The explorer is my dream guitar since I was little. There’s a 120th anniversary edition with the case at my local pawn shop. I plan on grabbing it as soon as possible
Great video Levi! I love Explorers and I agree that playing one sitting down is a bit awkward if you rest it one leg. Try resting it between both legs, makes a world of difference.
I have one and it really is NOT a beginner guitar, it's so heavy and the neck is huge, it's a pretty difficult guitar to play especially if you have small hands like me, but it sounds and looks awesome.
The cleans surprised me! I also loved how you changed the lights for the different play styles, that was absolutely genius Awesome playing as always, too!
I almost bought a b-2 Gibson Explorer at guitar center for $950ish in 2020. Now they're asking $1500 on reverb, used. I actually bought a used 2002 gothic explorer of ebay in 2005 for about $900. Wish I still had it.
Thanks! That's a tough one. I can't really pick favourites, but I can say that my favourite students are the ones who have a deep passion for music - they put in the effort required to improve and grow as musicians, and they get more out of classes as a result. Those types always impress me!
You do know that it was originally intended for jazz, right? I don't have a Gibson explorer, I built one from a Precision Guitar Kits kit. Gotoh bridge and tailpiece, Vintage Inspired Pickups pots, Emerson paper in oil capacitor, bone nut, mini Grover locking rotomatics and Brandonwound PAF clones. It has a Gibson '58 neck profile and it plays and sounds better than any of my guitars. Better than my Gibson Les Paul, better than my Fenders, better my Gretsch, and better than any Gibson explorer I've played.
I hadn't even thought of it being made for jazz, but that makes perfect sense considering the era in which it was released. I shoulda done a jazz cover!
Should you buy one? Sure as long as you have a lot of room. The Explorer is a BIG guitar. The Pro has some slightly different angles. I have been trying non stop for a LONG time to find a Pro. One day.
Most classic guitar styles haven’t changed in years, but the company’s and quality have varied a lot. I guess I could review my 30 year old LP and let everyone know how great the new ones are.
yeah definitely - I can understand the company having varying quality control over the years due to the handmade nature of Gibson guitars. I've tried a bunch of the guitars from this era (2008-2012~) and prob 90% of them have been "pretty good", maybe 5% that are phenomenal, and maybe 5% that are duds. That's all just my anecdotal experience. I haven't personally experienced a lot of bad gibson guitars, but I trust they exist based on what others have experienced. This particular guitar seems to be a pretty good one, no issues other than wear over the past 13 years (saddles, nut grooves, fret wear, finish checking). The build quality is good overall! And I would def consider buying a used gibson in this year range if it felt good in the hands. I've spent most of my guitar gear buying on the used market personally, and there might be others who are similar. Honestly yeah you could make a video about your old LP and it might be a really cool video! One question comes to mind for me is "how well does a gibson guitar hold up over 30 years" and that could be an interesting watch. Or even comparing a 30 year old gibson to a brand new one, if that's feasible without going out and spending thousands on a new LP. I will definitely try to get into reviewing some modern equipment as soon as I can - because I know a lot of folks are looking for videos about the newest stuff they're considering buying. Thanks for checking it out 🤙
Chris Holmes from W.A.S.P. lent his Ibanez Deatroyer to Eddie VanHalen and Eddie recorded much of Women and Children First with it. I've always loved the EX shape and used to own an 80's Gibson EX with a Kahler, still kick myself for letting that one go.
I believe so, yes. However I may be totally wrong about that. I know that some models (reissues etc) come with different pickups. But the standard explorer should be the 500T ceramic humbuckers as far as I know.
What would be a preferable ratio? I'm still figuring out "how to make good guitar videos" so it's a constantly evolving process. Thanks for checking it out though
I would suggest splitting it 50/50 or 60/40 for playing. Looking for a guitar I'm looking for sounds and looks, cause u hear and feel it in your hands. And the rest would be talking imho 🙂Thanks for your comment and good luck!@@Levisrad
Hey Rainer, thanks for asking! I mostly teach in person but I would be happy to give you online lessons if we can find a mutually beneficial time. Send me a DM on instagram and we can go from there! @levintensity
Why didn't you just say "its looks". Do you like the way your tongue feels as it slips through your teeth when you say aesthetics? Also you spoke that word more gleefully gay than it's ever been said before. Congrats on that much. 8:43
The explorer is my dream guitar since I was little. There’s a 120th anniversary edition with the case at my local pawn shop. I plan on grabbing it as soon as possible
Nice!! That'll be a sweet guitar for ya. You'll have a lot of fun with it!
Great video Levi! I love Explorers and I agree that playing one sitting down is a bit awkward if you rest it one leg. Try resting it between both legs, makes a world of difference.
I have one and it really is NOT a beginner guitar, it's so heavy and the neck is huge, it's a pretty difficult guitar to play especially if you have small hands like me, but it sounds and looks awesome.
The cleans surprised me! I also loved how you changed the lights for the different play styles, that was absolutely genius
Awesome playing as always, too!
Totally, I was not expecting that level of clarity from those pickups. Thank you!
Listen to me. I have a 2011 exactly the same specs. It's my main guitar since I bought it new in 2011. Jazz, blues, rock, metal. It's all in there
It’s such a cool guitar!
