Ye-Yeahh!! | Hetfield vs Hetfield | Epiphone '84 Explorer vs Polaris P4M Explorer |
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- Опубликовано: 16 окт 2024
- Up today we continue the Polaris P4M Explorer series. We are pitting the Polaris P4M James Hetfield Explorer against the Epiphone '84 Explorer. I show you the differences in the bodies, the weight, neck dive, and a tone test. Both guitars have the same pickups, strings, and tuners. Both have the stock bridges that came from the factory.
Let me know what you thought in the comments below! Which one did you like best, or do both suck? Let me know. Any suggestions for more explorer guitar related content, let me know! I reply to every comment!
P4M unboxing and first impressions video:
• I Bought The Cheapest ...
I also do covers, and other guitar related content. If that's something you're interested in, please consider subcribing! Give the video a like also!
#jameshetfield #epiphoneexplorer #explorerguitar
Kirk Hammett Vs. Kirk Hammett Guitar Shoot out
ruclips.net/video/5ixa5v1PoLQ/видео.html
I think the cleans sound better on the Epiphone, a bit more open and clear. But the heavy tones I prefer the p4m, sounds heavier, more power and bottom end while still being tight.
Thanks for watching and for your input!
Nice video man! I think I like the PM4 tones a little better! Both sound great though!
Thanks man! Appreciate you watching and your input. I thought the p4m had more bite than I epi
@@DeweyJHall1 always man. You rule.
@@tyrannosaurusriffs thanks for saying that man! Means alot!
When you have the skill, you can make almost any guitar sound great
This is true!
Awesome comparison! 💪
Thanks Luk!
Weel, I mean, both sound amazing.
I'm not a gibson fan at all, but i actually have a preference for the epiphone 84 for this one.
Thanks for watching! Appreciate your input
@@DeweyJHall1 thx dude :)
you’re video was awesome btw
@@irisdantas861 You're welcome, and thank you! I've got some more Guitar vs Guitar videos in works
You can almost hear the Ride the Lightning tone on the Epiphone. Definitely a lot twangier than the P4M but I don't see where you could go wrong with either guitar. Keep on rockin🤘💀🤘
Thanks for watching! Both have a great sound, although slightly different!
real nice playing man, i think i like the p4m when it comes to heavy/distortion, but the cleans on the 84 are undeniably that sound you hear on ride.
Thanks for watching! That's what others have said also! I need to do a mix with both guitars so we see how they blend together
Great video thank you. I guess the body shape differance is because the p4m is based on the ESP.
Second hand prices on the epiphones are crazy and as you say you still need to get frets levelled and crowned.
The shop I use charges £100 for fret level and setup with the price of the p4m, new pups and tuners it still works out around £300 cheaper than the Epiphone.
P4m put esp logos on now.
@@collierpj you're welcome! Any more, a "cheap" guitar turns into an expensive one real quick, when you gotta upgrade it and get the frets level lol
I like the strap lock on the back of the gibson idea, that's a practical solution.
@@mattvdh thank you! It's the best place for it, for a explorer. Balances it perfect
Great job with this!
Thanks Jerry! I tried my best!
Definitely a huge difference between the two when it comes the Cleans & Distorted sounds. Epiphone for the Cleans are both Louder, Smoother, as for the Distorted parts, the roles are reversed lol the PM4 is definitely more Classic to that '"Hetfield" Body/Tone of the older original albums. You (I) can really hear when you do palm muted notes. Definitely made me a believer in the PM4, I'm a massive Hetfield fan haha one of the reasons I started playing many years ago.
I'd say use them both in a mix! Obviously, you know which ones to use where. Sometimes you might even change it up 🤘😎👍 Great 👍🤘 Video fellow content creator, metal Head! Just subbed to ya, feel free to stop on by my channel if you need/want Guitar Repair Tips other the many other things I've got to offer! Look forward to your newer uploads🤘😎🎸
Thanks for your input and observations! I agree, both in a mix would be monstrous! I'll check you out!
Both awesome. I'd probably prefer the P4M because I like a thicker neck and a darker tone.
I usually don't care for a thick neck, but this one is comfortable, so I really like it. Thanks for the comment!
