Gibson [Explorer Series] Explorer '76 Reissue - Cherry user reviews ( 9/10) - 8 user reviews

• 08/30/11

  King Loudness's review "Cool reissue"

  Characteristics

  The Gibson Explorer '76 is a reissue of the reissue of one of Gibson's infamous "modernistic" guitars from the late fifties, the Gibson Explorer. They were not well received at the time of their debut and only a handful were made. However, demand in the '60s led them to reissue the first model, the Flying V. In 1976 Gibson followed suit with a reissue of the Explorer guitar, and it was quickly adopted by many players in the hard rock and metal world that was rapidly expanding at that time. This guitar features all mahogany construction (body and neck) a rosewood fretboard with 22 frets and dot inlays, Grover tuners, a tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece, and dual Gibson humbuckers (a 496R in the neck position and a 500T in the bridge). It has a fairly simple control layout of two volume controls (one per pickup) a master tone, and a 3 way selector switch to toggle between the pickups. They're built in Gibson's USA plant in Nashville, TN.

  Utilization

  The Gibson Explorer is a fairly light guitar considering its size and sits reasonably well on the body. However, because of the somewhat large and cumbersome shape, it's not exactly the most ergonomic guitar on the planet. Depending on your physical size, the Explorer may dwarf you so it's not really a guitar I'd recommend for smaller players to use. The upper fret access is reasonably good on these guitars fortunately, so getting to those high notes is not an issue.
  
  
  
  Getting a good sound out of this guitar is fairly simple. There's not a whole lot of switching options for players to deal with, so that makes getting good tones out of this guitar fairly simple. It's aimed at the rock/metal player primarily, and the pickups are quite high output, so it's a guitar that is presumed to do best at high gain tones as opposed to jazzy/bluesy clean textures.

  Sounds

  The guitar is one that is certainly aimed at players who are looking for a high octane and very crunchy sounding guitar for hard rock or metal styles. My favourite sounds with this guitar are using it for thrash metal tones a la old school Metallica or Megadeth. It's not often that I play those types of music, but when I've tried the Explorer, those sort of sounds seem to come naturally from the guitar. The clean tones are not bad, but the pickups are fairly high output and the vast majority of clean tones that I dialed in sounded fairly overbearing with not a lot of dynamics or subtlety to them.
  
  
  
  The drive tones are great for sure. They offer a nice range from classic hard rock tones (think The Scorpions or Van Halen) all the way to crushing modern metal sounds used by many bands of today. The pickups retain lots of definition and clarity at higher gain/high volume settings too, so that's a definite plus. They're not quite as tight as say, EMGs, but it provides a good range of tones from the sane to the insane.

  Overall Opinion

  All in all I think the Gibson Explorer '76 is a great reissue of the venerable and pointy classic. It's priced very reasonably at $1,399 new and is fairly well crafted and of course it's made by Gibson in the US of A. They're a great value for money (as many of the cheaper Gibsons are) and if you're looking for a guitar that flat out says no to tradition and just wants to rock, the Gibson Explorer is worth a shot for sure.
  Did you find this review helpful?yesno
• 05/16/11

  tjon901's review "Gibsons classic radical guitar"

  Characteristics

  Everybody has to have an Explorer in their collection and if you are going to have one why not go with the original. In the late 50s Gibson decided to start a line of more radical looking guitars. Gibson first started selling Explorers in 1958 and their design was way too radical for the time so they were discontinued a year later. In 1976 Gibson started the first reissue of the original 1958 design and now today Gibson is selling reissues of the reissues. Gibson has been producing the '76 reissue Explorer since 1990. Many people say the '76 reissues are better than the original Explorers put out in 1976. The first 50s models were made from Korina wood these are the classic yellow looking Gibsons you have seen. When they first started reissuing them they were made out of Mahogany like most Gibsons and today thats how they are made still. They have 22 frets on a mahogany neck with a rosewood fretboard. Two humbucking pickups which are a Gibsons own 496R and 500T models. Two volume and one master tone control with a 3 way toggle switch pickup selector.

  Utilization

  Early 50s Gibsons had huge necks. Today people refer to them as the "baseball" bat necks. In the 60s Gibson switched to slimmer neck design. The Explorer today has that 60s design. The 60s Gibson neck profile is one of their most popular. The upper frets are easy to reach because of the Explorers design. The radical shape actually gives the guitar a perfect balance for playing while standing up. The neck will come to rest at a perfect angle due to the large body acting as a counter weight.

  Sounds

  Gibsons are known for their warm humbucking tones and the Explorer is no different. No matter how cold it is outside the Explorer always sounds warm. The Explorer is made from a huge piece of solid mahogany and you can really hear it. The Explorers pickups come from the factory with the covers removed. Guitarists in the 70s found that if you removed the covers from humbuckers you could get a little more bite in your sound so Gibson decided to do it from the factory for the players. The Explorer sounds like what every Gibson should sound like.

  Overall Opinion

  The Gibson Explorer sounds huge, feels huge and is large and in charge. The design was ahead of its time in the 50s but in the 70s it was just right for the music and players of the time. People may look for the Gibson tone in just Les Pauls but the Explorer can deliver it too. With Gibson starting to chamber its Les Pauls the Explorer may be the way to go if you are looking for a really solid piece of mahogany to get tone from.
  Did you find this review helpful?yesno

• 01/23/11

  Zahaj's review ( translated ) Improve this translation " Excellent!"

