My local GC has a used EPI explorer bass. got some minor dings and is stamped used on the headstock, so Im sure its a blem, but it plays really nice and I LOVE the explorer look. They worth a darn? Ive been trying to gel with my EPI Tbird pro, but its hard to play, the explorer was easy on my hands.
Epi Explorer Bass?
- Thread starter BloodRose
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Funkfingers
Guest
Re: Epi Explorer Bass?
What is the scale length on the Epi Explorer Bass? For a while, several of their pointy models went medium scale for no obvious reason.
I understand about the Thunderbird. They hang oddly on a strap. The neck is constantly a few frets further away than you imagine that it ought to be. For somebody with hands like mine, the strings are set too close together.
Er, whatever happened to yo' Jackson/Charvel bass? If you still have that, why would you want any non-US Epiphone?
What is the scale length on the Epi Explorer Bass? For a while, several of their pointy models went medium scale for no obvious reason.
I understand about the Thunderbird. They hang oddly on a strap. The neck is constantly a few frets further away than you imagine that it ought to be. For somebody with hands like mine, the strings are set too close together.
Er, whatever happened to yo' Jackson/Charvel bass? If you still have that, why would you want any non-US Epiphone?
Johnny the Kid
Shaunofthedeadologist
Re: Epi Explorer Bass?
If it sounds good and plays well for you then it is worth a darn. Unless by worth you mean how well they stay after you've had it for a while, when I first bought my Epi G-400 it was in shambles, due to the owner not taking care of it. Once I fixed it up it's been keeping together very well. Maybe that's due to the fact that I replaced almost everything, but I think if you keep it well maintained, you should get some nice life out of that bass.
If it sounds good and plays well for you then it is worth a darn. Unless by worth you mean how well they stay after you've had it for a while, when I first bought my Epi G-400 it was in shambles, due to the owner not taking care of it. Once I fixed it up it's been keeping together very well. Maybe that's due to the fact that I replaced almost everything, but I think if you keep it well maintained, you should get some nice life out of that bass.
Re: Epi Explorer Bass?
Replacing everything (or even ANYTHING) often costs more than a decent complete japanese axe... A single good bridge or two active duncans can easily go into 3 digits.
Meanwhile my Tokai-built KahlerUSA/GroverUSA/EMG active Fame by Hondo Pbass cost a full $85 in september, a Soundgear SR-885 ran me $95 in 2009, an '87 Ibanez RD-707 cost me 159 @ GC in 2012, and the same GC later sold me a Matsumoku Washburn w/ active Duncan for $149 earlier this year.
avg price of cheap nice mij on a good deal is hence 488/4 = $122
Replacing everything (or even ANYTHING) often costs more than a decent complete japanese axe... A single good bridge or two active duncans can easily go into 3 digits.
Meanwhile my Tokai-built KahlerUSA/GroverUSA/EMG active Fame by Hondo Pbass cost a full $85 in september, a Soundgear SR-885 ran me $95 in 2009, an '87 Ibanez RD-707 cost me 159 @ GC in 2012, and the same GC later sold me a Matsumoku Washburn w/ active Duncan for $149 earlier this year.
avg price of cheap nice mij on a good deal is hence 488/4 = $122
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Re: Epi Explorer Bass?
Yeah, have that one and love it! I have a black explorer guitar and have wanted an explorer bass to have a matching set. Providing the bass played worth a darn, and this one plays and feels good. I prolly wont get it, as Im super broke and really dont need it, but still would like to have it as I love the explorer shape. The crummy thing about the black epis, is that they use gold hardware and I want chrome and a mirror pg to match my guitar. dont really want to sink money into a new bridge and all just for looks...
It plays great! almost as good as the charvel and alot better than my Tbird. I think Im prolly going to sell the Tbird. Its gorgeous, and I love the growl of the Tbirds, but its just not comfy to play.
Yeah, have that one and love it! I have a black explorer guitar and have wanted an explorer bass to have a matching set. Providing the bass played worth a darn, and this one plays and feels good. I prolly wont get it, as Im super broke and really dont need it, but still would like to have it as I love the explorer shape. The crummy thing about the black epis, is that they use gold hardware and I want chrome and a mirror pg to match my guitar. dont really want to sink money into a new bridge and all just for looks...
