Ken Lawrence Explorer coming...

[Tone Monster]

While I would love to own a KL explorer, and will likely buy one eventually, I think a 3 year wait is pretty ridiculous. Even a 1 year wait seems uncalled for.

Take the order, build it, ship it! It does not take a year, especially not 3, to actually "build" a guitar.

When I buy a KL explorer eventually, it will be 2nd hand.

I used to feel the same way until I learned how Ken works. He makes the guitars in batches. This means he sets up his equipment/tooling like an assembly line.

1. Body stage
2. Neck stage
3. Fingerboard stage
4. Inlay stage
5. Electronics stage
Etc. you get the idea. (Not sure of the order, just an example)

Look at the background in some of his workshop pictures. The whole area looks immaculate. You could do surgery in that place! I'm in on this run BTW. I was told late spring. I got in last July. So for me it won't even be a 12 month wait...

 

[RJF]

While I would love to own a KL explorer, and will likely buy one eventually, I think a 3 year wait is pretty ridiculous. Even a 1 year wait seems uncalled for.

Take the order, build it, ship it! It does not take a year, especially not 3, to actually "build" a guitar.

When I buy a KL explorer eventually, it will be 2nd hand.

I used to feel the same way until I learned how Ken works. He makes the guitars in batches. This means he sets up his equipment/tooling like an assembly line.

1. Body stage
2. Neck stage
3. Fingerboard stage
4. Inlay stage
5. Electronics stage
Etc. you get the idea. (Not sure of the order, just an example)

Look at the background in some of his workshop pictures. The whole area looks immaculate. You could do surgery in that place! I'm in on this run BTW. I was told late spring. I got in last July. So for me it won't even be a 12 month wait...

So tool up and make the darned things.

I've seen where companies offer a "preorder" for something. But with that pre order you get a discount on the finished product. The idea is to help a company "guarantee" so many of something built.

I don't understand why KL can't just do a set number of production run explorers on a quarterly, or even just a 6 month stretch between runs. Make "X" number of guitars that are more of a "standard" model ( we know they would sell) and then add custom orders on top of that run. That way the max someone would have to wait would be 6 months, if they placed a custom order, literally right after a run was completed.

I'm not trying to run someone's business, but I think things could be managed in a different way where someone wouldn't have to wait up to 3 years for something.

 

[Anonymous]

While I would love to own a KL explorer, and will likely buy one eventually, I think a 3 year wait is pretty ridiculous. Even a 1 year wait seems uncalled for.

Take the order, build it, ship it! It does not take a year, especially not 3, to actually "build" a guitar.

When I buy a KL explorer eventually, it will be 2nd hand.

I used to feel the same way until I learned how Ken works. He makes the guitars in batches. This means he sets up his equipment/tooling like an assembly line.

1. Body stage
2. Neck stage
3. Fingerboard stage
4. Inlay stage
5. Electronics stage
Etc. you get the idea. (Not sure of the order, just an example)

Look at the background in some of his workshop pictures. The whole area looks immaculate. You could do surgery in that place! I'm in on this run BTW. I was told late spring. I got in last July. So for me it won't even be a 12 month wait...

So tool up and make the darned things.

I've seen where companies offer a "preorder" for something. But with that pre order you get a discount on the finished product. The idea is to help a company "guarantee" so many of something built.

I don't understand why KL can't just do a set number of production run explorers on a quarterly, or even just a 6 month stretch between runs. Make "X" number of guitars that are more of a "standard" model ( we know they would sell) and then add custom orders on top of that run. That way the max someone would have to wait would be 6 months, if they placed a custom order, literally right after a run was completed.

I'm not trying to run someone's business, but I think things could be managed in a different way where someone wouldn't have to wait up to 3 years for something.

You're not trying to run someone's business? That sounds exactly like what you're trying to do. Maybe he doesn't want to do it that way. Maybe he likes how he is currently doing things. Doesn't seem like he's having problems getting orders and perhaps he's happy with what he's making money-wise...

