Gibson Custom Leo Scala Custom Addiction Explorer, Dark Cherry
A performing piece of art from acclaimed Master Artisan Leo Scala
The Gibson Custom Master Artisan Collection celebrates the rare intersection of visionary craftsmanship and authentic Gibson tradition, and the Leo Scala Custom Addiction Explorer™ is among the most compelling expressions of that mission. Handcrafted by renowned luthier Leo Scala, this one‑of‑a‑kind Dark Cherry Korina creation is a deeply personal interpretation of the 1958 Explorer, shaped by Scala’s distinctive aesthetic, his obsessive attention to detail, and his longstanding passion for Gibson instruments. Fully functional, unmistakably Gibson, and entirely unique, it represents a merging of historical inspiration and modern artistry in a way only the Master Artisan Collection can deliver.
Scala’s work is rooted in more than 25 years of building guitars in his workshop near Los Angeles, where his background in art, engineering, and European design sensibilities converge. His instruments are known for their singular character, dramatic visual presence, and a relentless focus on sound. That commitment informs every decision he makes, from materials and construction techniques to hand-applied finishes, precision-aged hardware, and his own hand-wound Retrophonic pickups. For Scala, each part of the instrument is treated as its own project. He builds the details first, then brings them together to create a guitar that feels alive in the player’s hands.
The Custom Addiction Explorer draws heavily from the spirit of the original 1958 design, as well as from a heavily aged vintage model known as “Big Ed,” one of the central inspirations for this series. After creating individual Explorers for Slash and Jason Momoa, Scala turned his attention to producing ten distinctive Explorers for the Master Artisan Collection. Each one is related in concept, yet entirely individual. The Custom Addiction Explorer is one of the three singular builds in the collection, and it stands apart with a deep Dark Cherry Korina finish, heavily aged lacquer work, and a voice that is as nuanced as its visual impact.
Its Korina body and Korina neck, joined with hide glue, establish a resonant tonal core that is both warm and articulate. The Indian rosewood fretboard, fitted with 22 reissue frets and shaped to a ’58 Vintage neck profile with rounded edges, provides a smooth, inviting playing experience. Scala’s Retrophonic humbuckers™ contribute a wide expressive range, with the neck pickup wound with Alnico 2 magnets, reverse-mounted, and wired out of phase for added dimension, while the bridge pickup’s Alnico 4 magnets deliver punch, clarity, and definition. Every element of the electronics, including 50s-style hand-wiring, VIPots vintage taper potentiometers, and phone book capacitors, supports a dynamic, harmonically rich sound.
Leo Scala hand-aged and color-infused Kluson® tuners, an ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic™ bridge, a lightweight aluminum Stop Bar tailpiece, aged hardware, custom black appointments, and a raised metal Gibson headstock logo complete the instrument. It arrives in a custom wine suede G&G hardshell case with matching accents, complemented by a handcrafted Don Pepe leather strap aged by Scala, and a custom certificate of authenticity box.
Bold, sculptural, expressive, and unmistakably crafted with intention, the Leo Scala Custom Addiction Explorer is a true performing piece of art that is built to inspire, built to be played, and built to be unlike anything else.
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Description
A performing piece of art from acclaimed Master Artisan Leo Scala
The Gibson Custom Master Artisan Collection celebrates the rare intersection of visionary craftsmanship and authentic Gibson tradition, and the Leo Scala Custom Addiction Explorer™ is among the most compelling expressions of that mission. Handcrafted by renowned luthier Leo Scala, this one‑of‑a‑kind Dark Cherry Korina creation is a deeply personal interpretation of the 1958 Explorer, shaped by Scala’s distinctive aesthetic, his obsessive attention to detail, and his longstanding passion for Gibson instruments. Fully functional, unmistakably Gibson, and entirely unique, it represents a merging of historical inspiration and modern artistry in a way only the Master Artisan Collection can deliver.
Scala’s work is rooted in more than 25 years of building guitars in his workshop near Los Angeles, where his background in art, engineering, and European design sensibilities converge. His instruments are known for their singular character, dramatic visual presence, and a relentless focus on sound. That commitment informs every decision he makes, from materials and construction techniques to hand-applied finishes, precision-aged hardware, and his own hand-wound Retrophonic pickups. For Scala, each part of the instrument is treated as its own project. He builds the details first, then brings them together to create a guitar that feels alive in the player’s hands.
The Custom Addiction Explorer draws heavily from the spirit of the original 1958 design, as well as from a heavily aged vintage model known as “Big Ed,” one of the central inspirations for this series. After creating individual Explorers for Slash and Jason Momoa, Scala turned his attention to producing ten distinctive Explorers for the Master Artisan Collection. Each one is related in concept, yet entirely individual. The Custom Addiction Explorer is one of the three singular builds in the collection, and it stands apart with a deep Dark Cherry Korina finish, heavily aged lacquer work, and a voice that is as nuanced as its visual impact.
Its Korina body and Korina neck, joined with hide glue, establish a resonant tonal core that is both warm and articulate. The Indian rosewood fretboard, fitted with 22 reissue frets and shaped to a ’58 Vintage neck profile with rounded edges, provides a smooth, inviting playing experience. Scala’s Retrophonic humbuckers™ contribute a wide expressive range, with the neck pickup wound with Alnico 2 magnets, reverse-mounted, and wired out of phase for added dimension, while the bridge pickup’s Alnico 4 magnets deliver punch, clarity, and definition. Every element of the electronics, including 50s-style hand-wiring, VIPots vintage taper potentiometers, and phone book capacitors, supports a dynamic, harmonically rich sound.
Leo Scala hand-aged and color-infused Kluson® tuners, an ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic™ bridge, a lightweight aluminum Stop Bar tailpiece, aged hardware, custom black appointments, and a raised metal Gibson headstock logo complete the instrument. It arrives in a custom wine suede G&G hardshell case with matching accents, complemented by a handcrafted Don Pepe leather strap aged by Scala, and a custom certificate of authenticity box.
Bold, sculptural, expressive, and unmistakably crafted with intention, the Leo Scala Custom Addiction Explorer is a true performing piece of art that is built to inspire, built to be played, and built to be unlike anything else.
