• 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

Joe Desperado

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 8, 2004
Messages
1,859
Ha I just waded through his facebook page to find that. It’s also the first time I have seen a clear enough picture to see one actually has Steven’s on the headstock. I still don’t see guard screw holes in the one with a Gibson logo. I also see something in the one labeled Gibson that has my spider sense raised just s little. Certainly not conclusive but raised just the same.
 

K_L

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 11, 2014
Messages
457
Not sure which picture you`re looking at, but the one w/ the MS & his two friends--I can clearly see the screw holes on the 2 Gibsons that don`t have the pickguard. Also, if MS himself says there are 3 originals in the picture, then that`s good enough for me [whatever that`s worth--lol!]
 

SKYNYRD FRYND

New member
Joined
Mar 19, 2021
Messages
9
I believe that 3 of these 4 are original `58 Explorers.


Does anyone know the history of the only completed Explorer in these photos? I was going through some photos I had and I found what looked like the same Explorer just some years later after it switched to an apparent new owner. If I’m right, this Explorer has some pretty cool history. I don’t know anything for certain, and I don’t want to upset anyone but since I’ve never read or heard anything that would help with my theory. I’d like to ask first.
 

K_L

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 11, 2014
Messages
457
Does anyone know the history of the only completed Explorer in these photos? I was going through some photos I had and I found what looked like the same Explorer just some years later after it switched to an apparent new owner. If I’m right, this Explorer has some pretty cool history. I don’t know anything for certain, and I don’t want to upset anyone but since I’ve never read or heard anything that would help with my theory. I’d like to ask first.
I believe that Mike Stevens re-necked the Explorer that he`s holding in the first picture & it`s the one that now belongs to Dave Rogers.
 

K_L

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 11, 2014
Messages
457
I believe, thanks to 'Cody', that the Explorer Dave Rogers now owns is the same 'neck-less' Explorer that Mike Stevens is holding.


 

jb_abides

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
4,273
Stevens, 2021

Recently-Shipped-Fetish.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: K_L

bursty

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 25, 2012
Messages
238
That Futura is the one thats in the Duchossoir book. Considering that association alone, I believe it's legit, but I don't understand how it was ever verified. Allegedly, this is the prototype and the only one ever built.

This is a really fascinating guitar to me. The ribbons in the wood around the knobs and on the back make it look like its made of African Mahogany, IMO. Although African Mahogany looks very similar to real mahogany, its not really Mahogany at all. Its a different species of wood that I've only seen used on more modern guitars in lieu of good lightweight real South or Central American Mahogany. We all know Gibson had a pretty good supply of real mahogany around 1957 so why would they use this stuff? Im not a guru on the old guitars at all, but I've never seen pictures of another '50s Gibson solid body guitar that for even a second I suspected was made from African Mahogany.

Also, it kills me that only a single example of the Futura could possibly exist and that the Japanese companies have still managed to copy it accurately :)

Here is an example of an African hog (Khaya) Futura copy that was MIJ circa 1998.
Don't know if it has any historical accuracy but it is a very unique instrument with a voice all its' own.
I feel very fortunate to have this wonderful guitar in my collection.

Futura.jpg


BFT-58M 3.jpg
 
Top