Gibson released the Explorer II E2 in 1979, it was available from 1979-1984.
It has a 5 piece laminated walnut/maple body and available either with the walnut top or maple top. The body is contoured and sported beveled edges.
1979 Gibson Catalogue
1981 Rosetti Gibson catalogue (UK)
Body : 5 Piece Laminated Walnut/Maple body
Neck : Maple
Fingerboard : Ebony with dot inlay
E/2 Engraved Truss rod Cover
TP6-Stop Tailpiece (with micro-adjustment tuners)
Gold Hardware
2 x Exposed Humbuckers ( Dirty Fingers Pickups according to 1980 brochure, Series VII pickups according to printed ad )
1979 Gibson Explorer II with Walnut Top ( from Reverb / Ebay )
Gibson Explorer II with Maple Top ( from Facebook E2 Page )
Gibson also made the laminated walnut/maple Explorer II in colours other then natural finish. Below is a 1979 white Explorer II sold from Guitarsofvintage
1980 Explorer II in Cherry Red Finish from Reverb
1980 Gibson Explorer II in Bahama Blue from Olivia’s Vintage Guitars
1980 Gibson Explorer II in Black Sparkle from Reverb (stock pickups replaced with dimarzios)
1980 Gibson Explorer II in Sunburst and 1981 Gibson Explorer II in Silverburst from Olivia’s Vintage
1980 Gibson Explorer II in Blue/Green Burst (Iguana Burst?) from Olivia’s Vintage
1981 Gibson Explorer II in Cherry Sunburst from Chicago Music Exchange
Gibson also released a version of Explorer II known as Explorer II CMT, read about it in this post!
Gibson Explorer Blog and More 