NGD: Vintage Explorer awaits....

[STLMTLHD79]

Found an original 1984 White Gibson Explorer (Hetfield 80s version) a few months ago on FB Marketplace. We debated about the condition and came to an agreed price. It needs a bit of elbow grease but it will come around. I got the guitar completely filthy-cleaned it and then disassembled the bridge, took off the tuners. There will be some needed work to get this back in player condition for sure. Frets will definitely need a level/crown, or maybe even replacement. I did verify that this is the Alder body/maple neck version with ebony fretboard. Original electronics are untouched however, they are just basic Tim Shaw era Gibson humbuckers (low output). I will be replacing this with the actual pickup that Hetfield had in his, The Seymour Duncan The Mag. I actually have one of these that MJ repaired about 4 years ago (came with a Les Paul Custom i bought around that time). I knew repairing that pickup was a good choice

I need to get a new bridge/tailpiece (OEM or Tone Pros), Tuners (Gotoh ordered-fit in oem screw holes, but will have to dowel/fill the holes created by the little pegs on the Sperzel tuners). The trem luckly just was posted to the original bridge/tailpiece threaded pieces but it did chip up the paint a little in that area (minor repair needed). More to come on this bad boy!

here are some pics before/after cleaning and disassemble:

 

[playas]

Nice. Happy NGD

 

[uOpt]

I approve of this guitar.

 

[Mincer]

Congrats! I know the bridge will be replaced, but what bridge is that one?

 

[STLMTLHD79]

Congrats! I know the bridge will be replaced, but what bridge is that one?

The bridge was a Washburn Wonderbar.....I was mounted using the existing screw posts of the guitar with an adapter plate.

 

[Mincer]

Oh yeah, I remember the giant hunk of metal that was the Wonderbar.

 

[STLMTLHD79]

Got more goodies for the Explorer:

I had some store credit at my local Music-Go-Round, so was able to get a "free" 2000's era Gibson case. I also purchased the Tone Pros bridge/tailpiece, Gotoh tuners (basically exact OEM replacements), Schaller Strap locks and some chrome dome knobs.

As I mentioned, I had this "The Mag" repaired about 4 years ago as i got it with a Les Paul I bought. The pickup had zero lead left but I had it repaired since it is pretty rare. The JNJ Jazz was also repaired by MJ as it had a broken coil. It has some really cool worn bobbins. I have a few friends that are giving me hell that im taking out the Shaw-buckers, but I just cant get into them. I also really enjoy replacing pickups with period-correct replacements such as these.

Here are some pics including the pickup set that will be going in:

 

[Mincer]

Don't feel bad about taking out the Shaws and replacing them with some iconic pickups (with great stories).

 

[d1dsj]

That’s gonna be killer!