Gibson '84 Explorer Reissues.....Hetfield. Why not offered??

[jlb32]

These type of Explorers seem to be highly liked. Why does Gibson not offer a '84 USA Reissue? Makes no sense IMO. They offer a Epiphone '84 but not a Gibson.

I know Gibson did the GTOW #47 '84 Reissue years ago. Supposedly based on James Hetfields Explorer and it sold out quickly. Why not make more? They obviously would sell. Come on Gibson.

Anyone feel the same?

 

[C_Becker]

The explorer doesn't get much love from Gibson sadly. I don't know why, its one of the most iconic metal guitars

 

[jlb32]

The explorer doesn't get much love from Gibson sadly. I don't know why, its one of the most iconic metal guitars

I agree. It could be a much bigger seller if Gibson embraced it more.


The Explorer is a amazing guitar regardless of what type of music you play. It really can do everything.

U2 IMO is not really rock, kind of pop IMO and they use Gibson Explorers most of the time. It really is just a comfortable guitar to play regardless of what type of music you play.

Just really hoping Gibson and James Hetfield come together before it's to late. Now would be a perfect time with the new album. Who knows how long they can continue to go and James has been a Gibson fan from the start when he convinced his mother to buy him a SG in high school.

 

[C_Becker]

Sure, you can play any kind of music on it and it will sound great.

But the shape to me screams "metal" and many metal guys play Explorer shaped guitars.

That said, I would love to see a Jon Schaffer signature Explorer.

 

[JCarno]

Funny you mention this. Just yesterday, I had a little extra reading time where I keep my different guitar store catalogues
I picked up the AMS Holiday edition and started thumbing through it.
I usually only look at Gibson guitars and all the amps and pedals.
This day I decided to look at some ESP LTD guitars.
They have a **** load of signature guitars. A couple Hetfeilds, Glen Tipton, George Lynch... and a few others I'm not familiar with.
Here's a Hetfeild Explorer looking one: http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-ESP-SNAKEBYTE-SW
They look cool as hell and I'm seriously thinking of picking up one of the GL Tigers.

 

[jordans0nly]

Funny you mention this. Just yesterday, I had a little extra reading time where I keep my different guitar store catalogues
I picked up the AMS Holiday edition and started thumbing through it.
I usually only look at Gibson guitars and all the amps and pedals.
This day I decided to look at some ESP LTD guitars.
They have a **** load of signature guitars. A couple Hetfeilds, Glen Tipton, George Lynch... and a few others I'm not familiar with.
Here's a Hetfeild Explorer looking one: http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-ESP-SNAKEBYTE-SW
They look cool as hell and I'm seriously thinking of picking up one of the GL Tigers.

I love his V better

 

[jlb32]

I really like ESP guitars. I own several myself, including a ESP Explorer. Not really a huge fan of the Snakebyte shape though.

I don't think James or Kirk will ever leave ESP but their endorsement with ESP has nothing binding. They can play or do whatever they want. Just like Kirk did the Gibson Flying V signature yet he still endorses and plays alot of ESP's.

Both James and Kirk both play alot of Gibsons with their ESP's.

I personally just think it would be cool to see Hetfield have at least one Gibson Signature model. He has been playing them for over 30 years now.

Here is my ESP Explorer, ala Hetfield.

 

[UKPortista]

I'd be down for a Hetfield '84 reissue...do it Gibson, DO. IT.

 

[rjshare]

Sure, you can play any kind of music on it and it will sound great.

But the shape to me screams "metal" and many metal guys play Explorer shaped guitar

Absolutely agree with you there, and I would actually go one step further and say that not only does it scream metal, but it screams outdated, caricatured pointy guitar metal and is IMO only a short bus ride away from being as ugly as a BC rich or Dean.

Sure, it's just my opinion but rather than suggesting I'm anything out of the ordinary here, I'd say that I'm pretty much Mr average when it comes to guitars and therefore my opinion is not an uncommon one. Also judging by Gibsons recent move towards technology and the whole"lifestyle brand" thing, I'd imagine that the last thing they'd want to do is heavily promote an iconic image of 80s naffness.

Apologies to all owners and fans...

 

[C_Becker]

I get your point, and of course you are entitled to your opinion but apart from super strats, pointy guitars are still the standard in metal. Even with newer bands, you see a lot of V or X - shaped guitars.

And most guitar manufacturers simply copy Gibson or Fender designs with little changes.

Gibsons customer base also likely consists of guys like me, who grew up with the "outdated, caricature pointy guitar metal" as you put it. And now being 30+, we can actually afford Gibsons 1000$+ guitars.

So from business side, it wouldn't be a bad move IMHO.

And IMHO the Explorer and Flying V design, both being much older than BC Rich or Dean have aged much better. But that is of course just my opinion as a Gibson fanboy.

 

[Mockbel]

My favorite "Metal" guitar shape is the Jackson Kelly which is somehow based on the Explorer shape...

