This is like watching a Gaming Historian episode. Very pleasant, in-depth, informative, entertaining and fun video. I wish there were more videos like this but I understand the great amount of work it took you to put this together. This is an absolute compliment: the presentation, personality and style is as if Video Game Historian, Video Game Dunkey, and Trogly had a baby. Your playing is phenomenal!
Best review on RUclips, the final tipping point for me - now a Gibson Explorer owner. And what a guitar! Sounds great through your amp. Plus 'Take No Prisoners'!! Thanks.
It's great to see someone acting natural and focus on their playing instead of how they look on camera. Most guitar 'youtubers' make a face like they're taking a dump as soon as they start playing, while nodding their head at the same time as some form of self-affirmation, telling themselves and the world how great they are. They also look straight into the camera for 2 secs every other lick or so, like 'hey guys look at me, wasn't that awesome?!'. Apart from that; great no nonsense review video! I own this guitar too and it's awesome, the only one I like better is the Antique Natural Flying V, I used to own a 1975 V but had to sell it ages ago, always regretted that. So I considered myself lucky when I was able to grab the Antique Natural V last year, almost/kind of a spitting image of the '75 model. Not too long after that the Explorer was available so I obviously bought that one too. Tip: if you are in EU and spot one, immediately seize it, these sell out in no time.
Dude, I’m picking mine up today!! I’m so freaking excited! It will also finally complete my Gibson electric guitar collection where I’ll have one of every electric guitar they make. Saved the best for last! By the way, this is definitely the best review of this guitar on RUclips. You truly showed off what this guitar actually really sounds like and did it’s heritage the respect it deserves!
If I ever dig deep and really learn how to play, I will purchase an Explorer. I appreciate your in depth analysis and laughed out loud a few times at your unexpected sense of humor. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for your compliments. You don't need to know how to play to buy guitars! I know several collectors that can't play a single note of music on any instrument and have more guitars than any working guitarist I know. Like them, I look at guitars as functional art, even the mass-produced stuff...It's all about enjoying it in whatever capacity that is. Thanks again
This is one of the best reviews Ive ever seen on youtube. Its fun, informative and mesmerising. I feel I really know what owning one could be like. First thing I would do is swap the white pickguard for a black one!
I’m absolutely in love with the middle position on any Gibson. I have two Gibson Explorers and a Gibson Les Paul and about 60% of the time I play in the middle position. It just sounds so unique and distinct
To each their own. That's what's great about gear: everyone has their own tastes. Just got a Flying V (same series) and I love the BB's in that guitar.
The multi tool- the mystery part you are using to turn the nut is actually a lever. It stays enclosed between the allen wrench side and the screw driver side. Push down on the outer portion of the lever when the tool is closed to pop out the row of tools.
Awesome review. A used model caught my attention at a local music store yesterday and it really caught my eye. It played nice and felt comfortable with it sitting on my knee. Like someone else said this is the most thorough review of a guitar I’ve ever seen. Thanks for your efforts.
BellezzaGuitars I loved it since the day I started playing guitar, I’m planning to get the 2016 model in the cherry finish. It wasn’t that comfortable when I tried it but hey, I’ll have plenty of time to get used to it
love your review and demo of this new Gibson explorer. I just bought one today. Everything you played on this guitar will help sell it. Buy them before the price goes up in $300 increments.
Hey there! Great video! One constructive correction though: Advanced Plating is not the "type" of bridge or any feature alike. It's the name of the official supplier that Gibson has used in later years, namely "Advanced Plating, Inc.". It's also the reason why the design of the nashville-style Tune-O-Matic bridge is different than previously in-house and Schaller produced hardware and reads A.P.I. on the back.
I have one also. My first "real" guitar. Very impressed. I love how at arround 8 or 9 volume its loud and great, but when cranked to 10, this thing wails! I keep mine at about 8 and only for solos I turn the volume knobs to 10.
Thank you! IMO I think the ceramics are better suited for this guitar. I think that this body is such a big plank of wood that it absorbs a lot of that string energy and a higher output pickup is better. I love the BBs, but just not in this guitar.
Thanks for the video! I’m a 56 year old guy and my first two loves when it comes to guitars were the SG and the Explorer. And though I’ve owned many guitars over the years (still not short on guitars today), for some strange reason I never had an SG or an Explorer until a couple of weeks ago when I got a beautiful Gibson SG Special that I ordered a week earlier. I wanted that guitar so much, but it sucked! I mean, the sound of the P90’s was amazing and pretty much everything else was flawless, except for that wraparound bridge design. It worked for many others, but at least this one didn’t work for me at all. I’m not a fool and after having played the guitar for 42 years I can assure you that I know how to set up a guitar properly. It couldn’t be done. That is to say, maybe it could be done if I would buy a good functioning wraparound bridge on which you can actually intonate each string perfectly, but if I would’ve tried, I would have lost the ability to send it back and get a refund. And I wanted a refund because this guitar seemed to have a problem that couldn’t be fixed in an easy way. Sorry for the intro. You know, I’m not a wealthy guy, but I just got lucky for once (don’t worry, I won’t bother you with that boring story - this is probably bad enough as it is) and I wanted to treat myself with a good guitar. And the first guitar I wanted was a 2nd hand Fender Custom Shop ‘67 Telecaster, my year of birth. It looked amazing and it was the closest thing to an original 1967 Telecaster, which had always been my dream. I found one once. Light as a feather and one of the best guitars I’ve ever played. That thing was too expensive for a music student like me. By modern standards it was ridiculously low priced, but that was 30 plus years ago! It wasn’t the first time it happened, but this beautiful LPB Custom Shop Tele, that had been hanging at a local guitar shop for 3 months already, was sold to someone else, literally half an hour before I got there to pick it up. I was so sad…, but I slept over it and since I already was planning on saving up money to collect a bunch of high quality pedals for a new pedalboard that I was willing to spread out over a year, I thought “well, now I can just buy all that stuff at once!” Remember I got lucky financially? 