Dirrerence in tone between a Les Paul and an Explorer

[Brow]

Hey guys.

I have an opportunity to buy an Explorer from my ex guitar teacher (who doesn't play much electric guitar anymore), and was just wondering how an Explorer differs in tone compared to a Les Paul?

The Explorer in question was hand made by a company called JayDee Guitars (which has made guitars for Tony Iommi, Angus, Mark King) and has an all mahogany body, Duncan pups (Custom/Jazz), has had an headstock break but has been professionally repaired and strengthened, the pots and electronics need replacing, and a fret dress may also be in order.

The guitar won't be that expensive as it needs a bit of work doing to it, but as I'm most familiar with les Pauls I was wondering how much this type of guitar differs in tone.

Thanx for any opinions.

Craig

 

[Robert S.]

Re: Dirrerence in tone between a Les Paul and an Explorer

The Explorer will be a little warmer and smoother tonally and won't have some of the top end tightness you can get from Les Pauls in the top end. Because of body mass i also find Les Pauls to sound a little "thicker".

The Explorer should fall between a LP and an SG tonally. It will have more girth in tone than an SG but will not have a LPs brightness.

Cool guitars, especially if you can get a project guitar on the cheap.

 

[Brow]

Re: Dirrerence in tone between a Les Paul and an Explorer

Thanx for the reply Robert.

I was kinda thinking that Explorers would have a 'girthy' tone, just due to the sheer amount of wood that's involved in an Explorer

Craig

 

[Simon_F]

Re: Dirrerence in tone between a Les Paul and an Explorer

Craig,

That sounds like a good buy if the price is right and the headstock repair has been well done. A Custom and Jazz sound like great pups for an Explorer. Replacing pots/caps is cheap.

JayDee has a good reputation.

Simon

 

[Brow]

Re: Dirrerence in tone between a Les Paul and an Explorer

Craig,

That sounds like a good buy if the price is right and the headstock repair has been well done. A Custom and Jazz sound like great pups for an Explorer. Replacing pots/caps is cheap.

JayDee has a good reputation.

Simon

Thanks for the reply Simon.

My original guitar teacher used to use this guitar to teach, so I've never actually heard it through anything apart from an old Marshall practise amp that he used to teach with

I'm trying to borrow it from him so I can see how bad a condition it's in, and then to try and work out what I'd be willing to pay for it.

He says a few of the lower frets may need replacing, but I'm hoping that only a fret dress and setup will be in order. I may be able to get it for a good price as he's admitted he doesn't play it and knows I'd make a decent guitar out of it if I bought it from him

Craig

 

[Dooogz]

Re: Dirrerence in tone between a Les Paul and an Explorer

craig - rumours have it u dont need a new guitar!

 

[JeffB]

Re: Dirrerence in tone between a Les Paul and an Explorer

assuming the Explorer is indeed a Mahogany body and neck then yeah, Robert nailed the tone description.

I can vouch for a custom in the the bridge of an Explorer...great pup..a bit bright and has great lower mids which helps it get more of a Les Paul type sound. Jes roll the treble and presence back on your amp if it's a tad shrieky. It'll still cut through the mix quite well.

 

[Old Ghost]

Re: Dirrerence in tone between a Les Paul and an Explorer

The Explorer will be a little warmer and smoother tonally and won't have some of the top end tightness you can get from Les Pauls in the top end. Because of body mass i also find Les Pauls to sound a little "thicker".

The Explorer should fall between a LP and an SG tonally. It will have more girth in tone than an SG but will not have a LPs brightness.

Cool guitars, especially if you can get a project guitar on the cheap.

+1 Robert is right on the money here! Great description Robert

 

[Brow]

Re: Dirrerence in tone between a Les Paul and an Explorer

Hey guys.

Thanx for the new replies

I'll have a good look at the guitar when I'm back from holiday, take a few pictures and then let you guys have a look and see what you think

craig - rumours have it u dont need a new guitar!

You're right mate, I don't NEED a new guitar. But then again, do some of us really NEED half of the gear that we own?! :dance: :saeek:

Craig

 

[moog1000]

Re: Dirrerence in tone between a Les Paul and an Explorer

You're right mate, I don't NEED a new guitar. But then again, do some of us really NEED half of the gear that we own?! :dance: :saeek:

As I frequently tell her indoors - "errr, yes of course I need all of them, errr, are they different? Well yes. I know they all have six strings, but you're a woman and you don't understand!!!!!!"

To truthfully answer your question, no I don't need all my guitars, I don't play them all at once, in fact some get rarely played, but I'm insatiable man!!! (He says after putting his cremated diner in the bin which he got for saying 'you're a woman and you don't understand' - never say this to the lady-friend, it's not worth the agro).

 

[rinse_master]

Re: Dirrerence in tone between a Les Paul and an Explorer

As I frequently tell her indoors - "errr, yes of course I need all of them, errr, are they different? Well yes. I know they all have six strings, but you're a woman and you don't understand!!!!!!"

Hehe, sounds like the conversation I had yesterday when I bought the Edwards LP .

Although she said it looked prettier than all of my other guitars, so I think I might be winning her over to my way of thinking?...

Craig, if you can get it for the sort of money you are happy to pay, then get it!, sounds like you shouldn't have to do much to it to get it up to scratch, at the right price it'll be well worth it.

 

[Brow]

Re: Dirrerence in tone between a Les Paul and an Explorer

As I frequently tell her indoors - "errr, yes of course I need all of them, errr, are they different? Well yes. I know they all have six strings, but you're a woman and you don't understand!!!!!!"

I have this 'conversation' with my girlfriend all the time. I just turn it around on her and ask her if she needs all the shoes that she owns!

Hehe, sounds like the conversation I had yesterday when I bought the Edwards LP .

Although she said it looked prettier than all of my other guitars, so I think I might be winning her over to my way of thinking?...

Craig, if you can get it for the sort of money you are happy to pay, then get it!, sounds like you shouldn't have to do much to it to get it up to scratch, at the right price it'll be well worth it.

That Edwards is puuuuuuurty :32

I don't think it'd take much at all to get the Explorer upto scratch, so I'll talk to the guy that's selling it and see what he'd 'realistically' want for it and what it'd cost me to get upto scratch :13:

 

[rinse_master]

Re: Dirrerence in tone between a Les Paul and an Explorer

That Edwards is puuuuuuurty :32

Almost too pretty, I keep staring at the pics, just got the tracking no. in my email so it shouldn't be too long :headbang:

 

[Brow]

Re: Dirrerence in tone between a Les Paul and an Explorer

Almost too pretty, I keep staring at the pics, just got the tracking no. in my email so it shouldn't be too long :headbang:

Good luck with the guitar mate, she's a beaut