Gibson Explorer Bass

I won't repeat the technical specs listed in other reviews of this bass, since mine are the same... all factory-spec. Great range of features, though, and since you get one control each for the forward and rear pickups as well as a bitchin' balance/tone control, you can make these basses growl or purr as you please. No fancy electronics or cyber-Jaco-finger battery operated thingamajigs-- just good, solid old-school stuff that every player can use and customize to his/her tastes (and that's the basis on which I'm rating this category). I started with a black '85, and fell in love with 'em... went nuts... and subsequently bought an '86 red and late '84 ivory. And I'm STILL on the lookout for MORE!!! The only other basses I'll play regularly these days are my Rics.

I play mostly classic and hard rock, though occasionally jazz, pop, etc. as the occasion arises. The Gibson Explorer bass is an amazingly versatile instrument that handles them all deftly (I agree with the person who said earlier they wouldn't pop with 'em a lot-- but I've never been all that excited about popping either. Kinda strikes me as something you do, unless you're Bootsy Collins, in a music store to try to impress people who're ignoring you). Whether its through an Ampeg or Galliard-Kruger head or my little Behringer practice amp, no matter- the sound is always solid, present, larger-than-life, and the sustain with roundwounds is AMAZING (also noted in another review): I've never gotten ANYTHING like it out of my other basses, Fenders and Rics included. Noise-- well, depends on what and how you play, but I think this bass is pretty darned quiet comparatively. Even the sound you can get out of half round strings on the Explorer bass is phenomenal-- bright, solid, could easily overtake the rest of the band without a watchful sound guy. :)

Bought all of my Explorer basses used, since they haven't come out of the Nashville factory since 1987! Good setups on all of them, though, and perfected with a little tweaking of my own. Action is fffffast. Although these are comparatively tough to find on the used/vintage market (because they've either been destroyed OR people like me get and hoard them), I would say shop carefully if you want one-- if you get one in reasonably good condition for its age, the paint, hardware, etc. should hold up really well. I agree with earlier opinions that these instruments are the musical equivalent of Sherman battle tanks. And better still (see "Sound," above)... they PLAY like 'em.

There are a lot of Explorer copies out there from many different manufacturers. I have tinkered with them all, to my knowledge. The best cheaper copies come from Ibanez (their X Series "Destroyer" models) and Epiphone (now of course a division of Gibson), but IMHO, anyone who tells you that ANY of them provide the same sound as an authentic Gibson Explorer bass is either lying, crazy or ignorant (maybe a combination). The body is rock-solid... hardware is too... and even on the one of mine that I'd say is in the WORST condition (which thankfully is still not bad at all), the tuners, bridge and pickups feel solid, work perfectly and seem to be in better shape at 20-plus years than a lot of stuff on new guitars in the music store. I'm not much for marketing sloganeering, but in this case, the original really IS hands-down the finest of this type there is. Or to turn a phrase from Highlander, "there can be only one." :)

Oh, MAN, am I impressed with Gibson's current support. Phone, email, what-have-you... they're good. This is a tough admission for someone who grew up a devoted Fenderite and then later converted to the Grand Church of Rickenbacker. Gibson's support people have always been quick with replies, friendly, as helpful as they can be, and one guy even went crazy with congratulations to me for finding my first Explorer bass when I emailed w/a question and said how impressed I was with the instrument. He could probably sense my enthusiasm and was there to reenforce it! That's a class act. Keep in mind that it's not like ANY of them thought I'd just helped the company's current quarterly profit, having bought instruments on the aftermarket that they made back in the mid-1980s. Clllassssss act. The computer industry could learn something from Gibson about customer support. And probably a little about humanity.