😊 So after I ordered all the stuff I wanted I still had enough for a relatively cheap guitar and thus I ordered the SG. But as you already read, that was yet another disappointment. And THAT’S when my eyes caught this beauty, the Explorer. The exact same version that you demoed in this video. And I started looking around and I was surprised to find out that it was the only relatively affordable Explorer on the market today and it gave me the idea that it could be one of the last ones, because there was only this one store where I could find one at this price point!!! The cheapest Explorer after this beauty was at least 700 euro more and I really couldn’t afford that. So I went for it. But I’m still waiting for this guitar to arrive. Now, I do know a little what to expect. I’ve played a couple of them over the years and what always struck me was the comfort of playing this guitar while sitting down. And another thing was the fact that I love heavier strings (a little heavier than most people nowadays will feel comfortable with). But the big point that sits under your right arm when playing and sitting down, that big pointy chunk of wood acts like the soundboard of an upright piano. That thing, especially when you’re using heavy strings gauges, will resonate through your entire body and that gives you the sensation of feeling the power of an instrument flowing through you. It reminds me of playing my old ES-347 in the time when I would still play the larger venues, standing before Marshall stacks and AC30’s and I would feel the air, coming out of the upper F hole and thumping against my arm. And it gave me the feeling of sitting behind the wheel of a big, powerful car, speeding on the highway and being in control of this monstrous beast! Well…, that’s what driving a car like that used to make me feel, that’s what playing the ES-347 right before a powerful rig used to make me feel and that’s what I hope to feel again when I play my first Explorer after having it strung with a set of .011/.048 (see, it’s not THAT heavy), because I already felt that in these few times when I could play an Explorer. I’m so happy what you said about the pickups, because I was afraid Gibson would have used high output pickups for these, indeed, because of the ‘metal vibe’ these guitars seem to have on certain people. In fact, the fact that I lost the P90 sound, because of the lousy quality of the SG Special, and then decided to make a dream come true by the purchase of the Explorer I was already searching for pickup rings for humbuckers, but with the ‘routing’ for soapbar style P90’s, so I could turn my Explorer into a P90 guitar. I know there are other options. Some companies make P90’s in humbucker sized bobbins. And I don’t know if this is just a ‘psychosomatic thing’, but for some reason they never seem to sound like a P90 to me. If it doesn’t look like a P90, then it doesn’t sound like a P90. And it’s worse than that! Because I think I hear a difference between P90’s with a plastic bobbin and a P90 with a metal bobbin. But even if it is ‘psychosomatic’ (by the lack of a better word for it)…, when I think it sounds better, it means that I’ll play better. But even then…., my not so secret dream would be to have a matte grey finished Explorer with a powertron style pickup in the bridge and a Dynasonic style pickup in the neck. I’d piss myself of joy. Anyway, you made me feel good and less frightened to have made yet another mistake by buying a guitar I haven’t even touched yet (something I NEVER thought I would ever do! This video made me feel more secure. Especially because I have no choice but to sit down when playing, because I lost my right leg 9,5 years ago. And that’s exactly the reason why I started looking for Explorers again. But……, I noticed you shot another video about your findings on this guitar after a year of playing and I haven’t seen that video yet. And maybe I shouldn’t. It scares me! 😬 I’m sorry for this loooooooong story. It’s a weird condition I have. The later it gets and exhaustion takes over, I can’t stop writing. Sorry. I’m done now. Thanks for the video! ❤
Very well presented. I truly dug the vibe and all the finer points. I bought my Explorer new in 1984 and have owned a great many other guitars but it has always been my #1. It's extensively modified and is now on it's 4th paint job. The only original parts left are really none aside from the wood and the paint on the face of the headstock. I put new frets on it 2 years ago and while I do have some of the original parts, most are lost to time. And if the case could talk...... Let's just say there are people who would be in jail.
Thanks for watching and the comments. Is that one of the Alder body Ex's? My buddy has an '84 with custom psychedelic artwork on it and it's insane. Those guitars are some of the best: You're not worried about condition and value and the thing has character and is a player. Congrats on hanging onto it for so long.
Your review was the most comprehensive I have come across. I ended up with a 2016 Explorer yesterday. The price was too good. Mine has different pickups and all gold hardware, of which I am not a fan but it wasn't a deal breaker. I was surprised as well with the balance of the guitar. I went to grab a pick and let go of the guitar, and it stayed perfectly still. I am enjoying it immensely, and I'm happy I found it. Not one ding on it, I might add. Thanks for the great video.
I procured a black-finished Epiphone Explorer with gold hardware from Guitar Center in December 2008. I subsequently played the contemporary Gibson rendition to figure out if I was missing anything other than the name. I wasn’t. Even if the cream-of-the crop combination is a true Gibson Explorer made from karina wood, done in the nitrocellulose lacquer finish, slim taper neck and fitted with the ceramic pickups, my gear has got to be functional first. This model sounded inexplicably clean when I shot it through a modeled JC120 tone and had to add all my own dirt. It amazingly presented itself smoothly as a suitable Jazz-fusion model, as well as for blues and hard rock. For 3 years, that Epi Explorer was my default. I might still have it today, except it began “taking up space” after I came to live in New York. I would replace it, but the stipulation is that it won’t be “taking up space”.
Thank you sir for this very detailed and informative review. I am left handed and have wanted one of these since the 80’s but there were none to be had. I am excited to finally have one on order. I can’t wait to play it.
I really appreciate your in-depth analysis of the explorer. I'm busily saving up to buy one and, as I live in the middle of nowhere, I just don't have the ability to go and try one out. Your video has really helped to confirm in my mind that this is the guitar for me. Hopefully they're still in production by the time I get around to buying one. Thanks again!
Thanks Gary. That's exactly why I try to make in depth videos like these. They should be around. There are plenty floating around used as well. Thanks for watching and for the kind words.
@@bellezzaguitars7155 unless I have not seen this subject, would you kindly present a review of the 50s and 60s reissue Les Paul Standards?Many thanks and all the best to you and your family.
My 1984 Explorer is Ferrari Red from the factory. It's hard to find red ones. I think they only did red in the mid 80s and only for a year or two. Most red Explorers are the transparent cherry. The body on mine is alder and the neck is maple. I don't know that the alder body makes much tonal difference. Maple necks were very common on many models in the Norlin era. One thing I like about mine is that the upper strap button came from the factory on the top side of the guitar instead of on the neck heel. I think it adds to the balance when you play with a strap. No extra holes to drill. I agree that it is the most well balanced guitar I have ever owned and it's just a blast to play.
The Burstbucker 2 & 3 come with Alnico 2 magnets (as does the Burstbucker 1 for that matter). The difference in each pickup is the number of winds (Burstbucker 1 having the fewest winds, Burstbucker 3 having the most).
