Gibson Explorer's where are they?

[El Supremo]

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.

Agreed. The did switch back to the smaller '61 style pickguards on the SG Standard though, but that's about it as far as positive developments go for me.

 

[Ashurbanipal]

Re: Gibson Explorer's where are they?

Explorers (and Vs) are cool, would like to have one of each eventually. What I don't like about the standard (i.e. non CS) models is the steep neck angle which requires the bridge/tailpiece to be jacked up miles into the air and the bridge pu to be maxed out in height.

I've always wanted an Explorer with a flat profile hardtail bridge (e.g. saw some custom guys doing them with Schaller Hannes), so I was intrigued when I heard that Chapman is doing one such guitar.

 

[Kostas]

Re: Gibson Explorer's where are they?

...What I don't like about the standard (i.e. non CS) models is the steep neck angle which requires the bridge/tailpiece to be jacked up miles into the air and the bridge pu to be maxed out in height...

Τhat's not my experience with my Bacchus V, my Gibsons SG & ES-330 or my Warmoth LP. Have you seen that in one or more guitars?

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: Gibson Explorer's where are they?

Explorers can still be had.
http://www.themusiczoo.com/cgi-bin/...l.html&defaction=search&search.x=0&search.y=0

JESUS!!!

I'ma throw this out there,tho...

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odk...xplorer.TRS0&_nkw=gibson+explorer&_sacat=3858

 

[formula73]

Re: Gibson Explorer's where are they?

I'd have thought those would be big with metal players, as with V's.

Sixes and short scale guitars have been on the outs with the younger metal guys for a few years, now. Most of the serious younger players are going nuts with ERGs: seven- and eight-string stuff with longer scales and even fanned frets, here and there.

That's not to say there aren't still guys digging Gibsonesque stuff, more that the types who like Explorers are more willing to spend 5-600 on an Epi or whatever. The guys with 1k seem more likely to buy that ERG.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Gibson Explorer's where are they?

I'd love one of these, but $4500 isn't happening in my lifetime.

 

[Ashurbanipal]

Re: Gibson Explorer's where are they?

^^ Chrome hardware would be better, imo, with Pelham. Hot axe nevertheless.

Τhat's not my experience with my Bacchus V, my Gibsons SG & ES-330 or my Warmoth LP. Have you seen that in one or more guitars?

Seen it in several, particularly guitars that have a Nashville type tune-o-matic (also Firebirds and SGs). Because of the combination of the breadth of the bridge and neck angle, the tailpiece has to be raised so the strings aren't hitting the rear of the bridge.

Those with ABR-1 I've seen don't have this issue; that I've seen at any rate.

A Bacchus V? Nice! I was looking at the mango wood guitars recently, juicy...

 

[AlexR]

Re: Gibson Explorer's where are they?

I'd love one of these, but $4500 isn't happening in my lifetime.

Nice guitar.

And if you live in Australia $4500 is about entry level for anything non-studio*

* slight exaggeration, but the list on my LH Trad + was $4599, but that was before Gibson's latest price hike.

 

[Kostas]

Re: Gibson Explorer's where are they?

...A Bacchus V? Nice! I was looking at the mango wood guitars recently, juicy...

Mine is mango, very nice guitar. '58 style V that Gibson hasn't made in decades excluding the CS ridiculously priced guitars.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Gibson Explorer's where are they?

I had a nice sounding explorer. Cherry red very vanilla. Sold it because my hand positions were too thrown off, both left and right, even worse than on a V.

Doesn't keep me from trolling ebay to buy it back

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Gibson Explorer's where are they?

I'd love one of these, but $4500 isn't happening in my lifetime.

There's just something about that Pelham Blue finish...gotta love it!

Bill

 

[LLL]

Re: Gibson Explorer's where are they?

I'd love one of these, but $4500 isn't happening in my lifetime.

(backwards guitar aside) That's sweet... but the Firechicken's curves are sweeter. :naughty:

 

[Snoogles]

Re: Gibson Explorer's where are they?

i've got such a freak'n hard-on for this one:

http://www.rig-talk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=166630&p=1883619&hilit=explorer#p1883619

oh my goodness gracious. oh my oh my. come to butt head

 

[80's_Metal]

Re: Gibson Explorer's where are they?

Plays and sounds as good or better than any other guitar I've ever owned. Once I settled on pickups:
I have seriously wired in about twelve sets into this, from 18v livewire hmet, to patb, to 59, to ddj, dimebuckers, dean pups, customs, and ended up with DD detonators of all things.

Its also my oldest guitar. Lots of love for this Axe.

 

[formula73]

Re: Gibson Explorer's where are they?

Plays and sounds as good or better than any other guitar I've ever owned. Once I settled on pickups:
I have seriously wired in about twelve sets into this, from 18v livewire hmet, to patb, to 59, to ddj, dimebuckers, dean pups, customs, and ended up with DD detonators of all things.

Its also my oldest guitar. Lots of love for this Axe.

That's it, exactly. Why would Henry J keep the US version going when the import was every bit as good? At the end of the day, it was a slab mahogany body with a set mahogany neck. It's not exactly rocket science.


...but I'll miss it.

 

[Demanic]

Re: Gibson Explorer's where are they?

How about this Epi? The one in the foreground.

Had to sell it a few years back for less than what it was worth. But since I sold it to a friend (thus the discount) I still get to play it on occasion. Deathbuckers are the pickups, in case anyone is wondering. Excellent choice for bringing out the best in this one.

 

[Ashurbanipal]

Re: Gibson Explorer's where are they?

Mine is mango, very nice guitar. '58 style V that Gibson hasn't made in decades excluding the CS ridiculously priced guitars.

Auu, nice!

I know, right? I prefer '58 style too, though I wish more makers would do a rear routed version (well, Precision Guitar Kits offer the option).

 

[Kostas]

Re: Gibson Explorer's where are they?

Auu, nice!

I know, right? I prefer '58 style too, though I wish more makers would do a rear routed version (well, Precision Guitar Kits offer the option).

Precision Guitar Kits look like good quality kits. I was considering them until I went with the Bacchus. That's the good thing these days, unlike the 50's you don't have to beg (any) Gibson to make the guitar you want. So many options for people who don't care for the name on the headstock.

 

[uOpt]

Re: Gibson Explorer's where are they?

i've got such a freak'n hard-on for this one:

http://www.rig-talk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=166630&p=1883619&hilit=explorer#p1883619

oh my goodness gracious. oh my oh my. come to butt head

Can you not do that to me? Much appreciated. [hyperventilates]

 

[James Rock]

Re: Gibson Explorer's where are they?

JESUS!!!

I'ma throw this out there,tho...

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw...er&_sacat=3858

Yeah definately wasn't implying its hard to get an Explorer more that the current model lineup lacks standard explorers. Over here most Gibsons are expensive even secondhand, gear is in general now the australian dollar has dropped. The CS models do look nice though......