For old guys only...

[Securb]

I tried out this white Explorer at GC a few weeks back. They plugged me into a 5150 Iconic, it sounded amazing. The problem was the neck was bowed and the action on the guitar was horrible. The sales guy said it had been on the wall for a long time and could benefit from a setup, to which I agreed. But for $2999 I told him I would have to be blown away by a guitar immediately not play it and see its potential. With a slight truss tweak, action set, and intonation this guitar would have been killer.

 

[ErikH]

First time I saw a player with one? Skynyrd or Scorpions.

 

[ErikH]

Not to discombobulate things but I would say I saw Kramer and Ibanez explorer shaped guitars before I saw a Gibson explorer.

Haha Kramer, jeez.

Really? The only Explorer shaped Kramer was the Condor in 1985 and was discontinued in 1986. Now, Hamers were a different story. They were around starting in the 70's.

 

[PS412]

Really? The only Explorer shaped Kramer was the Condor in 1985 and was discontinued in 1986. Now, Hamers were a different story. They were around starting in the 70's.

"Haha Kramer jeeze"

Hamer

 

[metlking]

The first Explorer shaped guitar I can recall seeing was Adrian Smith's Hamer on the back of Iron Maiden's "Killers" LP

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[metlking]

Mathias Jabs made me want one! I have owned several.

 

[Mincer]

The cases for those are pretty big, aren't they?

 

[ICTGoober]

Like the deck of an aircraft carrier.

 

[Seashore]

The cases for those are pretty big, aren't they?

I use one set up on a couple stools as my guitar work bench.

 

[Mincer]

Like the deck of an aircraft carrier.

That's fun to carry and store.

 

[ICTGoober]

NOT.

 

[Seashore]

They're annoying cases to carry because they're heavy and poorly balanced. The leading bottom corner of my old Gibson case is all bashed up from hundreds of small impacts with sidewalks and stairs. On the upside, they're difficult to lose track of.

The first Explorer I saw was probably Metallica too. Early 90s. I got my own 26 years ago. It's still my favorite 6 string.

 

[donaldr]

Pete Willis, Def Leppard
Matthias Jabs, Scorpions

 

[Aceman]

That I know of, definitely Cheap Trick

Probably Scorpions and/or Iron Maiden

I also associate .38 Special with early explorer experiences.

 

[AdrianSD]

No neck dive on these

 

[fretburner]

Scorpions

 

[solspirit]

Man, this thread gave me some serious gas for the Dean ZX or a knockoff Explorer with a reverse headstock

 

[jeremy]

reverse headstock eh? not sure about that

 

[Seashore]

Man, this thread gave me some serious gas for the Dean ZX or a knockoff Explorer with a reverse headstock

I've got a Schecter E1 "Evil Twin" with a reverse headstock. I've never been 100% happy with the sound, and I wish the neck was chunkier, but it plays like a dream.

 

[chadd]

I don't think I have seen one IRL
maybe in a store

Oh well

First time I played one, the comfort of playing either seated or standing really surprised me. I didn't think the balance would be so good, but it is.