Coolaxeman Posted November 27, 2011 Posted November 27, 2011 Wow! Played my newly acquired Explorer Pro (2002 - transamber) live last night and I have to say I was completely blown away by it and so were my band members. I got it via E-Bay (£799) and to my mind that was a steal. I just had to clean her up a bit, replace the strings (I reverse wind over the tailpiece like on my LP) and slightly adjust the bridge up at the low E end to combay a little fret buzz. I have a great Strat and a lovely gold top LP on my live guitar rack - but I can see the Explorer getting some serious playing time over my other axes now. Anyone else been completely surprised at how playable the Explorer is?
GibSinCity Posted November 28, 2011 Posted November 28, 2011 We like pictures around here, so we're gonna need some if possible. Until then, does she look anything like this?
Coolaxeman Posted November 29, 2011 Author Posted November 29, 2011 We like pictures around here, so we're gonna need some if possible. Until then, does she look anything like this? Thanks for the reply - I was beginning to lose hope! Actually, this is the model - slightly different flame (I think yours is a little nicer). I'm about to change out the black plastic with genuine cream parts and amber knobs as I think that will look more retro. I'll post a photo when I've completed the switch over. (:
Hydra26 Posted November 29, 2011 Posted November 29, 2011 I so wish I'd gotten that model when they were made. By the time I got the money together they'd gone out of production. Later on, when my finances were better, I picked up a '07 GOTW version in vintage sunburst (my preferred color), and then a second one as well. Those Pro's are to die for, light, solid but resonant and easy to play. Don't kill your back for a long gig or rehearsal either. Here's a recent photo of my second one. (I changed out the pups and tuners) The only thing I wish were different was I wish it had trapzoid or block inlays but I'm not real hung up on that for how it sounds and feels.
JO'C Posted December 1, 2011 Posted December 1, 2011 Wow! Played my newly acquired Explorer Pro (2002 - transamber) live last night and I have to say I was completely blown away by it and so were my band members. I got it via E-Bay (£799) and to my mind that was a steal. I just had to clean her up a bit, replace the strings (I reverse wind over the tailpiece like on my LP) and slightly adjust the bridge up at the low E end to combay a little fret buzz. I have a great Strat and a lovely gold top LP on my live guitar rack - but I can see the Explorer getting some serious playing time over my other axes now. Anyone else been completely surprised at how playable the Explorer is? I have a 2007 GOTW in Heritage Cherry: and it plays like a dream. I am really surprised by how balanced it is. It is especially comfortable playing while sitting. The V at the bottom of the body is in just the right place. I have over 30 guitars, lots of Strats and LP's and the Explorer Pro fits right in nicely. I also have a Firebird that I don't like at all. I think it was made for a giant. Everything is too big.
Morkolo Posted December 1, 2011 Posted December 1, 2011 I so wish I'd gotten that model when they were made. By the time I got the money together they'd gone out of production. Later on, when my finances were better, I picked up a '07 GOTW version in vintage sunburst (my preferred color), and then a second one as well. Those Pro's are to die for, light, solid but resonant and easy to play. Don't kill your back for a long gig or rehearsal either. Here's a recent photo of my second one. (I changed out the pups and tuners) The only thing I wish were different was I wish it had trapzoid or block inlays but I'm not real hung up on that for how it sounds and feels. That looks amazing. [thumbup]
Hydra26 Posted December 1, 2011 Posted December 1, 2011 That looks amazing. [thumbup] Thanks man. Credit goes to my camera, not to the no-talent hack that owns the instrument ;)
Hydra26 Posted December 1, 2011 Posted December 1, 2011 I have a 2007 GOTW in Heritage Cherry: *snip* and it plays like a dream. I am really surprised by how balanced it is. It is especially comfortable playing while sitting. The V at the bottom of the body is in just the right place. I have over 30 guitars, lots of Strats and LP's and the Explorer Pro fits right in nicely. I also have a Firebird that I don't like at all. I think it was made for a giant. Everything is too big. Yeah, they're pretty sick, aren't they? Mine's literally effortless to play. Lol at your "made for a giant" remark.
