1976 Gibson Limited Edition Explorer Natural | CME Vintage Demo | Nathaniel Murphy

Call Nathaniel an explorer, because he takes this ‘76 Limited Edition Gibson Explorer and its retro-style, chunky neck on a trip to the edge and back with characteristic precision. Acquired on a recent vintage buying trip, this particular Limited Edition Explorer is one of the finest examples we’ve ever had. It sold within 48 hours. Gibson produced very few Explorers during the 1958 run of the original korina wood model. Because production records have been lost and shipping records are unclear, it is not known exactly how many were made, but the original run total has been estimated to be no more than 50. After the first few guitars, the Explorer had a long drooping headstock with the tuners placed in a straight line on one side (referred sometimes as “banana“ and “hockey-stick“). This headstock design was incorporated by Grover Jackson, founder of Jackson Guitars and other electric guitar makers such as Kramer 20 years later, giving rise to the “pointy-headstock era&q