The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: bassilisk on May 17, 2017, 10:27:38 AM

Title: Explorer For Sale
Post by: bassilisk on May 17, 2017, 10:27:38 AM
Looks pretty new, and in great shape.

http://new16.thelowend.net/node/25472

(https://i.imgbox.com/XDKHPvB0.jpg)
Title: Re: Explorer For Sale
Post by: TBird1958 on May 17, 2017, 11:08:43 AM


 I really like that, just needs some CHROME pickups to match the rest of the hardware  :P 
Title: Re: Explorer For Sale
Post by: bassilisk on May 17, 2017, 01:22:39 PM
BTW, it comes with a build sheet so it must be recent, hence the standard TBird pu's.
Title: Re: Explorer For Sale
Post by: Basvarken on May 17, 2017, 01:51:26 PM
I don't think I like that burst very much though.  ???
Title: Re: Explorer For Sale
Post by: Rob on May 17, 2017, 03:42:05 PM
I don't think I like that burst very much though.  ???

Neither do I.  Too orange.
Title: Re: Explorer For Sale
Post by: uwe on May 17, 2017, 04:05:39 PM
That's one of the fairly recent good ones - not that 80ies crap. Long scale, TB+ pups, maple neck & maho body. More massive and dense sounding than a TBird, but not as sweet, a bit of an axe that gets you heard. But then if you play an Explorer, who wants to sound subtle? And it has two more frets than a TB, so there!

The current Epi Korina Explorer sounds sweeter, probably due to the korina neck, but it is not as bludgeonly assertive.

In real life, that sunburst fin isn't orange at all. I have a silverburst but only because that came out first.

Recommended.
Title: Re: Explorer For Sale
Post by: Granny Gremlin on May 17, 2017, 04:22:25 PM

 I really like that, just needs some CHROME pickups to match the rest of the hardware  :P

You know I am usually with you on this, but in this case (the black edge of the burst), I think black hardware would work better; change the bridge/tuners not the pups.
Title: Re: Explorer For Sale
Post by: uwe on May 17, 2017, 04:33:22 PM
Mine actually has chrome pups now, but only because I was under the unholy influence of you-know-who who DRAGged me into this!!! I'm not giving any names. Being indiscreet gets you in all kinds of trouble, the papers are full of it, it's the truth.

That they coupled a chrome bridge with the TB Plus soapies wasn't very well thought out, admittedly.
Title: Re: Explorer For Sale
Post by: Dave W on May 17, 2017, 05:12:28 PM
These were made in 2011 and 2012, IIRC.

I don't like that burst, but Uwe's right, it doesn't look like pumpkinburst in person.

Here's a better example https://reverb.com/ca/item/820116-gibson-explorer-bass-2012-vintage-sunburst. Note the price.
Title: Re: Explorer For Sale
Post by: veebass on May 17, 2017, 08:29:18 PM
I like it.
Title: Re: Explorer For Sale
Post by: Basvarken on May 18, 2017, 12:17:13 AM
It's not the "orange" that I don't like about the burst.
It's that rather crude black that's the problem. Looks cheap to me.
The gradient could have been more fluent. And dark brown would have looked better for a nice burst.
Title: Re: Explorer For Sale
Post by: Granny Gremlin on May 18, 2017, 06:29:29 AM
That's what I thought too.... then I imagined it with all black hardware.
Title: Re: Explorer For Sale
Post by: gearHed289 on May 18, 2017, 07:29:38 AM
I had one. It was a decent tobacco sunburst, that picture is deceptive. I just hate how they skimp and shoot the entire back black. And it's not shiny.  ;D
Title: Re: Explorer For Sale
Post by: Chris P. on May 18, 2017, 08:10:45 AM
I like this one. Shape, matte finish, burst and even the pickups haha
Title: Re: Explorer For Sale
Post by: 66Atlas on May 19, 2017, 04:50:34 AM
I'm hung up the shiny ones, I'd actually prefer the tobacco burst to the silver one but the matte finish kills it for me.  Nothing would beat a proper Korina one with a 3+1 headstock and mudbucker though.
Title: Re: Explorer For Sale
Post by: Granny Gremlin on May 19, 2017, 02:25:50 PM
I was in my favoraite local shop today (Uwe's been there) and saw a real monstrosity (made by Greco):

(http://paulsboutique.ca/wp-content/uploads/IMG_7581-e1475177971287.jpg)

They also had an SB-400 for like  C$1200 which seemed insane until I saw the natural RD Standard with aftermarket de-fretting and not in particularly good shape for C$2500 (a 66 Hofner 500/1 Beatle Bass next to it was C$100 more).  IF that thing sells it might be time to put mine up on the block.... no not really.  I'd regret it and never be able to replace it.

In the shop's defence the SB and RD are consignments.
Title: Re: Explorer For Sale
Post by: godofthunder on May 19, 2017, 03:47:13 PM
    The finish in real life is rather mundane.  A massive good sounding bass, certainly better than the 80's attempt.  Personally I would have liked to have seen it in a natural mahogany mahogany or cherry finish with a w/b/w pickguard.
Title: Re: Explorer For Sale
Post by: Chris P. on May 20, 2017, 06:18:45 PM
There's room for a fifth J pickup
Title: Re: Explorer For Sale
Post by: Granny Gremlin on May 21, 2017, 07:48:48 AM
I'm guessing it's actually configured as 2 humbuckers, but good poing.
Title: Re: Explorer For Sale
Post by: Psycho Bass Guy on May 21, 2017, 11:16:58 PM
So...how much for Greco pseudo-'splorer? Inquiring minds want to know.
Title: Re: Explorer For Sale
Post by: Granny Gremlin on May 22, 2017, 06:43:24 AM
A rather affordable C$600 (US$440)

http://paulsboutique.ca/product/greco-bass/

And the owner of the SB apparently had the sense to drop the price a bit.
Title: Re: Explorer For Sale
Post by: TBird1958 on May 22, 2017, 07:37:38 AM
Mine actually has chrome pups now, but only because I was under the unholy influence of you-know-who who DRAGged me into this!!! I'm not giving any names. Being indiscreet gets you in all kinds of trouble, the papers are full of it, it's the truth.

That they coupled a chrome bridge with the TB Plus soapies wasn't very well thought out, admittedly.

 I go away on band trip for a few days and here you are, DRAGging innocent me into this! FWIW I really like the burst, wish it were glossy, consistency on the hardware would seemingly only make sense, but then we are talking about Gibson basses aren't we.  :o