My list of known original '58 through '63 korina Explorer serial numbers

[seafood]

in between the sparkling repartee....i have to say thanks for the pics...which i found to be interesting and enjoyable!!!!!!

 

[RAB]

There are probably more than a couple of replica builders and secretive dealer types who might resent this list being put out in the open, but I'm all about having this type of stuff out there. Here are what I believe are original '58 through '63 korina Explorers:

(1) 8-2142
(2) 8-3873
(3) 8-3876
(4) 8-4541
(5) 8-4542
(6) 8-4543
(7) 8-4545
(8) 8-4548
(9) 8-4549
(10) 8-4559
(11) 9-1715

So, that's eleven, and to the best of my knowledge and ablilty, they're genuine. Anyone care to join in and add to the list?

Just a couple of observations: one of the obvious group ranges seems to be 8-4541 through 8-4559. Assuming there is an Explorer for each number in that sequential range (and that's perhaps a stretch of an assumption), that would be 19 in that range. I wonder if that's where the often quoted "only 19 made" comes from? Also, to my knowledge, and from what I have observed, this particular range seems to be a group that didn't ship until the early '60s (i.e. the ones with nickel hardware, reflector knobs, maestro vibrola, 6-on-a-strip tuners, etc.).

By contrast, the range suggested by the two known examples above in the 8-3873/3876 area seems to correspond to the ones with the typical '58 features (gold hardware, gold bonnet/tophat knobs, ABR-1 and tailpiece, individual gold Klusons, etc.). I'm just not sure where the upper and lower exampes of this particular range might be - perhaps there are several examples either sequentially above or below those two examples...

Anyway, if anyone else wants to come out of hiding about these serial numbers, I'd appreciate not being the only one out here flapping in the wind

The Entwhistle Explorer was in my possession for a short time before it went to a dealer and then to him. I recall the serial number was 8-4551. I believe the 8-4451 number referenced elsewhere to be a transposition. The 8-4551 number fits better and makes more sense given the sequence of numbers documented above. The guitar had a large “ding” on the lower body corner that is visible in photos if one looks closely enough…

 

[RAB]

The Entwhistle Explorer was in my possession for a short time before it went to a dealer and then to him. I recall the serial number was 8-4551. I believe the 8-4451 number referenced elsewhere to be a transposition. The 8-4551 number fits better and makes more sense given the sequence of numbers documented above. The guitar had a large “ding” on the lower body corner that is visible in photos if one looks closely enough…

BTW the guitar had all appointments consistent with a 1963 ship date. Nickel hardware, cheap strip tuners with oval plastic buttons, but of course an inked-on 1958 serial number. Played and sounded great but too awkward and big for my small stature!

 

[SG Std]

I would love to see them also @Joe Desperado if that`s possible!

@Joe Desperado btw very nice 'cover photo' on your FB page! ??

 

[SG Std]

The Entwhistle Explorer was in my possession for a short time before it went to a dealer and then to him. I recall the serial number was 8-4551. I believe the 8-4451 number referenced elsewhere to be a transposition. The 8-4551 number fits better and makes more sense given the sequence of numbers documented above. The guitar had a large “ding” on the lower body corner that is visible in photos if one looks closely enough…

Is this the same Explorer?

 

[Joe Desperado]

@Joe Desperado btw very nice 'cover photo' on your FB page! ??

Are we FB friends? Don't recognize you other than K_L. Hit me up on FB if you want/need more Explorer info.

 

[Joe Desperado]

The Entwhistle Explorer was in my possession for a short time before it went to a dealer and then to him. I recall the serial number was 8-4551. I believe the 8-4451 number referenced elsewhere to be a transposition. The 8-4551 number fits better and makes more sense given the sequence of numbers documented above. The guitar had a large “ding” on the lower body corner that is visible in photos if one looks closely enough…

Interesting. I had it listed under both 4541 and 4451 and that Clay (CHF) had them both listed as legit numbers. But 45 makes more sense and would not be an outlier.

 

[RAB]

Is this the same Explorer?

