Let's talk Explorer!!! Who's in the know???

  • Thread starter Thread starter James Lugo
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Mailman1971":ot5ot6mr said:
SandyRavage":ot5ot6mr said:
I am a huge fan of the gothic series, and a fan of the used prices as well (I paid $650 for mine with the case in very good shape)

Bare Bones, No Frills and IMHO one of the last great studio Gibson runs.

I had one for years and regret getting rid of it everyday, it had a super rich unique tone that you can't replicate with most guitars.

ESP Made some great ones in the early 90's as well that I've seen pop up recently very reasonably.
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Yeah..........the gothic or the Voodoo are both a nice BASIC Run from Gibby.
I plan on getting either from the SG or Explorer run. :thumbsup:
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They sound fucking amazing. Really full and rich tones from both. The V sounds thicker than most LPs even with stock pickups.

I just picked up the V a few weeks ago and my buddy went to Australia and left his SG for me to take care of.

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I love Explorers myself...they can be very cool. My suggestion would be to go out and play a bunch of them...I've found them to be very hit or miss. I know that's really no different than other Gibsons, but with the Explorer in particular I think the "hits" are better and the "misses" worse than than with other models. Check tuning stability...I've found it to be a common issue thats easily cured with a new nut (bone). Some of the best players that I've come across were from the 70's (can be pricey now due to the collectability factor) up through around '85. Some of those came stock with Dirty Fingers and were absolutely ripping (think Sykes type tone). There are good ones from all eras...just make sure you try before you buy.

On a side note, don't get too caught up in thinking that resistance equals output in pickups...it can be a decent indicator but is not always an accurate gauge of "hotness".
 
I have a few :D ignore the gay pic of me and look at the Gibby.FYI the explorer pro works well :thumbsup:
get the Explorer 84 RI,it's heavy but it IS a studio you're using it in and not on the road.
 
In the late 80's when Gibson decided they were going to make Explores like the originals from the 50's they custom made me one before they did. It was the 2nd prototype. It was the best guitar I have ever played or owned. It had a incredibly focused and detailed sound. It was stolen in 1997. It was actually better than any of the Hamer I had. For my taste the Hamer are about as good as it gets. The ones made in the USA that is ....
 
stephen sawall":sji7yi0b said:
In the late 80's when Gibson decided they were going to make Explores like the originals from the 50's they custom made me one before they did. It was the 2nd prototype. It was the best guitar I have ever played or owned. It had a incredibly focused and detailed sound. It was stolen in 1997. It was actually better than any of the Hamer I had. For my taste the Hamer are about as good as it gets. The ones made in the USA that is ....
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The best Gibson explorers are from the late 80's and early 90's. All the ones I have ever owned sounded great. Played a bunch of new turds like that 84 explorer reissue, stay away from anything made after 95.

ESP and KL explorers are nice but not practical at their price range unless you are some big time collector.
 
I think there is a guy on Gear page selling a sweet Hamer std for $1500 right now. I'd be all over it but I'm amp hunting right now.

Plus I wouldn't pay attention to what people say about years. Individual guitars will be different. I have a Gibson '84 V that should be "crap" because it's alder, not mahogany which they did back then but It's one of the best sounding and feeling guitars I've ever owned. It's got Wolfetone Marshallheads in it and it rips.
 
James yes they are tone machines. Quieter go jb more air and harmonic havoc in a good way go Marshall head. I wish knew the specs of mine wood wise.



Mailman I owned a Hamer like that in early 90
 
JL, I've got an "Orville by Gibson" Explorer you can try out if you like. It's got the WCR Darkburst/Godwood pickups in it, though, so it may not be hot enough for you.
 
Stock Gibson Gothic Explorer, bought it brand new, I believe it's a late '99.


Don't forget the Jackson Kelly, in my opinion they slay the Gibson Explorers.

Last is my KL copy.
 
My all time favorites are the early 4-digit Hamer standards and the 1976 (first) reissue Gibson Explorer limited ed. with the big neck.

/Ulf
 
Those early Hamers go for like 5k now, I looked into buying one then saw the prices.
 
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