Gibson Explorer Custom Shop Korina Edition Model Solid Body Electric Guitar (1983), made in Kalamazoo, Michigan, serial # 80483500, natural lacquer finish, Korina body and neck, rosewood fingerboard, original black hard shell case.
This now-uniquely fitted-out example of the much-coveted 1983 Gibson Custom Shop Edition Explorer had some, um, adventures in the 1980s. A period Kahler Model 2220 trem system was fitted, meaning the body was routed and a locking piece was added behind the nut. This obviously has left the guitar in what we would describe as "player" condition but if you want to play it in the hair-metal tap and squeal/dive bomber mode it is ready to go!
Apart from this major modification the guitar is original in its antique natural Korina finish. The old Gibson Custom Shop logo sits on the back of the headstock with a standard impressed 1983-coded Serial Number. The fairly chunky rounded 1950s inspired neck profile is very comfortable All hardware is gold plated, including the Gibson branded Schaller tuners (There were no Kluson machines available in 1983) and tastefully, the added Kahler hardware.
Gibson produced more Flying Vs and (inexplicably) Modernes in the early 80s Heritage series but fewer Explorers, which are considered one of the best of the many '80s reissues. The very resonant Korina used coupled with the celebrated Tim Shaw humbucking pickups (coded on the undersides 150383 and 151383) make for a superb iteration of this model, considered at the time the best since the original '58s. While this one is perhaps no longer a collectible, it is still a fine guitar with its own unique personality!
Overall length is 43 in. (109.2 cm.), 16 1/2 in. (41.9 cm.) across at the widest point, and 1 1/2 in. (3.8 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 24 3/4 in. (629 mm.). Width of nut is 1 11/16 in. (43 mm.).
Except for the obvious modifications (ah, remember the 1980s when locking-trem routing on all guitars was "the thing" to do) this guitar remains in solid original condition. The finish has light checking and mostly small dings and dents with a decent amount of belt buckle worming to the back but no major loss. YES there is a big hole in the Korina body under the Kahler, screw holes in the pickguard and the truss rod cover was clipped to accommodate the locking nut housing. The internal string-securing mechanism for that is lost, it functions as just a string guide now. The Kahler itself works fine, although the original arm is missing (a generic Strat-style arm is fitted).
All the other hardware is original to the guitar including the crucial Tim Shaw pickups, which sound lovely. There is some general wear to the gold plating. The original frets have only light wear and the guitar plays well, with the '80s dive-bomb potential added to the original Explorer character. A complex restoration involving patching Korina back in COULD be done, but the guitar is now a unique piece If a combination of Korina and Kahler is what you have been seeking, here it is. It resides in the original burgundy-lined black Tolex HSC. Overall Very Good + Condition.
