Takes a classic and gives it a shot of adrenaline.

The Shred-X Explorer is Gibson USA's Guitar of the Month for June 2008. The Gibson Explorer has long been a coveted workhorse guitar among the ranks of the world's finest hard rock and heavy metal players. Now, this Explorer guitar takes it up a notch, with a one-piece mahogany body outfitted with black chrome hardware, and an Ebony finish.

A pair of EMG 85 pickups deliver the output needed for hard rock and metal, and a Kahler 2215K tremolo system ensures there will be no intonation or tuning issues when dive bombing chords and notes. The neck is also one-piece mahogany with Gibson's traditional '50s rounded profile, and ebony fingerboard with black acrylic dot fretboard inlays unique only to the Shred-X guitar, and locking Grover tuners.

The toggle switch has been relocated to the position it occupies on the Explorers from the 1980s, allowing easier access to quick, pickup selection. The Shred-X Explorer comes with a custom Gibson Guitar of the Month case. Production is limited to just 1,000 guitars.

Gibson Shred-X Explorer Electric Guitar Ebony Features:

• Body Wood: Mahogany
• Scale Length: 24-3/4"
• Neck Joint: Set-in
• Neck Wood: Mahogany
• Fretboard: Ebony with black dot inlay
• Neck Shape: Explorer rounded
• Frets: 22
• Nut Width: 1-11/16"
• Fretboard Radius: 12"
• Bridge: Kahler tremolo system
• Pickup Bridge: EMG 85
• Pickup Neck: EMG 85
• Controls: 2 Vol, 1 Tone, 3-way pickup selector
• Tuners: Locking Grover
• Hardware color: Black chrome
• Finish: Lacquer

Gibson Shred-X Explorer Electric Guitar Ebony Includes:

• hardshell case

X-cellent! Call and order now before they're gone.

Gibson Shred-X Explorer Electric Guitar Ebony

Write A Review

Average of 9 User Ratings

Overall

Quality

Features

Value

Customer Reviews

Overall

Quality

Features

Value

Nice Change For Gib But There's Better For Shred

Posted by Zombieboy from Montreal, QC on Mar 22, 2009

Experience w/product: I have used it

Reviewer's Background: Hobbyist

Reviewer's Play Style: Metal, Hard Rock

It's nice to see Gibson trying something new apart from simply putting out another version of a Les Paul, and the addition a kahler tremelo system is welcome. It feels great in your hands and you everything's top notch quality, but overall it really is overpriced. It sounds great, and has some nice features, but so do Jacksons and ESPs that are a thousand dollars cheaper... A nice deviator for Gibson into a market they've somewhat ignored, but this attempt won't be breaking the bank. If you really want a Gibson for real metal, get a regular Gibson explorer and switch some EMGs for pickups.

Overall

Quality

Features

Value

Amazing!

Posted by Bubblehead from Connecticut on Dec 26, 2008

Experience w/product: I have heard about it

Reviewer's Background: Active Musician, Producer

Reviewer's Play Style: Metal, Rock, Blues

My wife gave me this sweet stringed instrument for christmas. The resonance on this beast, which you can feel in your bones(unplugged) is amazing. The EMG 85's out it into a class of it's own with their sizzling clarity. I do have 2 issues however. The first one is that I am astounded that they did not add a lock set on the neck to keep the tuning in place. II feel like I am tuning it all of the time which is troublesome. The second issue is that the Kahler tremelo string saddles are too small to fit strings larger than a 10 guage set. I tune to C standard which presents many difficulties. Overall this product is deffinately one of a kind and I would buy it again if I had to do it all over.

Overall

Quality

Features

Value

This guitar is incredible.

Posted by JMorgan from Louisville, KY on Nov 2, 2008

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Active Musician

Reviewer's Play Style: Classical, Metal, Post-Punk, Experimental

I thoroughly educated myself prior to purchasing this guitar and now I can appreciate it for what it is. Plays easily, extremely rich tone and versatility. Sounds really great with most pedals I have tried. The Kahler tremolo system makes this instrument extra special. Try it out.

P.S. The tuning is not going to go out unless you are whammy-ing out of control, i.e. for hours on end. Really.

Overall

Quality

Features

Value

Good guitar, but Gibson's Mess Up

Posted by Sangin from Las Vegas, NV on Jul 17, 2008

Experience w/product: I have used it

Reviewer's Background: Active Musician

Reviewer's Play Style: Metal, Rock, Alternative, Metalcore, Hardcore

Okay, this guitar is sweet no doubt about it, this thing is wicked with the duel 85 EMG's PERFECT for metal/rock alike, but with all good things, it has it's down fall as well. The neck is deadly, this thing is a shreder's dream. But the thing is, when Gibson put the Kahler tremolo system they didn't put any string locks on it. Which means it goes out of tune QUICK. They did put Grover Locking Tuners on it, but that's only good if you like to bend strings/squilies. Which in that cause would of been perfect, that's the only flaw with this guitar is the fact that Gibson made that mistake. Other then that, if you don't abuse the Kahler it will be perfect.

Overall

Quality

Features

Value

Amazing guitar.

Posted by Jarrod from Manistee, MI on Jun 21, 2008

Experience w/product: I own it

Reviewer's Background: Active Musician

Reviewer's Play Style: Hardcore/Metal/Indie

I have the predecessor to this, the Gibson Futura, it is the same guitar besides different placement of the knobs and a different head. It is an amazing guitar, suitable for all styles of music, and has a deep tone.

View more product reviews »

If you would like to write a review, please see our product review guidelines.

Gibson Shred-X Explorer Electric Guitar Ebony

Read 9 Reviews

We're sorry, this product has been discontinued.

Item Note:

Gold Coverage Protection Warranty: (What's this?)