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10 GUITARS FROM WORLD-RENOWNED LUTHIER LEO SCALA, ALL ONE-OF-A-KIND
The Master Artisan Collection from Gibson brings together the iconic instrument brand with world-renowned luthiers across the globe to craft limited-edition instruments that represent the pinnacle of artistry, design, and craftsmanship. Each series in this ultra-rare collection features guitars and accessories that are custom-designed, meticulously handcrafted, and authentically Gibson Custom—pieces that are both heirloom-level collectibles and inspiring tools for a lifetime of music.
For the new Master Artisan Collection ’58 Addiction Explorers, Leo Scala delivers 10 individually unique Explorers that reflect his distinctive creative style, technical mastery, and deep reverence for Gibson’s heritage. Over his three-decade career, Scala has earned an enviable reputation for his inventive designs, flawless craftsmanship, and a longstanding passion for Gibson instruments—qualities that shine throughout this new collection.
Inspired in part by a heavily worn vintage 1958 Explorer nicknamed “Big Ed,” this series expands on the acclaimed custom Explorers previously built by Leo Scala for Slash and Jason Momoa. With the ’58 Addiction Explorers, Leo turns that inspiration into 10 bold, bespoke interpretations—including the Custom Addiction Explorer, Dark Addiction Explorer, Heavy Addiction Explorers, Maestro Addiction Explorer, and Ultra Addiction Explorers. Each instrument stands alone as a singular creation: hand-aged, hand-detailed, and built to deliver a powerful visual and sonic identity all its own.
True to Scala’s ethos, the ’58 Addiction Explorers are inspired by the idea that building is an addiction—and that the players and collectors who seek rare, handcrafted instruments share that same passion. Every guitar in the series includes a custom G&G hardshell case with hardware hand-aged by Scala, a custom Don Pepe leather strap from Spain that was hand-aged by Leo Scala, and a custom-made Certificate of Authenticity signed by Leo Scala.
The Master Artisan Collection is available exclusively through the Gibson Garage Nashville. For inquiries, please call (615) 933-6000.
Discover the full breadth of craftsmanship through the Gibson Custom Made‑to‑Measureprogram, where every detail is shaped to your vision.
A singular expression of Master Artisan craftsmanship
The Leo Scala Custom Addiction Explorer™ is a one-of-a-kind Dark Cherry Korina creation within the Gibson Custom Master Artisan Collection, reimagining the original 1958 Explorer through Scala’s distinctive aesthetic and obsessive craftsmanship.
Built with a Korina body and a hide-glue-fit Korina neck for warmth, articulation, and resonance, it features an Indian rosewood fretboard with 22 reissue frets and a rounded-edge ’58 Vintage neck profile for a smooth, broken-in feel. Scala’s custom Retrophonic humbuckers™—an Alnico 2 neck pickup (reverse mounted and wired out of phase) and an Alnico 4 bridge pickup—deliver expressive range, clarity, and punch, supported by 50s-style hand wiring, VIPots vintage taper potentiometers, and phone book capacitors for dynamic response and harmonic richness. Its heavily aged Dark Cherry Korina finish, hand-applied lacquer wear, precision-aged hardware, color-infused Kluson® tuners, ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic™ bridge, lightweight aluminum Stop Bar tailpiece, custom black appointments, and raised metal Gibson headstock logo define its bold visual identity.
Inspired by the vintage “Big Ed” Explorer and part of the ten-piece ’58 Addiction Explorer Collection, it ships in a custom wine suede G&G hardshell case with Leo Scala aged hardware, a Don Pepe leather strap aged by Scala, and a custom Certificate of Authenticity. Purpose-built, sculptural, and sonically alive, the Custom Addiction Explorer is a true performance instrument crafted to stand apart.
A Dark Addiction Explorer masterpiece from Leo Scala
The Leo Scala Dark Addiction Explorer™ is a one-of-a-kind Dark Natural Korina creation within the Gibson Custom Master Artisan Collection, reimagining the 1958 Explorer with bold attitude and obsessive craftsmanship. Its Ultra Aging ++ finish shifts from deep shadow to glowing amber under stage lights, highlighting Scala’s signature expressive aging inspired in part by the vintage “Big Ed” Explorer.
Built with a Korina body and hide glue set Korina neck for warm, resonant, harmonically rich response, it features an Indian rosewood fretboard with pearloid dots, 22 reissue frets, and a rounded edge ’58 Vintage neck profile, including a subtle 4thfret dent mirroring the original “Big Ed.” Scala’s hand-wound Retrophonic humbuckers™—Alnico 2 in the neck and Alnico 5 in the bridge—deliver clarity, warmth, and articulate power, supported by 50s-style hand wiring, VIPots vintage taper potentiometers, and a phone book capacitor. Hand-aged, color-infused Kluson® tuners, an ABR-1 Tune-O-Matic™ bridge, lightweight aluminum Stop Bar tailpiece, Master Artisan aged gold hardware, an aged white 4-ply pickguard, gold Top Hat knobs, and a raised metal Gibson headstock logo complete its sculptural aesthetic.
