Question about Explorer Value?

[SandyRavage]

Sorry if this is the wrong spot but figured you guys usually know all the things...

Picked this up today for a great deal and wondering what you guys saw in regards to value and if it's worth a full fledged restoration or better to leave it as is and get her playing again. I got her sight unseen as a project and she's significantly worse than I thought but nothing other than cosmetics and parts

1976 Special Edition Gibson Explorer with the fat neck profile. Only original part is the body, case, and pick guard, worst part bridge holes being drilled (poorly) all the way through. A poorly scribed name in the rear and regular dings and dents. Has some original hardware but mostly corroded beyond use and repair.

Wanted to know your guys thoughts as pricing is pretty much all over the place with vintage gear these days and I wasn't able to find anything even close on reverb... what's your 2cents? Sell her and move on or get her playing and keep her in the pack?

 

[paulyc]

I'd play that all day long !!!

 

[Fordman65]

considering the very poor drill job, I would say its not worth a true restore attempt. Never get the value in return IMO. That said, I would get it playable again and keep it. It could be a fun Frankenstein guitar. Fill the wonky hole and redrill, used hardware and electronics and an average refin and you could have a bad ass player. Assuming you got it for dirt cheap. Like less than $400 dirt cheap.

 

[rottingcorpse]

Too many great explorers out there in great shape in the sub-$1000 area. Why dump money into a total basket case? Just my opinion,of course.

 

[messenger]

I'd plug the holes and redrill then throw some pickups/electronics and some tuners and call it a day.

 

[sg guy]

-it will never be of "original value", but if you want a custom explorer, keep it!

-as far as the over sized holes get steel threaded inserts, I think I would leave the finish as is and use all black hard ware.

 

[paulyc]

That's a 76 Korina Explorer, I'd plug the holes and throw some used hardware and pickups at if and play it as is, no refine or extensive restoration.

 

[timeroo]

If you don't want it, I will buy it and redo it!!

 

[Mesa\Kramer]

I bet it will sound great

Whats up with the horrible upper bout wood mismatch?

 

[SandyRavage]

Thanks for the comments guys I'm pretty sure I'm gonna plug her up and keep her pretty close to as is. Is there anyway to determine if she truly is korina? I assumed mahogany but is there a way to be sure? In regards to the tough wood mismatch I've seen a few worse than this one but it's not near as noticeable in person. Just the angle of the photo. Guess they should have sprayed this guy black hahahaha.

 

[cecilbag]

I would fix it assuming you got it super cheap. Otherwise I would just use it as a decoration. My .02

 

[paulyc]

As far as I know the '76 Limiteds are Korina...

 

[fretout]

I would call around and see what shops will quote to dowel-in the holes, and as far as the name carved into the back (I think the owner carved "andersons" or something into the lower bout), I have seen some miraculous restorations, but you'd most likely be looking at a relaxing in order to make the name disappear.

I remember seeing this for sale when I was looking locally, and I passed on it because the restoration would be way too expensive. There are some great luthiers out here, but I don't know of anyone locally I would send it to.

For what the seller was asking for it, I don't think it's going to be worth restoring. if you're trying to flip it, the only way to guarantee this guitar will sell is by fixing it back up. Otherwise, it may be cheaper to sell it as a husk.

 

[timeroo]

I bet it will sound great

Whats up with the horrible upper bout wood mismatch?

That wood mismatch looks SKETCHY...

 

[sg guy]

-don't just fill the holes, get the inserts, steal or brass threaded, or splined, like the original, except the outside diameter is larger, if that's the only issue you could have a nice explorer, is there something carved on the back?