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My list of known original '58 through '63 korina Explorer serial numbers

Otto 57

Active member
Joined
Nov 19, 2009
Messages
1,345
Oliver, I would also love to see those pics. I can never get enough of Explorers. I still dream of owning one of the very few originals. If I can help you post the pics I'll be happy to do it. Thanks for your knowledge and info.
 

VonPrikler

New member
Joined
Feb 1, 2011
Messages
516
Just resurrecting one of the most interesting Explorer threads ever :3zone
Someone should do a book on the subject!
 

keef

Active member
Joined
Jan 27, 2002
Messages
5,006
Thanks - I don't know if the OP is still keeping track of this thread, with only 3 posts last year..

So here's the updated list:

8-1008 [authenticity doubtful]
8-1431
8-2118
8-2142
8-2153
8-2157
8-3549
8-3837
8-3848
8-3849
8-3850
8-3868
8-3872
8-3873
8-3876
8-3882
8-4096
8-4451
8-4536
8-4539
8-4541
8-4542
8-4543
8-4544
8-4545
8-4548
8-4549
8-4550
8-4551
8-4552
8-4559
8-4561
8-4567
8-4592
9-1715
9-1995
27121 (pressed-in)
28012 (pressed-in)

that's 38 now...out of....???
 
Last edited:

Cody

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 23, 2002
Messages
4,494
Who says there are only 22?
Shipping records from '58-'59 show 98 Flying V's, and something else called "Korina (Mod.gtr)" - 22 shipped.

Since nobody believes that there are 22 Modernes out there, the assumption is that it refers to Explorers.

We also know that there were more Ex's shipped in the early '60s. If we assume (I've heard it, but don't remember the source) that Gibson made bodies/necks in batches of 40, and we also know that a few of the bodies were turned into basses, we might have most or all accounted for... and, realistically, a few replicas. :wah

:salude
 

keef

Active member
Joined
Jan 27, 2002
Messages
5,006
Thanks for the heads up Moderne - I do hope Mr Bacon does this tricky subject justice....those interviews are nice, exploring the influence of those guitars on other brands is OK - but Tony, what we really need is detailed photos of as many (claimed) originals as possible, also under the hood, plus the stories of their owners and known provenance.
 

keef

Active member
Joined
Jan 27, 2002
Messages
5,006
Shipping records from '58-'59 show 98 Flying V's, and something else called "Korina (Mod.gtr)" - 22 shipped.

Since nobody believes that there are 22 Modernes out there, the assumption is that it refers to Explorers.

We also know that there were more Ex's shipped in the early '60s. If we assume (I've heard it, but don't remember the source) that Gibson made bodies/necks in batches of 40, and we also know that a few of the bodies were turned into basses, we might have most or all accounted for... and, realistically, a few replicas. :wah

:salude

This remains an intriguing issue...if there are 37 Explorers listed here (assuming they're no fakes), I would certainly not expect that only one batch was made. Two would be more likely, which would add up to approximately 80 guitars or less. Personally I never bought the 22 estimate.
 

VonPrikler

New member
Joined
Feb 1, 2011
Messages
516

Should be interesting! Hopefully we will see some of the guitars listed here featured in the book.

Keef - I agree with you on your thinking on the total production numbers. I would find it hard to believe that we can account for nearly 100 percent of these guitars. Just like any other antique or collectible, only a portion survives, for all sorts or reasons. Assuming most of these 37 listed here are genuine, total production was probably much higher. How much higher, who knows, but 80 would not surprise me at all.
 

Moderne

Member
Joined
Jan 27, 2011
Messages
56
what we really need is detailed photos of as many (claimed) originals as possible, also under the hood, plus the stories of their owners and known provenance.

That would be quite an undertaking.

Some folks asked for money for their photos. Finding the owners is also a formidable task. Though the list is small, I am attempting the feat. Anyone insterested in helping, let me know as I think there is a void in the Explorer book category-especially the originals. It would be very cool to have them all documented and in one place.
 

mbowen

New member
Joined
Mar 6, 2009
Messages
5,022
Another one Rick owned 8-2142,i think with removed Bigsby and a mini toggle.Mike B.

My friend Joe's old Blackguard V is 8-2141

 
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