Gibson Custom GHII Explorer Custom - Racing Red

Introducing the Gibson Custom Shop Explorer Custom Racing Red — a high-velocity icon reborn for the Gibson Greatest Hits II Series.

At Interstellar Guitars, we don’t just stock instruments — we launch them. And this Explorer Custom is pure rocket fuel.

Finished in a deep Racing Red nitrocellulose gloss, this limited-run masterpiece pays homage to a legendary Italian performance marque — the same shade of red that has streaked across racetracks and podiums for decades. It’s not just a color. It’s velocity, heritage, and horsepower captured in lacquer. Under stage lights, it glows like a solar flare; under your hands, it feels like controlled detonation.

Crafted from solid mahogany with a 7-ply bound top, this Explorer delivers the kind of resonance that feels tectonic. The mahogany neck features a long tenon, hide glue fit for maximum transfer and sustain — because tone this powerful deserves structural integrity at the molecular level. The 50’s Chunky “D” profile fills the palm with authority, while the bound ebony fingerboard with MOP block inlays keeps things unapologetically Custom.

This is precision engineering with cosmic intent:

• 490R (neck) & 498T (bridge) — a pickup duo calibrated for everything from smooth orbital warmth to full atmospheric re-entry.

• CTS 500K pots, ceramic caps & Switchcraft hardware — mission-critical components for flawless signal transmission.

• ABR-1 bridge with nickel-plated brass saddles & lightweight aluminum stop bar — sustain that seems to bend gravity.

• Mini Grovers & authentic 1950s no-tube truss rod — stability that holds course at any velocity.

At 9 lbs 5 oz, it has the reassuring mass of a battle-ready flagship, yet balances effortlessly. Chrome hardware and authentic nickel silver covers provide contrast against that blazing red finish — like starlight cutting across the void.

Part of a strictly limited dealer allocation, the Greatest Hits II series revives the most sought-after Custom Shop builds from years past. Only select Gibson dealers were chosen to carry this run — and Interstellar Guitars is proud to be among them.

The GHII Explorer Custom in Racing Red isn’t just an instrument.
It’s ignition.
It’s trajectory.
It’s a redline set somewhere beyond Earth’s atmosphere.

Model: GHII Explorer Custom 
Body Construction: Solid
Body: Mahogany
Body Finish: Nitrocellulose (Gloss)
Body Biding: 7-Ply Front
Neck: Mahogany
Headstock: Explorer Veneer, MOP INlaid Gibson w/ Alpine White Stinger
Fingerboard: Ebony (Cream Binding) 
Fingerboard Inlay: MOP Block (LP Custom)
Nut: Nylon, 1.69"" 
Neck Profile: 50's Chincky "D"
Neck Joint: Long Tenon, Hide Glue Fit 
Frets: Authentic Medium-Jumbo 22 
Truss Rod: Authentic 1950s No-Tube
Radius: 12"
Fingerboard Binding: White
Scale Length: 24.75"
Bridge Pickup: 498T
Neck Pickup: 490R
Controls: 2 Volume, 1 Tone, CTS 500K Taper Potentiometers, Ceramic Caps
Pickup Selector: 3-Way Switchcraft
Outpuck Jack: 1/4" Switchcraft
Bridge: ABR-1 (Nickel-Plated Brass Saddles)
Tailpiece: Lightweight Aluminum Stop Bar
Hardware Color: Chrome
Pickup Covers:  Authentic Profile Nickel Silver
Strap Buttons: Aluminum 
Pickguard: Black Multi-Ply
Truss Rod Cover: Authentic Stepped 2-Ply 
Switch Tip: Black
Tailpiece: Lightweight Aluminum Stop Bar
Tuning Machines: Mini Grovers
Mounting Rings:  Black
Control Covers: Black
Case: Custom Shop Hardshell 
String Gauge: .010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
Weight: 9lbs 5oz.
Accessories: COA