Epi Explorer - or- Fenderbird?

[TBird1958]

Am I ordering another one sir?

[uwe]

Out of my sight evil seductress!!!!

[Highlander]

(in a French accent a-la-Mr Creosote)

Ah, sur'ly Monsieur, un waffer fin, sunburst crisp, shark fin bass will not 'urt...?



(I'd bet Tom could find you some evidence of a slightly differing functional item to satisfy your OCD non duplication needs... )

[TBird1958]

 I don't think two of these is unreasonable at all  


You need another................ Funny word, need.

[gearHed289]

How that go.................


"Gibson Basses, come on in............if you're man enough 

It's pure Badass Tom, I really like the finish - Who'd a thought that, a 'burst on an Explorer.

Funny thing is - tobacco burst on a T-Bird is completely boring to me.  Most likely because it's so common. On this bass though - I love it! It's really growing on me overall. Might be bye bye blue (F)bird.

The neck pickup is about 1-1/4'' closer to the fingerboard than my Les Paul. The bridge pickup, I think 3/4'' closer. I have to measure again, and also reference against George's diagram of a vintage non-rev. I've only played through my little studio monitors so far. Sounds fuller than the Paul. Neck pickup soloed is a bit less... angry P Bass than any of the other Bird-inspired basses I've had (LP, F-Bird, BaCH).

Uwe, this is not simply a different color than the shiny silver. We're talking sealed in clear coat VS a thin satin coat. And we all know how finish affects sound! 

[TBird1958]

The finish on the G-3 is similar and really very nice, I never thought I'd like a non - gloss, yet it's both beautiful and easy to play.

[uwe]

"And we all know how finish affects sound!"

Is that safe to say meanwhile here?  Dave has bee acting peculiar of late, newly discovered love for Gibson UD (Ugly Duckling) bass and such things. Might also be an eyesight thing. Winter is approaching fast in Minnesota and I've heard that the anticipated harshness of the season is already starting to affect people in a bad way there.

Let me state this quite clearly: I have no opinion whatsoever on whether finish affects sound or not. I'm not the provocative type, really.

I does affect sight though.

[TBird1958]

I think you're caving in to the idea of another Explorer.....


You knead one. 

[gearHed289]

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) 

[TBird1958]

I love that sweet new Gibson bass smell!

[Highlander]

Smell that...? That's a new Gibson... I love the smell of a new Gibson's in the morning... smells like... Continental V Victory...

[gearHed289]

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!

[Barklessdog]

Seems a little dark tone-wise

Thats one thing I like about Fbirds is the maple snap/ brightness it gives the sound. Thats why I sold my NR and kept my F bird.

[uwe]

The (current) Explorer does have a set neck maple neck, but the pups are of course rather forward, so it is dark. Darker than any TBird, but also phatter. Explorers are the most comfortable basses on earth - the elbow rest is the magic! I'll play mine at the gig tomorrow.

[Highlander]

Have you ever gigged the Explorer...?