Schulte Explorer

1981 Tobacco Sunburst 2 piece Explorer style mahogany body, book-matched flame maple top (thin), one piece mahogany neck, Brazilian rosewood fingerboard with abalone trapezoid inlays. Nitro lacquer finish

Pickups: Duncan 59 neck Duncan JB Lead

Hardware Gibson ABR-1 bridge and stop tailpiece, Mini Schallers

Individual volume and master tone. Three way toggle.

C. Eric Schulte is a Frazer, PA. based luthier and builder of the some of the most beautiful interpretations of Gibson archtops, Les Pauls, Explorers and many of his own acoustic and electric designs. He has been building and repairing guitars for many, many years but really started making a name for himself around 1976. He's done work for Jim Croce, Paul Stanley (Kiss), Randy Bachmann and Blair Thornton (B.T.O.), Joe Federico, Sergio Franchi, Bill Fisher, Chuck Anderson, Banjo Joe Dougherty, Dennis Sandole, and Roger Sprung.
He is one of the most respected luthiers in our area if not the East Coast and I'm proud to give a review of one of his works of art.

Since I bought this guitar used, I can't comment on it's new appearance but seeing Eric's other work firsthand I can vouch that it was most likely flawless. I saw this guitar hanging in the music store window when it was new in 1981. I was taking guitar lessons and I lusted after it. I was only 13 at the time and couldn't afford it. When I went back to that music store 12 years later to pick up strings, that guitar was back in the window. I almost had a heart attack. I'm not an idiot and I believe in fate. I told the owner (who was a friend of mine) to put it aside and I would be back with whatever he was asking for it. One ESP Strat and 400 dollars later I had it.

This is a classic rock guitar. The combination of the lightweight mahogany and maple top give it Les Paul qualities but the extra large Explorer body give it sustain for days. The Duncan 59 and JB pickups have been reviewed on the site and we all know how well they sound. Pickups are quiet and the in between setting is very airy. The JB is never overpowering even though it's putting out 14K. The balance between the two pickups is very good. The 59 is musical and never muddy like a good PAF should be. I can play this guitar for days.

The neck profile was copied from a local blues player's 59 Les Paul("Flaming Harry" Hank McGonnigal). It is a thin profile and very speedy. The action is low and buzz free. The neck has remained straight but the previous owner managed to round off the trussrod adjustment nut. I'll have to repair that one day.
The Brazilian rosewood fretboard is beautiful and slick. The binding has yellowed nicely on this 26 year old axe and the rest of the hardware shows the patina of a well cared for vintage guitar. I've owned this guitar for a little less than half it's life. I purchased it in 94 from Beam's music store which is a stones throw from Eric's house. The only change from stock was a new bone nut that I recently installed to replace the worn original.

This is a hand-built guitar in the truest sense of the word. I've been in Eric's tiny shop. There are no CNC machines. Just the old reliable tools of a craftsman. This guitar can be a little finicky when the weather changes suddenly. Other than that, it has been a faithful friend for 13 years. I've gigged with it and had offers for it bordering on the ridiculous. It's not for sale. One day, Eric's guitars will get the recognition they deserve. If you have one, post your info here and tell the world about your Schulte!! Give Eric his props!

As far as I know, Eric's shop is 100% operational. I spoke with him a few of years ago about this guitar. He's a very nice man. He didn't know me from Adam be he took the time to tell me everything he remembered about building my guitar. Impressed the hell out of me.

If this guitar was ever stolen I would be heartbroken. It's irreplaceable because it's so unique. I gig with it because guitars are meant to be played but I take precautions to make sure it doesn't get legs. I want to drop by Eric's with it. I know he likes to see his creations come home for visits once in a while.