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The Rarest Guitar Collectible: The 1958 Gibson Explorer Prototype
Have you ever wondered what’s the most valuable guitar in the world? Or what’s the rarest guitar ever made? If you love guitars and collecting them, you probably have some favorite models and brands that you pursue with passion and persistence. However, even the most seasoned guitar collectors may not be aware of a true gem that surfaced in recent years and shook the guitar world with its uniqueness, rarity, and historical significance. I’m talking about the 1958 Gibson Explorer Prototype, also known as the “Futura”, which is considered by many experts as the rarest guitar collectible ever found.
Before we delve into the story of this guitar and its remarkable journey, let’s first clarify what we mean by rarity in the realm of guitar collectibles. Generally, there are several factors that can contribute to the rarity and value of a guitar, such as:
– Age: the older the guitar, the rarer it usually is, especially if it’s in good condition and has a notable history or provenance.
– Limited production: some guitars are made in small batches or for a short period of time, either intentionally or due to commercial failure or design flaws.
– Customization or modifications: guitars that have unique features or alterations, such as personalized engravings, non-standard hardware, or special finishes, can be rarer than their standard counterparts.
– Association with famous musicians: guitars that were owned or played by renowned artists, especially those who passed away or achieved iconic status, can reach stratospheric prices due to their cultural and emotional value.
Of course, rarity is relative and subjective, and what one collector considers rare may not be the same as what others prioritize. However, the Gibson Explorer Prototype stands out as an exceptional example of all the above factors and more, which make it a true Holy Grail for guitar collectors and enthusiasts.
The Story of the Gibson Explorer Prototype
The Gibson Explorer is a model of electric guitar that was introduced in 1958, along with the Flying V, as part of the Modernist series, which aimed to create futuristic and edgy designs for the growing market of rock and roll musicians. The Explorer featured a radical body shape that resembled a boomerang or an upside-down axe, with pointed horns and a sharp waistline. The body was made of solid mahogany, with a set-in neck, and equipped with two humbucking pickups, a Tune-o-matic bridge, and a Vibrola tremolo system. The Explorer was not well-received at first, partly because of its unconventional appearance and partly because of its high price, and only a few hundred were made before it was discontinued in 1963.
However, the story of the Explorer prototype begins before the official launch of the model, in the late 1950s, when Gibson was experimenting with new shapes and materials to expand its range of guitars. The exact details of how the Explorer came to be are not clear, but it’s believed that a designer named Ted McCarty and a luthier named John Huis developed the concept, possibly inspired by the futuristic cars and planes of the era. The first prototype of the Explorer, known as the “Futura”, was made in 1957, using a different body shape than the final version, with a more rounded and elongated profile, and a different neck joint. The Futura was finished in gold, and had a single coil pickup and a trapeze tailpiece, instead of the humbuckers and the Vibrola system of the Explorer. The Futura also had a different headstock shape, featuring three tuning pegs on each side, instead of the familiar six-in-a-row arrangement.
The Futura was presented to Gibson executives as a potential new product, but it was rejected for being too radical and impractical. However, instead of destroying the prototype, Gibson stored it in a closet, along with other rejected prototypes and experiments, and kept it as a curiosity or a memento. The Futura was forgotten for several years, until a Gibson employee named Richard W. “Dick” Boak discovered it in 1976, while he was working on a historical scrapbook project. Boak was amazed by the peculiar shape and the unique features of the guitar, and realized that it could be a valuable asset for Gibson’s history and marketing. Boak asked for permission to restore the Futura, which was in poor condition due to neglect and abuse, and to display it at the 1977 NAMM show in Anaheim, California.
