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Gibson 58 Korina Explorer Brazilian Rosewood Fingerboard, Aged Natural vs Gibson Back to the Future "1955" ES-345 Collector's Edition, Light Aged, Cherry Red

Gibson 58 Korina Explorer Brazilian Rosewood Fingerboard, Aged Natural
Electric$29,999
No ratings yet
77Overall / 100
Gibson Back to the Future "1955" ES-345 Collector's Edition, Light Aged, Cherry Red
Electric$19,999
No ratings yet
77Overall / 100

The verdict

The Gibson 58 Korina Explorer Brazilian Rosewood Fingerboard, Aged Natural and Gibson Back to the Future "1955" ES-345 Collector's Edition, Light Aged, Cherry Red are closely matched overall — 77 to 77 on our estimated score.

Estimated from specs & owner reviews — a starting point, not a substitute for playing both.

Gibson 58 Korina Explorer Brazilian Rosewood Fingerboard, Aged Natural wins on

No standout advantage.

Gibson Back to the Future "1955" ES-345 Collector's Edition, Light Aged, Cherry Red wins on
  • Lower price ($19,999 vs $29,999)

Scorecard

Estimated scores
Metric58 Korina Explorer Brazilian Rosewood Fingerboard, Aged NaturalBack to the Future "1955" ES-345 Collector's Edition, Light Aged, Cherry Red
Overall7777
Build8787
Playability7575
Sound7474
Value6767

Full specifications

Specification comparison
Spec58 Korina Explorer Brazilian Rosewood Fingerboard, Aged NaturalBack to the Future "1955" ES-345 Collector's Edition, Light Aged, Cherry Red
BrandGibsonGibson
TypeElectricElectric
Years——
CountryUSUS
Body woodKorina3-ply maple/poplar/maple
Neck woodKorinaMahogany
FretboardBrazilian RosewoodRosewood
Strings66
Frets2222
Scale24.75"24.75"
PickupsCustombucker / CustombuckerCustombucker Alnico 3, Unpotted / Custombucker Alnico 3, Unpotted
Rating——
Price$29,999$19,999
Body FinishNitrocellulose VOS (Vintage Patina)Murphy Lab Aged Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body shapeExplorerES-335
Body StylesExplorerES-335
BridgeABR-1ABR-1 No-Wire
Bridge pickupCustombuckerCustombucker Alnico 3, Unpotted
CaseHistoric Explorer Brown/Pink Hardshell Case, plus Case CoverLifton™ hardshell with Marvin Berry and The Starlighters graphics
Control CoversBrown Explorer—
Control KnobsTrue Historic GoldBlack top hat with gold reflector
Controls2 Volume, 1 Tone, 500K CTS Vintage Taper Potentiometers, Phone Book Capacitor2 Volume, 2 Tone, CTS 500k audio taper potentiometers, paper-in-oil capacitors; 6-position mono varitone
FinishGold; Murphy Lab Custom AgedAged gold
Fretboard inlayPearloid DotsCelluloid split parallelogram with celluloid parallelogram at 12th Fret
Fretboard radius304.8mm / 12.0in304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count2222
Headstock1958 Explorer—
Headstock InlayGibson Logo in Mother of PearlGibson logo and crown in mother of pearl; Hill Valley Music dealer plaque on headstock rear
Jack Plate Cover'58 Explorer Off-White 4-ply; extra 4-ply Black included in the Case—
JointHide Glue FitLong tenon, hide glue fit
Model58KEXLEGH1B55ES345BTTFMLGH1
Mounting RingsTrue Historic BlackBlack M69 medium & tall
Neck pickupCustombuckerCustombucker Alnico 3, Unpotted
NutNylonNylon
Nut width42.86mm / 1.69in42.85mm / 1.69in
Output Jack1/4" Switchcraft1/4" Switchcraft
Pickguard'58 Explorer Off-White 4-plyShort ES-335; black 5-ply, wide bevel
Pickup CoversTrue Historic Aged GoldGold
Pickup Selector3-Way SwitchcraftSwitchcraft 3-way toggle
Profile50s Vintage1961 Authentic Thin D-Shape
Scale length628.65mm / 24.75in628.65mm / 24.75in
Strap Buttons2 - BrassBurnished brass
String gauges.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
Switch TipTrue Historic AmberCream
TailpieceLightweight Aluminum Stop BarBigsby '59 B7, gold with black paint
Truss rodAuthentic 1950s No-TubeAuthentic 1950s no-tube
Truss Rod CoverTrue Historic BlackAuthentic stepped 2-ply
Tuner PlatingAged GoldAged gold
TunersKluson with Celluloid TipsKluson single line, single ring
Weight ReliefNone—
Binding—3-ply top, single-ply back and fretboard
Centerblock—Maple
Switchwasher—Gold with black lettering (Varitone)

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