Product: Gmp Xplorer
Price Paid: N/A
Submitted
12/21/2003
at
10:26am
by
Ceasar
Features
:
10
Crafted in San Dimas, CA in late 2003. This is from the first batch of Xplorers made prior to going into production in 2004. Specs are your typical top of the line GMP offerings. Mahogany body with bound maple top, Set mahogany neck, Sculpted neck heel, 22 fret bound Ebony fingerboard, Abalone diamond inlay, Seymour Duncans ('59 neck, CC bridge), Tone Pros tun-o-matic with string thru body, Sperzel locking tuners, 25.5" neck scale with a compound radius fingerboard, 1 11/16" at the nut. 1 volume, 3 way, & 1 tone and G&G hardshell case. Mine is finished in a high gloss back with ivoroid binding. I would definitely consider it lightweight for it's size. The neck is GMP's
"slim taper" carve, which will feel familiar to anyone into USA Jacksons. No surprise here considering the same guys who made the original Grover era Jacksons are the ones making GMP's.
Sound
:
10
The sound, like every GMP I've owned is monsterous. I play everything from Mahavishnu to Mudvayne and she responds to that and everything in between. GMP guitars in general, clean up real nice due to the fact that the controls actually make a difference. The slightest turn of the volume or tone knob create a noticable variance in tone. No more 1 or 10 sounds like other brands that may as well just have an on or off switch in place of actual knobs. Fat, full & rich all describe my sound, be it through a stack or combo with this bad-boy.
Action, Fit, & Finish
:
10
She came setup out of the box with low action, just how I like it. With the sculpted neck heel, this guitar is a shredder's dream. If you like the look of the explorer but not the traditional 24.75" neck scale, then you're in for a treat. I can appreciate the look of a nice Hamer Standard or Dean Time Capsule just as much as the next guy, but the shorter scale keeps me away. Looks are secondary since I actually play rather than hang them on the wall for show. If you're one of those guys who actually has to dust his guitars because they're hanging on a wall next to your wedding picture or an oil painting, then by all means go buy something else. These guitars are made for players, not picture collectors. The fact that GMP's are a pleasure to look at is just gravy for me.
Reliability/Durability
:
10
GMP's have always withstood any and all situations I have put them through. I see no reason why this one would be any different. Everything else I've played feels like a toy afterwards.
Customer Support
:
No Opinion
Overall Rating
:
10
It took many years of playing to break down the walls around me and rid myself of corporate programming to focus on playing what suits me best. The big 3 (I add PRS to the Gibson & Fender equation) are selling no more than a name & cashing in on their glory days to people wearing blinders. It's time to break the cycle and stop playing it safe people. On the flip side, there are also many snobs out there who obsess over independents for all the wrong reasons. If the fact that a guitar is made in a one man shop with old school carpenter's tools justifies spending upwards of $4k, then good luck with that. In the end you're paying for someone's time and a pretty furniture top. My point? Go get a GMP and get the best of both worlds.
