The PennZone

SCRANTON, Pa. - PennZone -- Stand back, heavy music is about to be thrust from the amplifiers. That's what goes through your mind when you see a musician take the stage wielding an Explorer shaped electric guitar. The original Explorer guitar was introduced by Gibson back in 1957 and sold as the Futura. It was not a big hit and probably scared off more guitarists than it attracted. But Gibson wasn't finished with this design. It was eventually re-branded as the Explorer the music world would eventually get on board.

The Explorer began to dig in its heels with hard rockers and heavy metal bands. The shape and size of the guitar made it stand out from a distance and the power chords that it screamed just seemed to be extra powerful. Somehow, in some way, it just automatically became synonymous with power heavy rock music.

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It has been nearly 70 years since the first Futura was sent to the musical instrument retailers and it's still coming as we speak. Although the shape has varied in some ways, the overall Explorer shape still garners attention from the instrument manufacturers today.

Often copied, but never duplicated, the Explorer and its explorer-shaped counterparts still grace the shelfs of musical instrument suppliers.

Importation from China has resulted in numerous brands featuring explorer-shaped electric guitars at entry-level prices. And more recognizable brands like Epiphone, ESP, and Jackson are still releasing models resembling the original Explorer.

Gibson's official website features a total of 17 different Explorer models in 2026. They are stocked in colors like British Racing Green, Cobra Burst, Ebony, and Cherry just to name a few. The humbucker pickups, a tune-o-matic bridge, and the rosewood fretboard are still readily available and part of the Explorer experience.

So if you like the ultra-modern look and the heavy rock feel, an Explorer guitar might be just what you're looking for. You'll find much more information about past and present electric guitars at https://explorer-guitars.valmkt.com.