197. Space Age Chic 1958-59 Gibson Explorer 1958 was a landmark year for Gibson, with the launch of the Gibson Explorer. The Explorer was one of the first guitars to experiment with a radical design, and it quickly became one of the most iconic guitars in history. The Explorer made an immediate impact on pop music and is widely known for its unique and innovative design. The Explorer was a huge success at the time, and it remains one of Gibson's most popular guitars.
Brand: gibson
original price: 55-75 US Dollars*
Current value: 300,000 US dollars *
According to Vintage Guitar Magazine, one of the rarest guitars in music is the Space Age Chic 1958-59 Gibson Explorer. This instrument is rated at US $ 250,000 to 310,000. The Space Age Chic, along with the 1936-42 Martin D-45, are two of the most valuable instruments for collectors.
Gibson celebrated the Space Age, which began in 1957 with the launch of Sputnik 1, by designing a space-themed guitar. Few of these limited edition Explorers were ever created, so anyone who owns them is sitting on a treasure trove. Only about nineteen of these guitars exist, as there was little interest in them when they were first released. Realizing the lack of interest, Gibson stopped making them. One owner of a Space Age Explorer is Rick Nielson of Cheap Trick, who owns two.