Gibson Explorer II

This is a 1982 Gibson Explorer E2. It has a beautiful 'bleached cherry' maple top, with cream binding. I have only seen this coloring on this model twice in my life. The first time was about 20 years ago. I spent 10 years kicking myself for not buying it the first time I saw it, then another 10 years searching for another one. Which I finally found, thanks to the Internet. Otherwise I'm sure I would never find another. I have never even seen a photograph of this particular color scheme anywhere, ever! I think the entire body is maple. At least the back does not look like mahogony. Two Dirty Fingers pickups that provide a really satisfying crunch, or a clean tone that is pretty and pure. T-6 tailpiece, which allows for fine tuning, and is especially handy when recording.

I'll give it a '9' because it doesn't have the tonal variety of a strat. But it has the tones I am looking for.

Real nice. In my opinion, this was the golden era for explorers. I know Gibsonophiles may disagree, but these maple topped beauties are a wonderful meeting of finesse and devistation. Kind of like a sword with a beautifully engraved blade.

Set neck. But one must be careful with this model, there are several vulnerable areas. But a sober person of moderate responsibility can keep one in great shape, even performing live with it. Because these models lend themselves to hard rock environments, and because they haven't been produced for about 20 years, it can be difficult to find one that isn't kind of tattered. But they stay true if respected!

Dunno

I've been playing for about 25 or so years. If I lost this guitar, I'd have to try to replace it, but that would be quite difficult. I don't know when I'll see another one for sale! I love the fact that it is so unique and so beautiful, and that it plays so well and sounds so sweet. I have several other E2s, but this one is my favorite. But I'll rate it at 8, because an Explorer is not for everyone. It wouldn't the the electric guitar I'd recommend to someone who didn't have a particular obsession for Explorers. But for me, that is the guitar. All 4 of my electrics are Explorers. So, it is a '10' for me, and an '8' for the general public.

Made in 1980, Gibson E/2 (Explorer II). All factory with matching hardshell (HUGE) case. Pair of Gibson Dirty Fingers(H-H) passive pickups, each with their own volume and master tone control. 3 way switch. FT-6 finetuning tailpiece. All maple construction, and this thing is HEAVY, I mean really really heavy. Ebony (Not rosewood) board. Gold hardware, quilted tobacco burst maple top, but the top is thin, about 1/8 inch. Has a antique look about it I really like. 22 fret neck with really nice low wide frets. Tune-O-Matic bridge. This is not the E/2 with the weird cuts to the body, but the other all maple version with the nice top. Fully bound body with creme binding, I love the way this thing looks, even if it is a little beat up. I give it a 6 for features as it has enough to be functional without going overboard, just the way I like it.

I play metal and roots rock. For metal, to me, it has no equal. It can get bright on the bridge pickup with the tone rolled off, but bring it on a few numbers and it gets really smooth sounding. No two ways about it, the Dirty Fingers are hot pickups. They will mellow up if you roll off the volume and lighten your picking attack up. The guitar is not really noisy, unless you compare it to something loaded with EMGS. I love EMGS but I'd never think of putting them on this guitar, as it's perfect for me the way it is. This guitar was made to rock, period. If you play mellow blues-jazz-country I don't think you'd be very happy with it. I've mostly used it with a Rivera M60 amp, Vox wah, EH Deluxe Memory Man and a Korg 104 DS Hyperdistorion.
It has a little more bottom end chunk to the sound, I assume from the heavy maple body. If you play one of these, and compare it to a Korina or Mahogony Explorer, you'll notice a difference in sound. I love it, it just has that tone I crave.

I don't know how the factory setup was, but when I got it, it SUCKED with a capital S. The guy I got it from forgot to mention it needed the frets leveled and polished, AND the neck needed reset. Thanks. After having the word done (reset and frets) it is a excellent playing guitar. Very low action, and its hard to beat a Explorer for upper fret access. You can sail up to the 22nd fret. As far as the way the factory put it together, no complaints. The hardware and electronics have held up well, even the tuners are still good and don't slip.

I've owned several Explorers over the years and heres a tip for you. GET STRAPLOCS. The way they are angled you are cheating fate if you don't think the strap will ever pop off. The headstocks will also break off if they are dropped to the floor with any force, this I know. The guitar I'm reviewing has never had any problems like that, but I killed another Explorer I had, and I've had 11 of them over the years (still have 2). If I didn't have a backup I'd gig without one, but being I do, its kind of stupid to risk it. The finnish is beat up, but seems to have done well for a 21 year old axe that got played most of its life. This ain't no closet queen. You'll seldom see a Explorer with the back 'arm' that sticks out without dings and paint chips in it from hitting everything when you play one.

Never dealt directly with Gibson, other then for questions they couldn't answer anyway. I'd like to see companys start having more to do with their past products, but we all know better.

I've been playing a long time now, about 19 years. This guitar would be perfect for me if it weighed a few pounds less, but I can deal with it. You think Les Pauls are heavy, try one of these guys. If anything happened to this guitar, I'd replace it in a heartbeat. I go though a lot of gear, but when I find something I LOVE, I keep it forever. In my eyes, they really don't have anything on the market to replace this, except for another used one. You may hate these things or think Gibson sucks but I'd be hard pressed to have anything else and be happy with it. Oh, and I love Gibsons.