2019 Gibson Explorer Custom Pelham Blue

year of production: 2019
model: Gibson Explorer B2
factory finish: Satin Ebony

new finish: Pelham Blue top; Brown back
style of new finish: Played & Used
scope of work: adding binding; fretboard change on ebony; nylon nut; all hardware change; CustomBucker pickups; custom pickguard; refinish

We received a Gibson Explorer B2. This model featured a satin black finish, black hardware, a set of powerful Dirty Fingers, and only two knobs with a switch positioned between them. We knew immediately that we wouldn’t let it out of our hands in this condition.

We started by removing… the fretboard. Beneath it, we found a sticker with the code Gibson uses for production. Then we removed the factory paint. To our delight, the black nitro hid a body made of three perfectly matched pieces of mahogany. Let’s be honest – it’s always a gamble.

We created an ebony fingerboard with block markers and binding with fret nibs. We added 7-ply binding to the front of the body. We adjusted the bridge position and installed a nylon saddle.

We put the instrument up for sale as a design project. Within a few days, a buyer was found, presented us with their idea for this guitar, and we were able to begin bringing it to life.

The guitar received a brown filler and nitro sealer, then a brown nitro finish on the back, and a Pelham Blue finish on the top. We painted the front of the headstock black nitro, and applied a stylish black stinger to the back of the headstock. Finally, we dusted the whole thing with amber nitro to give it a vintage look. Then we leveled the orange peel, polished it to a glossy finish, and added some minor wear and patina — since the owner opted for the Played & Used version. We aged the chrome hardware, and the heart of this instrument was a set of Custom Buckers.

It’s worth noting that the Explorer Custom has a completely different pickguard than the standard Explorer. So, we created a custom pickguard from the appropriate four-ply material and matched it to the binding as closely as possible (which, to be honest, turned out much better than the originals).

This project showcases just some of In Nitro’s capabilities.