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Head to head

Gibson Explorer Custom Figured Top, VOS, Cobra Burst vs Gibson Peter Frampton "Phenix" Inspired Les Paul Custom VOS, Ebony

Gibson Explorer Custom Figured Top, VOS, Cobra Burst
Electric$7,699
No ratings yet
75Overall / 100
Gibson Peter Frampton "Phenix" Inspired Les Paul Custom VOS, Ebony
Electric$6,999
No ratings yet
82Overall / 100

The verdict

The Gibson Peter Frampton "Phenix" Inspired Les Paul Custom VOS, Ebony comes out ahead overall — 82 to 75 on our estimated score.

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

Gibson Explorer Custom Figured Top, VOS, Cobra Burst wins on

No standout advantage.

Gibson Peter Frampton "Phenix" Inspired Les Paul Custom VOS, Ebony wins on
  • Better build (96 vs 87)
  • Better sound (81 vs 68)
  • Better value (72 vs 65)
  • Lower price ($6,999 vs $7,699)

Scorecard

Estimated scores
MetricExplorer Custom Figured Top, VOS, Cobra BurstPeter Frampton "Phenix" Inspired Les Paul Custom VOS, Ebony
Overall7582
Build8796
Playability7575
Sound6881
Value6572

Full specifications

Specification comparison
SpecExplorer Custom Figured Top, VOS, Cobra BurstPeter Frampton "Phenix" Inspired Les Paul Custom VOS, Ebony
BrandGibsonGibson
TypeElectricElectric
Years——
CountryUSUS
Body woodSolid mahoganyMahogany
Neck woodSolid MahoganyMahogany
FretboardEbonyEbony
Strings66
Frets2222
Scale24.75"24.75"
Pickups490R / 498TCustombucker / Custombucker
Rating——
Price$7,699$6,999
AccessoriesGibson Custom Certificate of AuthenticitySchaller Strap Lock Strap Buttons
BindingMulti-plyMulti-ply
Body FinishVOS Nitrocellulose LacquerGloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body shapeExplorerLes Paul
Body StylesExplorerLes Paul
BridgeTune-O-MaticTune-O-Matic
Bridge pickup498TCustombucker
CaseCustom Shop HardshellGibson Hardshell Case
Control KnobsBlack Speed KnobsGold Speed Knobs
Controls2 volume, master toneMaster Volume and Tone shared by Neck and Bridge Pickups, Second Volume and Tone for Middle Pickup (independent of P/U selector toggle switch), CTS Potentiometers, Paper in Oil Capacitors
End Of Board Width56.89mm / 2.24in—
FinishGoldGold VOS
Fretboard inlayMother of Pearl BlockCustom Block; Frampton Signature Sandblasted into 12th Fret Inlay
Fretboard radius12 in. | 304.8 mm304.8mm / 12.0in
Fret Count2222
Jack Plate CoverGold-plated BrassGold
JointLong TenonSet Neck
ModelDSMXPSL000000485CSPFPXVOEBGH1
Mounting RingsBlack M69Cream
Neck pickup490RCustombucker
NutCorianBone
Nut width42.85mm / 1.69in42.86mm / 1.69in
PickguardBlack Multi-PlyNone
Pickup CoversGold-PlatedNone
Pickup Selector3-way toggle3-Way Switchcraft
ProfileMedium CArtist Profile
Scale length628.65mm / 24.75in628.65mm / 24.75in
Strap ButtonsBrass2 - Bottom and Shoulder (Schaller Strap Locks)
String gauges.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046.010, .013, .017, .026, .036, .046
Switch TipBlackGold
SwitchwasherBlackTrue Historic Cream
TailpieceStop BarLightweight Aluminum Stop Bar with Long Stud/Anchor
Top woodAAA Figured MapleSolid Mahogany
Truss rod2-way AdjustableStandard
Truss Rod Cover2-Ply Black/WhiteTrue Historic Black; Frampton Signature
Tuner PlatingGoldGold
TunersGrover KidneyGrover Kidney
Weight ReliefNone9-Hole
Control Covers—Reissue Black, plus Custom Shop Medallion
Headstock—Bound Les Paul Custom
Headstock Inlay—Gibson Logo and Split Diamond Inlay in Mother of Pearl
Middle pickup—Custombucker
Output Jack—1/4" Switchcraft

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