Gibson/Hamer Custom Shop Explorer?

[Nocturnal]

http://cgi.ebay.com/GIBSON-USA-CUSTOM-SHOP-EXPLORER-BASS-GUITAR_W0QQitemZ230285938837QQihZ013QQcategoryZ64402QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Anyone ever seen this one before?

[drbassman]

I was wondering if it could be real.  I can't imagine the shop using those DiMarzios, but hey, what do I know!

[Dave W]

This bass is a NON production model and was custom built using vintage parts obtained from the West Coast Custom shop assembled by Master Luthier.

Sounds strange and I don't remember a west coast custom shop. But it looks genuine, and I've heard of similar tales. For example, I've seen a T-bird made in the early 90s by an Austin shop with a body from Gibson and two passive MM style humbuckers. It had a factory logo and serial number. Some weird stuff was going on.

[Bionic-Joe]

It's a nice bass, but I believe my associate Tony Babylon had this custom made using Gibson Parts by a great Luthier, but it's not a Gibson Nashville or Kalamazoo. Shh!!

[Bass VI]

Don't remember a WC custom shop either, Bionic-Joes' explaination sounds quite plausible ( and his hint at insider info, shh ) Does look very nicely made and as we have seen ( Greatdealz ) Gibson parts are avaiable. Wonder why it wasn't built as a long scale, that would seem to have addressed the complaint some have with the Explorer and certainly been more " custom "

It is Quite Pretty!

S.

[uwe]

I've written to Gibson Customer Service about this. Let's hear what they say.

Something about the headstock seems wrong to me, the lack of a serial number is astonishing, but the way the back of the neck and the body have been finished is very Gibsonish, the last run CMT RDs come to mind. Also the three point bridge and the short scale harken back to what Gibson has done previously with custom shop or at least one-off Explorers. And then there is the volute though that would date the bass more eighties than nineties (that maple top is ZZ Top inspired which would date it around that time too).

If this has a serious chance of being real (there will be no certainty in any case), I will put a bid in.

Uwe

[Barklessdog]

It's a nice bass that looks well made.

[Dave W]

It's a nice bass, but I believe my associate Tony Babylon had this custom made using Gibson Parts by a great Luthier, but it's not a Gibson Nashville or Kalamazoo. Shh!!

Interesting. I hadn't heard of him but I found him here on MySpace. No pics of this bass but here's a photo of him with another Gibson-logo custom:

[senmen]

Guys,
this bass looks very strange indeed.
Take a look on how the neck is set in; I mean not centered like on a usual Explorer.
And, to be honest, who ever would order a custom shop Explorer with such a headstock.
I think only Warwick nuts would be happy with this.

[doombass]

I suppose any skilled luthier could pull such a thing off. Nowadays almost anyone can make their own logo inlays at home if necessary. A workmate of mine built his own computer controlled engraving/routing machine.

[godofthunder]

 While it is a pretty bass and I LOVE Model Gs I doubt this is legit Gibson, it just looks wrong

[Nocturnal]

The headstock almost looks more Hamer than Gibson to my eyes.

[sniper]

dunno doc, did this little comparison and was pleasently surprized:

if you need a password to enter it should be bassplayer

http://s170.photobucket.com/albums/u275/cathousemouse/explorer/

i thought the  body was a bit "sideways" but thats not it and Gibson has had a few changes in head shapes. i realize that this is not a Gibson, but it's not that bad IMHO.

[SKATE RAT]

hey Dave,did you invite that dude here? i would love too know more about that Jr.

[Dave W]

hey Dave,did you invite that dude here? i would love too know more about that Jr.

No I didn't, just looked up his name and found him in a band named Smash Fashion. I think he was playing a T-bird in another photo.