I almost bought a b-2 Gibson Explorer at guitar center for $950ish in 2020. Now they're asking $1500 on reverb, used. I actually bought a used 2002 gothic explorer of ebay in 2005 for about $900. Wish I still had it.
Cool video, I like your setup, subbed
Thanks for the sub!
I have a 2008 studio I picked up for $400 because it was discontinued and it’s good. Very versatile. Mine is stained though which is annoying.
An explorer studio?
Maybe the Explorer Faded, they came out in 2008. @@jordanpratt3821
Great video, I was wondering who was your favorite student and best skilled student levi
Thanks! That's a tough one. I can't really pick favourites, but I can say that my favourite students are the ones who have a deep passion for music - they put in the effort required to improve and grow as musicians, and they get more out of classes as a result. Those types always impress me!
You do know that it was originally intended for jazz, right? I don't have a Gibson explorer, I built one from a Precision Guitar Kits kit. Gotoh bridge and tailpiece, Vintage Inspired Pickups pots, Emerson paper in oil capacitor, bone nut, mini Grover locking rotomatics and Brandonwound PAF clones. It has a Gibson '58 neck profile and it plays and sounds better than any of my guitars. Better than my Gibson Les Paul, better than my Fenders, better my Gretsch, and better than any Gibson explorer I've played.
I hadn't even thought of it being made for jazz, but that makes perfect sense considering the era in which it was released. I shoulda done a jazz cover!
Should you buy one? Sure as long as you have a lot of room. The Explorer is a BIG guitar. The Pro has some slightly different angles. I have been trying non stop for a LONG time to find a Pro. One day.
Most classic guitar styles haven’t changed in years, but the company’s and quality have varied a lot. I guess I could review my 30 year old LP and let everyone know how great the new ones are.
yeah definitely - I can understand the company having varying quality control over the years due to the handmade nature of Gibson guitars. I've tried a bunch of the guitars from this era (2008-2012~) and prob 90% of them have been "pretty good", maybe 5% that are phenomenal, and maybe 5% that are duds. That's all just my anecdotal experience. I haven't personally experienced a lot of bad gibson guitars, but I trust they exist based on what others have experienced. This particular guitar seems to be a pretty good one, no issues other than wear over the past 13 years (saddles, nut grooves, fret wear, finish checking).
The build quality is good overall! And I would def consider buying a used gibson in this year range if it felt good in the hands.
I've spent most of my guitar gear buying on the used market personally, and there might be others who are similar.
Honestly yeah you could make a video about your old LP and it might be a really cool video! One question comes to mind for me is "how well does a gibson guitar hold up over 30 years" and that could be an interesting watch. Or even comparing a 30 year old gibson to a brand new one, if that's feasible without going out and spending thousands on a new LP.
I will definitely try to get into reviewing some modern equipment as soon as I can - because I know a lot of folks are looking for videos about the newest stuff they're considering buying. Thanks for checking it out 🤙
Chris Holmes from W.A.S.P. lent his Ibanez Deatroyer to Eddie VanHalen and Eddie recorded much of Women and Children First with it. I've always loved the EX shape and used to own an 80's Gibson EX with a Kahler, still kick myself for letting that one go.
Are these the same pickups that came in the 2011??? Thanks🤟
I believe so, yes. However I may be totally wrong about that. I know that some models (reissues etc) come with different pickups. But the standard explorer should be the 500T ceramic humbuckers as far as I know.
I run mine through an EVH 5150 Stealth with a boost. It can get a modern metal tone.
Pair that Stealth with an Aluminium 235 Flashback. Talk about metal!
1 minute playing, 8 minutes talking
What would be a preferable ratio? I'm still figuring out "how to make good guitar videos" so it's a constantly evolving process. Thanks for checking it out though
I would suggest splitting it 50/50 or 60/40 for playing. Looking for a guitar I'm looking for sounds and looks, cause u hear and feel it in your hands. And the rest would be talking imho 🙂Thanks for your comment and good luck!@@Levisrad
@@Levisrad I usually skip videos which start with prattle. If you find speech necessary, best to stick it at the end.
@@jasonmoskowitz246It's a review not a demo
Do you give lessons online?
Hey Rainer, thanks for asking! I mostly teach in person but I would be happy to give you online lessons if we can find a mutually beneficial time. Send me a DM on instagram and we can go from there! @levintensity
Possibly worth mentioning the year, good video tho
Oh yeah this one is a 2010. I was initially hesitant to put too much emphasis on the year, but I can see why it’d be important to know!
0:12 + description
@@ertus306 I was talking in the tittle for search metrics
@@HobbyTalk fair enough😊
I have a 2016 explorer T in cherry finish i though this was also from the same year😅
Why didn't you just say "its looks". Do you like the way your tongue feels as it slips through your teeth when you say aesthetics? Also you spoke that word more gleefully gay than it's ever been said before. Congrats on that much. 8:43
no idea man. thanks for checking out the vid, Frip 😂 merry christmas
Just bought this guitar 85 seconds ago. Thanks for the good (and honest) review. @@Levisrad
Congrats on the explorer man! These things are fun to play and very inspiring. Hope you get many hours of fun out of it. 🤘