Great review! It almost looks like the body shape of the P4M is slightly elongated compared to the Epiphone? Maybe that's why its taller in the rack?
Thanks!! Yeah, it's a bigger guitar all around. The upper horn sticks out alot further than the epi. The P4M is a beast of a guitar
The pick noise messes things up a bit not gonna lie
I recorded it live thru the mic. I agree, the pick noises can be distracting. Next time I'll record straight in for a better sounding experience. Thanks for the input!
@@DeweyJHall1 yea for sure, didnt mean to nitpick just giving some friendly advice lol
@@MARVELousBros I appreciate it! That helps me make the channel better
@@DeweyJHall1 it’s so you can hear what it sounds like in the room sometimes it’s an indicator how it sounds without amplification
@@michaelgrahamwongacutemadness next time, I may do examples of both. Live room sound and the polished sound as other suggested. That way, you get to hear both ways. Thanks for the input!
The epiphone explorer just sounds brighter in cleans n dirty
Thanks for the comment!
What is the weight in kilograms? Epiphone '84 Explorer. How much heavier is the Explorer than a standard Stratocaster?
Go to Google and type in pounds to kilograms and put in the lbs and it'll show you the kilogram amount. The 84 is about the weight of an average Fender strat. Guitar weights can vary from guitar to guitar, becuase no two guitars are exactly alike
thx for the solution of neck dive
No problem! Thanks for watching
Ok, Dewey. I need help, man. I don’t have a lot of money, but I have enough for one of these P4M explorers, and I found a guy willing to sell it to me for $280. Is it worth it? I don’t have enough money for another Gibson but I also don’t want to get scammed. Also, please reveal what amp you’re using. I’d kill for that tone or those settings.
Can you help me, man?
$280 aint bad, considering they changed the inlays to blocks now. You can't get the middle finger inlays anymore from P4M. That's what others have been telling me. Just know you'll probably have to do some fretwork, change the pickups and hardware to something better quality. If all that's in your budget, and you've got a way to do it, I say go for it. If not, you may want to save up for something else later down the line
@@DeweyJHall1 Thanks, man. If I may, how did you get your tone? Was it amp? Your amp settings, or a pedal?
@@ChromesharkDoesMetal it was just an amp, you're hearing the live audio here. Set you gain about 6, treble at 7, and bass at 4. Mids usually around 5. Use those setting on about any good sounding amp/modeler and you should get close
@@DeweyJHall1 Thanks, man.
Amazing tone man sound exactly like live performances
Thank you!
Hey great comparison. Which one feeels better to play? Is there a big difference?
Hey, thanks for watching! The epiphone has a thinner neck. The p4m has a chunky neck but it's comfortable to play. Both are fine to play on, would just depend on your preference
Once you pointed out the shape difference on the P4M I can’t unsee it. Just looks off.
It's definitely shaped different. All the old Esp's James played were shaped different than a regular explorer also. They're much sharper in the edges and contours. Probably bigger bodies as well
Love the video. Badass 🤘🤘and very handy! You said P4M has chunkier neck but, both guitars have the same fretboard radius? What do you think?
Thank you! I'm not sure of the fretboard radius, but I have some gauges that I can check that with. The P4M does have a chunkier neck. I'm thinking about reshaping it to a slimmer neck. It's fine as is, but I prefer a thinner neck
@@DeweyJHall1 I'm a big hand guy so I love chunkier necks. If you could measure the P4M's radius I'll appreciate it!
@@diegopl4144 As soon as I can get that, I'll get back with you!
@@DeweyJHall1 Sorry. Have you been able to check that? Thanks
I'd be interested to know which one you think plays/feels better.
Feel and play wise they're about the same, now that I've worked on them. Both had to have a fret level and recrown. The P4M has a thicker neck, than the epi and is heavier than the epi. The P4M feels like a better made guitar imo
I have a 93 gibson explorer. My buddy bought a new gibson one a couple years ago the body was ½" smaller all the way around. I use the slick style strap with a shoulder pad on it. No dive. But i also strap over the front like al collins
I believe there's 2 body styles for the gibson explorers. One is a '58 and the other is a '76 if I'm not mistaken. That could explain the size difference there. Yeah, if you do like AL Collins, you're getting any neck dive at all
@@DeweyJHall1 I just asked his is an x-plorer.
