Gibson introduced the Explorer I in 1980. It is similar to 76 reissue with mahogany body and rosewood fingerboard. It was equipped with tune-o-matic bridge or black Kahler Flyer tremolo according to the Blue Book. (however I haven’t been able to find an example with factory Kahler) It was available between 1980-1982.
Specs
Body : Mahogany
Fingerboard: Rosewood with dot inlay
Headstock : decal logo
Bridge : Tune-o-matic or Kahler Flyer Trem
Pickups : 2 x Super Humbucking aka Tarbacks. Bridge 7.8 k ohm Neck 5.4 k ohm
Gibson released the Explorer II CMT in 1981. Unlike the walnut/maple body of Explorer II, the Explorer II CMT has a curly maple top, with mahogany body.
The CMT series was available between 1981-84.
The CMT series shipped with the choice of 2 bridges, the TP-6 (like the Explorer II) or the Kahler Trem.
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 first reissued the Explorer in 1976, manufacturing began from 1975-1980.
The reissue used mahogany for body and neck instead of korina.
There were two versions manufactured in 1976. The ‘Limited Edition’ models with the thicker 50’s style neck, and the production model sporting a thinner neck. The ‘Limited Edition’ models were only made in 1976.
Quote from The Edge’s guitar tech Dallas Schoo about the difference between the two models
“The right ones are hard to find because Gibson had two different Explorers in production that year. The ones that were produced from June through December had a thin neck, but the models that were produced during the first part of that year had a thick baseball bat neck. Those are the ones Edge prefers. Gibson didn’t make many of them, only about 1800 of them or so, and people hang on to them.”
Available Finishes : Natural, Ebony, White.
Shipping Totals according to Gibson
1975: White (total 2)
1976: Ebony 104, Natural 1835, White 67
1977: Ebony 203, Natural 760, White 124
1978: Ebony 65, Natural 149, White 60
1979: Ebony 133, Natural 94, White 60, Explorer II (E2) 586
The Pickups were Super Humbucking Pickups aka Tarbacks designed by Bill Lawrence when he worked for Gibson.
From Gibson : ” Designed in 1971 by Gibson, The super humbucking has a stronger, hotter output that the Original humbucking, combined with better low and high end frequency respeonse. This is somewhat of a paradox in that as a general rule the hotter the pickups, (higher the impedance); the less high end response you have at your disposal. ”
Inductance 4.7 Henries Resonant Peak 5.8 Khz DC resistance 7.8 K ohms (at 1000 cps) Impedance High Two Active upper coils One Ceramic Magnet (indox 7) Adjustable pole pieces Removable pickup cover 2 point height adjustment
1976 Gibson Explorer in Natural Finish (photos from Reverb)
1976 Gibson Explorer in White Finish (photos from Gbase)
1976 Gibson Explorer in Ebony Finish (photos from Reverb)
The Edge’s 1976 Limited Edition Gibson Explorer. The guitar was auctioned off in 2008 to benefit the non-profit organization Music Rising. It sold for $240,000.
Gibson Explorer Blog and More 