I've been playing bass for about 25-28 years now (including 2-3 in high school orchestra on double bass). My current stable includes two Rics, a Fender MIA Jazz, a 70s Fender Musicmaster, 2 Ibanez (X and EX series, respectively) and three real, authentic, jackhammering Gibson Explorer basses. There is absolutely no doubt which ones of the above are my favorites overall! I LOVE the feel... sound... thunder (the pickups are HOT)... playability. There's simply NOTHING I can think of that I dislike about them, which seems to be a semi-common sentiment among Gibby Explorer owners.

These may well be the most under-rated electric basses in all of history. Those who've never actually played a real Gibson Explorer may think as I once did that they were merely form over substance; a way to make quick sells to big-haired teens in the 80s. This might be the reason they didn't last that long on the market (about 3 years). Nothing could be further from the truth, but now I'm kinda glad there aren't that many in good condition kicking around any more-- makes my babies seem that much more special!

A final note to interested or prospective buyers-- be careful and patient looking around for one, and do your homework on them. They are NOT good beginner basses because of the unique shape, size and weight; additionally, there are some absolute lunatics out there (who unfortunately all seem to fancy themselves guitar dealers) who grossly overprice these things from time to time. Research them thoroughly before you get into "buy" mode-- and then resolve yourself to the fact that the best things in life often require nerves of steel and the patience of Job (or, alternatively, a big Powerball win). You won't be sorry when you DO find that perfect Explorer bass for you with the gorgeous gold Gibson logo on the headstock.

Basic features revealed in the earlier reviews. Except that the bass is set-neck, not neck-thru. Mine is '86, cherry red with a white pickguard. I would have liked the 34" scale instead of the 32", but otherwise great features. The bass and the case are really heavy, combined they're app. 15(!) kilos.

The sound is amazing. Deep, rich, growling and punchy at the sametime. The sustain is incredible too. The weight and size combined to the full mahogany construction, humbucking pickups and set-neck are the real deal. Perfectly suited for heavy rock and metal music I play. I only have a solid state amp with a tube pre-amp. I could even guess how godly this would sound with a full tube setup, makes me drool already for the future possibilities.

The bass is 20 years old, and the age also shows. Cannot give an opinion here, because I bought it used.

It has lasted for 20 years. The former user also gigged heavily with it, so I guess also I can count on it.

N/A.

This is best sounding bass I've ever played, and it looks really badass too. The weight and size might be problem for someone, but I like those features too. Highly recommended for heavier music, if you manage to find one, since they don't make these anymore....

-made in 1985 USA
-21 average size frets in rosewood finderboard, 4 strings
-2 volumes, 1 tone
-2 passive humbuckers, Gibson PUs
-radical offsett hourglass alder body
-maple neck, thru body
-ebony color
-Scale 32"(I measured my one, don`t know if 34" was made too)
-Gibson-named tuners
-Original Gibson case
-Gibson-named bridge. Heavy duty and one of smartest I have seen in basses, can adjust strigs every way

Good stuff for versatile use.

Without doubt this is best sounding bass I have ever owned or played! I play various styles of metal/heavy and I can get exactly what I want. 2 PUs with 2 volumes can mix together large scale of different sounds. Basic sound of Explorer is warm and rich, and deep even if its 32" scale only. Avesome tone.

But best think is still coming, sustaine! I added good DR stainless steel strings for it and it continue playing forever. If here is some competition in sustaine, this bass probably win. Must be reason of neck thru construction and good materials.

Versatile sound for many kind of music, perfect for from Rock to heaviest stuff. As you think Explorer style shape is made for.

I got it as used, action can be set low without problem. neck is thin but not as thin as J-basses. Fretswork is good and no dead frets at all. Extreme good playable neck and keep tune well. Easy touch.

only negation is huge dimensions of body, this bass is big. For my case that is not problem, even if I am under average long guy, but smallest guys perhaps have. Paint is suffered some places in time, but no badly. Must remember age of it. I have seen some same thing in other 80`s Gibsons paints too. There is a bit neck dive, but no big deal.