I really like the clean double top licks you did. Also the driven parts just sound so different, so deficient, as if the pickup is breaking is getting spoilt haha i love it. Hope some gear nerds can explain why it sounds like that.
Its so nice to see a demo video of a gibson guitar where the tone is not a fizzy fuzzy muddy mess that sounds like a can of angry bees. This is hands down the best demo video i have ever seen by far and i have watched a good several hundred . This video shows that burstbucker 2 and 3 are an amazing pickup set in the right guitar and if you know what you are doing. I dont know why gibson does not use the BB 2 and 3 combo more becuae they sound amazing in les pauls and the sg . To me they seem to sound quite a bit better in all mahogony guitars like explorers and the flying v but they still sound fantastic in s les paul . I wish gibson offered different pickup options for their usa models. For examole offer the 50s standard with burstbucker 1 and 2 some with burstbucker 2 and 3 and some with 57 Classic and classic plus or offer the the antique finish explorer with both ceramics and alnico pickups.
Thank you very much for the compliments... I really think that guitars are an organic thing and it's difficult to pin down exactly what pickup will work with what model. I felt the Alnicos were a little under powered for the Explorer, but I have a feeling that they would sound amazing if I put them into an SG. I feel like the Explorer is just such a huge chunk of wood that it absorbs more energy from the strings and a vintage wound pickup gets stifled. BUT, to each their own and it honestly doesn't mean much when played through ear buds or an arena sized PA! Pickups can always be swapped out. It's neck profiles that I wish Gibson USA gave us a choice on. Just imagine if every model had your choice of slim taper or a chunkier profile. I would buy WAY more Gibsons if they did that on non-CS models. Thanks again for the kind words and thanks for watching.
Hey excellent review as usual! Let me ask you would rather play this guitar or a Flying V, the new one same fit and finish antique natural. Which feels more comfortable to play?
I would have to purchase one of those Flying Vs and really spend some time with it to give an honest opinion...which I did. Review coming when I get my rear in gear. Thanks for watching.
No. I don't believe any Explorer has ever had weight relief...except if you count the Holy Explorer!!! However, this guitar is about 8.5lbs. Not bad. I've played plenty of LPs (and even Strats) that were heavier.
I'm so glad I've just discovered your channel, I've just subscribed! AWESOME REVIEW to say the least. You've pretty much got me thinking that this Explorer will be my next guitar. When I think of an Explorer the first guitarist that comes to mind is Rick Nielsen......one of my favorite guitarists. Granted, Rick played mostly Hamer Standards which were Explorer clones but Rick does have Gibson Explorers in his collection as well. Thanks for such a detailed review. Nobody ever talks about the fret wire dimensions but this has always been something I need to know so thanks for those stats! For the price, this new Explorer seems like a bargain. BTW- I watched your updated review of the Explorer and I totally agree with your mods, especially the changing of the knobs! I don't know why Gibson didn't use the old top hat style to begin with. Gives it a much more authentic retro look. Excuse my ignorance but you said it was made by Gibson USA. Is it actually made in the USA? If so, I'm amazed such a nice guitar with a it's nice case can be made and bought for only $1700 bucks. Sounds to me like Gibson has finally gotten it's act together with it's new CEO, etc.
First, thanks for watching and for the kind words...Yes, all of the Gibson Electrics are made in Nashville, Tennessee. The ES models were made in Memphis up until early 2019, but all of that production was moved to Nashville as well. The Acoustics are made in Bozeman, Montana. It's funny, because some people think the Explorers are WAY too expensive! But to each their own. I think it's a great guitar, but I would love to get a Custom Shop '58 Mahogany or a licensed Korina Ex made by Banker...Rick hails from Rockford, IL not too far from where I live. One of these days I will wear him down enough that he will show me his original Explorers! Good luck on your next guitar, whatever it may be. Happy picking!
@@bellezzaguitars7155 Thank you for all the info. I haven't kept up with the changes at Gibson but it sounds like things have gotten much better. Oh yes, I'd love a custom shop model but I can't afford one at this point. They are awesome indeed. Yes, you live near Rick! That would be amazing to see his originals. OH man....what a collection he has. I'll be checking out your other videos in the coming weeks. Great channel!
Great review. At 20:34 regarding the color choices, when Gibson did the '76 reissue in 1990 there was a tobacco burst option for the first couple years (from '90~'94 ??) that they called vintage sunburst.
I was totally captivated until you said, "low profile frets". For me they're not so good for lead runs. Feels like you have to apply too much pressure to fret notes and chords. Two of my 2015 Gibsons had them and I soon realized they were not going to work for me. So I replaced the frets on the Les Paul Classic almost right away with stainless steel jumbo frets. This made a SIGNIFICANT difference... as in a massive improvement!!! So far, I have left the low profile frets on my Les Paul Junior, but I find I miss notes on it frequently due to the extra pressure I have to apply to fret the note, and so I don't play it very much. In fact, I'll probably try to sell it soon. Some guitarists may not even notice the difference in these frets and, therefore, it would not be a problem for them. But jumbo fretwire has become a must for me these days and is an important factor in determining whether I am going to purchase a guitar or not. Gibson promoted these lower profile frets as an "improvement" for 2015 models. But I suspect it was a cost savings move more than anything else. Glad to see them go away for the new models today. I think the average long-time Gibson players don't particularly care for changes that change the way we expect a Gibson to feel or function. Case in point... the G-Force tuning system. Don't even get me started! Anyway, thanks for a very nice and entertaining review of this Explorer!! Enjoyed it!!
Frets are a huge deal that impact your playing, so I think it's a totally valid point. I tend to prefer vintage frets, but I had a '79 strat with jumbos and loved it. However, I have a tendency to dig in at times and for me I'd rather dig into the neck instead of the fret wire. I really think it's a personal thing and it's on a guitar to guitar basis. Neck profile is the biggest thing to me and I find myself changing the way I set up my action and what strings I use depending on how big the neck is. Same thing goes for frets. +1 on the SS wire! I fret all of my new necks with either Jescar SS or EVO gold, because why the hell would you not??? That's what so great about guitars is that you can change out whatever you want on them, it's all personal. There's no telling what Gibson is going to do. They keep playing around with specs from year to year or in the middle of a run and it's hard to keep up with what frets are on what. Thanks for watching and thanks for the compliments!
