For sale is a Vintage 1985 Gibson Custom Shop Explorer XPL, very limited production for only one year. Absolutely gorgeous flamed/curly maple ( got the same maple on my '03 R9), mahogany back, ebony fretboard, long tenon. And the best of all - this is no Kahler version. Now for a more thorough look. The top looks pretty clean with a few tiny indentations hard to picture. the back has buckle rash along with some light scratching ( not to the wood). Lightly scratched word DEATH and MORDERED on the back. The guy who wrote it probably was not the brightest kid in class. But it is really light scratching and could be polished off with some coarse paste or 600 grid paper and re-polished. Fingerboard was lightly scalloped from 10th fret. I know, you might say it ruins the originality, and I say - it adds comfort to playing, if you buy this guitar for playing, of course. Original frets are in good condition. Couple chips on the back of the body edges, and neck, as you can see in the pic.
   3 position switch moved to the middle - I find it comfortable, most of us use switch more often that the tone knob and it looks better, Jackson always puts it in the middle. 
   Pickups - SH1N in the neck and Vintage and sweet DDJ ( Duncan Distortion) wound by Maricela Juarez in the bridge, very desirable by many ( pickup I mean, not Maricela). Original stop bar and replacement bridge. One pot is CTS another one looks like original. Comes with the case that has few rips and scratches but functions properly with all latches and hinges in place, handle is missing and small strap attached instead. I misplaced the electronic's back cover, will try to find it, but no promises.
   So this was somebody's working horse for a very long time and this is the best thing that can happen to the guitar - it needed to be played and it was played and not abused. The neck is straight, truss rod works, strings are around 1.2mm above 12 fret ( they come out from factory higher that that) with no buzzing. 
    All in all, great piece of history in pretty darn good condition. Not many so of them around and if one pops up, rest assured it'll be priced for way more.

   Please ask all questions before and I'll try to answer them within 24 hrs. There'll be no refunds.

Check out my other items!! for more guitars

  SHIPPING IS $85 !!!  The guitar will ship in a case, properly packed.

  PAYMENT VIA PAYPAL WITH CONFIRMED ADDRESS!

FOR INTERNATIONAL BIDDERS - I could ship internationally , but you HAVE to contact me before placing a bid or your bid will be canceled. International shipping to europe around $200-$240 ( please let me know what country are you from before you place a bid, and I'll tell you if the shipping to your country is possible, due to the size restrictions to some countries!!!) Custom duties is the responsibility of the buyer !

   The rules of this auction are as usual, you win - you pay. And Ask all questions before you place a bid.

Good luck.