For my taste this is one of best looking bass shape. With Ibanez Destroyer bass, both are huge basses and gets respects in stage! Remember Angelripper of Sodom and Cronos of Venom for instance.

No problems with Reability and Durability, it?s ready for full action after 20 years again and again. Even if earlier owners seems have been not so good care sometime. Hardware works as it should and easy tune up. All hardware seems be still original! One time I have need to adjust neck, for use of lower tune.

Used one, never been contact with Gibson dealer. I think as rare and old model as this is, some replacement parts could be hard to find if needed.

I think this bass is rare, Made only from 83/84 to 87, and Diamond in it?s way. Ultimate sound and playability, made specially for Heavier music but versatile sound is suitable for many kind of music style.

1983, made in Nashville, Tennesee, USA.
21 Frets, Four String
Solid Alder Body, Maple Neck, Ebony Fretboard.
Controls: Volume-Volume-Tone
2 Gibson Passive Humbucking Pickups (Neck and Bridge)
Finish: sort of an aged butterscotch blonde, but not transparent.
Bridge: Gibson (Schaller)bridge, completely adjustable.
Tuners: Gibson (Schaller) Chrome Plated.
Neck through body:long scale 34" neck, medium in size.
Original Hardshell case

I play blues, calssic rock, and occaisional heavy metal. It works great for all three genres.
The bass is very quiet,with a full warm sound, and has really serious thump on the low end with the neck pickup dialed in and the bridge pup off.
With the neck pup soloed and tone rolled off about 1/4 it sounds like a P-Bass. Crank up the bridge pup and add full tone and you get the J-Bass growl.
I really love the tone of this instrument, it really does everything I need.
I would not try slap or funk with this bass, as the attack on Gibsons is more subdued to that of a Fender or other maker. Just doesn't emit a great slap tone.

Bought it used, but the action was set perfect for my tastes. Had to adjust the pickups a little for my preference. No problems there.
As to the finish, it is in great shape to be 20 years old. The bass was well cared for, but has a few dings here and there. I think the finish is polyurethane. There are a few cracks visible in the finish, but not discernable to the touch. Sort of like a nitro finish, but I doubt it. The hardware is top quality, but just slightly oxidized from setting in a cese for ten years.
I think this bass is in great shape given its vintage and the fact that it was a working bass for about seven years. Not even any buckle-rash!!!!!
The neck is really smooth to play on. It is about a half way comprimise between a P-Bass and a J-Bass. The width at the nut is about that of a MIA P-Bass, but it has an almost straight taper down to the body, feeling like a J-bass in the upper registers, but with better playablity.
Not the most comfortable bass to play while sitting, took some getting used to, but it is great to play while standing.
Neck dive is not a problem as it is in other Gibson models. It will dive if you exert no pressure at all to maintain it in position, but it is a slow, gradual dive. You really don't notice the pressure at all exerted by your right forearm/wrist to maintain its position.

The bass already has a proven track record for live gigging. The hardware will be fine for a long time to come. The finish is great. Only a couple of dings, and no bare wood anywhere. Gibson's original strap buttons are solid, shaped like a bat wing, and seem like they will do the job just fine.
The neck has not needed any adjustment.
I would gig with this baby w/o a backup if I had to, no concerns there, but I usually take a couple of basses to gigs anyway.
One word of caution; it is hard to find a stand that will really hold this baby with confidence given its body shape. Being a neck-thru caution must be taken that it doesn't fall, or expensive repairs are in the future. It is much wider and more solid at the nut than a Thunderbird. It would probably survive a fall from a stand, but I am not going to find out on purpose!!

Never dealt with Gibson

I have been playing since 1985, and had always coveted one of these basses. When the chance came I jumped on it and have not regretted it a second. The bass is everything I thought it would be and more. I figured it would be a good hard rock-metal axe, which it is, but it has a really nice, warm, tone that is good for blues too, although I would have to go dig up Albert King so as not to look out of place at a blues gig!