Gassing for an Explorer - Gibson or Epiphone?

[ExpatBrit]

I am seriously gassing for an Explorer, and love the look of the Korina model, but I am having a real hard time justifying a $5k - $10k price for a Gibson when the Epiphone looks like basically the same guitar - same headstock (the main reason I would never buy an Epi LP is the different headstock shape), Korina body, set neck etc etc. It looks like I could get a basically new Epi for under $500, even if I upgrade the electronics and pickups I am still going to be under $1000.

Is the Epi version inferior in other ways (I really don't care where it is made as long as the quality is good)?

Anyone have one and care to comment?

Thanks

ExpatBrit

[dbf909]

I had an Epi Korina Explorer for a few years and loved it. I picked it up used for about $350 and for that money it was a wonderful guitar. I put the 498R/500T ceramic PUs from my LP classic in it and it screamed. The korina was beautiful and the thing was well-made. The tuners were decent. Great workmanship. I have heard that the Epis are not solid wood but veneer. I could not tell - the grain inside the pickup and control cavities matched the top and back. I'm pretty sure than mine was a 2 piece solid korina body.

The only complaints I had were the gold on the Epi hardware is super thin and wears off immediately. I've found this to be true of all Epis with Gold H/W though. If you like the worn look, you can get it going in a matter of weeks. Me not so much... The pots were kind of cheap and got noisy pretty quickly too - easy enough to change though.

I picked up a matching V used a little later and it was cool to have them both. Unfortunately, I never really took the the V though.

A guy offered me $975 cash for the pair (with the original Epi PUs in the explorer) which is almost retail... I couldn't pass it up so I sold them.

I'm really not in an "Explorer Place" right now but if I was, I would not hesitate to get another Epi. Just replace the pickups and pots, maybe the switch and jack and it's a fantastic guitar.

[5F6-A]

50's style Explorers are ultracool...

[2manyGuitars]

Originally Posted by dbf909

I'm pretty sure than mine was a 2 piece solid korina body.

..........

Seriously though, the Epiphones are decent guitars for the money. You can't go wrong for under 400 to 500 bucks.
The current model of Gibson Explorer used to be available in Natural finish, which looked similar to Korina. They pop up used once in a while for not much more than an Epiphone.

[The ConGREGation]

I played an Epi Korina model , gotta say I was impressed, for 500.00 bucks you can not go wrong, upgrade the guts and it is one killer cheap guitar...

[ExpatBrit]

Thanks guys, that was what I was thinking - decent guitar with so-so electronics. There seems to be some confusion on the woods used - some say the bodies are not korina at all, just tinted to look like korina, and I have seen the necks listed as both mahogany, and sometimes maple?

[SiriusAbbott]

necks are maple...body is Korina(on my Epi V anyway)

[ExpatBrit]

Originally Posted by SiriusAbbott

necks are maple...body is Korina(on my Epi V anyway)

That's what I thought, but the current Sweetwater ad reads:

Epiphone Korina Explorer Features:

Pickups: 2 Humbuckers
Hardware: Gold
Scale: 24.75"
Nut width: 1.68"
Neck: Mahogany (set)
Fingerboard: Rosewood (dot inlay)
Body: Korina

[AXE]

Mine is Korina from tail to headstock.

[Tuya Customs]

-$500 for the guitar.
-$75 for a decent pair of locking tuners (im thinking grover here)
-$200 for high end seymour duncans (just for example)
-$10 a graphite nut from graphtech
-$150 resomax bridge set (bridge with graphite saddles and a stop bar) from graphtech (in case you wannt change hardware)
-$30 new pots and toggle switch (dbf mentioned cheap pots)

Thats leaves you at around $955 for a practically complete upgrade. Versus the 7k Gibson its a no brainer.

[Drewcifer]

Originally Posted by Tuya Customs

Thats leaves you at around $955 for a practically complete upgrade. Versus the 7k Gibson its a no brainer.

7000? I've never seen an Explorer for that much. Hell right now on craigslist and kajiji I think there's a few Gibbys for under 1000.

[G-Minor]

Its actually one of the random woods used by epiphone, but it has a thin korina venner over it to look like its all korina. if you look at the edges youll notice random patterns on some of them. Most notably the one at my local sam ash. they are great guitars, not real korina that would be very expensive for epiphone, but good none the less

[Tuya Customs]

Originally Posted by Drewcifer

7000? I've never seen an Explorer for that much. Hell right now on craigslist and kajiji I think there's a few Gibbys for under 1000.

