Is a Gibson Explorer comfortable to play sitting?

[jchrisf]

I've always wanted a Gibson Explorer but I mostly play sitting. Is this guitar comfortable to play sitting?

Is the Explorer's 1st fret way out there like on an SG compared to the LP?

 

[romanianreaper]

It has been years since I've owned one but remember it being comfortable to play. I was going to get one of those or a V and ended up bringing an SG home. I just wasn't bonding with the other two.

 

[LP Freak]

Yes, it’s similar to my SG, not quite as far out there though

 

[angelspade]

VERY comfortable and balanced sitting or standing in my experience...But I'm a bigger guy, and that may matter here.

 

[BeZo]

That fin wasn't very comfortable with my shoulder injury when I played on at GC the other day. Tough to get my arm over it. That's me though. If your shoulder isn't jacked like mine, it should be fine.

 

[Devin]

Yes

 

[jchrisf]

It has been years since I've owned one but remember it being comfortable to play. I was going to get one of those or a V and ended up bringing an SG home. I just wasn't bonding with the other two.

You played all three at the store? What was wrong with the explorer compared to the sg?

 

[skoora]

That fin wasn't very comfortable with my shoulder injury when I played on at GC the other day. Tough to get my arm over it. That's me though. If your shoulder isn't jacked like mine, it should be fine.

I don’t have a bum shoulder but feel the same about the fin for sitting.

 

[Geo]

The fin will interfere with your picking hand, it might take a bit to get used to.

 

[Rackman]

I'd say OK. Mockingbirds are a bit nicer sitting.

Explorers and Kellys are really nice standing though.

 

[Jakem]

Very very comfortable and balanced guitar when sitting down and standing.

 

[WizardAmpIphoneClip]

Liked mine when I had one.
Your right arm will be all over that mf when sitting down, but not when standing.
I'd take a trip to try one before spending a dime if I were you though

 

[NinjaRaf]

I've had 3 Explorers, and I didn't keep any of them long. I agree about the fin. It was in the way. And I didn't think the first fret was way out there, but it was just in a weird spot. I've been playing mostly Vs and Strats most of my life, and the Explorer first fret is like right in between them. And also the right hand being shifted over that same amount...IDK, just felt weird and I couldn't get used to it.

 

[romanianreaper]

You played all three at the store? What was wrong with the explorer compared to the sg?

The Explorer and V felt cheap and just didn't have mojo. Keep in mind I just grabbed them off the wall and probably were not setup, etc. You just get a feel for stuff.

I went to the store to potentially buy a V for gigs (I had just seen Schenker live). It just didn't blow me away. So then I picked up the Explorer and was the same type of thing. Both were the unfinished look so might have been part of a set?

I want to give both guitars another whirl sometime but i'm loving my SG. I haven't picked up my Les Pauls in about a week, lol.

 

[Maguchi]

I've had mine for maybe like about 3 years now and so far it's been comfortable to play both sitting and standing. The only thing is on crowded stages with mic stands you have to be aware of that big lower bout hanging out above your right elbow. For me they're a comfortable and ergonomic guitar that hangs balanced and everything is where you expect it to be. Mine weighs just 7.5 lbs.

 

[Clay K]

I have a custom shop Kelly and I don’t like sitting and playing it.

 

[DanTravis62]

I love the explorer (and kelly for that matter) shape when sitting down.

Generally speaking, bigger dudes seem to find those types of shapes comfortable, and smaller dudes tend to have a rougher time with it

Not a hard and fast rule, just an observation - might be something to keep in mind

 

[Clay K]

I love the explorer (and kelly for that matter) shape when sitting down.

Generally speaking, bigger dudes seem to find those types of shapes comfortable, and smaller dudes tend to have a rougher time with it

Not a hard and fast rule, just an observation - might be something to keep in mind

I’m 6 foot 2 and still don’t like sitting down with it. Slides around.

 

[Holy-diver]

I love the shape for sitting and standing, explorers and x shapes are great to sit with.

 

[DanTravis62]

I’m 6 foot 2 and still don’t like sitting down with it. Slides around.

The crease of the two bottom bouts/angles should be resting on your knee or thigh

If it's sliding around at that point i don't know what to tell you - maybe yours had ky jelly silicone in the finish

That's definitely a problem when you try to put a V on your lap (instead of angling it up with your thigh between the wings like your supposed to) but I've never, not once experienced that with an explorer or kelly shape guitar