Gibson Explorer

S

skh515

New member
I have an Explorer, but I know little about it. It's natural mahogany with gold (formerly gold) hardware, including pickup covers. It says "Limited Edition" on the back of the headstock along with the serial number. The neck is very thick, but comfortible, much like a J-45. The pickups are very hot and sound great when overdriving an amp. Someone carved "S. Gilbert 12-15-81" under the stopbar, so I guess it's at least a 1981.

Any info on it's possible date, type of pickups, etc. would be welcome.

----------=-=-=-=-=-=----------

And then one day you find
Ten years have got behind you
No one told you when to run
You missed the starting gun
 
Re: Gibson Explorer aka I'm Gumby Damn It!

Re: Gibson Explorer aka I'm Gumby Damn It!

Thanks JOLLY, you were right. I called Gibson and it's 1976.

Since you asked Blake, here are some pics of "Gumby."

Anybody know what kind of pickups 1976 Explorers had?

And Fire Guy, PMs? Does that stand for Potentiometers?

Thanks Everyone
 
Re: Gibson Explorer aka I'm Gumby Damn It!

Re: Gibson Explorer aka I'm Gumby Damn It!

skh515 said:
Thanks JOLLY, you were right. I called Gibson and it's 1976.

Since you asked Blake, here are some pics of "Gumby."

Anybody know what kind of pickups 1976 Explorers had?

And Fire Guy, PMs? Does that stand for Potentiometers?

Thanks Everyone
Click to expand...


PM's are Private Messages, look in the top right hand side of the screen...
 
Re: Gibson Explorer

That there was the first really high quality instrument I had. reissue from 1976. That particular one (the 76) was great. Decent neck, decent pickups (and I like Pickguards on explorers :D). My second one..a circa 1990 pewter color model w/ no pickguard had a horrible fat neck, and (IMO) crappy Dirty Fingers pups. When I swapped out for a SH-5 in the bridge and a 59 in the neck, that turned into one of the best sounding guitars I ever owned/played.

If I ever buy another Gibson again (unless I win the lotto, Les Pauls are out of my reach anymore), it will be an Explorer. Very comfy, Good balance. Great tone/sustain...more les-paul like due to the increased mass compared to the V's and SG's. Hope the necks have improved though :D
 
Re: Gibson Explorer

JeffB said:
That there was the first really high quality instrument I had. reissue from 1976. That particular one (the 76) was great. Decent neck, decent pickups (and I like Pickguards on explorers :D). My second one..a circa 1990 pewter color model w/ no pickguard had a horrible fat neck, and (IMO) crappy Dirty Fingers pups. When I swapped out for a SH-5 in the bridge and a 59 in the neck, that turned into one of the best sounding guitars I ever owned/played.

If I ever buy another Gibson again (unless I win the lotto, Les Pauls are out of my reach anymore), it will be an Explorer. Very comfy, Good balance. Great tone/sustain...more les-paul like due to the increased mass compared to the V's and SG's. Hope the necks have improved though :D
Click to expand...

Last few new ones I've played have been great. Awesome tone, with a thinner crescent-shaped contour, and small frets. I like em a lot! :)
 
Gumby and the Louisville Slugger

Gumby and the Louisville Slugger

The neck on mine feels a baseball bat. I usually prefer slim necks, but this one is surprisingly comfortible. On the other hand, I bought mine 10 years ago and immediately put it in open D tuning (it's been there ever since). I use it mainly for slide work, making neck shape somewhat irrelevant.

I was told when I bought it that the pickups might be PAFs. My Les Paul has the 496/500 combo and I don't think these pickups are quite as hot as the LP's. I could, however, be mistaken.

My SG had 490s and I was never satisfied with the tone.
How do PAFs compare to the 496/500s and 490s?
 
Last edited:
Re: Gibson Explorer

that last one is a question that will get all kinds of answers, but paf's just sound different. i know the 500t has a ceramic magnet and sounds rather harsh to most people. A PAF has a smoother more vintage sound becuase of the wind and also the magnet type ( either Alnico 5 or Alnico 2 ) If you want to check on the pickups in your explorer just take one out and look at the baseplate. it should have a sticker or something telling you what it is. In my opinion a lower output paf is much more versitile than any high output pickup like a 500 and sounds much better too.
 
Re: Gibson Explorer

i love really fat necks. anyway im gettin an explorer soon. too bad about the small frets though (like all gibsons). i dig really big frets. like 6100's.
 
Re: Gibson Explorer

Oh Man! YOU have Saul Gilbert's Explorer! Saul is Paul Gilbert's not-so-famous brother, who in the late 80's, created rock history in the band "Mr. Humongus". While his brother was privy to fancy customized Ibanez guitars, Saul had a more reserved taste. At one point, I think Paul convinced Saul to hot glue a strip of hot pink fringe to the back of the neck, but another owner must've taken it off.
 
Re: Gumby and the Louisville Slugger

Re: Gumby and the Louisville Slugger

skh515 said:
The neck on mine feels a baseball bat. I usually prefer slim necks, but this one is surprisingly comfortible. On the other hand, I bought mine 10 years ago and immediately put it in open D tuning (it's been there ever since). I use it mainly for slide work, making neck shape somewhat irrelevant.

I was told when I bought it that the pickups might be PAFs. My Les Paul has the 496/500 combo and I don't think these pickups are quite as hot as the LP's. I could, however, be mistaken.

My SG had 490s and I was never satisfied with the tone.
How do PAFs compare to the 496/500s and 490s?
Click to expand...

The neck is fat, but roonded fairly well so it's fairly easy to get used to. But I have medium size hands and short fingers so I'm at a bit of a disadvantage there.

Do not forget also though the pickups have aged quite a bit (they are almost 30 years old on the 76 model) and that may be affecting the tone/output level as well.
 
Re: Gibson Explorer

DAvey, for the most part, I too dont care for pickguards. Thats why I always wanted an ESP one so bad. But my EX is Black and has a mirror pickguard and truss cover and I think it looks cool.
Plus, Ive added chrome pup ring covers. Get positive feedback from most who see it.
The neck is pretty thin on the 02. No where near a wizard or anything, but pretty LP like. Def not a ball bat.
Despite the rad shape, its a dream to play and very comfy.
I run Duncan 59b in the neck and a C4 in the bridge.
 
Re: Gibson Explorer

Davey,
I have a couple that I'll email you later. I havent been able to get a really good shot that really captures the true look. Usually get a reflection. Also, Ive put chrome pup covers on since the photos.
 
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