Bit late to the party. Great review. Informative, objective, and entertaining. Any chance you'll review the new Epiphone Prophecy range? I'm extremely interested to see how the new Epi Extura stacks up against the competition.
I would love to, but I just can't turn around vids as fast as I'd like, so I end up buying guitars I can never review. I am trying to get it where I can purchase guitars and give them away through Patreon or something like that so I can afford it. I did want to review the Prophecy, I will keep it in mind for sure. I am also open to buying guitars for people and doing the review and then passing them along when I am done. Thanks for watching!
Hey my man these videos are awesome. I’ve been trying to find reviews about guitars and most of them are just the surface. You did a great job here. If you can would you be able to do the new fender Telecaster Deluxe? You know the one with the 4 pots? Thanks!! Keep making these
Thank you vey much for the compliments. I will do my best to keep them coming. I have many more videos planned. Are you referring to the Fender American Professional Telecaster Deluxe with the Shawbuckers??? There have been so many different Deluxe's put out there...let me know, I'll try my best!
I have a 98 Explorer with the 490R/500T pup's. Open coil. I find them very adequate but see a lot of reviews where people have negative feedback and are replacing them. What is in your guitar ?
Covered Burstbuckers. BB2 and BB3. You need to watch the rest of the video! I talk about the pickups and the tones quite a lot! I actually think the open coil ceramics that you have may be better suited for the Explorer.
I hear elements of Derringer and Rossington. Right on. Rick had a extremely rare Explorer with a V headstock, but it would not stay in tune.He ended up selling it.I guess I would have too, but always triple check the value of your instrument.
Best review ever. Holy crap this was extensive. Only gripe I have, is i actually prefer more talking, and explaining things , and a little less tone demos. You tube compresses all the audio, so a bunch of tone clips is kinda useless. Plus, tone is hugely subjective and dependent on individuals signal path. So, I would rather see more about the construction, etc. Anyway, killer video man. I instantly subbed
Awsome video man bougth one of these beast to youre video help med take the descision. Allready had the explorer B2. I love both my explorers. For myself the explorer shape is ideal as a tall guy. Most comforteble gituar shape to me.
Hi, Just watched you for the first time, great job ! I hope you keep it up , give Trogly a run for his money. I really like your content , hope you post often . You have a new fan👍
This is quite possibly the greatest guitar video ever made. At any rate, I’ve subscribed.
Thank you very much. Many more vids to come...
Agree!!!
Bought one today and I gotta say this video has been INSTRUMENTAL to my understanding of the majesticness of the Explorer, Great vids!
Glad I could help. Thanks for watching!
The Explorer hands down is the most underrated guitar I personally think. Got mine last year and hands down my favorite guitar I have ever played.
Andrew Dinsmoor i think your hands are down
What other guitars do you have?
Same
I think theres many designs that are. Any gibson thats not an lp or 335 is essentially underrated. I can see hendrix playing an explorer.
2 times hands down in 1 comment.. meh
"if you are a left handed guitarist may God have mercy on your soul..." 😂👍
this was not only a perfect review...i seriously laughed out loud (lol) several times - thanks!
Thanks! Glad you liked it.
This is like watching a Gaming Historian episode. Very pleasant, in-depth, informative, entertaining and fun video. I wish there were more videos like this but I understand the great amount of work it took you to put this together. This is an absolute compliment: the presentation, personality and style is as if Video Game Historian, Video Game Dunkey, and Trogly had a baby. Your playing is phenomenal!
I was 98% sure I wanted one of these. You locked down the last 2%. Great review, thank you!
Thank you so much. Glad I could help. Enjoy your EX!
Probably the best guitar review I've ever seen. Subscribed. Bravo!
Thank you very much, I appreciate that. More reviews to come.
Best review on RUclips, the final tipping point for me - now a Gibson Explorer owner. And what a guitar! Sounds great through your amp. Plus 'Take No Prisoners'!! Thanks.
Congrats on the new Explorer! Thank you for the compliment. That is honestly the only Megadeth riff I can play...so far.
Best guitar review I've ever seen on YT, for any model! Thank you!
Thank you for the powerful kind words
It's great to see someone acting natural and focus on their playing instead of how they look on camera.
Most guitar 'youtubers' make a face like they're taking a dump as soon as they start playing, while nodding their head at the same time as some form of self-affirmation, telling themselves and the world how great they are. They also look straight into the camera for 2 secs every other lick or so, like 'hey guys look at me, wasn't that awesome?!'.
Apart from that; great no nonsense review video! I own this guitar too and it's awesome, the only one I like better is the Antique Natural Flying V, I used to own a 1975 V but had to sell it ages ago, always regretted that. So I considered myself lucky when I was able to grab the Antique Natural V last year, almost/kind of a spitting image of the '75 model. Not too long after that the Explorer was available so I obviously bought that one too.
Tip: if you are in EU and spot one, immediately seize it, these sell out in no time.
very in-depth review, and I for one appreciate the extra effort that takes, swell job
Thank you. This took me like 6 months to make! I am trying to narrow that down to 1 vid a week!
This was one of the finest and more informative guitar reviews I've ever watched. Really well done. Now I need to find one of these Explorers!
Thank you for the kind words. Maybe I'll do another review someday! I think you will have no problems finding one...
I’m picking one up today. I loved your video, not too schticky but funny, entertaining and you go as far as opening her up! Very well done!
Congrats on the NGD!
Hey, imagine if a car review went as deeply as you and started to remove parts to analyze the construction. AWESOME!
Thank you very much! I'm thinking that if they did this with cars I don't think anyone would buy a car!
Well sir, this was good quality footage here! Thank you for a well done review! Sweetwater has my order, I’m sold!
Thank you for watching. Another NGD made. Hope it's a good one.
This is the best guitar review on YT
I have the V in antique natural and now im waiting for my matching Explorer to arrive tomorrow, can't wait!
I'm jealous. I want that pairing as well!
@@bellezzaguitars7155 Got it a few weeks ago and it is amazing. Like it more than the V actually, which i alao love.
Great review and demo BTW!
Well done! What an extensive, in depth review of the exact year and guitar I'm about to purchase - you really helped me seal the deal. Many thanks!
Thanks for the review man I just ordered one yesterday should be here in a couple days
Congrats! I hope it's a nice one.
you are the most underrated guitarist youtuber and youtuber in general. i wish you the best man! 👊
Thank you so much and thanks for watching. Hopefully much more content to come.
Nice to see a video that shows the clean tones
Dude, I’m picking mine up today!! I’m so freaking excited! It will also finally complete my Gibson electric guitar collection where I’ll have one of every electric guitar they make. Saved the best for last! By the way, this is definitely the best review of this guitar on RUclips. You truly showed off what this guitar actually really sounds like and did it’s heritage the respect it deserves!
Very nice explorer. This is my favorite design, hope you are still enjoying it.
If I ever dig deep and really learn how to play, I will purchase an Explorer. I appreciate your in depth analysis and laughed out loud a few times at your unexpected sense of humor. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for your compliments. You don't need to know how to play to buy guitars! I know several collectors that can't play a single note of music on any instrument and have more guitars than any working guitarist I know. Like them, I look at guitars as functional art, even the mass-produced stuff...It's all about enjoying it in whatever capacity that is. Thanks again
This is one of the best reviews Ive ever seen on youtube. Its fun, informative and mesmerising. I feel I really know what owning one could be like. First thing I would do is swap the white pickguard for a black one!
I’m absolutely in love with the middle position on any Gibson. I have two Gibson Explorers and a Gibson Les Paul and about 60% of the time I play in the middle position. It just sounds so unique and distinct
agreed i have this guitar and it woofs
Middle position gives you that "phase-y", "hollow", "quack" sound (Not sure how to describe it!) Especially on a hollow body...
Agreed
I’d disagree with the high gain comment you made. I happen to love how the burst buckers sound in a high gain setting.
To each their own. That's what's great about gear: everyone has their own tastes. Just got a Flying V (same series) and I love the BB's in that guitar.
The multi tool- the mystery part you are using to turn the nut is actually a lever. It stays enclosed between the allen wrench side and the screw driver side. Push down on the outer portion of the lever when the tool is closed to pop out the row of tools.
Awesome review. A used model caught my attention at a local music store yesterday and it really caught my eye. It played nice and felt comfortable with it sitting on my knee. Like someone else said this is the most thorough review of a guitar I’ve ever seen. Thanks for your efforts.
My favorite guitar shape! And superb review dude
Thank you so much! I am pretty much in love with the Explorer now...
BellezzaGuitars I loved it since the day I started playing guitar, I’m planning to get the 2016 model in the cherry finish. It wasn’t that comfortable when I tried it but hey, I’ll have plenty of time to get used to it
@@imaniceguy5799 It's kind of like "This shoe does not feel comfortable at all, but it looks to good not to wear it!"
love your review and demo of this new Gibson explorer. I just bought one today. Everything you played on this guitar will help sell it. Buy them before the price goes up in $300 increments.
hey best review ever frank
Thank you for watching
Now that was a review. Awesome.
Thanks. More to come...
Got myself one of these guitars, couldn’t be happier
Congrats! Thanks for watching
Great review! I laughed several times. I just got a lefty natural explorer and it’s great. Have mercy on my soul!
Thank you for the compliments! My sincere condolences on your left-handedness...
Hey there!
Great video!
One constructive correction though: Advanced Plating is not the "type" of bridge or any feature alike. It's the name of the official supplier that Gibson has used in later years, namely "Advanced Plating, Inc.". It's also the reason why the design of the nashville-style Tune-O-Matic bridge is different than previously in-house and Schaller produced hardware and reads A.P.I. on the back.
I have one also. My first "real" guitar. Very impressed. I love how at arround 8 or 9 volume its loud and great, but when cranked to 10, this thing wails! I keep mine at about 8 and only for solos I turn the volume knobs to 10.
Hi! Nice review! Cheers! Do you think that this BB pickups are better than the older models' 500t? If yes, why? Thank you
Thank you! IMO I think the ceramics are better suited for this guitar. I think that this body is such a big plank of wood that it absorbs a lot of that string energy and a higher output pickup is better. I love the BBs, but just not in this guitar.
Thanks for the video!
I’m a 56 year old guy and my first two loves when it comes to guitars were the SG and the Explorer. And though I’ve owned many guitars over the years (still not short on guitars today), for some strange reason I never had an SG or an Explorer until a couple of weeks ago when I got a beautiful Gibson SG Special that I ordered a week earlier. I wanted that guitar so much, but it sucked! I mean, the sound of the P90’s was amazing and pretty much everything else was flawless, except for that wraparound bridge design. It worked for many others, but at least this one didn’t work for me at all. I’m not a fool and after having played the guitar for 42 years I can assure you that I know how to set up a guitar properly. It couldn’t be done. That is to say, maybe it could be done if I would buy a good functioning wraparound bridge on which you can actually intonate each string perfectly, but if I would’ve tried, I would have lost the ability to send it back and get a refund. And I wanted a refund because this guitar seemed to have a problem that couldn’t be fixed in an easy way.
Sorry for the intro. You know, I’m not a wealthy guy, but I just got lucky for once (don’t worry, I won’t bother you with that boring story - this is probably bad enough as it is) and I wanted to treat myself with a good guitar. And the first guitar I wanted was a 2nd hand Fender Custom Shop ‘67 Telecaster, my year of birth. It looked amazing and it was the closest thing to an original 1967 Telecaster, which had always been my dream. I found one once. Light as a feather and one of the best guitars I’ve ever played. That thing was too expensive for a music student like me. By modern standards it was ridiculously low priced, but that was 30 plus years ago!
It wasn’t the first time it happened, but this beautiful LPB Custom Shop Tele, that had been hanging at a local guitar shop for 3 months already, was sold to someone else, literally half an hour before I got there to pick it up.
I was so sad…, but I slept over it and since I already was planning on saving up money to collect a bunch of high quality pedals for a new pedalboard that I was willing to spread out over a year, I thought “well, now I can just buy all that stuff at once!”
Remember I got lucky financially? 😊
So after I ordered all the stuff I wanted I still had enough for a relatively cheap guitar and thus I ordered the SG. But as you already read, that was yet another disappointment.
And THAT’S when my eyes caught this beauty, the Explorer. The exact same version that you demoed in this video. And I started looking around and I was surprised to find out that it was the only relatively affordable Explorer on the market today and it gave me the idea that it could be one of the last ones, because there was only this one store where I could find one at this price point!!! The cheapest Explorer after this beauty was at least 700 euro more and I really couldn’t afford that. So I went for it. But I’m still waiting for this guitar to arrive.
Now, I do know a little what to expect. I’ve played a couple of them over the years and what always struck me was the comfort of playing this guitar while sitting down. And another thing was the fact that I love heavier strings (a little heavier than most people nowadays will feel comfortable with). But the big point that sits under your right arm when playing and sitting down, that big pointy chunk of wood acts like the soundboard of an upright piano. That thing, especially when you’re using heavy strings gauges, will resonate through your entire body and that gives you the sensation of feeling the power of an instrument flowing through you. It reminds me of playing my old ES-347 in the time when I would still play the larger venues, standing before Marshall stacks and AC30’s and I would feel the air, coming out of the upper F hole and thumping against my arm. And it gave me the feeling of sitting behind the wheel of a big, powerful car, speeding on the highway and being in control of this monstrous beast!
Well…, that’s what driving a car like that used to make me feel, that’s what playing the ES-347 right before a powerful rig used to make me feel and that’s what I hope to feel again when I play my first Explorer after having it strung with a set of .011/.048 (see, it’s not THAT heavy), because I already felt that in these few times when I could play an Explorer.
I’m so happy what you said about the pickups, because I was afraid Gibson would have used high output pickups for these, indeed, because of the ‘metal vibe’ these guitars seem to have on certain people.
In fact, the fact that I lost the P90 sound, because of the lousy quality of the SG Special, and then decided to make a dream come true by the purchase of the Explorer I was already searching for pickup rings for humbuckers, but with the ‘routing’ for soapbar style P90’s, so I could turn my Explorer into a P90 guitar.
I know there are other options. Some companies make P90’s in humbucker sized bobbins. And I don’t know if this is just a ‘psychosomatic thing’, but for some reason they never seem to sound like a P90 to me. If it doesn’t look like a P90, then it doesn’t sound like a P90.
And it’s worse than that! Because I think I hear a difference between P90’s with a plastic bobbin and a P90 with a metal bobbin. But even if it is ‘psychosomatic’ (by the lack of a better word for it)…, when I think it sounds better, it means that I’ll play better.
But even then…., my not so secret dream would be to have a matte grey finished Explorer with a powertron style pickup in the bridge and a Dynasonic style pickup in the neck. I’d piss myself of joy.
Anyway, you made me feel good and less frightened to have made yet another mistake by buying a guitar I haven’t even touched yet (something I NEVER thought I would ever do!
This video made me feel more secure. Especially because I have no choice but to sit down when playing, because I lost my right leg 9,5 years ago. And that’s exactly the reason why I started looking for Explorers again.
But……, I noticed you shot another video about your findings on this guitar after a year of playing and I haven’t seen that video yet. And maybe I shouldn’t. It scares me! 😬
I’m sorry for this loooooooong story. It’s a weird condition I have. The later it gets and exhaustion takes over, I can’t stop writing. Sorry.
I’m done now.
Thanks for the video! ❤
Great Review. Has everything a person could want to see and hear while making a decision to purchase. Love the fact you take it apart.
Thanks! I am trying my best to cover pretty much EVERYTHING, so good to hear I am hitting all of the key points.
What a GREAT video!! Awesome review. One of the best I've ever seen. Subscribed!!
Very well presented. I truly dug the vibe and all the finer points. I bought my Explorer new in 1984 and have owned a great many other guitars but it has always been my #1. It's extensively modified and is now on it's 4th paint job. The only original parts left are really none aside from the wood and the paint on the face of the headstock. I put new frets on it 2 years ago and while I do have some of the original parts, most are lost to time. And if the case could talk...... Let's just say there are people who would be in jail.
Thanks for watching and the comments. Is that one of the Alder body Ex's? My buddy has an '84 with custom psychedelic artwork on it and it's insane. Those guitars are some of the best: You're not worried about condition and value and the thing has character and is a player. Congrats on hanging onto it for so long.
Dynamite demo!!! Your playing is great and I appreciate all the styles you showcased! Thanks!
NO! Thank YOU for watching!
0:18, The guitar is flying in space and lands on earth. (Note: That would be fall if it was the commercial of the Explorer
Your review was the most comprehensive I have come across. I ended up with a 2016 Explorer yesterday. The price was too good. Mine has different pickups and all gold hardware, of which I am not a fan but it wasn't a deal breaker. I was surprised as well with the balance of the guitar. I went to grab a pick and let go of the guitar, and it stayed perfectly still. I am enjoying it immensely, and I'm happy I found it. Not one ding on it, I might add. Thanks for the great video.
Thanks for watching. Congrats on the X. You can always change out that hardware. Hope you enjoy it.
The gold hardware ages quicker and looks cool over the years. Google Rick Neilson's '58 Explorer... It's worn out and looks pretty cool.
I procured a black-finished Epiphone Explorer with gold hardware from Guitar Center in December 2008. I subsequently played the contemporary Gibson rendition to figure out if I was missing anything other than the name. I wasn’t. Even if the cream-of-the crop combination is a true Gibson Explorer made from karina wood, done in the nitrocellulose lacquer finish, slim taper neck and fitted with the ceramic pickups, my gear has got to be functional first. This model sounded inexplicably clean when I shot it through a modeled JC120 tone and had to add all my own dirt. It amazingly presented itself smoothly as a suitable Jazz-fusion model, as well as for blues and hard rock. For 3 years, that Epi Explorer was my default. I might still have it today, except it began “taking up space” after I came to live in New York. I would replace it, but the stipulation is that it won’t be “taking up space”.
Thank you sir for this very detailed and informative review. I am left handed and have wanted one of these since the 80’s but there were none to be had. I am excited to finally have one on order. I can’t wait to play it.
I really appreciate your in-depth analysis of the explorer. I'm busily saving up to buy one and, as I live in the middle of nowhere, I just don't have the ability to go and try one out. Your video has really helped to confirm in my mind that this is the guitar for me. Hopefully they're still in production by the time I get around to buying one. Thanks again!
Thanks Gary. That's exactly why I try to make in depth videos like these. They should be around. There are plenty floating around used as well. Thanks for watching and for the kind words.
Everyone always think james on explorer but for me
I always remember Matthias Jabs on Scorps
Timjei Choi 👍 First riff i learnt on my Explorer was 'Rock you like a hurricane'....
Yeah... Good to hear... He's such a underrated guitarist
Thanks for the excellent review.
Thanks for watching
@@bellezzaguitars7155 that review sold me one year ago, and solidified my decision to purchase a Gibson Explorer. Many thanks.
@@bellezzaguitars7155 unless I have not seen this subject, would you kindly present a review of the 50s and 60s reissue Les Paul Standards?Many thanks and all the best to you and your family.
My 1984 Explorer is Ferrari Red from the factory. It's hard to find red ones. I think they only did red in the mid 80s and only for a year or two. Most red Explorers are the transparent cherry. The body on mine is alder and the neck is maple. I don't know that the alder body makes much tonal difference. Maple necks were very common on many models in the Norlin era. One thing I like about mine is that the upper strap button came from the factory on the top side of the guitar instead of on the neck heel. I think it adds to the balance when you play with a strap. No extra holes to drill. I agree that it is the most well balanced guitar I have ever owned and it's just a blast to play.
How do you have like 500 subs when your content is this amazing and youve obviously put a lot of work into it. Love it, subbing
Probably because it takes me 6-12 months to complete 1 video! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
The Burstbucker 2 & 3 come with Alnico 2 magnets (as does the Burstbucker 1 for that matter). The difference in each pickup is the number of winds (Burstbucker 1 having the fewest winds, Burstbucker 3 having the most).
you're good at editing
I really like the clean double top licks you did. Also the driven parts just sound so different, so deficient, as if the pickup is breaking is getting spoilt haha i love it. Hope some gear nerds can explain why it sounds like that.
Love Gibson Explorers - Loved the review! Subscribed!
Thanks for watching!
Its so nice to see a demo video of a gibson guitar where the tone is not a fizzy fuzzy muddy mess that sounds like a can of angry bees. This is hands down the best demo video i have ever seen by far and i have watched a good several hundred . This video shows that burstbucker 2 and 3 are an amazing pickup set in the right guitar and if you know what you are doing. I dont know why gibson does not use the BB 2 and 3 combo more becuae they sound amazing in les pauls and the sg . To me they seem to sound quite a bit better in all mahogony guitars like explorers and the flying v but they still sound fantastic in s les paul . I wish gibson offered different pickup options for their usa models. For examole offer the 50s standard with burstbucker 1 and 2 some with burstbucker 2 and 3 and some with 57
Classic and classic plus or offer the the antique finish explorer with both ceramics and alnico pickups.
Thank you very much for the compliments... I really think that guitars are an organic thing and it's difficult to pin down exactly what pickup will work with what model. I felt the Alnicos were a little under powered for the Explorer, but I have a feeling that they would sound amazing if I put them into an SG. I feel like the Explorer is just such a huge chunk of wood that it absorbs more energy from the strings and a vintage wound pickup gets stifled. BUT, to each their own and it honestly doesn't mean much when played through ear buds or an arena sized PA! Pickups can always be swapped out. It's neck profiles that I wish Gibson USA gave us a choice on. Just imagine if every model had your choice of slim taper or a chunkier profile. I would buy WAY more Gibsons if they did that on non-CS models. Thanks again for the kind words and thanks for watching.
I just ordered one yesterday, should be here by the 3rd... Can. Not. Wait.
Hey excellent review as usual! Let me ask you would rather play this guitar or a Flying V, the new one same fit and finish antique natural. Which feels more comfortable to play?
I would have to purchase one of those Flying Vs and really spend some time with it to give an honest opinion...which I did. Review coming when I get my rear in gear. Thanks for watching.
The explorer has one of my favorite body shapes
Agreed...may be my fav of all time. And that's coming from a long time Strat guy.
Fantastic review and demo!
Just ordered mine. Will be here tomorrow. Can't wait
Congrats! Hope it's a nice one...
All kidding aside, great review. Keep 'em coming.
Thank you for the review. Does this model has weight relief?
No. I don't believe any Explorer has ever had weight relief...except if you count the Holy Explorer!!! However, this guitar is about 8.5lbs. Not bad. I've played plenty of LPs (and even Strats) that were heavier.
Your videos are fantastic! Thank you
Thank you very much and thanks for watching
Ok just finished, that was an amazing review. Got my sub. Thoughts on the fact that this has such a long neck profile compared to LP?
Not sure if I follow you on "neck profile." Are you referring to upper register access?
I probably should have said “long neck scale” referring to how it feels like a limousine compared to a Les Paul.
very nice and in depth review, this is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you!
It’s my dream guitar and I have that holy axe in my possession
A Government issue no less!
I would love an entire "set" of Gov issued Gibsons
it's designed in 1958, Gibson were, light years ahead of their time with this one
Allen Collins rocked with one of those.
Yes. I love that one. Gibson did a CS run of his Ex as well.
That intro is so cool!! Sounds like Mercylful Fate
Thank you! I would have never thought of that. It's obviously missing the King Diamond vocals...
Grandma!!!!!!!! Let me help you, out of you're chair...
Great, fun review !
I'm so glad I've just discovered your channel, I've just subscribed! AWESOME REVIEW to say the least. You've pretty much got me thinking that this Explorer will be my next guitar. When I think of an Explorer the first guitarist that comes to mind is Rick Nielsen......one of my favorite guitarists. Granted, Rick played mostly Hamer Standards which were Explorer clones but Rick does have Gibson Explorers in his collection as well. Thanks for such a detailed review. Nobody ever talks about the fret wire dimensions but this has always been something I need to know so thanks for those stats! For the price, this new Explorer seems like a bargain. BTW- I watched your updated review of the Explorer and I totally agree with your mods, especially the changing of the knobs! I don't know why Gibson didn't use the old top hat style to begin with. Gives it a much more authentic retro look. Excuse my ignorance but you said it was made by Gibson USA. Is it actually made in the USA? If so, I'm amazed such a nice guitar with a it's nice case can be made and bought for only $1700 bucks. Sounds to me like Gibson has finally gotten it's act together with it's new CEO, etc.
