Best Gibson Explorer or Explorer style guitar you've ever played?

paulyc said:
I have an 81 white with gold hardware Explorer, the neck is fat as fuck. It sounds glorious but the neck is uncomfortable.
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I had an Epiphone custom 58 V in white with gold hardware that was pretty sweet but the neck was like a 2x4. I have large hands but man, that thing was almost unplayable.
 

Best is subjective but this has been a good one for me. Early 2000's made in Korea Dillion. Duncan 78 in the bridge, 70s or early 80s Gibson hb in the neck, Starr wiring harness. Everything else is stock. Only quibble is I wish the frets were a little taller and a case would be great. Plays near effortlessy, sounds great, light weight.
 
They can vary a lot. I had one that was very focused and percussive. The one I have now is extremely resonant. Both perfect in their own way.
 
I’ve got one of those melody maker explores that’s cool…but it hangs weird on the strap

Any suggestions other than moving the strap hole from behind the neck ? I put one of those arcane Phil X HB size p-90s in it. Very cool guitar just wish it was more comfortable to play standing up
 
I haven't played a lot of different models but I've played a few epiphone goth series explorers and they were pretty nice.
 
Meanjoegreene said:
I’ve got one of those melody maker explores that’s cool…but it hangs weird on the strap

Any suggestions other than moving the strap hole from behind the neck ? I put one of those arcane Phil X HB size p-90s in it. Very cool guitar just wish it was more comfortable to play standing up
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I was curious about those Melody Maker Explorers since I also like single pickup guitars and it seems like a good entry point to see if I get along with the shape. When you say it hangs weird on the strap, do you mean it's too body-heavy?

The black Epiphone Extura Prophecy also seems cool, but I really wish Epiphone would move production to one of the quality factories in Korea or Indonesia so they're more competitive with LTD and Schecter
 
A 2022 Gibson Explorer. I always wanted a Explorer and kept my eye out for one that I liked. However for a long time I couldn't find anything. Then in 2022 good guitars started popping up all over the place and I got this one. It's stone stock and one of my favorites. This one's just a plain mahogany one, not Korina nor nothing like that. The lighting for the pic makes it look lighter in color than it is.

GbsnXplr.jpg
 
vultures said:
Just worked on a buddies Gothic Explorer, the bridge measured right around where a 498 should. He was curious because he's hated 498's in every Gibson he's owned, but loved whatever was in the Gothic Explorer. Weird. Gothics rip ridiculously hard.
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Yep just read what Mr. Chainsaw said and forgot it had the 500. That makes more sense.
 
'58 Reissue at the Nashville Gibson place. Every newer Explorer or Explorer type guitar I've played in the last decade or so had necks so shallow and thin they seemed like they were made for a little girl. No clue who "Lizzy Hale" is but apparently she is the new face of the Explorer so that makes sense?
 
buller said:
I was curious about those Melody Maker Explorers since I also like single pickup guitars and it seems like a good entry point to see if I get along with the shape. When you say it hangs weird on the strap, do you mean it's too body-heavy?

The black Epiphone Extura Prophecy also seems cool, but I really wish Epiphone would move production to one of the quality factories in Korea or Indonesia so they're more competitive with LTD and Schecter
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It’s like it tilts forward…no neck or body dive. But the fretboard wants to face the floor instead of straight out

Not a huge deal but but i feel like I need to have it higher than I’d like to compensate. But other than that it’s a very comfortable guitar to play.
 
I've had a couple. Some of them neck dive and it sucks. The one I have now balances perfectly and ergonomically is just perfect for me. I'd definitely want to be able to try or be able to return before buying another.
 
I owned a couple Gibson explorers, i liked them, but my favorite explorers is my KL’s and esp explorers, both sound and feel better than the gibsons i owned and played over the years. The gibsons i owned was built in the 2000s, i wouldnt mind trying some of the older gibson explorers.
 
"Best" Explorer I've had or ever played is my '76 LE:

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I've had a few of those '76, all great; that being said, I would not describe those classic Explorer as "heavy, thick sounding Gibson".
They to me have on the contrary a very unique mid range "honk" / focus, and sound more "snappy" / "hairy" / "tighter" than a usual LP for instance. More like a "bigger" old LP Junior/Special, SG or 70's Flying V.

They do sound & are (physically) big though; and are one of the most naturally comfortable guitars to play standing up to me.
Love mine, it's been my absolute reference for old classic Gibson / "PAF" tone for a long time (it has early 60's PAT# pickups).
 
Mr. Chainsaw said:
Gothics had 496R/500T stock, wouldn't mind one myself
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When the Gothics came out those were the standard pickup in V’s and Explorers. I tried the SG version when they were in stores but the satin neck was way too smooth, and I need grip to steady the neck when standing up. It was neck dive city.
 
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Meanjoegreene said:
I’ve got one of those melody maker explores that’s cool…but it hangs weird on the strap

Any suggestions other than moving the strap hole from behind the neck ? I put one of those arcane Phil X HB size p-90s in it. Very cool guitar just wish it was more comfortable to play standing up
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Yep, gotta move that strap button.
 
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