It plays great! almost as good as the charvel and alot better than my Tbird. I think Im prolly going to sell the Tbird. Its gorgeous, and I love the growl of the Tbirds, but its just not comfy to play.
Johnny the Kid
Shaunofthedeadologist
Re: Epi Explorer Bass?
That is absolutely true, and if you are looking at an instrument that you have to do a complete resto on, it should be a decent guitar. The mods that I made to my Epi G-400 were over time not all at once, I was able to live with the old stuff for the most part, and my uncle happened to have an extra DD and 59 that he sold me for like $60, but still.
Replacing everything (or even ANYTHING) often costs more than a decent complete japanese axe... A single good bridge or two active duncans can easily go into 3 digits.
Meanwhile my Tokai-built KahlerUSA/GroverUSA/EMG active Fame by Hondo Pbass cost a full $85 in september, a Soundgear SR-885 ran me $95 in 2009, an '87 Ibanez RD-707 cost me 159 @ GC in 2012, and the same GC later sold me a Matsumoku Washburn w/ active Duncan for $149 earlier this year.
avg price of cheap nice mij on a good deal is hence 488/4 = $122
That is absolutely true, and if you are looking at an instrument that you have to do a complete resto on, it should be a decent guitar. The mods that I made to my Epi G-400 were over time not all at once, I was able to live with the old stuff for the most part, and my uncle happened to have an extra DD and 59 that he sold me for like $60, but still.
Re: Epi Explorer Bass?
OTOH (and totally contradicting what i just said): you CAN get sweeet bass parts used for peanuts, just dont expect them to be commonly available, you really have to wait and look... Bought a Duncan APB-2 (meanest.active.ever!!) for 35, seen offers of a Chushin Japan bridge for 25 (essentially a BadAs.s w/ different cosmetics, hvy cast steel and built to withstand ww3), didnt go for a $75 duncan APJ set just cuz it was too far to drive and i was lazy, etc etc
Buuuut...still. Buy a good platform for mods. Search GC online for "used bass japan" or "bass mij", youll find 4s starting at like <150 (fives are a different story, the good stuff starts at 300..ouch).
OTOH (and totally contradicting what i just said): you CAN get sweeet bass parts used for peanuts, just dont expect them to be commonly available, you really have to wait and look... Bought a Duncan APB-2 (meanest.active.ever!!) for 35, seen offers of a Chushin Japan bridge for 25 (essentially a BadAs.s w/ different cosmetics, hvy cast steel and built to withstand ww3), didnt go for a $75 duncan APJ set just cuz it was too far to drive and i was lazy, etc etc
Buuuut...still. Buy a good platform for mods. Search GC online for "used bass japan" or "bass mij", youll find 4s starting at like <150 (fives are a different story, the good stuff starts at 300..ouch).
Johnny the Kid
Shaunofthedeadologist
Re: Epi Explorer Bass?
Absolutely. Same cannot be said abut guitar parts, but if it's not imperative that you have the bass right away, it could be fun to watch it go from useless to working again.
Absolutely. Same cannot be said abut guitar parts, but if it's not imperative that you have the bass right away, it could be fun to watch it go from useless to working again.
F
Funkfingers
Guest
Re: Epi Explorer Bass?
+1 Cool pickup. Run it through a Blackouts For Bass 2-band EQ for enormous fun.
+1 Cool pickup. Run it through a Blackouts For Bass 2-band EQ for enormous fun.
Re: Epi Explorer Bass?
Dont recall seeing those in the actual explorer shape. Not looking for a Kelly.
Dont recall seeing those in the actual explorer shape. Not looking for a Kelly.
Re: Epi Explorer Bass?
No way. Active EQ is a marketing gimmick. I dont want no finnicky cheap cleanboost micropedal between my signal and the jack.
Plus, duncan bass actives on their own still outpunch most maxxed out active eq rigs. Wholly unnecessary.
No way. Active EQ is a marketing gimmick. I dont want no finnicky cheap cleanboost micropedal between my signal and the jack.
Plus, duncan bass actives on their own still outpunch most maxxed out active eq rigs. Wholly unnecessary.
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Re: Epi Explorer Bass?
Charvel charvel...or charvel/jackson jackson. Afair.
Dont think Charvel ever had kelleys anyway.
Charvel charvel...or charvel/jackson jackson. Afair.
Dont think Charvel ever had kelleys anyway.
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