Steve

 

[Mudder]

Until you see a business model you have no idea what his cost to profit ratio is, and you can't decide anything about what the business could/should do. He may have a model where if he only builds 30 guitars a year it maximizes his profit ratio. Maybe he values his time more, or simply earns enough, or doesn't give a crap about a "standard" model. Maybe he thinks offering a standard model would water down demand for his custom options. Who knows?

 

[Tone Monster]

While I would love to own a KL explorer, and will likely buy one eventually, I think a 3 year wait is pretty ridiculous. Even a 1 year wait seems uncalled for.

Take the order, build it, ship it! It does not take a year, especially not 3, to actually "build" a guitar.

When I buy a KL explorer eventually, it will be 2nd hand.

I used to feel the same way until I learned how Ken works. He makes the guitars in batches. This means he sets up his equipment/tooling like an assembly line.

1. Body stage
2. Neck stage
3. Fingerboard stage
4. Inlay stage
5. Electronics stage
Etc. you get the idea. (Not sure of the order, just an example)

Look at the background in some of his workshop pictures. The whole area looks immaculate. You could do surgery in that place! I'm in on this run BTW. I was told late spring. I got in last July. So for me it won't even be a 12 month wait...

So tool up and make the darned things.

I've seen where companies offer a "preorder" for something. But with that pre order you get a discount on the finished product. The idea is to help a company "guarantee" so many of something built.

I don't understand why KL can't just do a set number of production run explorers on a quarterly, or even just a 6 month stretch between runs. Make "X" number of guitars that are more of a "standard" model ( we know they would sell) and then add custom orders on top of that run. That way the max someone would have to wait would be 6 months, if they placed a custom order, literally right after a run was completed.

I'm not trying to run someone's business, but I think things could be managed in a different way where someone wouldn't have to wait up to 3 years for something.

You're not trying to run someone's business? That sounds exactly like what you're trying to do. Maybe he doesn't want to do it that way. Maybe he likes how he is currently doing things. Doesn't seem like he's having problems getting orders and perhaps he's happy with what he's making money-wise...

Steve

^^^^^^
100% this

 

[Tone Monster]

Here's mine...

 

[Les Zombie]

Not everybody knows it but he builds mostly bass guitars and the explorers and singlecuts are only part of what he does. He has a passion for bass and has built way more bass than explorers. Ive owned 4 KL exploers and spoke to ken many times over the last 6 yrs. he doesnt advertise but keeps getting orders, hes does everything himself except for the poly clearcoat finish.

I wanna have my black dragon exp refinished with the oil finish and would sent it to him today but hes too busy right now and doesnt want me to send it till this summer.

Overall hes a great builder and business man, hes been doing it a long time and has no reason to change. I wished he could produce the guitars quicker but he does things the way he likes to and so far it has worked for him. Ken is a cool person to speak to and really enjoys his work.

 

[Les Zombie]

Here's mine...

Looks awesome, i cant wait to see the finished product.

 

[RJF]

While I would love to own a KL explorer, and will likely buy one eventually, I think a 3 year wait is pretty ridiculous. Even a 1 year wait seems uncalled for.

Take the order, build it, ship it! It does not take a year, especially not 3, to actually "build" a guitar.

When I buy a KL explorer eventually, it will be 2nd hand.

I used to feel the same way until I learned how Ken works. He makes the guitars in batches. This means he sets up his equipment/tooling like an assembly line.

1. Body stage
2. Neck stage
3. Fingerboard stage
4. Inlay stage
5. Electronics stage
Etc. you get the idea. (Not sure of the order, just an example)

Look at the background in some of his workshop pictures. The whole area looks immaculate. You could do surgery in that place! I'm in on this run BTW. I was told late spring. I got in last July. So for me it won't even be a 12 month wait...

So tool up and make the darned things.

I've seen where companies offer a "preorder" for something. But with that pre order you get a discount on the finished product. The idea is to help a company "guarantee" so many of something built.

