1958 Gibson Explorer Other Info Gibson Explorer history	Gibson Explorer® Available: 1958 to 1963, 1983 Collectibility Rating: 1958-1963: A+ 1958 Explorer introduction specs: Korina (African Limba wood) body with enlongated upper treble bout and lower bass bout, 2 humbucking P.A.F. pickups, 3 knobs in straight line, tune-o-matic bridge, stop tailpiece, white pickguard, scimitar-shaped peghead curves to treble side, pearl logo, gold plated parts, natural finish, brown retangular case with pink lining.   1962 Explorer specs:   many models with 1958 serial numbers (left over stock), patent number pickups, nickel plated parts, black case with yellow lining.   Explorer discontinued 1963. Re-introduced in different form in 1975. Reissue of 1958 model introduced in 1983 known as Heritage model, black or brown rectangular case.