Epiphone Explorer

What a beast, I still use all the pick-ups it came with and even the exact same Gibson strings. The strap things could have done with being better placed but a strap lock should sort that out. The black finish looks cool, don't know about the yellowy one though. The one problem with Explorers is that they are really nose heavy. See for yourself, put it on and take your hands away.

Sounds great with a heavily distorted Marshall amp. I love playing Metallica songs so obviously it sounds the buisenss for them. The when it's played on a clean channel it sounds really good, nice strumming sound.

When i bought the guitar it was reduced in price because the finish around the bridge wasn't perfect, still looks great though, hardly noticeable at all.

Never used it live but at practices with my old band, it took a lot of beatings. The body of the guitar has been banged a bit and doesn't even look scratched.

Never dealt with them

AMAZING

Standard features. Black finish, gold hardware.

Oh, dear sweet Jesus. Every time I hit the strings I want to cream in my briches. It gets the greatest distorted sound of any guitar I've played, and pretty good clean tone too.

PERFECT.

You cannot accidently break this guitar. Mine's been dropped, thrown, and even accidentally run over by a motorcycle, and all it has to show for it is a few scratches.

Lifetime warranty, great service.

This is simply the best guitar on the market. It's great looking, feeling, and playing. A great metal axe, but good for other styles as well, it's the most versitile guitar this side of the stratocaster. I never want to play any other kind.

Features?? Well i dont know what year it is all i know is that is still in mint condition. It has 22 frets. there are 2 volume controls 1 tone control and a 3 way pickup. It has a natural finish at first i didnt like it but i grew to love it. The bridge style is stop tailpiece. It has a satin black neck. And it came with a hard case.

OH MAN this guitar has met my needs. I like metallica they are my favorite band so obviously i play there music alot. I have never heard Enter Sandman And Nothing Else Matters sound cooler. I own a Peavey Raptor Plus and it doesnt come close to what i want. I find that i get alot of feedback out of my amp though no matter how far i am from it. I like the sound alot.

I'd say the guitar is perfect except for the intonation on the Low E. WHen i do an F on The Low E it tends to buzz sometimes but that is the only problem with it. The pickups were set just right so i'm cool with it

I sure hope this guitar can withstand live playing because i tend to want to do alot of it in the future. I think the hardware will last. I am kind of worried about the finish becase it is only natural so if it chips away it will look weird. The strap buttons are solid. I would never do a gig without a backup guitar no matter how good the original is.

I have never spoke with the company

I have been playing for a bought a year and i like this guitar alot. I also own a Peavey rage 150 amp. There is nothing i wish i asked before i bought this guitar because i am happy with it. If it were stolen or lost i would most likely buy it again but a different finish. Unless something else cought my eye. I love that it sounds like an evil raging guitar that can pull through and make some heavy music.

I bought my Epiphone Explorer just 2 days ago. I have fallen in love with it. I wouldn't recomend it to someone that just sits in a chair and plays occasionally to friends. This guitar was meant to be played. It can get a little unconfortable because of the body shape but this isnt a problem when standing. I have the all black finish (no pickguard) 3 position switch and 1 volume and 1 tone control. I have found the tone to be bright and resiliant when switched to the 2nd position but also this guitar can crunch when needed. I started playing a Memphis acoustic/electric as my first guitar then moved to a gibson les paul reproduction. The explorer is by far my favorite guitar to date.

Best playing style for this guitar is metal or hard rock. I have played the gibson version of the Explorer and the differences are minimal. The only complaint I have for this guitar is it is heavy but you get used to it pretty quickly. Settings 1 and 2 will see the most time used as you get the most crunch for the buck here. (there is a reason that James Hetfield of Metallica plays the Gibson make!)

Action was perfectly set and the pickups we perfect. very well made instrument.

Best use as i have said is for playing in a band envronment (mabey live or as a backup guitar) as will stand the test of time. The strap buttons are solid. The jack is a bit awkard but there are cheap fixes for that (i have steped on my cord a few times and disconnected myself before I know i did it). I would use this as my main axe at a gig but would have another ready just in case. No reason not to considering the price (I paid $199 US)

Never had occasion to call them. I have owned other Ephphone guitars and never had to call about thouse either.

I have been playing for about 7 years on and off and I am very happy with the Explorer. I am a bit concerned about the durablility of the finish (black scratches easily) and the cost of a case (about $500 easy). I did compare this guitar to the Epiphone Demon for the same price but this out played it in every way. Superior quality for value price.