I am a MegadetH fan and I still see the Gibson Explorer played by Al Pitrelli in their live tour was cool as hell... definitely explorer shape screams metal as Becker said !

 

[zakk_attack]

I love Explorer's shape and fit, it's so comfortable both standing and sitting; I don't like his derivates made out by Jackson etc.

I think that Gibson should dedicate more time and woods in the Explorer and Flying V's, too...they're not only metal machines, it really depends on the pickups and the colours of body, plastics etc.

Wish they put out one with '50s "baseball bat-like" neck..

 

[Buzzerjim]

Wish they put out one with '50s "baseball bat-like" neck..

My 81 has a neck like a tree trunk...

 

[Kris Ford]

Although they could easily make them in mahogany now, I believe the '84s were made of a different wood...alder or poplar and a maple neck maybe?

The kicker is that you'd pay more for a new one than an original...

 

[jlb32]

Absolutely agree with you there, and I would actually go one step further and say that not only does it scream metal, but it screams outdated, caricatured pointy guitar metal and is IMO only a short bus ride away from being as ugly as a BC rich or Dean.

Sure, it's just my opinion but rather than suggesting I'm anything out of the ordinary here, I'd say that I'm pretty much Mr average when it comes to guitars and therefore my opinion is not an uncommon one. Also judging by Gibsons recent move towards technology and the whole"lifestyle brand" thing, I'd imagine that the last thing they'd want to do is heavily promote an iconic image of 80s naffness.

Apologies to all owners and fans...

Many metal players use strats and Les Pauls also. There are many artists that use and have used Explorers that I wouldn't consider metal.

U2
Eric Clapton
Gary Moore
Joe Bonamassa
Billy Gibbons
Allen Collins
Rick Medlocke
Slash
Rick Derringer
Dave Grohl

The list can go on and on. You even see country and jazz players using Explorers some.

It's only outdated if you aren't into the shape. Most of the designs we play now were created in the 50's. IMO that probably makes pretty much all of them outdated.

 

[rjshare]

I get your point, and of course you are entitled to your opinion but apart from super strats, pointy guitars are still the standard in metal. Even with newer bands, you see a lot of V or X - shaped guitars.

And most guitar manufacturers simply copy Gibson or Fender designs with little changes.

Gibsons customer base also likely consists of guys like me, who grew up with the "outdated, caricature pointy guitar metal" as you put it. And now being 30+, we can actually afford Gibsons 1000$+ guitars.

So from business side, it wouldn't be a bad move IMHO.

And IMHO the Explorer and Flying V design, both being much older than BC Rich or Dean have aged much better. But that is of course just my opinion as a Gibson fanboy.

yeah but from a business point of view getting rid of self tuning technology and banging out some decent price traditional-spec juniors would be a very good move - but seeing as this is gibson...!

 

[rjshare]

Many metal players use strats and Les Pauls also. There are many artists that use and have used Explorers that I wouldn't consider metal.

U2
Eric Clapton
Gary Moore
Joe Bonamassa
Billy Gibbons
Allen Collins
Rick Medlocke
Slash
Rick Derringer
Dave Grohl

The list can go on and on. You even see country and jazz players using Explorers some.

It's only outdated if you aren't into the shape. Most of the designs we play now were created in the 50's. IMO that probably makes pretty much all of them outdated.

i'm not saying you are wrong at all - but vs and explorers are not what most people immediately associate slash with. yeah - he has played all sorts, but 99.9% of people capable of identifying guitar models would immediately think of an lp when you say slash. say clapton: you think strat.

sister rosetta tharpe famously played an sg custom but it doesnt mean that you automatically associate that model with gospel music!

anyway - not wanting to upset anyone here - i'm just saying basically that they will more than likely never have more than a niche appeal in my opinion.

 

[Sinistas]

Too bad Hetfield and Gibson never did a signature of this:

 

[jlb32]

i'm not saying you are wrong at all - but vs and explorers are not what most people immediately associate slash with. yeah - he has played all sorts, but 99.9% of people capable of identifying guitar models would immediately think of an lp when you say slash. say clapton: you think strat.

sister rosetta tharpe famously played an sg custom but it doesnt mean that you automatically associate that model with gospel music!

anyway - not wanting to upset anyone here - i'm just saying basically that they will more than likely never have more than a niche appeal in my opinion.

No upset on my end. It's just a discussion and yes players like Slash, Clapton, etc... are not known for Explorers even though they have owned and played them.

All I'm saying is the Explorers have been around close to as long as the Les Pauls. Gibson continues to make them today so obviously they still sell and many, many have owned and played them. Including a ton of famous artists.

 

[jlb32]

Too bad Hetfield and Gibson never did a signature of this:

I agree. Hetfields "Rusty" Gibson Explorer would be a great Signature model, if Gibson could get the pickguard right.