304.8 mm	Jack plate cover	chrome
Number of frets	22	Neck pickup	80s Tribute
Frets	Medium Jumbo	Bridge pickup	80s Tribute
Nut material	Graph Tech	Controls	2 Volume, Master Tone; hand-wired with Orange Drop capacitors
Nut width	43.053 mm / 1.695"	Pickup selector	3-way toggle
Inlays	Acrylic Dot	Output jack	1" / 25.4 mm