Some guitars tell a story. Others simply deserve… to be heard. The 1976 Gibson Explorer belonging to Richie Sambora, which we were fortunate enough to recover and recently return to him, is more than just a mythical instrument. It’s a guitar with an incredible voice. Before returning it to its distinguished owner, we plugged it in. Discover it here!

Richie Sambora’s 1976 Gibson Explorer on Video

We already told you its story: stolen in the 1980s, missing for more than 40 years, and finally recovered before being reunited with its owner. But beyond that incredible journey lies what truly matters: its sound, its unique character, and its attack. This Explorer, played during Bon Jovi’s early years, delivers exactly what you would expect: a raw, powerful tone with that unmistakable 1970s personality.

A Bon Jovi-Era Explorer You Can Hear

Because there was no way we could return it without preserving the moment, we plugged it in. And filmed it. A guitar like this cannot be described with words alone, so we did what had to be done: plug it in, play it… and capture the moment on video. The result? A direct immersion into everything this guitar has to offer.

No filters. No unnecessary staging. Just a guitar, an amp, and history speaking for itself.

Playing this Explorer was already a unique experience. But being able to share its sound, its response, and its dynamics felt only natural. Because some guitars deserve to be seen. But above all, they deserve to be heard! The video is now available on our social media channels. Turn up the volume. And let the guitar do the talking.