Explorer Gibson

[Evangeline Mellon]

Whatwould make your choice between these two models? The look, the sound, the price? Once explorers have got the same pups of les paul classics, i think the sound would be the "same". In look terms, i prefer les pauls, but the price range of explorers are invencible (and look at the case they include, seems like the dracula's coffin, with purple velvet...).

If you're not performing live regularly, I would steer clear of the Explorer. The Explorer makes a great stage guitar, but if you're going to be playing at home with low volume, the Les Paul will sound a lot better. My opinions, YMMV.

The shape is deceiving, it's not as awkward as it looks whether sitting or standing (at least for me). Upper frets are way more accessible on the Explorer. The neck is very comfortable, I have 60's necks on my LP's and this is thicker but comfortably thicker. (that's what she said)...

As far as sound, my Explorer has 496R neck, 500T bridge, a combo none of my LP's have so I can't compare. The body thickness is pretty close but the Explorer is bigger, not sure how that figures into the sound equation. I've used the Explorer mainly in a metal band but also for a year in a 70's cover band and it handled it all no problem.

As for the decision, it's a no brainer - go w/the LP first. Should you still want the Explorer down the line, you can always add it to your collection. I'd consider the LP much more of a staple than the Explorer, which I consider more of a fun/additional guitar.

What would make your choice between these two models? The look' date=' the sound, the price? Once explorers have got the same pups of les paul classics, i think the sound would be the "same". In look terms, i prefer les pauls, but the price range of explorers are invencible (and look at the case they include, seems like the dracula's coffin, with purple velvet...).

explorers and les paul are most definitely not going to sound the same. I'm not sure what you're talking about with the case either, I thought all Gibson USA guitars come with black cases w/ white interior? My advice would be to go to a music store, play both and then decide based on sound, playability, feel etc.

explorers and les paul are most definitely not going to sound the same. I'm not sure what you're talking about with the case either' date=' I thought all Gibson USA guitars come with black cases w/ white interior? My advice would be to go to a music store, play both and then decide based on sound, playability, feel etc.[/quote']

i have a black/black gibson case. so no they don't all come with white interior. +1 on going into stores and testing both out rigorously. put them through their paces (without destroying it ha) and leave the store. think it over then come back and buy the winner hehe

I love them both but chose an LP as my long-term partner. The Explorer is a great shape but, for me, just a little bit silly now my gigging days are over. I'd still like to have a Natural finish one, however.

Guitars are very personal so it comes down down to what feels right to you. I've been fortunate enough to acquire a Les Paul and 3 other Gibsons. All nice but they ALL have something negative as well.

I actually don't like Strats all that much but after playing a 57 reissue I was in love. It's comfortable and great to noodle around on. It's the the guitar equivalent of a pair of slippers. Not to venture outside with but lovely at home.

Anyway, the point is, try them both and whatever feels right, then go for it. You can always upgrade pickups to alter the tone (I've done it on 3 of mine, but the guitar itself has to feel right. If the Les Paul works and you can't afford it yet, wait and save.

The two will sound SIMILIAR as GibSInCity says above, but not the same. Even more different is going to be a LLP Classic, which also uses the same pups but additionally has a maple cap and is built differently. It's a much more compact shape without wings, fins or the like to bleed off resonance in quite the same way. Personally, I've found I don't much care for the sound of 500t's. Don't get me wrong, they're fantastic sounding, but not my cup of tea. I usually end up dropping them down quite a bit to tame them a little if they stay in the guitar.

I'm speaking from personal feel, rather than from a spec. Admittedly it may feel different to someone else. Maybe it's a form of claustrophobia, but my hand feels a little more restricted on an explorer with that treble horn. Not enough to be a problem, but more than a V to me. Both designs do have a generous lack of material around the bass side of the neck allowing your hand to wrap around which adds to comfort, imho.

