Modified my explorer kit... now I LOVE it!

S

Surgeon

New member
So, two years ago I bought/built an explorer kit (original thread here).

My pedals and amp building addiction (and my recording of a new album) made me put it aside for a long while. It was ok but didn't play as good as I would've wanted it and the tone wasn't to my liking either.

Well, a few months I finally took some time and made it play wonderfully. Still, it wasn't enough to make me play it as much as I thought I would.

Yesterday night I decided to make it a simple rock machine: one bucker, one volume. I had to make a new pickguard out of scrapmetal for it but it was worth it... It really does rock! The alternative 8 works well in it although I'm really itching to try one of the "new" duncans such as the nazgul...

Before:
Explo3_zps1328eb05.jpg


After:
Explorer%20v2%2012_zpsl1lbx68q.jpg
 
Re: Modified my explorer kit... now I LOVE it!

I tried to find a used band-aid but couldn't... pools are closed this time of year.
 
Re: Modified my explorer kit... now I LOVE it!

Nothing personal, but that band aid cover looks bad.
Leave the oher knobs in it , unconnected, looks much better.
I really like that guitar though- looks and I bet sounds great too.
 
Re: Modified my explorer kit... now I LOVE it!

Thanks for the opinions fellas. The control plate osn't perfect and I'll see what I can do (I'm starting to see what you see) but I'd rather not put unconnected pots in there either.
 
Re: Modified my explorer kit... now I LOVE it!

Love the looks of it! Any clips rocking out on it? Awesome job and congrats on getting it up to your liking! :headbang:
 
Re: Modified my explorer kit... now I LOVE it!

Thanks Trey! Not big on clips sadly, I could however use it to shoot demos of my next amp builds... Still haven't done a demo of my 6h50 and I've got my 5e3 combo coming too.
 
Re: Modified my explorer kit... now I LOVE it!

Surgeon said:
Thanks Trey! Not big on clips sadly, I could however use it to shoot demos of my next amp builds... Still haven't done a demo of my 6h50 and I've got my 5e3 combo coming too.
Click to expand...

Ha! I always forget everything I know how to play once I press record lol :kabong: :smash:

Not trying to be off topic, but what are your thoughts on the 5e3 combo? Have you tried one before?
 
Re: Modified my explorer kit... now I LOVE it!

treyhaislip said:
Ha! I always forget everything I know how to play once I press record lol :kabong: :smash:

Not trying to be off topic, but what are your thoughts on the 5e3 combo? Have you tried one before?
Click to expand...

Well, this is my first experience with one and it's not yet in combo form as the cab isn't finished. I quite like it but it's (to me) as strange beast. It doesn't have much headroom and the volume controls, while interactive, don't change much volume-wise, they are more gain controls in a way. I'm really not a reference when it comes to clean or slightly broken-up tones but it's a nice versatile amp so far. I'll be posting a thread about it once it's 100% done.
 
Re: Modified my explorer kit... now I LOVE it!

Surgeon said:
Well, this is my first experience with one and it's not yet in combo form as the cab isn't finished. I quite like it but it's (to me) as strange beast. It doesn't have much headroom and the volume controls, while interactive, don't change much volume-wise, they are more gain controls in a way. I'm really not a reference when it comes to clean or slightly broken-up tones but it's a nice versatile amp so far. I'll be posting a thread about it once it's 100% done.
Click to expand...

Sweet! And thanks for the info–I look forward to the thread once you are done!
 
Re: Modified my explorer kit... now I LOVE it!

You know what guy? I think that splitting that control plate into 3 small squarish plates might look much better...
 
Re: Modified my explorer kit... now I LOVE it!

kramersteen said:
I don't mind it anywayz. It does the job.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that was my first reaction to it as my mindset working on this guitar was "as long as it gets the job done" but on second thought splitting it up in thirds looks better (it's already done as of tonight, just missing screws which I'll get tomorrow).

It also allows me to use the first hole without the thing looking even weirder, therefore moving the volume pot closer to my picking hand so...
 
Re: Modified my explorer kit... now I LOVE it!

...or you could get a nice piece of wood and stain it to match the body.
I was also thinking a diamond shape metal control plate would maybe work( like on the Johhny A)
 
Re: Modified my explorer kit... now I LOVE it!

MetalManiac said:
...or you could get a nice piece of wood and stain it to match the body.
I was also thinking a diamond shape metal control plate would maybe work( like on the Johhny A)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the idea. Not sure about the piece of wood, considering everything else is from the same scrap-metal sheet I found... would look good but I think it'd be a bit out of place and a bit too nice... just me though.

I thought about the diamond too, especially since the input jack plate is diamond shaped. I'll try this first as it's a bit smaller and more minimalist than a bigger diamond-shaped plate. If I don't like it in the end I still got enough metal to try that option.
 
Re: Modified my explorer kit... now I LOVE it!

No one of course but Even though I'm no going for a polished look with that guitar, I really don't like guitars that look like the one you just posted.
 
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