1999 Gibson Limited Edition Explorer '76 Vintage Reissue Natural w/ Case & Tag, Yamano

Up for sale, a 1999 Gibson Limited Edition Explorer ‘76 vintage reissue in exceptional, 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hardshell case and receipt. This Explorer was ordered by Gibson's Japanese distributor Yamano, and Gibson's USA-made guitars distributed via Yamano are often considered among their best, featuring the highest quality woods hand-picked for Gibson's discerning Japanese audience.This uncommon Explorer sports a gloss Natural nitro lacquer finish and gold hardware, with mahogany body and neck construction. Via the original 490R and 498T humbucker pair, the guitar has plenty of power on tap, and these alnico magnet pickups cover a wide tonal range. The 490R is Gibson's Modern Classic humbucker, featuring Alnico II magnets and similar in its response to a PAF, yet with more midrange emphasis. The 496T Hot Alnico bridge position pickup has Alnico V magnets, with plenty of muscle and growl, well-suited for high gain scenarios. This Explorer weighs 8lbs 6oz, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, low action, and spot-on intonation.The mahogany neck has a slender ‘60s-style C-shaped profile carve with generous shoulders and a fast feel, measuring .800” deep at the 1st fret and .875” at the 12th. On the rosewood fretboard, the medium jumbo fretwire is practically perfect with its full factory height and well-rounded crowns, and this guitar plays cleanly up the 24 3/4“ scale with a straight neck and a responsive, optimally-adjusted truss rod. The nut measures 1 11/16” in width. The headstock features gold mini Grover Rotomatic tuning machines, along with the stamped serial and Limited Edition insignia.All of the electronics function as intended, with a three-way pickup selector switch, independent Volume knobs, and a Master Tone control governing the pickups. The wiring harness has untouched solder and Gibson-embossed Alpha pots. The gold-plated hardware is all very clean, including the Nashville-style bridge and stopbar tailpiece. The pickup covers are press-fit aftermarket additions (not soldered and easily removable). Plastics comprise the four-ply white pickguard, amber switch tip and trio of bonnet knobs.Cosmetic wear on the gloss Natural nitro lacquer finish is limited to just a couple tiny dings on the body as a whole and very limited buckle rash on the bass-side of the back. The smooth gloss on the neck profile is immaculate.The original Gibson USA-branded brown tolex hardshell case with pink plush interior is included, along with the original Japanese bill of sale.