Time to buy an Explorer.. Any suggestions?

[ACELUEK]

I going to buy an Explorer and was just starting to look at what is out there.

For classic rock, I was looking at the base model for around $1,300.. Any good or is there a model out there that stands out..

 

[Dougie]

Used or new? The natural mahogany explorers are very good, I have an 06 and I frikkin LOVE the thing! It was SUCH a good guitar that I was reluctant to use it for the Allen Collins tribute but eventually I did.

Not many people like the stock pickups and I don't blame them, I switched mine out very quickly, and they really wake up with swapping out the Nashville tom and the tailpiece for Faber stuff.

Now we talking!

 

[Dougie]

AND.. snicker snicker.. you get to try your hand at modifying some COOL TonePros Kluson tuners to enhance the stringing and tuning experience of owning your Explorer.... Let alone the looks of which easily SMOKE the look of the tuners on the $7,000.00 Korina reissues from the Custom Shop.

Takes two sets of 3x3 tuners and a good belt sander to do one side for an Explorer, because they don't make a 6 on a side set for an Explorer, but then you get to ebay the remaining side to some lucky lefty Explorer owner and get back half your investment..

Sigh.. Ain't guitars fun?

 

[deadringer]

I've currently got mine for sale:

http://www.mylespaul.com/forums/mem...-reissue-natural-57-classics-gold-kahler.html

 

[DumbMotherBucker]

I kind of like the Explorer Traditional Pro. Slightly smaller body and cool binding, plus the ability to split the pickups. A lot more tonal variations for your money.

 

[The Archer]

Try finding a Thunderhorse, coolest Explorer offered in decades

 

[SGMM]

I going to buy an Explorer and was just starting to look at what is out there. For classic rock, I was looking at the base model for around $1,300.. Any good or is there a model out there that stands out.

Based on the vids you've posted an Explorer should suit your style quite well Ace....but save yourself some $$ & buy used....lotsa used Explorers online between $700 - $900!!

 

[KRaZeE]

+1 on the Thunderhorse. Pure badassery.

 

[Sharky]

AND.. snicker snicker.. you get to try your hand at modifying some COOL TonePros Kluson tuners to enhance the stringing and tuning experience of owning your Explorer.... Let alone the looks of which easily SMOKE the look of the tuners on the $7,000.00 Korina reissues from the Custom Shop.

Takes two sets of 3x3 tuners and a good belt sander to do one side for an Explorer, because they don't make a 6 on a side set for an Explorer, but then you get to ebay the remaining side to some lucky lefty Explorer owner and get back half your investment..

Sigh.. Ain't guitars fun?

what's wrong with the tuners on the CS Korinas? Or did I get you wrong? To me they look nice. I don't have a picture of the back but that's how they look on the headstock front view

 

[HOT-BRIT]

look for a used old one

 

[ACELUEK]

look for a used old one

I think I will go used on this one.. I have found a few from the 80's in pretty good shape...

 

[thecollector]

Good choice buying used, I bought my 07 used last year and it still has the plastic on it. saved about 500 bucks doing so.

 

[lunchbox]

I had a '76 RI '58 and loved it. I wish I still had it.

 

[wizzbang]

What about an Ibanez or Greco Explorer ? you should get an Ibanez 'korina' from the 70's for that sort of money. The 'korina' is japanese sen ash,I like the way it sounds and looks.

Ace's explorer was an Ibanez.

 

[DumbMotherBucker]

What about an Ibanez or Greco Explorer ? you should get an Ibanez 'korina' from the 70's for that sort of money. The 'korina' is japanese sen ash,I like the way it sounds and looks.

Ace's explorer was an Ibanez.

Yeah, the Ibanez Explorer (Destroyer) is as groovy as it gets. Nice axe. While we are here and the OP has decided to go vintage...Does anybody have the low down on the REAL '76 Explorers? By that, I simply mean what is the difference between those simply labeled Explorer on the back of the headstock and those labeled Limited Edition? Thanks and sorry for the small hijack.

 

[HOT-BRIT]

i think i will go used on this one.. I have found a few from the 80's in pretty good shape...

smart move

 

[ACELUEK]

smart move

It will probably be a few months, but it will be used one.. I need to pay a few more bills off, then the Explorer!

 

[Dougie]

what's wrong with the tuners on the CS Korinas? Or did I get you wrong? To me they look nice. I don't have a picture of the back but that's how they look on the headstock front view

Sharky I refer to the translucent quality the TonePros buttons have, how they pick up light is very cool. The Gibson buttons are pretty opaque, ranging from a cremora coffee creamer color that lots of the CS guitars have to flat out snot green that comes on most of the other models. I know you have a lot of clams invested in some of your Gibbys and I didn't mean it in an insulting way, just that these things are just too cool in their own right. Those do look a whole lot nicer than most I have seen, have to admit that.

On the other hand, if you are shopping for Kluson style tuners for an Explorer, your choices are extremely limited, and Gibson doesn't sell those nice ones like on your Explorer. The only way to get a set like either yours or mine is to own $7k worth of Custom Shop guitar, or go buy two sets of TonePros and have a go with the belt sander.. Love the truss rod cover on that axe. They don't sell those either. Mine has the closest thing Gibson sells on it, the Historic Spec cover.

 

[Heilage]

Try finding a Thunderhorse, coolest Explorer offered in decades

That is true. I am willing to sell my firstborn to Satan to get one.


(Why are the coolest guitars always limited editions)

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

I did a little background to hopefully post up solid info in this thread about a Hamer Standard as an option ... only to learn that an old (1980 or so) Hamer runs between $3500 and $5000.

Talk about surprised!