My number came up (KL Explorer content)

[Reiep]

Ah, a KL Explorer, the ultimate FAP.

I wish I could play one once in my life...

 

[steve_k]

Ah, a KL Explorer, the ultimate FAP.

I wish I could play one once in my life...

OK, I am afraid to ask......what is FAP?

 

[Death by Uberschall]

Ah, a KL Explorer, the ultimate FAP.

I wish I could play one once in my life...

OK, I am afraid to ask......what is FAP?

 

[charveldan]

Stunning guitar, is it with you now?

Are you concerned about bringing Brazillian RW thru Customs the way things are now with the Gibson Raid/Shitfest?

 

[Les Zombie]

 

[steve_k]

Stunning guitar, is it with you now?

Are you concerned about bringing Brazillian RW thru Customs the way things are now with the Gibson Raid/Shitfest?

About 2-3 more weeks of hand-rubbing and installing hardware & electronics.

As for Rosewood, there's not a stamp on it saying Made in Brazil.

 

[charveldan]

Stunning guitar, is it with you now?

Are you concerned about bringing Brazillian RW thru Customs the way things are now with the Gibson Raid/Shitfest?

About 2-3 more weeks of hand-rubbing and installing hardware & electronics.

As for Rosewood, there's not a stamp on it saying Made in Brazil.

If they ask, tell them it's from Detroit.

 

[rupe]

The inlays are a bit much for me (says the guy with a BFP Jem) but that guitar is stunning...congrats on another awesome addition to the stable.

 

[The Hoff]

The inlays are a bit much for me (says the guy with a BFP Jem) but that guitar is stunning...congrats on another awesome addition to the stable.

I agree with that. If/when I order mine-I'll definitely be going with a much more "standard" inlay. Not to say that I don't completely appreciate the workmanship that goes into that kind of inlay!

 

[Les Zombie]

i dig the inlay and its a lot like hetfields, i almost ordered a guitar like it but i ended up going with my trans black kl instead, if i get another kl it will be one like steves getting or the one that looks like hetfields sun inlay. i just don't have the patience to wait for it, i will keep my eyes open for a used one, they seem to pop up once and a while and i saw a used one on ebay a couple years ago that was very similar to this guitar steve is getting and had just about the same inlay, i made the guy a offer and then something happened and he decided to let the auction run and got a few hundred less than i offered plus had fees.

i have owned 3 kl explorer and all of them was really nice and great feeling guitars, they sound great imo.

 

[steve_k]

i dig the inlay and its a lot like hetfields, i almost ordered a guitar like it but i ended up going with my trans black kl instead, if i get another kl it will be one like steves getting or the one that looks like hetfields sun inlay. i just don't have the patience to wait for it, i will keep my eyes open for a used one, they seem to pop up once and a while and i saw a used one on ebay a couple years ago that was very similar to this guitar steve is getting and had just about the same inlay, i made the guy a offer and then something happened and he decided to let the auction run and got a few hundred less than i offered plus had fees.

i have owned 3 kl explorer and all of them was really nice and great feeling guitars, they sound great imo.

That inlay was damn expensive and is not something I would normally have done, nor what I what usually go for. This guitar can support it though, in a balanced sort of way where it is not too busy. The green optics is what I am looking forward to! But, I wasn't looking this gift horse in the mouth and jumped on it. 2-3 years waiting is a long commitment. Hell, I may get hit by a bus, or get all my fingers cut off in a freak accident by then, or turn into a John Mayer fan boy by then

With the economy, there could be some others back down from their commitment and open up a few chances to get in on one of these. They aren't for everyone though. But, its like....what do you get for the man that has everything? A fucking KL Explorer....

Steve

 

[Les Zombie]

I concur steve !!!!

