JeffB
Let it B
Won it on ebay. Got it last Friday. Put some hours into it over the w/e (set-up and playing it, that is...no mods yet)
Here's an auction pic (its got a bit more green or gold tint to it in person, color is listed as "pewter", but not like my old 88 Pewter Explorer)
ESP/LTD EXP-200. I'd say built not long before the C&D from Gibson sinc eit has the 12th fret marker...so late 90s.
Auction described it as "low mileage". And the fellow was spot on. Cosmetically barring some cracked pup rings, she's in incredible shape. It has some very minor fretwear, and thats about it. Took me awhile to get it set up well and intonated decently, but got it playing pretty nice. Checked the control cavity and I'm 99% sure its mahogany and not alder (have heard both were used for these). Neck is supposed to be maple.
Plays tight and clean like a long scale, even though its short scale. Bolt on and very punchy. The Duncan designs are really holding it back based on the acoustic tone, which is pretty loud and clear like a really good strat..but ,uh more...err...full/powerful. I think with some better pickups this thing will really open up, cos it has that "singing quality" unplugged, and sustain is pretty dang good for a bolt on.
Good resonance (can feel it thump like hell right at the neck plate area just like a good set neck Explorer). The neck joint is a little not so tight, but so far seems OK unless I really grab the neck and shift the heck out of it. The neck is uniform in depth throughout the entire length and is pretty chunky.. Not R8/R9 chunky, but not 60s slim either. About like a current Explorer without the increasing taper in depth as you get towards the neck joint.
Bends nice..frets were done very well. No sharp edges. Light RW board..kinda ugly, but uniform and a thick slab unlike many Imports. Original nut cut well. Overall impressive build considering...nearing MIJ quality.
Eventually I wanna have it repainted. But now I'm not sure where I wanna go...Red metallic type flake and gold/creme hardware. Or "arctic white" with all black hardware. Pups too, I'm a little unsure of where to go..classic (Super Distortion/PAF) or a bit more "modern" (EMG 85/60 or pair of 85s). I need to get something in the bridge at least very soon, as the JB copy is a pretty anemic (though the Jazz copy sounds pretty good). It will be my first pup swap I've done myself, and I'm pretty excited about getting started with this whole thing and getting it to my tastes.
EDIT: oh yeah..its a beast....heavy. At least 9 pounds and I'd say 10 is more likely.
Anyhoo...rambling....sorry.
Here's an auction pic (its got a bit more green or gold tint to it in person, color is listed as "pewter", but not like my old 88 Pewter Explorer)
ESP/LTD EXP-200. I'd say built not long before the C&D from Gibson sinc eit has the 12th fret marker...so late 90s.
Auction described it as "low mileage". And the fellow was spot on. Cosmetically barring some cracked pup rings, she's in incredible shape. It has some very minor fretwear, and thats about it. Took me awhile to get it set up well and intonated decently, but got it playing pretty nice. Checked the control cavity and I'm 99% sure its mahogany and not alder (have heard both were used for these). Neck is supposed to be maple.
Plays tight and clean like a long scale, even though its short scale. Bolt on and very punchy. The Duncan designs are really holding it back based on the acoustic tone, which is pretty loud and clear like a really good strat..but ,uh more...err...full/powerful. I think with some better pickups this thing will really open up, cos it has that "singing quality" unplugged, and sustain is pretty dang good for a bolt on.
Good resonance (can feel it thump like hell right at the neck plate area just like a good set neck Explorer). The neck joint is a little not so tight, but so far seems OK unless I really grab the neck and shift the heck out of it. The neck is uniform in depth throughout the entire length and is pretty chunky.. Not R8/R9 chunky, but not 60s slim either. About like a current Explorer without the increasing taper in depth as you get towards the neck joint.
Bends nice..frets were done very well. No sharp edges. Light RW board..kinda ugly, but uniform and a thick slab unlike many Imports. Original nut cut well. Overall impressive build considering...nearing MIJ quality.
Eventually I wanna have it repainted. But now I'm not sure where I wanna go...Red metallic type flake and gold/creme hardware. Or "arctic white" with all black hardware. Pups too, I'm a little unsure of where to go..classic (Super Distortion/PAF) or a bit more "modern" (EMG 85/60 or pair of 85s). I need to get something in the bridge at least very soon, as the JB copy is a pretty anemic (though the Jazz copy sounds pretty good). It will be my first pup swap I've done myself, and I'm pretty excited about getting started with this whole thing and getting it to my tastes.
EDIT: oh yeah..its a beast....heavy. At least 9 pounds and I'd say 10 is more likely.
Anyhoo...rambling....sorry.
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I think it would look better with chrome hardware in that color. But I'd really like to change it up eventually. depends on how much time and effort I want to put into it. Ideally..over time, I'd do the pickups, hardware and paint, and get the neck refretted to something a little wider. The stock frets are kinda tall, but narrow. Like an Epi or Dean 79 but a little taller.