Coolaxeman Posted December 1, 2011 Author Posted December 1, 2011 OK - here she is after I got around to installing the genuine Gibson cream surrounds, amber knobs and switch surround. Not entirely sure about the switch surround to be honest. I have ordered a gold volume 'top hat' knob with silver insert for the bridge pup - really to match my Bonamassa LP that has the same funky idea to make the knobs more tactile. And that's the only other mod I might make. I think the guitar looks fantastic with the cream plastics.
Hydra26 Posted December 1, 2011 Posted December 1, 2011 OK - here she is after I got around to installing the genuine Gibson cream surrounds, amber knobs and switch surround. Not entirely sure about the switch surround to be honest. I have ordered a gold volume 'top hat' knob with silver insert for the bridge pup - really to match my Bonamassa LP that has the same funky idea to make the knobs more tactile. And that's the only other mod I might make. I think the guitar looks fantastic with the cream plastics. Very nice! Kinda chages the character of the appearance. How did you get the toggle washer on? I couldn't get a stock one to fit. It was too thick to get the toggle nut back on over it. And may I suggest some pointer washers for the knobs? They're kind of cool too.
Coolaxeman Posted December 1, 2011 Author Posted December 1, 2011 Very nice! Kinda chages the character of the appearance. How did you get the toggle washer on? I couldn't get a stock one to fit. It was too thick to get the toggle nut back on over it. And may I suggest some pointer washers for the knobs? They're kind of cool too. The washer came with the guitar unfitted - not sure if it's genuine, but it had what seemed to be a thin felt backing. I had to remove the rear plate to hold the switch up into the body to assist getting the nut to fit back onto the switch thread, but it seemed to be OK with enough thread. I did think about the pointer washers actually - may do that - future project perhaps.
Unionman Posted December 20, 2011 Posted December 20, 2011 Wow! Played my newly acquired Explorer Pro (2002 - transamber) live last night and I have to say I was completely blown away by it and so were my band members. I got it via E-Bay (£799) and to my mind that was a steal. I just had to clean her up a bit, replace the strings (I reverse wind over the tailpiece like on my LP) and slightly adjust the bridge up at the low E end to combay a little fret buzz. I have a great Strat and a lovely gold top LP on my live guitar rack - but I can see the Explorer getting some serious playing time over my other axes now. Anyone else been completely surprised at how playable the Explorer is? I just tried an Explorer at my local music store yesterday and was knocked out by how comfortable it was. This one was $1800 so out of my price range, also I'd like a black one, not cherry. But the neck was perfect, not too thin. Saving up for one now. Hope you continue to enjoy yours.
Unionman Posted December 20, 2011 Posted December 20, 2011 I so wish I'd gotten that model when they were made. By the time I got the money together they'd gone out of production. Later on, when my finances were better, I picked up a '07 GOTW version in vintage sunburst (my preferred color), and then a second one as well. Those Pro's are to die for, light, solid but resonant and easy to play. Don't kill your back for a long gig or rehearsal either. Here's a recent photo of my second one. (I changed out the pups and tuners) The only thing I wish were different was I wish it had trapzoid or block inlays but I'm not real hung up on that for how it sounds and feels. Beautiful finish.
Hydra26 Posted December 30, 2011 Posted December 30, 2011 wow never seen an Ex like this! Thanks, the vintage burst and the red explorer pro's were both from the 2007 guitar of the week runs, up to 400 of each made.
97LPClassic Posted January 2, 2012 Posted January 2, 2012 I totally understand! I love the Explorer too. I wish I didn't wait so long before buying them into my career. I always thought they were too goofy / metal cheesy. Man, was I wrong. It is my favorite. I really like the cream colored plastics. Verrrrrry nice!
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