Gibson Custom Shop “1959 Korina Explorer” (1992) – Historic Collection, Aged by Tom Murphy

We are pleased to offer this 1992 Historic Collection “1959 Korina Explorer” from Gibson Custom Shop.

Produced in the year the Gibson Custom Shop was established, the Historic Collection series was created to recreate key models from Gibson’s late-1950s production. The Korina Explorer was among the first releases, referencing the original 1958–1959 models produced in limited numbers.

This example originates from the early production period and has been aged by Tom Murphy at Guitar Preservation. The aging work reflects a detailed and individual approach distinct from factory-applied finishes.

The instrument has been modified from its original specification with the following upgrades:

• USA-made hand-wound PAF-style pickups (double white) 
• Vintage 1960s potentiometers 
• 1950s Sprague Bumblebee capacitors 

The guitar is further fitted with aged DMC parts, including pickup covers, Tune-o-Matic bridge, lightweight tailpiece, stud bolts, M69 pickup rings, control knobs, selector tip, and Kluson-style tuner buttons.

Potentiometer codes: 13769xx, 13767xx

The instrument is supplied with a handwritten letter from Tom Murphy documenting the aging work.

A modified early Historic Collection Korina Explorer, combining Custom Shop construction, subsequent component upgrades, and documented aging.

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