New Gibson Explorer

[EnGl]

Ok , the time has come. I'm so tired of my current axe , I want to sell it and buy a Gibson Explorer.

Is it worth to buy it new ? I can have pretty low price (about 1k bucks).
What do you think ?

 

[Inearthed]

Where are you located? Depending on that you could save a boat load of money on a used one.

That being said, one advantage of buying new would be if you find any issues with the guitar it'll be warranty covered.

 

[DoomBuggi]

I would buy an older one. Mid 90's back.

 

[EnGl]

Thank you both , I will think about it.
If I will not buy this Gibson ... well ... I probably buy a ESP.

 

[MichaelG]

If you like the explorer body shape then a Hamer USA explorer is a killer axe, and the quality is very consistent. ESP makes a killer guitar too though . Tone-wise I prefer my Hamer over my ESPs.

 

[vchizzle]

Have you played it? Does it rock? If yes to both, then buy it.....oh yeah, make sure it stays in tune too.

 

[EnGl]

Ok listen guys.
I can get really cheap new explorer ( I will give some clunker in exchange and of course money).Currently I save money for 8 string but you know ... I have GAS for explorer since I'm playing guitar(thanks James and Marty!).

I know this topic was posted about half year ago but now ... I don't know about the situation these days.
I can order a explo straight from shop so there will be no problem for proper investigation ( fretwork and other things).
But I don't know about the body , I heard that explorers ( at least these from Gibson) are weight relieved or chambered( I know there was a poll about chambered body on LP , I dig the thorugh topic , I just don't like this idea and sound) ? Damn man , that sucks. On ebay I saw a Gibby explorer from 93 ( 8.5 lbs) and from 2009 - 7.35 lbs ... damn , what is going on ? I also found opinion on Gibson site that currently they make body from a few pieces of mahogany (2 or 3 pieces is acceptable but more?!). I'm also afraid of thois "Granadillo" fretboard ...

What do you think about that ? I want this Gibson explorer soooo bad but I don't want buy something shitty just because of legendary model ...

 

[MississippiMetal]

I owned a 2009 Gibson Explorer for a little while, and it just killed. Impeccable workmanship, huge meaty tone. It was just awesome. I ended up getting rid of it because the explorer shape is just too awkward for me.

 

[EnGl]

Thanks for leaving a comment.
Anyone know when Gibson started to put this weird Grenadillo fretboards in guitars ? This is good wood for fretboard ?
Really I piss on the way it looks , is it dark or bright - I'm only interested in sound quality , endurance you know ...

 

[EnGl]

Hmm ?

 

[EnGl]

Buy used on guitarcenter.com , they have them there for like $700

I'm living currently in Poland so ... I wnat to touch guitar before I will buy it.

Anyone touched and played on explorer with the grenadillo fretboard ?

 

[skoora]

If you can play it first don't worry about any of that weight relief/ fretboard bullshit. If the guitar plays and sounds great it is great. I've played so many authentic, rosewood fret-boarded, non relieved mahogany Gibson's that were below average it's pointless getting caught up in it. FWIW I'm a long time Gibson player and it's all I own right now except for a Burny LPC copy. I only worry about buying older when it's something stylistically that's not made anymore, or it was cheap Granted being older I'm still quite familiar with how certain models were in certain years, so I would have a level of confidence in buying sight unseen for certain years.

 

[EnGl]

If you can play it first don't worry about any of that weight relief/ fretboard bullshit. If the guitar plays and sounds great it is great. I've played so many authentic, rosewood fret-boarded, non relieved mahogany Gibson's that were below average it's pointless getting caught up in it. FWIW I'm a long time Gibson player and it's all I own right now except for a Burny LPC copy. I only worry about buying older when it's something stylistically that's not made anymore, or it was cheap Granted being older I'm still quite familiar with how certain models were in certain years, so I would have a level of confidence in buying sight unseen for certain years.

I just wanna know about the tone and quality which I can achieve with this Grenadillo fretboard vs rosewood or ebony. I'm only curious .

 

[JerEvil]

If I were you, just buy the Gibson. Not sure about that particular fretboard, but I am sure it feels and plays just fine. Or maybe look at an Edwards Explorer. At least overseas the ESP/Edwards are actually shaped like a real Gibson. Not like what ESP sells in the US.

 

[rocknrolla]

I played a couple of new Gibson explorers at GC recently. I was looking for a backup for my ESP but the Gibson's are nowhere near as nice as the pre lawsuit ESP's. The clarity and thickness was missing.

 

[EnGl]

Hmm , so I will probably search for used one.
I was yesterday at shop and I picked explo , damn a bit heavier than my current V. Very resonant.

Another guestion:
I'm in little shock due to fact that I found that Gibson now uses "weight relief" on the explos , but anyone know since when ? Recently or long time ago ?
I'm only asking , I will buy this guitar anyway.

 

[ke2]

Scroll down to granadillo.

"Granadillo is often referred to as Black Cocobolo. It is a non-porous dense wood that produces a bright tap-tone and long sustain."

(And right above: Cocobolo: A true rosewood from Central America that compares with Brazilian Rosewood in terms of tonal quality, warmth and stunning beauty.)

http://lichtyguitars.com/guitars/wood-types/

 

[EnGl]

Scroll down to granadillo.

"Granadillo is often referred to as Black Cocobolo. It is a non-porous dense wood that produces a bright tap-tone and long sustain."

(And right above: Cocobolo: A true rosewood from Central America that compares with Brazilian Rosewood in terms of tonal quality, warmth and stunning beauty.)

http://lichtyguitars.com/guitars/wood-types/

Yeah , so Grenadillo will be ok , nothing to worry , Thanks man.

Still waiting for answer

 

[jlb32]

I played a couple of new Gibson explorers at GC recently. I was looking for a backup for my ESP but the Gibson's are nowhere near as nice as the pre lawsuit ESP's. The clarity and thickness was missing.

I like both ESP (pre-lawsuit) and Gibson Explorers and have owned several of both. The ESP Explorers are NOW just stupidly priced though, even used. To me the sound quality of both were great. I didn't feel the ESP's sounded or played any better even though they were way more expensive. The fit and finish of the ESP's were somewhat better but not drastically better.

The clarity and thickness you were missing was probably more due to the ESP's having EMG pickups over the Gibson stock pickups (which you may or may not like) than the guitars themselves.

For all the talk of how expensive Gibson guitars are the Gibson Explorer is one great bang for the buck IMO. Even more so if you buy used.

 

[rocknrolla]

I played a couple of new Gibson explorers at GC recently. I was looking for a backup for my ESP but the Gibson's are nowhere near as nice as the pre lawsuit ESP's. The clarity and thickness was missing.

I like both ESP (pre-lawsuit) and Gibson Explorers and have owned several of both. The ESP Explorers are NOW just stupidly priced though, even used. To me the sound quality of both were great. I didn't feel the ESP's sounded or played any better even though they were way more expensive. The fit and finish of the ESP's were somewhat better but not drastically better.

The clarity and thickness you were missing was probably more due to the ESP's having EMG pickups over the Gibson stock pickups (which you may or may not like) than the guitars themselves.

For all the talk of how expensive Gibson guitars are the Gibson Explorer is one great bang for the buck IMO. Even more so if you buy used.

Yeah pick ups probably made a big difference. Maybe I have a great example of the ESP or I found two bad examples of the Gibson's but the fit and finish way ridiculously better on my ESP.