Yes, notice the “ding” on the lower body corner. I imagine the guitar was dropped resulting in a pretty significant indentation to the wood of the body corner…

 

[SG Std]

Yes, notice the “ding” on the lower body corner. I imagine the guitar was dropped resulting in a pretty significant indentation to the wood of the body corner…

Is this serial # affiliated with John Entwhistle`s Explorer? Asking @Joe Desperado also...

 

[buyusfear]

Is this serial # affiliated with John Entwhistle`s Explorer? Asking @Joe Desperado also...

I can’t speak to the Entwhistle angle but that there’s not a real’58 Explorer headstock.

 

[Joe Desperado]

I agree with @buyusfear The headstock in the picture, with very high probability, is not a 58 Gibson Explorer. I’ll have to check the serial number itself against my log, but from memory I don’t recall a number that high in the 45xx series.

 

[Joe Desperado]

For some reason, I can't see the pic of that serial number on this device. But in my logs, 8-4596 was tied to John Entwistle. White button gold strip tuners, Gold hardware and a rear switch route was the features I had noted. If that is the same numbers as the picture above (which I can't see now), then either that is a replica of the real 8 4596 or possibly, it never really existed. I also had 4592 listed with a name of Paul Warren with similar features.

Just to note, I have not authenticate either, so these notes are based on feedback, stories, pics etc from online friends etc.

 

[SG Std]

The Entwhistle Explorer was in my possession for a short time before it went to a dealer and then to him. I recall the serial number was 8-4551. I believe the 8-4451 number referenced elsewhere to be a transposition. The 8-4551 number fits better and makes more sense given the sequence of numbers documented above. The guitar had a large “ding” on the lower body corner that is visible in photos if one looks closely enough…

And then there`s this!

https://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/ecatalogue/2003/the-john-entwistle-collection-w03875/lot.353.html

 

[SG Std]

The first picture is of John Entwhistle`s `58 Explorer taken from the Sothebey`s webpage. They state that the serial number is 8 4451 [as opposed to 8 4551]. If you 'click' the picture you should be able to enlarge it. In comparing the 2nd picture, it looks like they`re both the same guitar [to me].

 

[RAB]

The first picture is of John Entwhistle`s `58 Explorer taken from the Sothebey`s webpage. They state that the serial number is 8 4451 [as opposed to 8 4551]. If you 'click' the picture you should be able to enlarge it. In comparing the 2nd picture, it looks like they`re both the same guitar [to me].

Yes, that is 8-4551, you can clearly see the crunched damage to the lower right body corner/edge…BTW it had black knobs with silver inserts when the guitar was in my brief possession…

 

[mickster4]

deleted

 

[buyusfear]

Uncle Larry (aka Tom Bukovac) posted this clip yesterday.
At 22:40 things sure got very interesting rather quickly.
https://youtu.be/Fp2glkKsY_8?si=IkisryNSXXLuSllS

 

[Orthodoc5]

For some reason, I can't see the pic of that serial number on this device. But in my logs, 8-4596 was tied to John Entwistle. White button gold strip tuners, Gold hardware and a rear switch route was the features I had noted. If that is the same numbers as the picture above (which I can't see now), then either that is a replica of the real 8 4596 or possibly, it never really existed. I also had 4592 listed with a name of Paul Warren with similar features.

Just to note, I have not authenticate either, so these notes are based on feedback, stories, pics etc from online friends etc.

Hi Joe, a slightly off topic question I’ve always wondered. Other than the tuner screws, did vintage 1958 Explorers use gold/brass colored screws on the pickguard, output jack cover and control cover? What size of screws were used?
Thanks in advance
Matt

 

[mdubya]

Uncle Larry (aka Tom Bukovac) posted this clip yesterday.
At 22:40 things sure got very interesting rather quickly.

View attachment 23224

View attachment 23225

View attachment 23226
View attachment 23227

View attachment 23228
View attachment 23229

Thank you for that video. Made my day. ?

 

[Arch D. Bunker]

There must be a lot more 1960s Explorers than 1950s ones.. ?