Features ?? none its wooden (real timber) tuneomatic bridge 2 humbuckers and gold hardware

Ok how its sounds somtimes this is the best sound ive ever heard at other times it sux.. Generally I run it into a no name amp which has no features thus no colour to the guitars natural tone. In this manner its sounds briliant very accoust great for southern rock aka cinderella lynard etc.. I use it for metal or country we basically ripped off jason and the scorchers and do to any song what they do to those classic country tunes and for that It ripps ,oh i distort it with an ibanez smash box (get one ) a boss chorus and a cheap danelctro reverb ,,sweet as .

Korina is the best finish on any guitar and this is no exception the gold plate just wares off after a few gigs.
LIVE WITH IT

The best bought it Phil set it up he s my luthier tech dude etc in two minutes and the action has remained set beutifully ..
This guitar works u do not need to spend thousands buy 1
the only prob is the jack but if u r serious put a cannon jack in there and never lose yer cable.

still under warranty I think havent needed it

Okay, this Explorer, according to the serial number is over 40 years old, but I DOUBT that! It looks brand new, and feels like it too.
I'm not sure where Epiphones are made novadays, I think in Asia in anyway??

22 frets, white pickguard, gold hardware and a shining black-as-hell finish :-) Also 3-way pickup switch, tune-o-matic bridge and rosewood fingerboard (which I love)

Epiphone stock pickups and tuners, nothing special to mention about them at this point (read SOUND).

First I thought the neck was very fat and hard to play. In time I got used to it, and now when I've played many guitars, the Explorer neck is really too thin for me :( But it's fast!

Generally it's got all the features you can want from a heavy looking guitar, but amount doesnt replace quality - most of the parts suck.

HEAVY METAL is the style, e.g. machine head, testament, metallica, guns n roses... etc etc.. you probably got it :)
As for the looks it's mean, suits my style.

I think I would give a higher rating of the sound, if I had a better amp. Unfortunately I use a discontinued model of Crate GX-30M.. which a 10" speaker.. And the oh-so-famous Korg AX1G pedal.

Anyways, with this setup the sound is pretty crappy. I like the clean much more than the distortions, but i guess that's due to the amp.
There's not enough "kick" in it, if ya know what I mean..

I'll get a new amp in a couple of months, and post a new review.

There's also a grounding error in the guitar, cause it makes noise when I dont have my hand on the strings. Soon to be fixed..

Noisy pickup switch, pickups were too high, and arent very good either. The G string is usually out of tune, even though I know how to tune my guitar and install strings properly.

I've had this guitar for 1 and a half years, and some maintenance would do some good... I clean it regulary and oil the fretboard etc.

Everything seems long lasting, except some of the 'gold' plating.. a part of the bridge has switched colors :)

This guitar has survived many hits so it's reliable.

No experience. Expect when I asked for a case for my guitar, they told it costs about 1000 fim. Divide that with 6,9 and you'll have USA dollars(at the moment). Too much for me for just a case!

I've played for 4 years, this is my second guitar.
Maybe with better gear (than crate and korg), or replaced pickups Explorer would ROCK. Now it doesnt. Shame.

I was so obsessed with exp models at the time when I bought this so no comparing happened, I just started playing the thing and got it.

So It's a great looking and - probably - sounding guitar for that price. I would buy a real GIBSON exp instead of the epiphone, it if were ever stolen.

FEEL FREE TO ASK me about this guitar about anything that wasnt mentioned here.

Korina body, black finish, white pickguard, all gold hardware cept knobs, dot inlays. I'm not sure on all of the specifics (body wood etc.) Explorer body is the best shape ever. It looks great, but the black finish shows scratches and fingerprints more than a korina finish would. Otherwise, great

I LOVE Metallica, and this does it pretty well. Im playin it through a Marshall amp and it sounds great. The high notes are screeching, which is good sometimes. Fine metal/hard rock sound and decent for solos. I really enjoy the sound.

The action had to be lowered, the bridge pickup can sway back n forth a bit, but hasn't fallen out and doesn't look like it will. Get the korina finish instead of the black, it doesn't show scratches and prints nearly as much.

This guitar is a bit heavy, but looks like it will hold up for a while to come. The gold on the hardware will eventually wear off, but hasn't yet. The paint looks like it won't come off for a long time. The strap buttons are solid. It seems dependable. I would always keep a backup handy, no matter what guitar.

Never dealt with em

I haven't been playing very much, a few years. I wish I had gotten it in Korina finish. I play it through a Marshall amp. I would not buy it again if stolen, I would rather have a KH-2 right now. I like its sound, like and dislike the finish, love the body style. This was my first guitar. It is great for startin because it has a decent price for a good sounding guitar.