@@lucyfuir6386 okay, yeah, those are smaller than a regular explorer
Which one you like the most? Did you install another strap button in the back of the P4M like you did with the Epiphone?
I like both, but the P4M feels like a more solid guitar. No, I haven't installed another strap pin on the P4M. Just using the original locations which are fine. Will get strap locks later tho. That top position strap pin, is bad about letting the strap pull off
I'd have too say the epiphone on this one, just all around clearer
@@manguydude905 thanks for the comment!
Thank you for the comparison
@@manguydude905 you're welcome!
I watched this video with a mate of mine ages ago.
I have a black epiphone 84 and my mate regretted not getting one also.
After watching your video he decided to order a P4M same as in your video thinking it would be good enough for the money.
He put in emgs 81 85s, same as in the eppiphone.
He is reasonably happy with it.
But i got to be honest, we have been tweaking with the set up since he has owned it.
We can not get it to play as nice as my epiphone.
Its chalk and cheese.
The P4m just feels cheap, the action no matter what you do is terrible..
Im interested in your experience with your examples.
On my P4M I had to glue all the frets in, and level, and recrown them. I also changed the nut to bone, Without that, I couldn't have gotten low action on mine as it was. Mine stays in tune great. It's hung on the wall for months, picked it up the other day, and strummed around, it was in tune. I wish the neck was thinner tho, like the Epi 84. I've thought about reshaping the neck on the P4M, but I'm not sure I want to put that much work into it right now. Got so much to do, and so little time lol. I've found your best bet is to go with a major brand, explorer guitar. You'll get better consistency and different neck profiles. All these china copies have the same, thick chunky neck. I will do another video on the P4M soon tho. Probably re shaping the neck in it
@@DeweyJHall1 yeah, that's good advice.
I know what you are saying regards lack of time
An update vid would be cool though
@@guitarforfun2596 Thanks for the comments!
In comparison it is quite a bit larger but I guess that's okay for resonance. It's a heavy guitar so I'm guessing it's a mahogany body. I'm trying to get the neck to send it down to where it feels thinner. I have like a 85 explorer and no guitar plays like her. Unfortunately The drummer knocked it over getting out from behind the kit and broke the headstock.
I'd find a new drummer, lol! That sucks on the 85 man! I thought about sanding the neck down on mine as well. This one is thick, but comfortable. I usually don't like thick necks at all, but I can deal with this one
Man you sound southern like me, thought about getting the P4M just to noodle with and maybe replace the pickups
Hey Darrel! Thanks for watching. It's a fun project. Mine turned out great, after some work. These have a thick neck, but it's comfortable. Just something to look out for
As far as the sound of each, that's as simple as swapping out your pickups. Done and done. All the tone and sound is in the pickups. The material only matters for sustain and playability/comfort. So this is cool, I love cheap guitars that have a solid build but need a little tweaking with hardware, save a ton of money that way. I currently play through an IYV les paul copy and I swapped out all the hardware and had a luthier set it up proper and it's top shelf awesome now.
Dude, that's awesome! It's always cool to get a cheaper one and build it up, over time. I've done quite a few that way. A proper set up will do wonders for any guitar
Very nice video man I like your channel!, 😀 I wanna to buy the p4m on the website and I don't work on this website I think it's because I living in France. If you know where can I buy it I am ok man. Thanks and pass a good day 😉
Thank you, Geoff! You can get these on ebay also. I think they've changed the inlays to block inlays now instead of the finger inlays Like this one. Or at least that's the one's I've been seeing
I think most Aliexpress guitars have epiphone parts in them. The three I have all have Epi pickups and pots. Well they did lol
It would make sense. Those are most likely made in the same factory as epiphone. China makes everything for epiphone anyways
Can you link where did you get p4m guitar?
Check the description, there should be a link there. If it ain't let me know and I'll try to find it
Do you know where I can buy the P4M one?
Check the link in the description and see. I also have been seeing them on ebay recently. They changed the inlays to blocks now tho 🤨
@@DeweyJHall1 thanks bro, I really appreciate your help
@@animson159 no problem! Hope you can get you one
I’m a huge fan of the Badcat Explorer P4M, I’ve previously owned a Black Epiphone 1984 Explorer reissue and the only thing I really liked about. It was the fact that it came with active EMG pickups, now watching this video I think I’m more of a fan of the Badcat Explorer, in fact I just ordered one and that’s coming Tuesday, March 21, which is next Tuesday, I do plan to do whatever upgrades and whatever maintenance work, Dad is going to require to get it to play good, in fact, I have plans of putting James Hetfield’s EMG HET-Set active pickups and his new Ernie ball signature strings on this new guitar that I’m about to get, I think this is probably the most authentic James Hetfield Guitar around for the money it’s perfect, because not a lot of people can afford a $2,000+ guitar, plus I’m a huge fan of the bigger body, thicker neck, and bigger headstock, I heard that Gibson is considering bringing out a signature 1984 Gibson James Hetfield signature Explorer, it would be nice to see the Explorer come back to the Gibson lineup, in my opinion that’s my favorite guitar. I’ve always loved playing those guitars. It feels the best in my hands. I don’t seem to have a hard time playing it just because of the odd pointy shape, in fact, I feel like it’s balanced out on my body when I’m standing up with a strap playing it, but are used to own the 1984 Epiphone Explorer reissue but there’s not much difference other than the Badcat Explorer is bigger, but I would need to upgrade the pick up and probably take the guitar to a luthier to put a 9 V battery compartment in the guitar
It's a nice guitar for sure. Especially at this price, you can't find anything to match the hetfield vibe. With some work, you can have a killer guitar for not alot of money. The back control cutout is plenty big enough to hold the 9v battery, if you don't wanna have to route out for one. I just wrapped some foam around mine, so it would stay put and not move lose inside their
@@DeweyJHall1 do you want to know what’s messed up about the guitar that I got in the mail? It doesn’t have the middle finger inlays that the original “EET FUK” white 1984 MX 220 signature James Hetfield explorer had on it, they basically gave me a guitar with pearl block inlays so it doesn’t have the middle finger in lies so obviously somebody messed up, but I guess it’s whatever, kind of disappointing because I’ve always been wanting a James Hetfield Guitar obviously I don’t have $3,500 to $5000+ for his actual signature guitar by ESP, plus the body, and this guitar is bigger than the Epiphone 1984 explorer reissue with the active EMGs so I’m kind of disappointed that they didn’t put the iconic signature inlays on the guitar, so whether I’m going to spend the extra money to put a different front board or take it to our shop to have a professional, put the signature inlays on the guitar is to be determined, I mean, it feels great. It plays nice. But I’m just kind of disappointed because every single guitar that I see on RUclips has the middle finger inlays and NOT the pearl block inlays so I don’t know what happened, but I guess it’s whatever, I mean, I’ve always wanted a Guitar that was similar to his, but it’s certainly not the signature James Hetfield guitar that I was looking for, it is what it is I guess that’s what I paid for…. I just wanted to let you know that I got it on Friday so I really like it. I think the playability feels great, but I’m not trying to copy him, but that’s a very iconic guitar that he has and he retired the iconic “EET FUK” white 1984 ESP MX220 explorer guitar in 1990, but has used that guitar for studio recordings only now, I mean, it was on the Ride the Lightning through the And Justice For All years, before he went strictly with the black explorer and then his signature ESP guitars, and he still plays his original white Gibson Flying V guitar from the Kill ‘Em All album years, but I was just telling you what I got in the mail because I wanted to update you on what I got but I’m a little disappointed but like I said it is what it is..
@@alexanderkostan2488 that sucks man! I seen them on ebay the other day with the block inlays. I don't know why they changed them. There is other copies on ebay that still have the finger inlays. You could look into get some vinyl inlays on ebay. They're like stickers, they go on your fret board. And you can remove them if you ever want too. And they don't leave any residue behind
@@alexanderkostan2488 They probably had to change them to normal ones because of copyright issues... That would be the most likely reason. The new pic on their site also has the block inlays.
If there's still guitars on ebay with the James inlays, they are likely old stock.
the p4m had a bit more clarity and attack, probably because the emg's are a newer design.
@@mattvdh thanks for the comment! P4m did have more attack and clarity
Gotoh makes great hardware
Thanks for the suggestion!
Very good job. Nicely done. To my ears, the '84 sounds a bit deeper or more bassy. The P4M sounds more tonal and slightly more thin. That is, if you didn't move the microphone and just plugged the same cable into each guitar. So.. I'd say both have a different 'kind' of wood, even if it's the same type, meaning, I'm hearing a wood tonality difference. Again though, if the microphone and all other settings were exactly the same.
Thanks for watching and for the nice comment! Yes, all settings and microphone placement were the same in the video. There's definitely a difference. These would be good to multi track on a recording, since they're different, it would be a wider sound. Hmmm, that maybe a good idea for a future video, lol!
Sooner or later, the cork sniffery arrives 😂. Its khaya vs shit epiphone wood. After e0 years of guitar playing thats one of the most guarded secrets on guitar manufacturing and gibson knockoffs. I bought a Vietnamese custom explorer for 300+ shipping. It sounds as good or as a gibson tribute (acoustically). Thats why I Sold all my Brand guitars and startet doing "Premium kits" if you can do fret jobs and nut filing you could spare sooo much money
@@nicopoppe4838 - Are you saying the 84 is Khaya wood? Because the original specifications say nothing about it. I believe the body wood is strictly mahogany, not Khaya (African) mahogany, so it would depend on where the wood was sourced from and mahogany grows in like 5 or 6 different countries. Incidentally, I never said the Hetfeild model sounded better, just has more of a bassy tone, which personally I do not care for. I own several mahogany guitars and almost all of them are too dark, sometimes muddy.
@ShadovvV the epiphone is obviously just meranti (asian mahogany just a Marketing name)
It is maybe probable that the p4m is african mahogany (melicae family and what everyone is using in USA).
Big asian factories only use local woods but china import Lots of african mahogany. Obviously epiphone it's not gonna use it, otherwise nobody woud buy a gibson again. Same history with everything that cor tek make. Just meranti and nyatoh.
I don't know your guitars but every epiphone, prs se, ltd, schecter, dean etc made in asia it's not made of mahogany or african mahogany.
There are some exeptions maybe if we where living in 2010, but nowadays you cant trust even the name "mahogany". So thats why I sold all my guitars and now just do premium asian kits from China or Vietnam, mod the shit out of them, spend like 700 bucks but the result it's same or better than a cheap Gibson woodwise.
@@nicopoppe4838- I believe you're correct. Probably the same reason why the FBI raided the Gibson factory. If I'm not mistaken, it had something to do with the import of the wood. People were saying it had to do with taxes, which I think is complete utter bull. The wood was apparently illegal in the US. lol As ridiculous as that sounds..
In theory these should sound about 99% same, since they have the same pickups and strings. But... In the cleans the P4M sounded warmer and more authentic, the Epi sounded sharper and shriller. Distorted the P4M seemed to have more body to the tone, the Epi sounded like it was played thru a 10W practise amp 😀🙉
I have no explanation to these differences other than:
a) the mysterious "external mic" somehow messes things up/causes variance
b) the internal electronics in the geetaarss
Good playing thou! 🤘💯
Thank you so much for watching, and giving your thoughts!
@@DeweyJHall1 Just bumped on this vid by accident! 😀 But u should have done a video with the original pickups vs the real EMG's!
@@MaximusAdonicus oh man, they were horrible lol. Cleans sounded great but distorted they were microphonic as can be
@@DeweyJHall1 Ha, yeah, I found another vid where a guy tested them, but he didn't compare them to the real EMG's. But in that vid, I thought the pickups sounded actually good! Apart from the obvious issue...
maybe its just the wood they use? i have the epiphone one and when i play it acoustically without an amp it sounds pretty bright but is missing bass compared to the other guitars i own.
5:22 what song is that?
That is "The Day That Never Comes" by Metallica. It's the clean verse part
@@DeweyJHall1 thanks!
@@BrandonDean16 no problem! Thanks for watching!
I could see the mkII version of the polaris p4m being badass...its like they almost got it right on the first try just need to practice they craft
N its good to know xplorer type guitars fit on those type stands, ik v shapes do not lol
These are great mod platforms! Explorers will fit in those stands great, you just to make sure you place them in at the right angle. A Flying V will fit on a regular stand alone, guitar stand, if you flip over the part that holds the bottom of the guitar. I need to do a video showing that trick lol
@@DeweyJHall1 ik itll sit on a regular stand, especially the cheap ones with without the neckpiece but that was what held me off from an explorer shape for so long bc i have a rack stand n a few wall mounts and 2 single floor stands n very little open space left outside the 5 rack.
