• Guys, we've spent considerable money converting the Les Paul Forum to this new XenForo platform, and we have ongoing monthly operating expenses. THE "DONATIONS" TAB IS NOW WORKING, AND WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY DONATIONS YOU CAN MAKE TO KEEP THE LES PAUL FORUM GOING! Thank you!

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

ultra

Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2001
Messages
958
I have asked Michael Stevens to look into his korina files and he has come up with 4 more numbers, as well as confirming may of the numbers already listed.....some listed with nickel hardware.

The numbers not previously listed are:

8 3868
8 3872
8 4544
8 4550

I hope that this helps.
 

MisterMiniMite

New member
Joined
Jul 12, 2003
Messages
292
I have asked Michael Stevens to look into his korina files and he has come up with 4 more numbers, as well as confirming may of the numbers already listed.....some listed with nickel hardware.

The numbers not previously listed are:

8 3868
8 3872
8 4544
8 4550

I hope that this helps.


Thanks! Incorporating those four into the list, we now have 34 serial numbers:

8-1008
8-1431
8-2118
8-2142
8-2153
8-3549
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
8-4552
8-4559
8-4561
8-4567
8 4592
9-1715
27121 (pressed-in)
28012 (pressed-in)

Although we obviously can't be certain that every one of these is genuine, I think it's a pretty good effort nonetheless. It's pretty interesting to see them all listed sequentially like this...
 

DANELECTRO

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 24, 2003
Messages
6,318
Here are some photos of a 1958 Explorer that belonged to a local musician (Dayton Ohio) Pal Jennings. The first photo was taken around 1970 and the second I believe around 1980. Pal left this world and his Explorer was subsequently sold to Slash through Dave Hussong. Unfortunately, Dave does not recall the serial number but he does know it was in fact a '58. At some point, the pickguard was changed from a black to white.

PalJenningsa.jpg


PalJenningsb.jpg


PalJenningsc.jpg
 

59gibson

Active member
Joined
Feb 3, 2002
Messages
1,710
Very cool photos:salude I don't believe I've ever seen a original Korina Explorer with a factory black pickguard. I know some of the early Vs had them and never knew any Explorers had them too. Once again, NEVER say NEVER with Gibson:2cool
 

DANELECTRO

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 24, 2003
Messages
6,318
What's the story on the control plate behind the switch? 8-4548 has a plate, 8-3873 does not. How were most Explorers constructed?

8-4548
8-4548Explorer-Skinnera.jpg


8-3873
8-387358Explorer1c.jpg
 

shuie

New member
Joined
Aug 26, 2005
Messages
3,480
What's the story on the control plate behind the switch? 8-4548 has a plate, 8-3873 does not. How were most Explorers constructed?

I dont know how most were done, but its been documented that they were done both ways. I'd love to see detailed photos of each under the pickguard :)
 

shuie

New member
Joined
Aug 26, 2005
Messages
3,480
Has TW59 ever posted the serial number for his? I've read here that it was stolen. Hopefully this thread would help recover it :)
 

DANELECTRO

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 24, 2003
Messages
6,318
Very cool photos:salude I don't believe I've ever seen a original Korina Explorer with a factory black pickguard. I know some of the early Vs had them and never knew any Explorers had them too. Once again, NEVER say NEVER with Gibson:2cool

I checked with Dave again about this guitar and he said the black guard was not original.
 

j45

Active member
Joined
Jun 14, 2002
Messages
9,081
Houston blues-rocker Kenny Cordray holding Explorer with a very young Billy Gibbons on far right. Below, shameless inclusion of my '76 PAF conversion Skinner wanna-be.

ExplorerKenny.jpg



skinner2.jpg
 

RAB

Active member
Joined
Mar 17, 2005
Messages
2,122
8-4551 ('58 body issued in 1963 with all nickel parts including patent # pups)...
 

gerry fischer

Member
Joined
Apr 8, 2007
Messages
374
i have a friend who owns a vintage guitar shop. he sold a 1950s goldtop to steve stevenson when he was in town and visited his shop. a part of the deal was a 1958 explorer he got from steve stevenson. the explorer has a 1958 serial number, i just saw it yesterday and a split headstock. the guitar was very much hollowed out under the pickguard to reduce the weight. it has a very big neck and actually is still heavy. i was impressed when i saw the guitar a year ago, in the meantime i thought it can´t be real, so i never paid attention again to that explorer. yesterday i played it again and the wood looks to be a very nice piece of korina, the finish looks very old too. i really don´t know if it is real, but he has no doubt, and he has a lot of vintage gibson knowledge. gerry
 

gerry fischer

Member
Joined
Apr 8, 2007
Messages
374
are the original korina explorers heavy. this one is still heavy, but if you hold it in your hands it is really massive, thick, big, imposant. the neck is really fat. much fatter than my 55 les paul custom neck.
i will check the serial number.
 

The Boz 56

Active member
Joined
Sep 19, 2003
Messages
1,807
What's the story on the control plate behind the switch? 8-4548 has a plate, 8-3873 does not. How were most Explorers constructed?


8-3873
8-387358Explorer1c.jpg

Is that Les Leiva from the Guitar Loft in NYC (circa 1980) and Chelsea Guitars (early 90s)?
 

Brown Recluse

Active member
Joined
Aug 11, 2006
Messages
1,108
That's Mike Parker and his Explorer. He also owned a '59 V. He lived in Napa, however, he died several years ago.
 

MisterMiniMite

New member
Joined
Jul 12, 2003
Messages
292
So, we now have 35 serial numbers. Maybe. No matter what I still think this is a great effort by everyone:

8-1008
8-1431
8-2118
8-2142
8-2153
8-3549
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
27121 (pressed-in)
28012 (pressed-in)
 
Top