The Last Bass Outpost

Played it at rehearsal last night. Really comfortable. NO neck dive whatsoever. In fact, it's one of my best balanced basses. I'm doubling on keys/MIDI pedals again ala-Geddy Lee, so that's important. Weighs 9 pounds. Seems a little dark tone-wise. I usually roll my tone control back to around 7, but I had it wide open. Rolled back the bridge pup volume just a hair. Probably won't use it live for a couple more weeks, but I am digging it!

I'll tell you one thing - everyone who sees this thing is blown away by the looks. And judging by some of the reactions to the pic I posted on the Gibson facebook page, most don't even know a Gibson Explorer bass even exists!

And what's with the weird vanilla smell from inside the case??? Rics smell better. (Turtle Wax) 

Just the right time of year for this...

Got my Explorer yesterday. And I realized I haven't bought a brand new bass in over 20 years! (Ric 4001CS)

It's a beauty. Very cool instrument. I have not plugged it in yet. Action was pretty high. I tightened the truss rod a hair and lowered the bridge. My first 3 point. I don't see any issues, though I wonder about its placement. The E saddle is ALL the way back. I'll check intonation when I bring it home from the office. Hangs like any Gibson with the front strap pin behind the neck heel - a little forward tilt. Not crazy about that, and I can see why the Skynyrd guitarist wrapped his strap around the shark fin. Workmanship is good. The finish is cool. I usually hate when companies skimp and just do the burst on the front, but this matte black looks pretty bitchin with all the wood grain showing through. Honestly not sure if it's a lifetime keeper, but I think I'll hold on to it for a couple years at least. It's LIGHT! Nexk feels good. Not too chunky - better than my LP, but still kind of "round". 1-9/16'' at the nut. The case is RIDICULOUS! I feel like a dwarf carrying this thing. Even the handle is super-sized. I'll report on the sound eventually.

I have always rated Whitford a more original and tasteful guitarist than Perry. Perry is just handsome and has the rockstar thing down pat, but whenever an Aerosmith solo makes me take notice, it's more often than not Whitford and not Perry. That is not knocking Perry, he does what he does well, but Whitford has better choice of notes.

Aerosmith as a collective unit - forget some of those dreadfully soppy ballads - are an excellent band, no two ways about. Very American in a good way.

I agree. I only saw them once in 1978 at the Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, Draw the Line tour. My uncle was a Chicago cop who moonlighted as security (saw a lot of cool shows there around that time, including VH on their first headlining tour), and he later told me Perry and Tyler were so smashed, he had to literally take them by the hand and walk them to the stage, or from the limo or something. LOL! I could definitely see it on stage too. At one point, Perry was trying to switch to his Bich guitar, and couldn't manage to figure out the strap situation. A roadie had to come out and put the guitar on him. Very Spinal Tap! Anyway, my point is, Whitford carried the show guitar-wise. I thought he was great!

Edit - one more thing - the next night was the very first time I heard Van Halen's debut. Mind = BLOWN! How could anyone kick KISS and Aerosmith's ass??? 

I got it. Only listened to the first 5-6 tracks so far. I'm liking it better than the Resistance already. Absolution and Black Holes are tough acts to follow. I'll be going to see them March 4. 

Michael and Tom... claws away...

Eh, I take it all with a grain of salt. In the end, it's just one persons opinion.