1976 Gibson Explorer Question

[Raiseittoeleven24]

Hey everyone, I just got a '76 explorer and was wondering what kinds of pickups were put in them? I tried looking online but couldn't find anything. I am also new to having a 24 3/4th scale neck and usually put 11's on my guitars, will 11's on a Gibson feel like 10's on a 25 1/2 scale neck? Also if you have a cool/vintage Explorer post a picture!
Thanks!

 

[slither]

Firstly, welcome to the forum. Nice Explorer, and a Norlin too! Beauty.

If the pickups are original they should be T tops, I think. Try pulling them out next time you do a string change and check them out. I think for a 76 they will have the patent number stamped into the base plate.

As for strings, just try and see what you like best, they're easy enough to change and it's not expensive to try different gauges. If you are used to 11's try them first and see how they feel. Then try 10's and compare. Personally I use 10-46. Everyone works out what's best for them.

I have no Explorers, just Les Pauls and an SG, so no pics I'm afraid.

 

[TattooedCarrot]

That's a killer looking Explorer. In fact, I've been scouring ebay and various forums looking for one in natural myself - yours looks perfect. Is it an actual 1976 guitar? Or a 76 reissue, as the current production models are often referred to.

I don't know much about the pickups, but of the two I watched on ebay, they both had these epoxy back pickups, not sure what they are but that looks like some big-ass magnets on the back there.

 

[slither]

Perhaps I was wrong about the T tops. Nothing new there, then. If 76 Explorers were a limited run then Gibson could have done different pickups. It was the Norlin era afterall.

 

[circusboy28]

I think those pickups are the Bill Lawrence super humbuckers.

 

[Reaperc89]

That is a very attractive explorer. Take good care of her

 

[Raiseittoeleven24]

Thanks for the replies everyone! Thanks for welcoming me! Yes there are 10's on them now but I don't think I get the crunch like I do with the 11 gauge strings I have on my other guitars. Will 11's on my explorer feel like 10's on a 25 1/2 scale?
Yes it is a 1976, not reissue, the tuners were changed when I got it (still have originals in the case) tail piece and tune o matic bridge were also changed to newer ones (have originals in the case as well). Has the Made in USA, Limited Edition, and Serial number on the back of the headstock.
Thanks for the compliments! Thanks Circus boy! I'll look up those pickups. & yes Reaper I'll take very good care of her!
I am going to have it set up later this week and will have the guitar tech check out how the underside of the pickups look like.
Also, I don't plan to sell it any time soon but how much is this guitar worth? I don't think it's worth almost 6k like that one on ebay. That's pretty high.
Here are some more pictures in case you wanted to see some more!

 

[ASG]

Looks like a reissue to me......
Maybe I am wrong and they did that finish on a few back then?

 

[BCRGreg]

That's no reissue, it's a real 1976.

I have a set of original tuners for that guitar, 6 on a plate.

The pickups are "Super Humbuckings", with the parts epoxied into the covers.

VERY cool guitar.

 

[Mark H]

Great Explorer!
Didn't some of the Explorers from back then also come with the Dirty Fingers pups, the ones w/o covers?

 

[Cookie-boy]

I've seen quite a number of these '76 Explorers for sale. Was there a big run that year?

 

[circusboy28]

I feel vindicated - BCR Greg agreed with me about the pickups!!

They are really well regarded over here - I've heard a few old SGs with the Bill Lawrence Super Humbuckers in them & they ROAR!!

 

[dynabite]

I feel vindicated - BCR Greg agreed with me about the pickups!!

They are really well regarded over here - I've heard a few old SGs with the Bill Lawrence Super Humbuckers in them & they ROAR!!

We're so happy for you !

But before you walk away with the prize, Gibson used to call a lot of those pickups "Super Humbuckers" including the EB-0 mudbucker.

Could it be the TGA Super Humbucker designed for Howard Roberts, later known as the "Velvet Brick" ?

Or the BL designed "Super Humbucker" in the Sonex/LS6 series ?

Or the BL designed Series VII later to become Dirty Fingers ?

And which were cast in clear resin and which polyester resin ?

 

[TattooedCarrot]

Dirty Fingers have the two rows of screws, so I don't think that's them.

 

[BCRGreg]

Could it be the TGA Super Humbucker designed for Howard Roberts, later known as the "Velvet Brick" ?

Or the BL designed "Super Humbucker" in the Sonex/LS6 series ?

Or the BL designed Series VII later to become Dirty Fingers ?

None of the above.

 

[Raiseittoeleven24]

Wow quite a jump in the number of posts! lol
Thanks BCRgreg for the info. Yeah, I still have the original tuners, as well as the original stop bar tail piece and tune-o-matic bridge. Everything was already changed when I got the guitar, the original stop tail piece was pretty used up, all grey and what not. Must have been used a lot. I'm not sure how many were made, I'm still trying to figure that one out myself! I had it brought to my usual guitar tech for a set up and asked him to take a picture of the underside of the pickups to see what kind they are.

 

[dynabite]

None of the above.

Correct.

The TGA's had no epoxy, the LS6 had no pole pieces and the Series VII has 2 separate wires.

Notice the short legs designed for early 70's SG's, they have a name and a story. Let's see who knows but don't call Gibby, they'll tell you to call Heritage. I know you know Greg !

 

[circusboy28]

And I'm so happy for you Dynabite - who-hoo!

I was joking - perhaps next time I can PM you to let you know in advance when someone is having a chuckle.

The guy asked what sort of pickups they were so I told him to the best of my knowledge. They appear to be, from the photo of the pickups lying on the body of the guitar, the pickups that were called Bill Lawrence Super Humbuckers around my way. They were in many of the SGs of the period, as I stated above.

They look nothing like any of the Dirty Fingers that I've seen, which from memory came out a few years later in any case. But I guess that you know that already.

 

[circusboy28]

And I'm so happy for you Dynabite - who-hoo!

I was joking - perhaps next time I can PM you to let you know in advance when someone is having a chuckle.

The guy asked what sort of pickups they were so I told him to the best of my knowledge. They appear to be, from the photo of the pickups lying on the body of the guitar, the pickups that were called Bill Lawrence Super Humbuckers around my way. They were in many of the SGs of the period, as I stated above.

They look nothing like any of the Dirty Fingers that I've seen, which from memory came out a few years later in any case. But I guess that you know that already.

 

[circusboy28]

And I'm so happy for you Dynabite - who-hoo!

I was joking - perhaps next time I can PM you to let you know in advance when someone is having a chuckle.

The guy asked what sort of pickups they were so I told him to the best of my knowledge. They appear to be, from the photo of the pickups lying on the body of the guitar, the pickups that were called Bill Lawrence Super Humbuckers around my way. They were in many of the SGs of the period, as I stated above.

They look nothing like any of the Dirty Fingers that I've seen, which from memory came out a few years later in any case. But I guess that you know that already.