 

[RedRider]

I have a guitar with some crazy intricate inlay work that took 4 years to build...I can tell you that time flies. You put it on order and forget about it, and then once every 2-3 months you get a call from the builder and the GAS fire gets stoked again and again every 3 months. There were times during the build that I questioned what the heck I was doing, waiting so long for a guitar, but once I got it, its a "Toss it in my casket with me" type of guitar. Everytime we have ever had a get together that I bust that guitar out, it gets at least a dozen people checking it out, just flat out amazed by what the builder did with it. Good friend of mine got one with fiber optics also, on the fretboard and the side dot inlays all light up...the thing is KILLER!! but talking to the builder about it, talk about a PITA!!! Having to cut channels in the neck or back of the fretboard for the cable to run, then having to come up with a light source, etc...huge headache to say the least....

Congrats on your guitar Steve...I am sure you will be COMPLETELY blown away by it when it arrives...

 

[steve_k]

I have a guitar with some crazy intricate inlay work that took 4 years to build...I can tell you that time flies. You put it on order and forget about it, and then once every 2-3 months you get a call from the builder and the GAS fire gets stoked again and again every 3 months. There were times during the build that I questioned what the heck I was doing, waiting so long for a guitar, but once I got it, its a "Toss it in my casket with me" type of guitar. Everytime we have ever had a get together that I bust that guitar out, it gets at least a dozen people checking it out, just flat out amazed by what the builder did with it. Good friend of mine got one with fiber optics also, on the fretboard and the side dot inlays all light up...the thing is KILLER!! but talking to the builder about it, talk about a PITA!!! Having to cut channels in the neck or back of the fretboard for the cable to run, then having to come up with a light source, etc...huge headache to say the least....

Congrats on your guitar Steve...I am sure you will be COMPLETELY blown away by it when it arrives...

That is a long wait, isn't it? This one will just have the side optics, which I am sure is a huge pain to build. Between that and the inlay work, it is time consuming for sure. I don't know how long he spends on the bodies. Must be several months hand rubbing all the stain into the bodies/tops. Looking forward to it.

Steve

 

[Les Zombie]

Ken is a bass builder and makes the explorers in batches, he doesnt build 1 guitar at a time. As of last year he built around 50 explorers since like 1998, i think hes made around 400 guitars and has been building since the 80s.
He makes the explorers in small batches. He might cut 10 bodies and then work on a couple at a time. He does all the work himself except when theres painting and clearcoat involved, he did the stain on my trans black kl but sent it out for the clearcoat, the red kl he sent out for the stain and clear but did everything else himself. He really puts alot of time into his guitars plus he has to do all of the purchasing of woods and supplies, answer email and phone calls and placing orders.

So if i was to order a guitar today and wait 2 yrs i also wanna note that he might not even cut the body till next year when he does the next batch, and even after that it might be 6 months before it gets further along. I spoke to him earlier this year and he was finishing 4 or 5 explorers and then after that he might go back to building some bass guitars he had orders for.

I really love the neck shapes, they feel really good.

 

[steve_k]

Ken is a bass builder and makes the explorers in batches, he doesnt build 1 guitar at a time. As of last year he built around 50 explorers since like 1998, i think hes made around 400 guitars and has been building since the 80s.
He makes the explorers in small batches. He might cut 10 bodies and then work on a couple at a time. He does all the work himself except when theres painting and clearcoat involved, he did the stain on my trans black kl but sent it out for the clearcoat, the red kl he sent out for the stain and clear but did everything else himself. He really puts alot of time into his guitars plus he has to do all of the purchasing of woods and supplies, answer email and phone calls and placing orders.

So if i was to order a guitar today and wait 2 yrs i also wanna note that he might not even cut the body till next year when he does the next batch, and even after that it might be 6 months before it gets further along. I spoke to him earlier this year and he was finishing 4 or 5 explorers and then after that he might go back to building some bass guitars he had orders for.

I really love the neck shapes, they feel really good.

I think mine is S/N 373, so about 400 sounds right.

Steve

 

[steve_k]

About one more week of hand-rubbing the stain in, then installing H/W and electronics.

Stoked....

 

[PBGas]

A work of art! I'd hate to even ask how much that costs!

Well done!

 

[FortinAmps]

KILLER!

 

[The Hoff]

This thread needs to not be bumped. GAS is killing me.

Looking forward to more pics though