Faded Explorer, Vintage Sunburst

stiles72 · August 18, 2012, 03:48:54 PM

My local GC just got another Faded Explorer in, so thought I would take some pics and try it out. At $899, this is a great bass. The tone is thick, and the body is surprisingly light and balances very well. Even though it has a 1.5" nut, it is a thicker neck than a T-bird. The flat black finish on the sides, back, and neck remind me of the Nikki Sixx Blackbird, and the pickups are equally hot. QC was very good except for the neck pickup screw which seemed to "wobble"a bit. Not sure if it was stripped or just needed tightening. Of course the bass needed to be set up (it is at GC after all), but I almost walked out with it. Much of what Mark said about the Silverburst version holds true on this one as well - and compared to the Explorers from the 80's - Gibson got this one right.

Sorry for the crappy cell phone pics...

ramone57 · August 18, 2012, 04:55:58 PM

my local GC had one, too! looks good with the burst finish.

Denis · August 19, 2012, 05:31:51 AM

Would look great with chrome pickup covers!

maxschrek · August 19, 2012, 08:24:25 AM

Great....just great! I was GAS free up until I saw this. I think I may need one, maybe for Christmas

T

Chris P. · August 20, 2012, 04:33:43 AM

I like it! Well... maybe... once...

uwe · August 20, 2012, 05:01:13 AM

Great, just great. As I wrote, it really takes it out of the heavy metal image realm.

Those beasts have maple necks macking them in essence Fenderbirds.

All that chrome hardware though! I'm sure happy that at least the new Non-Rev will escape that sorry fate.

gearHed289 · August 20, 2012, 09:03:13 AM

They... are... KILLING me!!! $899... I don't need an Explorer. It won't do anything my Les Paul doesn't. I don't need an Explorer. It won't do anything my Les Paul doesn't. I don't need an Explorer. It won't do anything my Les Paul doesn't. I don't need an Explorer. It won't do anything my Les Paul doesn't.......................

Blackbird · August 20, 2012, 10:31:59 AM

It's beyond me why there's a chrome bridge on the burst explorer instead of a black one....

OldManC · August 20, 2012, 12:06:47 PM

Quote from: Blackbird on August 20, 2012, 10:31:59 AM
It's beyond me why there's a chrome bridge on the burst explorer instead of a black one....

True, but it'd be an easy switch. I think I even have a spare black bridge lying around here somewhere...

Highlander · August 20, 2012, 12:51:17 PM

Quote from: uwe on August 20, 2012, 05:01:13 AM
Those beasts have maple necks macking them in essence Fenderbirds.

Tipping the hat to JAE and PC...?

uwe · August 20, 2012, 02:53:41 PM

The original Explorers had maple necks too. Might be for stability reasons, the Explorer headstock might give issues with a short fibre wood like maho on a long scale with all that pull. It certainly makes for a punchier sound on these.

godofthunder · August 20, 2012, 02:57:54 PM

Quote from: HERBIE on August 20, 2012, 12:51:17 PM
Tipping the hat to JAE and PC...?

One would like to think but I doubt Gibson is that astute.

Chris P. · August 22, 2012, 02:49:21 PM

Hope money comes in once... would love to have one!! Especially for that price...

gearHed289 · August 23, 2012, 08:40:20 AM

OK, I can't figure out who PC is... Pete Comita?

Dave W · August 23, 2012, 08:50:02 AM

Quote from: gearHed289 on August 23, 2012, 08:40:20 AM
OK, I can't figure out who PC is... Pete Comita?

He's talking about the Peter Cook-built explorer-birds.