Also i heard the polaris use fake emgs.
@@SNOwyte Yeah, they're fake. And microphonic. Clean tones they sound good, when you add distortion, they squeal like crazy
@@DeweyJHall1 ya but i see the vision, if they can control that hot lead a lil more. Personally i see Tom Morello glitches envisioned, like the glitch on the one pick up on the Talman
Theyre not active is what ur saying?
@@SNOwyte No, they are passive
Looking for a black P4M and if anyone has any idea where I can find this exact model but in black it would be much appreciated. Thanks
Check their website, or check their group on Facebook. You can talk to the Polaris Music people on there. Maybe do a custom order
Because of the electronics they've basically sounded the same there's a little bit of wood quality sound difference but other than that they were basically the same
Thanks for your input and comment!
Wood quality sound? 😂😂
I think the p4m its african mahagany thats why its brighter than the epiphone beeing meranti/palaquium in my experience.
Nice, thanks for the info!
What's ex 84 price?
These days they're going around 1k plus, if they're in great condition with a case
What’s the song called at 7:00
Trapped under Ice by Metallica, that riff starts at about 1:47 ruclips.net/video/455-CIgc7co/видео.html
i wish p4m would restock those things
They have them on ebay, but they've changed the inlays to block inlays
They are now in the custom shop section at the site!
@@MaximusAdonicus thanks for the update!!
the epi sounds briter than p4?
Thanks for the comment! They're both great guitars
Link to buy guitar?
www.badcatinstruments.com/pre/p4m-olympic-white-metallica-james-hetfield-custom-x-explorer-electric-guitar
@@DeweyJHall1 they dont sell them anymore
@@scaremoth334 I know. When I sent the link I checked and they're out :\
@@DeweyJHall1 #gibsonareassholes
@@scaremoth334 🤣
The eppiphone looks and sounds better
No comparison
Thanks for your input and watching the video!
Polaris P4M Winner!
P4M is a killer guitar!
84 all day
Thanks for watching!
the p4M clean sounded a bit dull to me
Thanks for the comment! The stock bridge on the p4m is super cheap. I wanna upgrade that when I can
@@DeweyJHall1 yeah! The bridge on the epiphone sounds much more "clean"
People buy these guitars because they want to be like Hetfield. 😎Be yourself !!! 🥸☝Make your own image...! ®🤩🕺
I agree. There's nothing wrong with being inspired by Hetfield tho, and wanting a white explorer. They're just so cool looking! I think the guys who have to have every little sticker, and mark on the guitar like his, take it to far. They should add their own stickers and flair to it. But, at the end of the day, it's their money, they can do what they want with it. There's something for everyone in the guitar game 🙂
Sounds the same to me.
Thanks for the comment!
@@DeweyJHall1 Used to have a black LTD Explorer and sold it, I regret it big time, at the time cost me $700 now it cost $2k.
@@bluetuscani5607 oh yeah, I had one a few years ago as well. Should've kept it haha. Seen one on reverb early today, $2500
P4M is heavier ......
I thought it had more attack on the notes also
Mustaine licks vs Mustaines licks.
I didn't know Mustaine wrote Confusion
But let's be honest here, both are "ok" beginner guitars that you'd only buy if it's this or nothing at all.
Never said anywhere in this video that these were pro, top tier guitars. With proper set ups, and electronics, you've got a great playing and sounding guitar. The player matters more than the guitar
Деревенский акцент конечно))))))))))
Thanks for watching!
Too muck pick noise. No difference.
I agree about the pick noise 😆
It’s not great to run a screw for your strap through the neck tenon in some set neck guitars. They’re sometimes not much material there to begin with
As long as the screw isn't to long, and the screw hole isn't larger than the screw, you shouldn't have an issue. I've done this mod to several explorers, never had an issue. I see what you're saying tho! Thanks for the comment!
epi = more trebble less bass
Great point! Thanks for watching!