First, thanks for watching and for the kind words...Yes, all of the Gibson Electrics are made in Nashville, Tennessee. The ES models were made in Memphis up until early 2019, but all of that production was moved to Nashville as well. The Acoustics are made in Bozeman, Montana. It's funny, because some people think the Explorers are WAY too expensive! But to each their own. I think it's a great guitar, but I would love to get a Custom Shop '58 Mahogany or a licensed Korina Ex made by Banker...Rick hails from Rockford, IL not too far from where I live. One of these days I will wear him down enough that he will show me his original Explorers! Good luck on your next guitar, whatever it may be. Happy picking!
@@bellezzaguitars7155 Thank you for all the info. I haven't kept up with the changes at Gibson but it sounds like things have gotten much better. Oh yes, I'd love a custom shop model but I can't afford one at this point. They are awesome indeed. Yes, you live near Rick! That would be amazing to see his originals. OH man....what a collection he has. I'll be checking out your other videos in the coming weeks. Great channel!
Awesome bro. Thanks. This was super helpful!
Nice video! whose opening song is it?
It's an original composition. I should probably make a music video out of it!
Great review. At 20:34 regarding the color choices, when Gibson did the '76 reissue in 1990 there was a tobacco burst option for the first couple years (from '90~'94 ??) that they called vintage sunburst.
great review. epiphone korina is ok?
I was totally captivated until you said, "low profile frets". For me they're not so good for lead runs. Feels like you have to apply too much pressure to fret notes and chords. Two of my 2015 Gibsons had them and I soon realized they were not going to work for me. So I replaced the frets on the Les Paul Classic almost right away with stainless steel jumbo frets. This made a SIGNIFICANT difference... as in a massive improvement!!! So far, I have left the low profile frets on my Les Paul Junior, but I find I miss notes on it frequently due to the extra pressure I have to apply to fret the note, and so I don't play it very much. In fact, I'll probably try to sell it soon. Some guitarists may not even notice the difference in these frets and, therefore, it would not be a problem for them. But jumbo fretwire has become a must for me these days and is an important factor in determining whether I am going to purchase a guitar or not. Gibson promoted these lower profile frets as an "improvement" for 2015 models. But I suspect it was a cost savings move more than anything else. Glad to see them go away for the new models today. I think the average long-time Gibson players don't particularly care for changes that change the way we expect a Gibson to feel or function. Case in point... the G-Force tuning system. Don't even get me started! Anyway, thanks for a very nice and entertaining review of this Explorer!! Enjoyed it!!
Frets are a huge deal that impact your playing, so I think it's a totally valid point. I tend to prefer vintage frets, but I had a '79 strat with jumbos and loved it. However, I have a tendency to dig in at times and for me I'd rather dig into the neck instead of the fret wire. I really think it's a personal thing and it's on a guitar to guitar basis. Neck profile is the biggest thing to me and I find myself changing the way I set up my action and what strings I use depending on how big the neck is. Same thing goes for frets. +1 on the SS wire! I fret all of my new necks with either Jescar SS or EVO gold, because why the hell would you not??? That's what so great about guitars is that you can change out whatever you want on them, it's all personal. There's no telling what Gibson is going to do. They keep playing around with specs from year to year or in the middle of a run and it's hard to keep up with what frets are on what. Thanks for watching and thanks for the compliments!
Bit late to the party. Great review. Informative, objective, and entertaining.
Any chance you'll review the new Epiphone Prophecy range? I'm extremely interested to see how the new Epi Extura stacks up against the competition.
I would love to, but I just can't turn around vids as fast as I'd like, so I end up buying guitars I can never review. I am trying to get it where I can purchase guitars and give them away through Patreon or something like that so I can afford it. I did want to review the Prophecy, I will keep it in mind for sure. I am also open to buying guitars for people and doing the review and then passing them along when I am done. Thanks for watching!
Hey cool! Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo, love it!
Hey my man these videos are awesome. I’ve been trying to find reviews about guitars and most of them are just the surface. You did a great job here. If you can would you be able to do the new fender Telecaster Deluxe? You know the one with the 4 pots? Thanks!! Keep making these
Thank you vey much for the compliments. I will do my best to keep them coming. I have many more videos planned. Are you referring to the Fender American Professional Telecaster Deluxe with the Shawbuckers??? There have been so many different Deluxe's put out there...let me know, I'll try my best!
BellezzaGuitars Yes sir! That would be the one.
I have a 98 Explorer with the 490R/500T pup's. Open coil. I find them very adequate but see a lot of reviews where people have negative feedback and are replacing them. What is in your guitar ?
Covered Burstbuckers. BB2 and BB3. You need to watch the rest of the video! I talk about the pickups and the tones quite a lot! I actually think the open coil ceramics that you have may be better suited for the Explorer.
Nicely done sir! I got to hear what thing can do.
Thank you, thanks for watching
Wow, great vid. I hear the Skynyrd in this geetar
Maybe someday I'll get that Allen Collins Tribute Explorer
wat song were u playing in the beginning , dope review
Fabulous guitar, fabulous build quality and finish. Thanks for a great review.
Great video. The guitar can play any music. Have you seen and heard The Edge play his?
very cool demo!
I hear elements of Derringer and Rossington. Right on. Rick had a extremely rare Explorer with a V headstock, but it would not stay in tune.He ended up selling it.I guess I would have too, but always triple check the value of your instrument.
Best review ever. Holy crap this was extensive. Only gripe I have, is i actually prefer more talking, and explaining things , and a little less tone demos. You tube compresses all the audio, so a bunch of tone clips is kinda useless. Plus, tone is hugely subjective and dependent on individuals signal path. So, I would rather see more about the construction, etc. Anyway, killer video man. I instantly subbed
ROCK N ROLL HOOCHIE KOO
amazing video man
Thank you!
I loved the intro... SO GOD DANG MUCH
Thanks! I also loved your comment so GOD DANG MUCH that I had to comment on your comment. Thanks for watching!
You ever try a Firebird? I wonder if they neck dive at all?
the best demo!
The Burstbucker 3 is not alnico 3. It’s alnico 2 as well, but wound hotter than the bb2.
You are right. Thanks for the correction.
26:37 - Ok....that was hilarious! XD
Awsome video man bougth one of these beast to youre video help med take the descision. Allready had the explorer B2. I love both my explorers. For myself the explorer shape is ideal as a tall guy. Most comforteble gituar shape to me.
Great review. I love my epi explorer.
Thanks for watching
Hi,
Just watched you for the first time, great job ! I hope you keep it up , give Trogly a run for his money. I really like your content , hope you post often . You have a new fan👍