Explorer questions

[Tonear]

I just bought an Explorer and I have some questions for anyone who is familiar with the guitars.
Wanted natural, but there were few for sale. Bought a wine colored early '90's with a '59 and a JB. The store is in Washington state and they offered a 48hr turnaround, were meticulous and honest.

I'd played 8 guitars: a '76, 2 new ones, a Hamer Standard, a Gibson '83 Korina '58 reissue, a '78, an '05, and the one I bought. The best was the '76(which started this quest, but was not for sale), with the '83 Korina second.

I'm new to Explorers, but I'm really impressed. The guitars are more ringy and clear than other HB Gibsons. I'm hoping that makes it more versatile than a LP or 335. I'm surprised how ergonomical and balanced the model is. Fun to play and looks cool. I actually think you could play any style of music on this guitar.

Now, here are my questions.

1. When playing lead guitar, the Explorers seems to lack "bloom" or a singing quality up above the 14th fret. It gets a bit stingy with the sustain, unlike a LP or 335. Is that normal?
2. Has anyone tried the replacement bridges, like the Callaham or Tonepro on an Explorer? My bridge seems solid, but I'm wondering if you could get more sustain with a different bridge.
3. Since I bought the guitar to play a variety of classic rock and alternative styles, I'll probably try a couple other pickups to see if I can emulate that '76. What other pickups do you have experience with, and can recommend?
4. Any other words of advice for a new Explorer owner?

Thanks in advance, John

 

[Tonear]

Even the best ones I played, the '76 and the '83 Korina where a little shy of sustain up above the 14th fret. Particularly on the 3rd string. Maybe it is an artifact of the Explorer design. Gibson SGs are mahogany and they scream up there.

I did raise the strings and play the hell out of the guitar for the last 2 days. This one is in nice condition, so maybe it wasn't getting enough play time. The frets were also recently dressed, and I wasn't enjoying the shape. All these things will work themselves out as you bond with the guitar and it wakes up.

I changed the strings to D'Addarrio 10's. The strings that it arrived with were either heavier or a tighter company. The guitar began to relax and the 17 unwound 3rd is sustaining better up in the high register now, as are the rest of the strings. I lost a little solidness down in lower position chording, but the trade off was a good compromise.
I'd still be interested in hearing from anyone who tried the Callaham, Tonepro or other bridges or inserts. Titanium, anyone?

Any more suggestions on pickups? Seth Lover, '57's, Dimarsio PAF's?
This setup with the '59 and JB makes a versatile guitar. The '59 sounds rich and jazzy, almost to a fault. I might enjoy something more punchy or bluesy. The JB is another great pickup, good balance and grunt from a high gain pickup. Again, I'd like to find something closer to the '76 for rock and alternative sounds. Or I might end up back with this combination.

Would I want to change the caps or wiring on a '92? Suggestions?

Thanks in advance, John

 

[Custom53]

I just bought an Explorer and I have some questions for anyone who is familiar with the guitars.
Wanted natural, but there were few for sale. Bought a wine colored early '90's with a '59 and a JB. The store is in Washington state and they offered a 48hr turnaround, were meticulous and honest.

I'd played 8 guitars: a '76, 2 new ones, a Hamer Standard, a Gibson '83 Korina '58 reissue, a '78, an '05, and the one I bought. The best was the '76(which started this quest, but was not for sale), with the '83 Korina second.

I'm new to Explorers, but I'm really impressed. The guitars are more ringy and clear than other HB Gibsons. I'm hoping that makes it more versatile than a LP or 335. I'm surprised how ergonomical and balanced the model is. Fun to play and looks cool. I actually think you could play any style of music on this guitar.

Now, here are my questions.

1. When playing lead guitar, the Explorers seems to lack "bloom" or a singing quality up above the 14th fret. It gets a bit stingy with the sustain, unlike a LP or 335. Is that normal?
2. Has anyone tried the replacement bridges, like the Callaham or Tonepro on an Explorer? My bridge seems solid, but I'm wondering if you could get more sustain with a different bridge.
3. Since I bought the guitar to play a variety of classic rock and alternative styles, I'll probably try a couple other pickups to see if I can emulate that '76. What other pickups do you have experience with, and can recommend?
4. Any other words of advice for a new Explorer owner?

Thanks in advance, John

Was the Hamer Standard a USA made one...? Every one I have played was great.

 

[Nigel T.]

Well.... I can only speak for myself, but I never really noticed what you write about above the 14th fret. I've set up my Explorer as a slide guitar so it might be that the slide playing interferes with the sustain, bloom, etc.

My Explorer has TonePros on it, both in the bridge department and tuners. For all my live guitars I use EMG pickups, and as they aren't everybody's dream, it might not be something for you. These are a 81 X/85 X pair.

 

[SGMM]

Bridge shoud be fine....but I'd recommend an aluminum tail-peice!!


Re: pickups....very subjective but....IMO....Gibson 57' Classics....or Duncan Antiquity!!

 

[Tonear]

The Hamer was at a store with 2 brand new Gibsons. I couldn't bond with the new ones, no vibe, but they were reasonably light. The Hamer sounded better, but it was a noticeably heavier guitar.
Why aluminum tailpiece?
j

 

[SGMM]

Lightweight tail-peice (like those on the Historic Series) = better tone!!

 

[Tonear]

Today I was back at the music store and replayed the Hamer Standard and the new Explorer. The Hamer is a one piece body as far as I can tell, no top on it, and natural finish. I'm not sure if it is 'hog or Korina. I sounds great, but again is quite heavy. No indication on where it was made.
I had not liked the brand new Explorer when I first played it. It had been the first guitar I played after having spent some time with the '83 Korina Gibson. I like to see the wood on the back of a neck, and this guitar is fully painted. Today the new Explorer was great. It is very light(wonder what it is made of, or if there are chambers?). It also has big frets on it. The lighter weight and the high frets really gave it excellent sustain up in the positions above 14. The best high register sustain of any of the Explorers I've played.
Not cheap, though. That kind of money can go toward a vintage instrument of some type.