explorer info

[mastershake]

hey guys, im looking for a gibson explorer. i will have the cash by christmas. just kinda wanted some info on it. like the character of the pickups, hot\crunchy\good harmonics-warm\lots of headroom\, or whatever. how does the neck compair to a les paul, thinner\flatter\fast-thicker\\slow. and the fret quality-low action is a must for me. all my guitars are 2mm at the 12 fret or lower. and of course TONE. thanks

[lhrocker]

The standard explorer has a Gibson 60's style neck, which is the thinner neck. They also have the 76 reissues that have a fatter, chunkier neck. I have both and they both play great. The pickups on the standard explorer are the 500/496, which are the hot ceramics. I can't remember if they are the same on the 76. The frets on my guitars are regular jumbo, and they play great. I set my guitars up with low action using .010's and I can fly on them. The faded explorer is a good choice too, and it is about $400 than the regular explorer.

Hope that helps.

[SEEGERMANY]

Here's an Explorer you won't see every day. 2002 Custom Shop Satin Explorer with '57 humbuckers, slab rosewood board, one piece mahogany body, and baseball neck. When I wan't to rock and rock hard, this is my "go to" guitar.

[mastershake]

awesome thanks

[Firebird V]

I have owned many explorers and still have a few. The best ones I have owned and played came from around 90/91.

They were light and very resonant and sounded fantastic.

Not that there aren't good ones before or after those or even a bad one in the years that I like. It is just that from my experience and I have owned at least 6 from around those years... They sounded better than most other years I have played, are lighter and the frets were installed and dressed proper from the factory...

[mastershake]

they have a lifetime warranty right? i was gonna get on off of the bay

[Firebird V]

I believe it is a limited lifetime type warranty that only is good to the original owner. So if you are buying new then you are good.

Gibsons are kind of hit and miss sometimes so you might wasnt to but it from a place like Musicians Friend that gives you a 30 day trial too.

I have bought quite a few used on ebay and have had some good ones but I always try if possible to play before I pay whenever possible. If you go to a store try a few and pick the best of the bunch...

Good luck!

[DonP]

I have owned many explorers and still have a few. The best ones I have owned and played came from around 90/91.

(I'm speculating) Henry J bought Gibson in 1986. His first objective was to start making high quality guitars again. It would make sense that it would take 4-5 years to ramp up the skills of the employees, making this a good year for Gibsons.

[mastershake]

i played one this morinig it was awesome. im selling off stuff as we (I) speak

[dogueboy]

I love mine it is KILLER

[Spivonious]

I played a '76 reissue once and it weighed 80 pounds and sounded like mud.

[mastershake]

yeah i saw yours its awesome!

[asix]

my 76 rox, does not play as well as a Charvel (slim neck etc) but it sounds like a piano with lots resonance.

[Hellbat]

Tone isn't just guitar, but here is a nice Explorer tone....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GShEeFfXNqY

[mastershake]

thats it. thats the one i want