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A Gibson Explorer Like No Other

Every great guitar has an origin story. This one begins with ours.

After spending our first year searching the known universe for extraordinary instruments, Interstellar Guitars has taken the next step in that journey. Introducing the Gibson Custom Shop Made 2 Measure 1958 Explorer Custom in Classic White VOS—the first guitar ever commissioned to our exact specifications.

Built in collaboration with the Gibson Custom Shop, this exclusive Made 2 Measure run is available only through Interstellar Guitars, with just five guitars produced worldwide.

Rather than simply selecting a finish or changing hardware, we set out to create the Explorer we'd always wanted to own—a guitar that honors Gibson's most adventurous design while adding thoughtful refinements for today's players.

An Icon Ahead of Its Time

When Gibson introduced the Explorer in 1958 alongside the Flying V, the guitar world wasn't quite ready for it. Its angular body looked decades ahead of anything on the market, and only a handful of original Explorers ever left the factory before the model was discontinued.

Today, those original '58 Explorers rank among the most collectible production guitars ever built, celebrated for both their rarity and their influence on generations of rock and metal players.

That history made the Explorer the perfect foundation for our first Custom Shop project.

We wanted to preserve everything that made the original legendary while imagining what an Explorer might look like if it received the same luxurious treatment as Gibson's flagship Les Paul Custom.

The Explorer Meets the Les Paul Custom

The result is an Explorer unlike anything in Gibson's standard lineup.

Finished in Classic White VOS nitrocellulose lacquer, the guitar pairs the aggressive silhouette of the Explorer with the timeless elegance of a Les Paul Custom. Multi-ply body binding, a cream-bound ebony fingerboard, genuine mother-of-pearl block inlays, and carefully aged VOS treatment give the instrument the appearance of a well-preserved vintage classic from the moment it leaves its case.

Underneath the finish, the guitar remains remarkably faithful to Gibson's 1958 construction methods. A solid mahogany body, long tenon neck joint with hide glue construction, authentic 1950s truss rod design, nylon nut, lightweight aluminum stop bar, and ABR-1 bridge all contribute to the unmistakable resonance and feel that players expect from the Gibson Custom Shop.

It's vintage at its core, dressed in one of Gibson's most iconic finishes.

Built for Players, Not Just Collectors

While authenticity mattered, we also wanted this guitar to be one we'd reach for every day.

That's why we introduced three deliberate changes to the traditional 1958 formula.

First, Dunlop 6100 jumbo frets provide a more modern playing experience, making bends smoother and improving overall playability without sacrificing the guitar's vintage character.

Next, we worked with Gibson Custom Shop to develop our own custom-wound "S Bucker" pickups. Slightly underwound compared to standard Custombuckers, they deliver greater clarity, openness, and dynamic response while preserving the warmth and harmonic richness that define a great vintage-style PAF.

Finally, we reversed the traditional Gibson volume layout, placing the bridge pickup volume control first. It's a subtle change, but one that feels remarkably intuitive for players who spend most of their time on the bridge pickup, making volume adjustments effortless during performance.

These refinements don't reinvent the Explorer—they simply make an already legendary instrument even better to play.

Only Five Exist

The Interstellar Gibson Custom Shop Made 2 Measure 1958 Explorer Custom represents more than our first exclusive guitar—it represents the beginning of a new chapter for Interstellar Guitars.

Limited to just five instruments worldwide, each guitar includes its Gibson Custom Shop hardshell case and Certificate of Authenticity, making this one of the rarest Gibson Custom Shop Explorers available today.

As an Authorized Gibson Dealer, we're honored that our first Made 2 Measure project became a reality through the Gibson Custom Shop. It's a guitar that celebrates Gibson's past while reflecting the vision that drives Interstellar Guitars forward.

Whether you're a serious collector, a lifelong Explorer enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates extraordinary craftsmanship, this is an instrument that will never be built quite this way again.

Explore the Gibson Custom Shop Made 2 Measure 1958 Explorer Custom in Classic White VOS at Interstellar Guitars, or visit our San Antonio showroom to experience it in person. As always, we ship everywhere.

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