I really like the 20 fret fret board it has. I really like the feel of the big round neck and its a real comfterbal guitar to play. I like the way it looks with its black finish and the white pickgourd. I like the controls to. 2 volume, 1 tone, 3 way pickup selector. I think that is the best setup in a guitar. And I love the 2 Gibson hummbuckers to. I also love the way the guitar is heavy. I like heavy guitars. I think this guitar fits really big and tall players and players who look for a heavy tone. This is the first hard-tail that I owned and I love it. Stays in tune great and it has lots of sustain.

For my styles of music I love it. From PUNK to METAL, its a great all aroung guitar. My setup consists of the following in order. a MORLEY Bad horsy whawha-a Boss Hyper Metal- A Boss ME30(I dont use the distorion on it though)- a Digitech XP100 whammy-wha- a Boss Noise gate- and a Crate GFX 212 amp. I love the way the guitar sounds in my setup. infact its one of the best guitars that I owned. The sound is rich a heavy. There is a wide variety of sounds you can get from it. I love it all around.

I kept the factory setings cus ther were just right for me I think. I bought one of the 2nd editions(the one where the factory put some kind of very little blemish in the paint of a little nick or somthing). The only blemish I found was that the Epiphone logo is bright on one half and dark on the other(may be the blemish???).

I hace only had the guitar for 3 days now...and I am Very Very happy with it. I cant wait to get this guitar on stage. I think the guitar will last for a long time. The only problem is the the guitar needs straplocks. I would use this guitar on stage with one other backup(only if I break a string).

I dont think I will ever have to get it repared.

I have been playing for 8 years now and I think its one of the best guitars that I have ever owned. If anything ever happened to this guitar I would go out and buy anouther one. My favorite feature is the pickups. No feed back what so ever.I bought a Jackson Kelly a few years back and The explorer is much better. The only thing I wish is had was a gain switch for both pickups.

Eh

The sound is awesome it suits my music perfectly (mainly Tallica)
I use it with a boss ME30 and a Crate gx212
Suits me just fine

DONT BUY THIS GUITAR FOR SOLOS!!
when i bought it i waz mainly just a rythem player
now i do mainly lead and this guitar sucks for that kinda thing.

ive played small live gigs and its worked just fine
When i bought it the pickup selector waz falty and it still is but im sorta used to it now.
I use locking strap buttons now coz the damn thing kept fallin off
I can depend on this guitar 99% of da time (except for switchin pickups)

neva had to deal with the bastards

Ive been playin for bout 2 yrs i use a crate gx212 and a boss me30 effects pedal. If it were stolen i would either buy that or a washburn dime3 with is only a couple of hundred bucks more. I love the look of this amp, i play at mostly at my skool and it turns heads hardcore. I hate the damn pickup selector and its a heavy bastard.
I originally waz after a epiphone flyin V and when i waz in the shop i saw the explorer and i remembered that its the same guitar james hetfield uses so i had to have it
THIS GUITAR ROKS DEFFINATLY RECOMMENED

The guitar is a 99 or 00 im not sure, Its got 2 stock humbuckers, Its black/white pickguard with tune o matic Gold Bridge, Gold Tuning knobs and pickup covers. Black Gibson Speed Knobs. The body shape is described as an offset hourglass. (see James Hetfield of metallica, also Dave Grohl, the guitar player for lynyrd skynyrd) 22 Frets. Maple Body and neck, rosewood fretboard dot inlays. A tremlo would be nice, but ive seen them with tremlo and it takes away the beauty of the guitar.

The stock pickups give a great sound, they're very deep, not dry at all, give almost no feedback. I play heavy stuff most of the time and with some pedals it sounds awsome.

Action comes very low, Be careful when you put new strings on, you can break the nut if your not careful. The pickups came low, how i like em. The neck is strait. THIS IS NOT THE BEST SOLOING GUITAR, the neck is heavy and it tends to dip down. But overall it has a great feel

This guitar is a workhorse, nothing has brolken except the nut, and that was my fault. The finish is nice, however there is a lot of area on the tail end so get a good polishing rag. Invest in some straplocks as the pin is on an angle and will slip off if your not careful. Also buy a case when you get it, most stores dont carry them, theyre custom order.

I havent delt with the company

I've been playing for almost 2 years, (GIBSON, start young play hard rock on). I love the sound over my other guitars, its a lot fuller and not dry at all. This guitar is excellent, if you like any rock, Metal, Classic, Blues, this guitar will suite you fine.