I don't understand why KL can't just do a set number of production run explorers on a quarterly, or even just a 6 month stretch between runs. Make "X" number of guitars that are more of a "standard" model ( we know they would sell) and then add custom orders on top of that run. That way the max someone would have to wait would be 6 months, if they placed a custom order, literally right after a run was completed.

I'm not trying to run someone's business, but I think things could be managed in a different way where someone wouldn't have to wait up to 3 years for something.

You're not trying to run someone's business? That sounds exactly like what you're trying to do. Maybe he doesn't want to do it that way. Maybe he likes how he is currently doing things. Doesn't seem like he's having problems getting orders and perhaps he's happy with what he's making money-wise...

Steve

I'm not trying to run anyone's business except my businesses that I have. I have not made one call or sent one letter to KL on how I think he should run his. It's just internet chatter.

James Hetfield took KL explorers over the top. We all know this. The "KL explorer" has reached that infamous level that every company aspires to reach. Cork sniffer status. It's not a bad thing obviously. No matter what hardly, people will be lined up to get your product, and will basically put up with nearly anything to get their hands on the product.

If he won't do anything until he has 25-30 orders, then maybe it does take 3 years to get a list that long, I don't know. If that is the way he likes to do it, more power to him. He's got the brand name status, people will knock his door down for the product, 3 years or not. Heck I want one too, and would love to snatch one up here in the member classifieds.

 

[Les Zombie]

While I would love to own a KL explorer, and will likely buy one eventually, I think a 3 year wait is pretty ridiculous. Even a 1 year wait seems uncalled for.

Take the order, build it, ship it! It does not take a year, especially not 3, to actually "build" a guitar.

When I buy a KL explorer eventually, it will be 2nd hand.

I used to feel the same way until I learned how Ken works. He makes the guitars in batches. This means he sets up his equipment/tooling like an assembly line.

1. Body stage
2. Neck stage
3. Fingerboard stage
4. Inlay stage
5. Electronics stage
Etc. you get the idea. (Not sure of the order, just an example)

Look at the background in some of his workshop pictures. The whole area looks immaculate. You could do surgery in that place! I'm in on this run BTW. I was told late spring. I got in last July. So for me it won't even be a 12 month wait...

So tool up and make the darned things.

I've seen where companies offer a "preorder" for something. But with that pre order you get a discount on the finished product. The idea is to help a company "guarantee" so many of something built.

I don't understand why KL can't just do a set number of production run explorers on a quarterly, or even just a 6 month stretch between runs. Make "X" number of guitars that are more of a "standard" model ( we know they would sell) and then add custom orders on top of that run. That way the max someone would have to wait would be 6 months, if they placed a custom order, literally right after a run was completed.

I'm not trying to run someone's business, but I think things could be managed in a different way where someone wouldn't have to wait up to 3 years for something.

You're not trying to run someone's business? That sounds exactly like what you're trying to do. Maybe he doesn't want to do it that way. Maybe he likes how he is currently doing things. Doesn't seem like he's having problems getting orders and perhaps he's happy with what he's making money-wise...

Steve

I'm not trying to run anyone's business except my businesses that I have. I have not made one call or sent one letter to KL on how I think he should run his. It's just internet chatter.

James Hetfield took KL explorers over the top. We all know this. The "KL explorer" has reached that infamous level that every company aspires to reach. Cork sniffer status. It's not a bad thing obviously. No matter what hardly, people will be lined up to get your product, and will basically put up with nearly anything to get their hands on the product.

If he won't do anything until he has 25-30 orders, then maybe it does take 3 years to get a list that long, I don't know. If that is the way he likes to do it, more power to him. He's got the brand name status, people will knock his door down for the product, 3 years or not. Heck I want one too, and would love to snatch one up here in the member classifieds.

