Description

In the late 90s, the Gibson Custom Shop introduced the “Les Paul Ultima.” Thus birthed the “Flame” “Harp” “Tree of Life” and “Butterfly” fingerboard options for electric guitars in a marketed way. These paid tribute and built upon fancy models in Gibson’s past. I can’t say I’ve seen another Explorer that got the Flame Ultima treatment, they are probably locked away in private collections if more were made.

This is, at its base, a Mahogany 1958 Reissue explorer, meaning you get things like the CHUNKY 50s Mahogany neck and historic spec’d 50s style explorer construction (sans korina) with ABR-1 bridge. Where this one differs is the addition of a 2-piece deep/wide flame maple top that has binding around the entire top of the body which causes an additional back route to be needed for the toggle switch – allowing Gibson to forgo a traditional pickguard. Furthermore, not only do you get the Ultima Mother of Pearl + Abalone inlays on the fretboard, but it is made of EBONY and has binding that is also adorned with abalone side dots. This is extra special for a 2016-made guitar because this is during the RICHLITE ERA. It was an INSANE premium to get Gibson to use ebony from late 2011-early 2019.

This is also from the now-defunct Gibson CRIMSON DIVISION. The “Custom Shop” pieces above the traditional Custom Shop so-to-speak. Named as such due to the Crimson tape that adorns them through the production process. It is complete with a crimson COA and a Crimon Division polishing cloth.

This is not the explorer for the average guy. This is for the collector or rocker who needs something to help him stand out with something that everybody else doesn’t have.

 

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As a picky collector myself, I know what to look for and disclose so you don’t have any heartbreaks upon arrival. On my HARSH scale, I would call this a 9/10. It underwent my full detailing treatment on June 3, 2026. It is polished and ready to dazzle. In order of importance/severity…

• there is a ding on the top of the headstock which has caused a mild delamination bubble in the finish.
• Some mild edge wear along the bottom strap button where a strap has rubbed
• some surface level scratches on the back of the body where one’s belt would be
• being a dark hue on the back, there are polishing swirls present across.
• a few patches of surface-level abrasion scratches on the neck. I can’t feel them
• mild finish discoloration on the headstock if viewed at a very particular, harsh lighting angle
• small area of finish checking along the binding caused from gibson not properly scraping all the finish off the binding
• typical finish sink/checking lines around the neck
• neck stands tall by the bass side nut which causes a visual anomaly.

All these scratches are rather light – a professional buffer might be able to remove them as you can hardly even feel them. They are only visible in discerning light and are mentioned for the discerning collector. This was certainly used lightly and not 100% case kept – can you blame them?

 

It is 100% stock with Custombucker pickups and bubblebee capacitor. It ships in the original Gibson Custom Hardcase that has some storage and transit wear.

It weighs 7lbs 9.5oz without strings. It is currently “reverse wound” for the top 5 strings for straighter string guidance into the nut

 

 

See the video to view the guitar in real time