Gibson Explorer's where are they?

James Rock

James Rock

Active member
Did Gibson stop making normal Explorers? On the website there is no longer 'standard' or reissue Explorers and Epiphone seems to only have the Goth Explorer? Always wanted to get a Korina Explorer '76 style which doesn't seem to exist even in a mahogany body....
 
Re: Gibson Explorer's where are they?

Only one made right now is the special edition one, but they have been on clearance pricing on all of the major websites lately.
 
Re: Gibson Explorer's where are they?

Unfortunately, we've entered a dark period for Gibson. A new Norlin era, if you will.

There are a lot of great Explorers out there from the 80's to late 2010's. Actually, Jolly has my favorite V and Explorer. I need to pry that V away from him!

GibsonFlyingVAndExplorer03.jpg
 
Re: Gibson Explorer's where are they?

James Rock said:
...Always wanted to get a Korina Explorer '76 style which doesn't seem to exist even in a mahogany body....
Click to expand...
Keep dreaming... When the words Gibson & Korina go together it means $5000+, they probably believe Korina is the holy wood. Some say they can't find it in large batches but even when they build ltd production models the price is the same! Same with ebony, all other companies can find it, Gibson can't. Reverend puts Korina in every guitar they build, they don't charge the price of a car.

Anyway, I wanted a Korina '58 style V for years and I couldn't find so I bought one from another company. Luckily for me I don't care what the headstock says. If you don't care also you can try the precision kits that were mentioned or a non Gibson Explorer. Otherwise you won't get one unless you are prepared to pay a very high price.
 
Re: Gibson Explorer's where are they?

^ Korina isn't rare, but its a bit more of a hassle to work.....and if they are trying to find blanks nowadays that match the older ones for size these will make for more $$$.

Plus they wouldn't do Korina outside the custom shop, so you pay for that addition too.

And Gibson could get hold of ebony if they really wanted, but I'm guessing Henry doesn't want to beg Taylor guitars for supply. And it won't be long before it too is on the CITES list methinks.
 
Re: Gibson Explorer's where are they?

AlexR said:
Do you feel some gluing and painting might be in your future......probably better workmanship than gibson, and certainly better than epi......

http://buy.precisionguitarkits.com/product/the-x-customize
Click to expand...

Thats awesome!! Thanks for putting that link up!!

As far as the orig post.. I knew they still made the Jason Hook sig (I like the cutaways they do on his, just not the graphics) and they recently brought out the Lzzy Hale model. (I like the bound neck and inlays) The new ams cat has those and the limited edition 2014 model . avail in black with the 120th anniv inlay. And, they also have a closeout of the explorer black out.. All black with dirty fingers..

Amazes me about explorers.. Wasnt but a few years ago, they were $999. I got mine brand new for less than that. (And it was limited edition). Then, they crept up to $1099. Then almost overnight they went to $1999. Special models more of course..
 
Re: Gibson Explorer's where are they?

Lean times for Gibson or just a marketing ploy? As soon as some product is withdrawn, scarcity makes it more desirable. Well, sometimes. Corvus, anyone?
 
Re: Gibson Explorer's where are they?

Kostas said:
they probably believe Korina is the holy wood.
Click to expand...

by keeping runs of Limba guitars small they keep the demand high. If they started making them normal production for years on end people would stop caring, they would be common place.

Gibson keeps people chasing these guitars because they are rare.
 
Re: Gibson Explorer's where are they?

James Rock said:
Did Gibson stop making normal Explorers? On the website there is no longer 'standard' or reissue Explorers and Epiphone seems to only have the Goth Explorer? Always wanted to get a Korina Explorer '76 style which doesn't seem to exist even in a mahogany body....
Click to expand...


I'd have thought those would be big with metal players, as with V's.
 
Re: Gibson Explorer's where are they?

Yeah. When I say "new Norlin era," I'm mostly referring to all the terrible design changes, like the wider neck, auto tuning, brass nut, PCB wiring, cheaper finishes, and a logo that looks like LP signed it on his death bed.

I love my Gibsons, but I'm capping it at 2011. No 2012 fake fretboards, and no newer ones with bad features. But I'll always pay attention to their best older models on Craigslist.
They really need a new President and upper Mgt.
 
Re: Gibson Explorer's where are they?

Oh man...I have had a lust for an Explorer since about 1978. I was on tour doing a lounge gig in a small town, and the little music store had one. I think it was a 1976 Reissue, with the medallion, and he'd had it for a while. He'd lost his Gibson franchise, so he wanted to move it. Beautiful guitar, just a great neck--top notch playability and tone--but definitely not the kind of guitar a lounge singer uses, especially in a very conservative town. I wanted that guitar so bad, but just couldn't justify it. I think he wanted $350 for it.

Saw one just like it on Ebay a few weeks ago, and the seller was asking more than $9K for it. I about fainted. I have tried some of the newer production versions, but I have never played one that had as good of feel and tone as that '76.

The one that does appeal to me now is the Lzzy Hale Signature model. The price on that one would be doable for me, and I think it is a really pretty guitar. But I'd have to order it, and I'm not sure how good it would be.

And it is SO not ME...just not the kind of fiddle an old fat guy like me is seen in public with! :)

Bill
 
Re: Gibson Explorer's where are they?

I believe all the explorers are in the closet right next to the vault full of crushed childhood dreams.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

cliffenstein
NGRD (New Guitar Refinishing Day): 2012 LP Traditional Mhog
Replies
19
Views
935
cliffenstein
cliffenstein
I
Question about the Gibson 496r
Replies
8
Views
621
Inflames626
I
I
Thoughts on the Gibson 496r/500t
2
Replies
39
Views
2K
Inflames626
I
Gstring
MY 3 PICK UP TELE
Replies
9
Views
420
Gstring
Gstring
M
74mm stud spacing for stop tailpiece ??? - Revisited
Replies
9
Views
982
Monsai
M
Back
Top