He was talking about the Korina model which is much more expensive.

[snaredrum]

i have an epi korina explorer and love it. the pickups aren't terrible - i just upgraded the cap and rewired it slightly and it plays like a dream. here's my epi korinas

[singlecut]

i just played a really nice explorer at RETRO MUSIC, keene n.h.
an aria pro 2 lawsuit model.
super clean, great neck, and quality far superior than any epi i've seen.
had the original case too.
he's asking $799 a killler guitar.
it's a 30 year old classic.

[FennRx]

Originally Posted by Tuya Customs

-$500 for the guitar.
-$75 for a decent pair of locking tuners (im thinking grover here)
-$200 for high end seymour duncans (just for example)
-$10 a graphite nut from graphtech
-$150 resomax bridge set (bridge with graphite saddles and a stop bar) from graphtech (in case you wannt change hardware)
-$30 new pots and toggle switch (dbf mentioned cheap pots)

Thats leaves you at around $955 for a practically complete upgrade. Versus the 7k Gibson its a no brainer.

ummm....i paid about $955 for a brand new gibson explorer at this time last year.

where the hell do you guys come up with these prices?

[ExpatBrit]

I am actually thinking I might look for a used natural finish Gibson instead of the Korina model Epi. If it is going to cost me close to $1k to get an Epiphone up to scratch I am not going to go that route.

[1959burst]

here i'll help fuel your gas.........................

[dbf909]

Originally Posted by ExpatBrit

I am actually thinking I might look for a used natural finish Gibson instead of the Korina model Epi. If it is going to cost me close to $1k to get an Epiphone up to scratch I am not going to go that route.

You certainly don't have to drop $1k. While the previous post (Tuya) lists some fantastic upgrades, you don't have to do all of them (not at once anyway).

I found the tuners to be decent enough. The stock PUs are OK, I just had the 498/500 set lying around. You wouldn't have to do the pots and switch until they go bad. The bridge and nut were perfectly fine as well.

All these upgrades would significantly enhance the guitar, no question at all. You just don't need all of them to have a decent player. Pick up a used Epi with a hard case under $400 in decent shape and put another $50-150 in it. There's very little, if any downside to it - you can recover 90% of your investment when you are ready to move it.

All that said, I've seen Gibson Explorers (non-Korina) down near $1k. If you can spring for $1200 or so, you can get into a Gibson with no required upgrades (you will likely make some anyway though...). It's twice the initial investment though. Something to think about.

[vortexx]

The Gibson Korinas are way too expensive. I have a Epiphone Korina V and other than the electronics it's a great guitar. Excellent fret job on mine. veneer top and bottom - very light I'm pretty sure all the wood including the neck is korina. The pickups which were upgraded by the previous owner to Enforcers cost pretty much what I ended up paying for the whole guitar including the Enforcers. I don't know if the current ones are as good but try them first if you can. I have a Gibson V2 which I bought new in the 80's and this plays just as well as it.

[dbf909]

Originally Posted by snaredrum

i have an epi korina explorer and love it. the pickups aren't terrible - i just upgraded the cap and rewired it slightly and it plays like a dream. here's my epi korinas

Nice...

Looks just like the pair that I once had. Except I think my V had a black pickguard. I have to find an old pic of them and see.

[kherman]

Does it have to be Korina?

You could always look for a regular Gibby Explorer in
the natural blonde color.
Like this.
Gibson Explorer 6-String Electric Guitar USA - eBay (item 170400962495 end time Nov-06-09 11:45:36 PST)

[ExpatBrit]

Time to hit some stores I guess and play a couple.

Trouble is now I am looking to upgrade my recording hardware and software as well (from Garageband to Logic and from USB to Firewire interface). So much to buy, so little funds.....................

[Skynyrdpicker]

I used to have this one, and I miss the damn thing!

[diceman]

Originally Posted by 1959burst

here i'll help fuel your gas.........................

[1959burst]

there is nothing like the solid korina

[SiriusAbbott]

while I prefer Korina in most things.....

I swear by my#1,my early 80's Gibson Mahogany Explorer