It ships in a custom wine suede G&G hardshell case with Leo Scala aged hardware, a Don Pepe handcrafted darker brown, Blue Bell leather strap aged by Scala, and a custom Certificate of Authenticity. Bold, authoritative, and built with surgical precision, the Dark Addiction Explorer is a true performance instrument—made to be played, made to endure, and made to stand alone.
A Korina icon, reimagined by a Master Artisan
The Leo Scala Heavy Addiction Explorer™ is a Korina-built reimagining of a late-50s icon, crafted with the obsessive detail and expressive design language that define the Gibson Custom Master Artisan Collection. Each one of the four individually created instruments in the Heavy Addiction group reflects Scala’s uncompromising approach: a Korina body, and hide-glue-set Korina neck for resonance and balance, an Indian rosewood fretboard with rounded edges, 22 reissue frets, and a substantial ’58 Vintage neck profile for a worn-in, expressive feel.
Each guitar is hand-lacquered and Heavy Aged by Scala, yielding a deeply permeated Natural finish, with white or black pickguards and jack plates distinguishing each build. Tone comes from Scala’s hand-wound Retrophonic humbuckers™—an Alnico 3 neck pickup and an Alnico 2 bridge pickup—paired with 50s-style hand wiring, VIPots vintage taper 550k pots, and a phone book tone capacitor for clarity, sensitivity, and harmonic depth. Aged-gold covers, hardware aged by Scala, and individually realized details make every example visually and sonically unique.
Each Heavy Addiction Explorer includes a custom G&G wine suede hardshell case with Leo Scala-aged hardware, a Don Pepe leather strap aged by Scala, and a hand-signed Certificate of Authenticity. Powerful, personal, and built for players who value individuality, the Heavy Addiction Explorer is a performance-focused piece of art that cannot be replicated.
Built to be extreme. Built to be played.
The Leo Scala Maestro™ Addiction Explorer™ is an extreme, one-of-a-kind creation within the Gibson Custom Master Artisan Collection, built to be played with conviction and engineered to push the 1958 Explorer platform into radical new territory. Constructed with a Korina body and hide-glue-fit Korina neck, it delivers a lightweight, resonant, and immediate response, complemented by an Indian rosewood fretboard with pearloid dots, 22 reissue frets, and a substantial ’58 Vintage neck profile with rounded edges for a broken-in, expressive feel. Its aggressively aged “Rat Rod” Natural finish embraces deliberate excess—deep lacquer wear, corrosion, patina, and custom metal components, including a single ply metal pickguard with faded scrolls, a metal jack plate, an engraved metal control cover, Master Artisan-crafted metal skull knobs, and a metal switch washer marked “Hell / Back.”
A customized Maestro Vibrola™ tailpiece and bespoke vibrato arm elevate both function and attitude. Scala’s hand-wound Retrophonic humbuckers™—Alnico 2 in the neck, Alnico 5 in the bridge—pair with 50s-style hand-wiring, VIPots vintage taper 550k pots, and a phone book tone capacitor to deliver clarity, dynamic punch, and harmonic depth. It ships in a custom G&G wine suede hardshell case with Scala-aged hardware, a super-aged black caiman leather Don Pepe strap, and a handcrafted Certificate of Authenticity. Built for players who value originality over convention, the Maestro Addiction Explorer is unapologetically extreme, unapologetically Gibson, and unapologetically alive.
Ultra reliced appearance. Ultra addictive playability.
The Leo Scala Ultra Addiction Explorer™ represents the most extreme interpretation of aging, artistry, and intent within the Gibson Custom Master Artisan Collection. Limited to only three instruments, each one-of-a-kind Explorer channels the unapologetic spirit of the original 1958 design while displaying its own deeply worn Natural finish, heavily eroded surfaces, and ultra reliced character.
Built from a Korina body and a hide-glue-fit Korina neck for a lightweight, resonant response, it features an Indian rosewood fretboard with pearloid dots, 22 reissue frets, and a rounded edge ’58 Vintage neck profile for an expressive, broken-in feel. Scala’s hand-applied aging—revealing layered lacquer wear, edge erosion, and patina—is exceptionally deep, with one guitar fitted with a black pickguard and jack plate and two with white. Master Artisan aged gold hardware, hand-aged Kluson® tuners with custom color-infused buttons, and vintage-correct appointments enhance its lived-in authenticity.
Powered by Scala’s hand-wound Retrophonic humbuckers™—Alnico 3 neck and Alnico 2 bridge—paired with 50s-style hand wiring, VIPots vintage taper 550k pots, and a phone book capacitor, the Ultra Addiction Explorer delivers maximum clarity, responsiveness, and harmonic richness. Each instrument ships with a custom G&G wine suede hardshell case with Leo Scala aged hardware, a custom Don Pepe leather strap, and a signed Certificate of Authenticity. More than rare, it is a performance-driven piece of art built for players and collectors who seek depth, character, and absolute individuality.
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