Epi Explorer gets dusted off

Freuds_Cat · April 04, 2009, 06:34:24 AM

We (The Crocs) play a little club down on the beach about every 6 weeks or so and the crowds are usually very into it so I decided to see how the Explorer went in a few songs. Ended up playing it for 5 songs and it sounded great. Very big or dynamic sound with a nice amount of upper mid growl. It had a set of 110 - 50's on it which are a bit heavy for me but I figured it worth a good go before I changed down to the 105 - 45's. As I've said before its like driving a big smooth powerful truck. While the neck is about the widest on a 4 string bass that I've ever played it has an excellent action and no fret buzz which was the opposite of my expectations when I bought it. I'm really getting a taste for it. I play it though a Bi-Amp rig with an Ampeg SVP. I also have an SWR IOD in the rack but really only use that for my overdrive sounds.

Chris P. · April 04, 2009, 08:10:19 AM

Cool pics!

TBird1958 · April 04, 2009, 09:03:13 AM

Lookin' good Brett!

Easy to see you're having a great time.

Stjofön Big · April 04, 2009, 03:23:04 PM

Such a nice band! Banjo, harmonica, bass and drums!!! Wonder what you guys sound like? I would love to be in a band with that setting, and that's a fact!

Freuds_Cat · April 04, 2009, 04:16:44 PM

Quote from: Stjofön Big on April 04, 2009, 03:23:04 PM
Such a nice band! Banjo, harmonica, bass and drums!!! Wonder what you guys sound like? I would love to be in a band with that setting, and that's a fact!

Mostly we play with 2 guitars and both guys play harp but with different styles. We do about 5 or 6 songs with the banjo. Some with the other guitar as well. Leo , the guy playing harp in the pics is more a blues style player while Dave the other singer is more a Neil Young / Bob Dylan style harmonica player.

Highlander · April 04, 2009, 05:09:29 PM

Nice one... "Banjo's playin' through the broken glass..." or some such NY lyric...

I get more nervous, the more I see that style of instrument... I used to think them far too poseworthy (I believe some people here use the expression "hair-metal"...?), but it's growing on me...

I have yet to post anything sound-wise (what little there is), but why not, Brett, or at least a set-list of the covers to get an idea of the flavour of the set...

Useless information (my buddy, Graham, says I'm full of it, at least I think he means info...) Neil Young used to play a banjo shaped guitar for the stuff he recorded in the 70's

Freuds_Cat · April 04, 2009, 08:28:01 PM

The Wood grain finished Explorers with the gold hardware and the white pickguard seem more late 50's Caddy to me rather than 80's hair metal.

But then ask Uwe to drag out his Dean Razorbak

and show you what he uses in front of the mirror in his private moments

That pair of spandex worn out yet Uwe?

Highlander · April 05, 2009, 09:25:32 AM

I guess the era fits the design for both, and you know how things go round...

...But I think I'll leave the thought of Uwe, Razorback's, Spandex, et al, and the mirror, to Mark...

What was that Todd Rundgren song... "I went to the mirror today..." or was it, "Ah think ah see a little red laht in ma rear view mirrah..."
... same album, tho...

godofthunder · April 05, 2009, 09:39:45 AM

A Explorer paired with a banjo now that's something you don't see every day ! Thats a nice looking bass !

TBird1958 · April 05, 2009, 09:51:37 AM

Spandex is for those that don't shave their legs...........
I, on the other hand know that mine are one my better features

I kinda hope Epi brings Explorers back out, or perhaps I can find an old Ibanez one, its a bass I've always liked alot.

godofthunder · April 05, 2009, 10:01:41 AM

I love my '76 Ibanez Destroyer !

TBird1958 · April 05, 2009, 11:07:11 AM

That's not short scale is it Scott?

Chris P. · April 05, 2009, 11:26:35 AM

Mine's sent last friday, so it'll be in tuesday or wednesday.

godofthunder · April 05, 2009, 01:10:35 PM

It's a 32" medium scale. They are hard as hell to find i bought mine new in '76 it has been modded over the years.

Quote from: TBird1958 on April 05, 2009, 11:07:11 AM
That's not short scale is it Scott?

uwe · April 06, 2009, 09:08:54 AM

Structurally, a worthy bass that Epi. I've equipped mine with TB Plus pups and it simply roars now (just look at how close the first pup is to the neck and what a TB Plus pup could wreak there on havoc!). The Epi pups were no slouches either, but the TB Plus have enhanced everything: treble, bass and mids. I play with the idea of having mine refinned and hardware upgraded to - yes - chrome, because I'm not too crazy about the gold hardware (looks fine on the korina laminate version our Aussie has, not so much on the bone white fin I have).

No issues with gold hardware on this one though: