Gibson ever make an Explorer with a floyd rose and a pickguard?

[blakejcan]

Looking at a possible project I saw listed and trying to figure out if this is legit or not.

It's real beat-up and repainted very poorly. Pics of headstock show what looks like a Gibson but no serial numbers are visible. He claims it's an 80's guitar. There are parts where the cruddy paint job has worn away and it looks to be cherry under there. The floyd cavity looks to be factory done to my eyes. Knobs are 3 in a row. Would for sure need pickguard as it has a route there.

It's either a legit 80's model or an Epi Goth. I don't want to get orpheo'd here so I'll just show this one pic.

 

[blakejcan]

Re: Gibson ever make an Explorer with a floyd rose and a pickguard?

eh maybe it's a kahler. hmmm

 

[Myaccount876]

Re: Gibson ever make an Explorer with a floyd rose and a pickguard?

If they did, it probably didn't come with a locking nut (stupid decision).

However, there's this now: https://www.floydrose.com/catalog/tremolos/6:frx-series

So your best best would be just getting any normal explorer and the FRX.

 

[Dahla]

Gibson ever make an Explorer with a floyd rose and a pickguard?

Well, it's not an Epi goth. Those were first introduced in 2003.

Some of the Epi explorers in the 80's/90's had whammy bars from what I've seen, but I think they also had bolt on necks. Check the Epiphone wiki. Might be some pointers there...

Here's a link: http://epiphonewiki.com/index.php/Explorer

The goth came in 2002.


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[dystrust]

Re: Gibson ever make an Explorer with a floyd rose and a pickguard?

The headstock looks legit, but if it's 80s, it's an '88 or '89. All of the earlier 80s Explorers had a different headstock logo. The Floyd rout is definitely not factory; the only Explorers with a factory locking trem had either a Kahler ('84-'85) or a Floyd (2011 GOTW) and no pickguard. That headstock also appears to have had a Kahler string lock fitted at some point.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Gibson ever make an Explorer with a floyd rose and a pickguard?

Well, it's not an Epi goth. Those were first introduced in 2003.

Some of the Epi explorers in the 80's/90's had whammy bars from what I've seen, but I think they also had bolt on necks. Check the Epiphone wiki. Might be some pointers there...

Here's a link: http://epiphonewiki.com/index.php/Explorer

The goth came in 2002.


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It could be an Epi Goth that the guy is trying to pass off as an 80's.

 

[Dahla]

Re: Gibson ever make an Explorer with a floyd rose and a pickguard?

It could be an Epi Goth that the guy is trying to pass off as an 80's.

Sure, but not if it's originally cherry red under the crappy paint job...


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[Pontiac Jack]

Re: Gibson ever make an Explorer with a floyd rose and a pickguard?

You can see 4 small screw holes ,2 either side of the truss rod access route. This would indicate a "behind the nut lock",this would point in the direction of Kahler. Jammed with a dude many years ago (mid 80's-ish),and he turned up with an Explorer with factory Kahler and 3 P90's in it.
It was brand spankin' new and sounded like absolute CRAP!!!
So he brought 3 SD Firebird style mini humbuckers and re-loaded the thing.
And it STILL sounded like CRAP!!!
Shame,coz it looked fricken awesome!!

If it has a Floyd,it was probably retro-fitted.
A lot of folks don't like the feel of a Kahler. And if you want a trem,there's already a hole in the guitar,why not make it bigger and fit a Floyd?....
The headstock in your pic has some issues. It looks water damaged. The seam running through the headstock looks to be swollen. There is moisture damage under the surface.
This could lead to major issues down the track.

Cheers,PJ

 

[darthphineas]

Re: Gibson ever make an Explorer with a floyd rose and a pickguard?

Re: Mr Jabs w/Floyd.


https://youtu.be/wENdZneWDYs



Just add a pickguard

 

[blakejcan]

Re: Gibson ever make an Explorer with a floyd rose and a pickguard?

You can see 4 small screw holes ,2 either side of the truss rod access route. This would indicate a "behind the nut lock",this would point in the direction of Kahler. Jammed with a dude many years ago (mid 80's-ish),and he turned up with an Explorer with factory Kahler and 3 P90's in it.
It was brand spankin' new and sounded like absolute CRAP!!!
So he brought 3 SD Firebird style mini humbuckers and re-loaded the thing.
And it STILL sounded like CRAP!!!
Shame,coz it looked fricken awesome!!

If it has a Floyd,it was probably retro-fitted.
A lot of folks don't like the feel of a Kahler. And if you want a trem,there's already a hole in the guitar,why not make it bigger and fit a Floyd?....
The headstock in your pic has some issues. It looks water damaged. The seam running through the headstock looks to be swollen. There is moisture damage under the surface.
This could lead to major issues down the track.

Cheers,PJ

this was super helpful. thanks. He wants $380 for it and won't budge. Maybe for $200. I'll pass.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: Gibson ever make an Explorer with a floyd rose and a pickguard?

Sure, but not if it's originally cherry red under the crappy paint job...


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I missed that part.

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: Gibson ever make an Explorer with a floyd rose and a pickguard?

Floyded Explorer is one of my "perfect" guitars.

Shame it didn't pan out...