The restoration of the Futura was not an easy task, as the guitar had been disassembled and modified several times by various Gibson employees, who had removed or replaced some of its original parts. Boak and his team had to research the original specs and measurements of the Futura, based on old documents, photos, and memories, and then recreate or source the missing or damaged components. Boak also decided to rename the Futura as the “1958 Gibson Explorer Prototype”, to emphasize its significance as a pioneering design that predated the actual Explorer model. The restored prototype sported a natural mahogany color, instead of the gold of the original finish, and had the same body shape and neck joint as the Explorer, but retained the unique headstock and the trapeze tailpiece of the Futura. The Explorer prototype received a warm reception at the NAMM show, gaining attention and praise from guitarists, collectors, and media, who marveled at its futuristic look and its historical provenance.
The Fate of the Gibson Explorer Prototype
After the successful debut at the NAMM show, the Gibson Explorer Prototype became a sensation among guitar enthusiasts and collectors, who saw it as a rare and valuable piece of music and design history. Many speculated about its worth and its possible sale, but Gibson didn’t have any plans to let go of its prized possession. The Explorer prototype remained in the hands of Gibson, and was occasionally displayed at special events or loaned to museums or celebrities. The guitar underwent some minor modifications over the years, such as the replacement of the trapeze tailpiece with a stopbar tailpiece, and the addition of a jack plate and a serial number, but remained largely intact and original.
In 2019, Gibson celebrated its 60th anniversary as a brand, and announced a series of reissues and replicas of some of its most iconic guitars, including the Explorer. As part of this campaign, Gibson decided to showcase the Explorer prototype once again, and even released a limited edition of 30 replicas of the guitar, as close as possible to the original specs and looks. The replicas were priced at $95,000 each, and sold out within hours of the announcement, proving the enduring appeal and mystique of the Explorer prototype.
However, the fate of the original Explorer prototype took a surprising turn in 2020, when Gibson decided to auction it off, along with other rare guitars and memorabilia, to raise funds for the Gibson Gives charity, which supports music education and youth initiatives. The auction was held in September 2020, in Beverly Hills, California, and attracted many bidders from around the world, including wealthy collectors, celebrities, and museums. The bidding for the Explorer prototype started at $1 million, and quickly escalated to dizzying heights, as several contenders vied for the chance to own a piece of guitar history. Finally, the winning bid was placed by Cesar Gueikian, the chief merchant officer of Gibson, who had a personal connection to the Explorer prototype, as he had played a replica of it when he was 16 years old, and had been inspired by its radical design and sound to pursue a career in music and guitar making. Gueikian acquired the Explorer prototype for $1.2 million, making it the most expensive guitar ever sold at an auction, and securing its place in the pantheon of guitar collectibles.
The Legacy of the Gibson Explorer Prototype
The Gibson Explorer Prototype is not only a rare and valuable guitar collectible, but also an influential and pioneering design that changed the course of electric guitar history. The Explorer’s radical body shape and edgy appearance challenged the conservative norms of guitar aesthetics, and paved the way for other bold and unconventional designs, such as the Ibanez Iceman, the Dean ML, and the B.C. Rich Warlock. The Explorer’s use of dual humbucking pickups also revolutionized the sound of electric guitars, by providing a thicker, smoother, and louder tone that suited the emerging styles of hard rock, metal, and punk.
Moreover, the discovery and restoration of the Explorer prototype had a significant impact on the reputation and image of Gibson as a brand. The prototype proved that Gibson was not only capable of producing classic and timeless guitars, such as the Les Paul and the SG, but also of pushing the boundaries of innovation and creativity, and daring to pursue unconventional ideas. The Explorer prototype also reminded the world of the human and cultural aspects of guitar making, and the passion and ingenuity of the people behind the machines and the marketing. The Gibson Explorer Prototype became a symbol of craftsmanship, art, technology, and history, that transcended mere commercial values and entered the realm of cultural artifacts.
If you’re a guitar collector or enthusiast, the story of the Gibson Explorer Prototype should inspire and motivate you to keep exploring the world of guitars, and to appreciate the beauty and rarity of the instruments that have shaped our musical heritage. Even if you may never own a Gibson Explorer Prototype, you can still enjoy the thrill and joy of discovering other rare guitars and sharing your passion with like-minded people. Who knows, you may even find the next rarest guitar collectible and make history yourself!
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