Its not that he has to wait till he gets 25-30 orders before hes starts but the fact that hes a bass builder who makes explorers. He doesnt wait till theres 25 orders and then says ok ive waited long enough and now i will start building again. Ken is lucky if he builds 20 bass and maybe 5 explorers a year, the guy works 7 days a week. He also has to order materials, ship guitars, source woods, and stuff like that.
He does have a long wait list but it just keeps getting longer because he gets more orders than he produce each year. Im waiting for another explorer right now and its being built in the same batch as the guitars mentioned above. I should get mine around by the end of the year i think.
If he builds 1 guitar at a time or finishes a batch of 5 at a time the amount of guitars built at the end of the year is the same.

When i got my olive ash burl exp i asked ken how many instruments he had made since becoming a builder and it was around 375 or 400, he also said less than 45 of them was explorers, this was about 3 yrs ago. I believe he started KL instruments in 1986.

 

[Tone Monster]

Tom and Steve are definitely the KL experts!

 

[Les Zombie]

Haha im no expert, guitarslingerans knows the most about KL, he actually is a expert on the subject.
He hardly posts but ansley has the most knowledge of anybody.
Stevek knows alot and has great info and has spoken to ken and has owned a bunch of KL guitars.

 

[Anonymous]

Pfffttt...these are a sorry assed EMG to Blackmachine's Camero. Suck it!!!!

 

[Holy Schnikes]

Headstock looks deadly!

 

[Holy Schnikes]

Also congrats!!!

 

[RJF]

Pfffttt...these are a sorry assed EMG to Blackmachine's Camero. Suck it!!!!

You are right,as compared to a KL explorer, I'd go Blackmachine every time if I needed firewood.

 

[feintguitarist]

I know this thread is old, but I found it while Googling for KL prices. I don't know why, but I was pondering the idea of a custom flying V and he came to mind. However, once I realized the cost would take a significant chunk of the money I have set aside for a down payment on a house... I changed my mind!

One day!

Random note -- He said he should have a website up in the next couple of months. I was nearly drooling while looking through the pictures on his FB.

No harm in bumping an old thread with pictures of KL guitars right?

 

[steve_k]

I know this thread is old, but I found it while Googling for KL prices. I don't know why, but I was pondering the idea of a custom flying V and he came to mind. However, once I realized the cost would take a significant chunk of the money I have set aside for a down payment on a house... I changed my mind!

One day!

Random note -- He said he should have a website up in the next couple of months. I was nearly drooling while looking through the pictures on his FB.

No harm in bumping an old thread with pictures of KL guitars right?

Well, it's an investment, but it's something highly personalized and a guitar to last you a lifetime. Thing is though, there's usually a 3 year wait list on a run. He doesn't continually take orders and start guitars all the time. He will do his wood gathering then cut all his body blanks and neck blanks after the wood has been dried and usually 20 or so in a run. Ken only requires $1500 down and your balance not due until the guitar is ready for hardware/electronics. So, this gives you time to save and not but such a dent in your other commitments. You will never see prices posted for a KL from Ken. Although, your average exotic wood Explorer without inlay will run in the mid-5's. A good inlay them will run another $1500 or so. The craftsmanship and quality of these guitars cannot be beat and Ken is an extraordinary luthier with a good knowledge of wood and detail.

 

[stanbog]

Well, it's an investment, but it's something highly personalized and a guitar to last you a lifetime.

While I completely agree, I still wonder why a lot of these Explorers are changing hands on a regular basis. At least I get that impression. I keep hearing "That one was mine. Now I'm waiting for my next."
Could be a GAS-Thing of course...

 

[steve_k]

Well, it's an investment, but it's something highly personalized and a guitar to last you a lifetime.

While I completely agree, I still wonder why a lot of these Explorers are changing hands on a regular basis. At least I get that impression. I keep hearing "That one was mine. Now I'm waiting for my next."
Could be a GAS-Thing of course...

Probably you should ask the seller of their circumstances and why they sold it. It's really not a guitar for flipping and all in all, you don't see many a year come up for sale. Some people just think they want one, they something comes up.....rent, truck payment, cat needs surgery, new hot water heater, etc.