Solid body electric guitar created and manufactured by American instrument maker Gibson since 1958 as the final iteration of their Futura prototypes. Made as part of a proposition by Gibson of a line of futuristic designs, the Explorer was part of this trio along with the Gibson Flying V and the Moderne, the latter seeing release much later. Much like its closest sibling the Flying V, the Explorer was deemed a failure at the start of its production until it was then picked up by hard rock and heavy metal guitarists where it would gain the worldwide popularity it has today. The most notable Explorer players are Metallica's James Hetfield and U2's The Edge
Its angular design features a pointed headstock and asymmetrical body shape. The Explorer's body is typically made from mahogany or alder wood and features a beveled edge that accentuates its sharp lines. The pointed headstock is adorned with the Gibson logo and six tuning pegs, and the fretboard typically features a set of inlaid dot or block markers. It also features a set of either P90 or PAF humbucking pickups, characteristic of Gibson's guitars.