Of course, playing a V, & and Explorer, are very different, in terms of comfort, for obvious reasons. I've owned 2 Explorers, and 2 V's. Still own a Classic White V, with ebony board. Needless to say, I want another Explorer, but the V will NEVER be parted with. I've added Seymour Duncan pick-ups, a better Gotoh bridge, and customized pick-guard.. It's truly an amazing, aggressive sounding beast..

One thing to consider is that the Explorer in particular is a pain to carry around. The case is so big and heavy and acts like a sail in heavy wind. I've heard that a flying v case is a lot better in this respect. If you have a car, it won't be a problem, but it's not fun carrying them around everywhere.

I've found that I really dig the rigid foam soft cases SKB makes. They make them in Exp, V and LP shapes. They have backpack straps (now THAT is easy to carry), don't weigh a lot and protect the instrument pretty darn good. A helluva lot better than a floppy ol gig bag, maybe as good as a hard case. They'll run you $70-100 ish but I think they're worth it.

Yes, but as a gigging musician with no transport of his own, I was glad to get rid of the explorer. Great guitar, but not when you have to carry it into work with you several times a week because you need to use it after work. Then carry it all the way around town. By the time you get to the gig, your hand is sore. I never really feel safe putting my trust in gig bags either. Sure some are a lot better than others, but the hard case is better when carrying it around a busy area. Another bad point with the explorer is that you can't just lean it against a wall like you can with other guitars. Unless it's in its hard case that is.

I can sympathize, I had a very similar situation even though I have transportation and until very recently, for years it was a 350 yard walk into work from the parking lot and then trying to fit the case in a cubicle. Wind absolutely sucked! And with the back issues I had, it made the guitar feel about 3 times as heavy when it was in the case although the case didn't weigh all that much.

If you're ever interested in playing that type of guitar again, I still recommend the skb soft cases though. They're called "soft" cases but they really are very rigid and protect, in my opinion, better than a stock hard case when we're talking about a guitar like an explorer or v that comes in a flat case. It's more like a lightweight hard case you wear on your back and the cordura covering is more abrasion resistant than the stock case, although it will separate worse if actually cut with a blade.. As far as leaning it against a wall, yeah, they're pretty sucky for that. Gotta find a corner and stand them up right if you're going to do that. But I'm making my comparison to the stock hard case, not something like a flight case.

Even through pickup changes the Explorer always sounds fatter and deeper to me, but doesn't seem to have any more sustain than a V, a good V just vibrates away and it can hold a note as long as any othet guitar I play.

Upper fret access might depend on what shape your fretting hand is, I tend to get my hand stuck against the lower horn when I play the upper frets on the Explorer, meaning I record more rhythym parts with it, my slim taper necked faded V is as good as a '58 for upper fret access but chunkier necks can be a bit of a stretch for me, mind you the 70s style raised board/slim body is a cinch even though it's still a chunky heel.

Switch position is an interesting one, on the Explorer it's miles away on the lower horn, on a 67 style V it's stuck too close to the controls. Ideally the switch would be where it is on a Les Paul, but that's not happening.

Transport? The Explorer case is a nightmare, a huge heavy box only half full of guitar. V cases are fine, the shaped ones are nice and neat and look cool, just look at Judas Priests KK Downing in the Breaking the Law video.

Older Explorers are worth a look, mine's a '92 model which I bought new in September of that year and it has a lovely one-piece mahogany body, it looks great and it seems to be unusual as most are two-piece.

I totally agree! That thing is huge, It's the only case I have that won't fit in the trunk of my car, which has led to avoid playing it any show where I might have to leave it in the backseat of the car, even if only for a minute (this is how I stupidly lost my '83 LP Standard in the early 90s...I still look everywhere for that guitar...)

The case was primarily the reason I sold it. Loved the guitar but was glad to get rid of it after only a few short months of hauling it around. Don't know why I bothered when I had my trusty les paul long before I bought the explorer (and still do).

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