The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Gibson Basses => Topic started by: TBird1958 on December 05, 2016, 10:18:33 PM

Title: 1984 Explorer prototype on ebay. Calling Uwe!
Post by: TBird1958 on December 05, 2016, 10:18:33 PM

 This was in my FB news feed, Uwe if you're interested and need help with shipping to ze Fatherland happy to help out.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/322255838565?rmvSB=true
Title: Re: 1984 Explorer prototype on ebay. Calling Uwe!
Post by: Dave W on December 06, 2016, 12:01:10 AM
I'm guessing he won't be interested unless he spots something different about it, which I don't see. He already has two, doesn't he?
Title: Re: 1984 Explorer prototype on ebay. Calling Uwe!
Post by: TBird1958 on December 06, 2016, 07:24:05 AM


 I think there are at least 3 in ze collection. I'd never seen that neck stamp before. 
Title: Re: 1984 Explorer prototype on ebay. Calling Uwe!
Post by: Dave W on December 06, 2016, 10:36:43 AM
Me neither. Maybe it was displayed at NAMM or another industry show and then put up for sale.
Title: Re: 1984 Explorer prototype on ebay. Calling Uwe!
Post by: Granny Gremlin on December 06, 2016, 11:02:03 AM
The knobs are different (prod models used speed knobs vs witch hats) ;P

Title: Re: 1984 Explorer prototype on ebay. Calling Uwe!
Post by: exiledarchangel on December 06, 2016, 11:13:13 AM
He doesn't collect for fins, but maybe he does for knobs, who knows? :D
Title: Re: 1984 Explorer prototype on ebay. Calling Uwe!
Post by: uwe on December 06, 2016, 07:48:54 PM
Knobs aren't important enough to me. Dave's right, nothing noteworthy about this prototype of one of Gibson's most unnoteworthy basses. I have two - the magnetic pup one and the piezo version (plus assorted other one-off or later than 80ies Explorers, still have to get the new Epi).

But thank you for spotting it, Mark!
Title: Re: 1984 Explorer prototype on ebay. Calling Uwe!
Post by: FrankieTbird on December 07, 2016, 09:22:14 AM

What are those pickups?  Are they the same as the LP Signature bass pickup?  Are they the same in your Explorer, Uwe?  Pretty decent?
Title: Re: 1984 Explorer prototype on ebay. Calling Uwe!
Post by: lowend1 on December 07, 2016, 11:25:29 AM
The knobs are different (prod models used speed knobs vs witch hats) ;P

Being the pedant that I am...
Those are not witch hats - they are top hats (or "bell" knobs to some of us). Witch hats are the ones that you find on SG/EB instruments that look similar to Fender amp knobs.
This has been a public service announcement.
Title: Re: 1984 Explorer prototype on ebay. Calling Uwe!
Post by: doombass on December 07, 2016, 04:20:35 PM
What are those pickups?  Are they the same as the LP Signature bass pickup?  Are they the same in your Explorer, Uwe?  Pretty decent?
Those are regular Grabber pickups.
Title: Re: 1984 Explorer prototype on ebay. Calling Uwe!
Post by: Granny Gremlin on December 07, 2016, 05:07:45 PM
Being the pedant that I am...
Those are not witch hats - they are top hats (or "bell" knobs to some of us). Witch hats are the ones that you find on SG/EB instruments that look similar to Fender amp knobs.
This has been a public service announcement.

Yeah, I know.  Tried to edit that and then browser crashed and I forgot. 
Title: Re: 1984 Explorer prototype on ebay. Calling Uwe!
Post by: uwe on December 08, 2016, 11:15:42 AM
Those are regular Grabber pickups.

Exactly. And they sound okay'ish in one bass only: The Grabber, where they provide a raunchy, middish, slightly nasal sound without much bass that at least gets heard. On Explorers and Q-80ies they sound indistinct and unremarkable.
Title: Re: 1984 Explorer prototype on ebay. Calling Uwe!
Post by: gearHed289 on December 08, 2016, 11:17:49 AM
Don't you mean Ripper? C'mon guys, you're slipping!  :P
Title: Re: 1984 Explorer prototype on ebay. Calling Uwe!
Post by: Basvarken on December 08, 2016, 11:44:17 AM
No Tom, it is really a Grabber pickup. Without the sliding plate.

Grabber:
(http://www.flyguitars.com/graphics/part18_1.jpg)

Explorer:
(http://www.flyguitars.com/graphics/part18_2.jpg)
Title: Re: 1984 Explorer prototype on ebay. Calling Uwe!
Post by: FrankieTbird on December 08, 2016, 04:25:35 PM

So, different than the LP Signature?  They look very similar.

(http://c-nelson.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/1970s_Gibson_Les_Paul_Signature_Bass_17582_001.jpg)

Title: Re: 1984 Explorer prototype on ebay. Calling Uwe!
Post by: clankenstein on December 08, 2016, 04:50:47 PM
Yes.That one on the L.P. Sig. is a multitap low impedance job.
Title: Re: 1984 Explorer prototype on ebay. Calling Uwe!
Post by: gearHed289 on December 09, 2016, 08:14:27 AM
No Tom, it is really a Grabber pickup. Without the sliding plate.

Grabber:
(http://www.flyguitars.com/graphics/part18_1.jpg)

Explorer:
(http://www.flyguitars.com/graphics/part18_2.jpg)

Ah, I'M slipping! I'm thinking of the Flying V, yes?
Title: Re: 1984 Explorer prototype on ebay. Calling Uwe!
Post by: Basvarken on December 09, 2016, 09:57:58 AM
Correct. The "V" had the Ripper pickups.
Title: Re: 1984 Explorer prototype on ebay. Calling Uwe!
Post by: lowend1 on December 09, 2016, 01:46:39 PM
Ah, I'M slipping! I'm thinking of the Flying V, yes?

I try to never "think" of that thing. I had the misfortune of buying one new.
Title: Re: 1984 Explorer prototype on ebay. Calling Uwe!
Post by: OldManC on December 11, 2016, 03:43:03 PM
I try to never "think" of that thing. I had the misfortune of buying one new.

Gah! Of course, if you'd held onto it you could have made a small mint now among the "looks and rarity are more important than sound" crowd.  :mrgreen:
Title: Re: 1984 Explorer prototype on ebay. Calling Uwe!
Post by: uwe on December 12, 2016, 02:40:24 PM
Like many objects of desire that thing is so overrated.  :rolleyes: