Gibson Government Series Explorer II 2013 - Tan

The Gibson Government Series II Explorer is one of the stranger and more interesting chapters in Gibson history, and this one has been remarkably well kept.

The whole Government Series came out of Gibson’s very public fight with the federal government over imported tonewoods. During the 2011 raid on Gibson’s Nashville operation, wood—including rosewood fingerboard stock—was seized by federal authorities. After Gibson and the government eventually reached a resolution, that wood was returned. Gibson then did something only Gibson would do: they built limited-run guitars from the returned material and turned the entire ordeal into the theme of the guitar.

This second series got the unmistakable Government Tan finish, black hardware, the eagle graphic on the pickguard, and a genuine rosewood fingerboard made from the returned stock. The Explorer version was limited to just 300 guitars, so these have always been considerably less common than a normal production Explorer.

I think the combination works especially well on the Explorer. The flat military-style tan against all of the black hardware makes the already aggressive body shape look even meaner, while the eagle graphic keeps the story right there on the face of the guitar.

This one is in Very Good condition and has clearly been looked after. The satin finish has a handful of small nicks and edge marks that I’ve photographed closely, but there’s nothing here that takes away from the overall presentation. The neck and backside came through inspection in excellent condition, and the fretboard and frets are excellent as well.

It plays exactly the way I want an Explorer to play. The current setup has comfortable medium action, the intonation is spot-on, and the frets feel excellent across the board.

The original Dirty Fingers+ humbuckers are a perfect fit for this guitar. They have plenty of output, attack and midrange without turning everything into mush. If you want an Explorer for heavier music, these are exactly the kind of pickups that make sense in it. The complete electronics system passed my inspection with no issues.

What stood out to me:

• Limited-production Government Series II Explorer

• One of only 300 Explorers produced in the series

• Government Tan finish

• Rosewood fingerboard made from wood returned after the 2011 federal seizure

• Original Dirty Fingers+ humbuckers

• Black hardware throughout

• Government Series II eagle pickguard graphic

• Excellent neck and fretboard condition

• Excellent frets

• Comfortable medium-action setup

• Spot-on intonation

• Original electronics passed completely

• Original Gibson hardshell case

• Includes the original inspection sheet and warranty booklet

The condition is especially nice considering the thin satin-style finish these were given. There are a few small finish nicks around the sharper edges and points, which is exactly where an Explorer tends to pick them up first, and I photographed those areas directly rather than trying to hide them. Beyond that, the guitar presents extremely well.

This is also one of those guitars where the backstory actually matters. Plenty of limited editions are just different colors or hardware combinations. This one represents a very specific moment in Gibson history, was literally built using material involved in the federal seizure, and was produced in genuinely small numbers.

For someone who likes unusual Gibsons, Explorers, or guitars with a story attached to them, this is an especially cool piece.

All photos are of the exact guitar for sale. I do not use AI-generated, substituted, or digitally manipulated guitar imagery in my listings.

Like all my guitars, this one’s been cared for and dialed in—no guesswork, no surprises, just a great instrument that’s ready to play. I personally inspect and test every guitar before it ships, making sure it’s in the exact condition I’d want to receive myself. These guitars come from me, not a shop—each one gets the kind of attention and care only a real guitar lover gives. Ships fast and insured.

Quick note: These guitars don’t usually sit. Most are purchased within 1–5 days, and I regularly hear from watchers after the listing has already sold. If this one’s on your radar, now’s the window!