  Characteristics

  Made in USA.
  
  Bridge: Gibson Tun-O-Matic
  
  Tailpiece: Gibson Stop Bar
  
  Mahogany body
  
  Scale Length: 24.75
  
  Mahogany neck 22 frets Rosewood Rounded Profile
  
  2 humbucker pickups Gibson 496R + 500T
  
  2 volumes, 1 tone / 3-position selector
  
  Mechanical oil bath mini Grover
  
  Hardware: Chrome

  Utilization

  is a very nice handle to pick up a guitar balanced.
  
  Access to acute is easy without being as good as a super-Strat.

  Sounds

  Is a guitar that suits a lot of style, which is still rather large rock access, but without doing well in another register.
  
  
  
  I play on a rack VHT (Fryette): A VHT GP3 preamp and a VHT power amp Black Beauty.
  
  A cabinet Mesa Boogie 4x12 "or a Laney 2x12 GS212IE.
  
  A Multi-purpose TC Electronic Nova System.
  
  
  
  It's hard to say how this guitar sounds exactly the finale because I get almost all the sounds I want.

  Overall Opinion

  5 months
  Did you find this review helpful?yesno
• 06/06/09

  ibanez_grx070's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  Gibson Explorer 76 classic white made in United States
  
  
  
  22 frets if I am correct, micro 500t bridge in the neck I do not know, mahogany body, mahogany set neck with button and resumed at bne dot.
  
  
  
  2 volumes and the Tone + 3 position micro slcteur
  
  
  
  the handle and a compromise between 50 and 60.

  Utilization

  The handle is enjoyable and not too large (lp) or too flat (Ibanez), but the veneer glue with sweat.
  
  CHAC in acute is easy as the guitar does not sting the nose, but the 3 dernires frets are more difficult because of the horns, but I personally will never by :-)
  
  
  
  ergonomics is great, the guitar PSE weight but it is balanced and does not dive down, on the contrary it is easy to go to recover freight Most recent internship and more you can play easily with the guitar very low while with my ibanez I put super high.
  
  
  
  was easily a good sound, enough to have an amp that follows at least ;-).
  
  
  
  I put 9 because I'm not a soloist and I have never seen a guitar so well equilibrated

  Sounds

  I play rock and some more stuff nerve, trs agree it well but if you love the sounds super compress pass your way or change the microphone because this guitar has a lot of grain and a lot of bass! !
  
  
  
  I play on a full stack marshall plexi (2 4x12 1960 ax 70 years in G12M) with the effect a mxr micro amp, a Blackstar HT Dual, and soon an amt dt2 and a killer in our db)
  
  
  
  I love its bold, with a lot of bass, distortion is crazy the 500t has a lot of gain but the sounds are clear way must admit.

  Overall Opinion

  I use it for a week, I like its ergonomics, the sound if particles of this skyscraper, and especially white geule! I do not like is finishing average in gibson, varnish and glue to the weight of the flight case which extends the arms.
  
  
  
  I try bcp guitar, ibanez 2610th, MTM1 ibanez, gibson sg standart and custom, gibson flying v white, black, esp kh, ltd eclipse, and many other.
  
  
  
  1070 euro for the report quality price trs good, and I would do without this choice hsit!
  Did you find this review helpful?yesno
• 02/13/09

  syraks's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  Mine is black.
  
  Small precision compared to previous opinions: the handle is not "50's rounded" or "60 slim tapper", it is between the two, dixit Gibson site: "The neck is Gibson's Explorer has the best of Both Worlds- It Is a Hybrid Between the '50s rounded contour and the '60s slim-taper profile. " ;-)
  
  Channel hyper pleasant living!
  
  
  
  Level finishing is impeccable! on the other hand, level design, there are few things that I do not like:
  
  - Buttons black plastic knobs ... Just hideous, I do not understand how Gibson can use it on both grates. Replaced by chrome Gotoh (telecaster style), it throws much more!
  
  - The pickguard. From what I saw, it hides the cavities for the Electone => impossible to remove ... It makes you wonder what they went through my head! I probably repaint.
  
  
  
  It comes with flight case. Attention to detail is important: it is huge ... He just returned from the back seat of a 207.

  Utilization

  "Gets it easy to sound good?"
  
  How to say? Bridge pickup, volume up, warm tube amp back and go to send riffs straight from hell! It sounds directly in any config! It is truly plug and play.
  
  For solos, I find it really nice.
  
  
  
  Level access to acute, it is hard to beat! Other than a SG, I do not see ...
  
  I find it light enough! After 2 hours of repeats, I have no pain in the back, which is a more significant!

  Sounds

  So, I play in a style hard rock, blues and metal. My main influences include you may talk more: James Hetfield (like so ^ ^), Slash and Billy Gibbons.
  
  My stuff: Soldano Avenger (all knobs to 6) and Harley Benton 1x12. That's it. ;-)
  
  
  
  I will try to avoid the cliché "you can play everything from gypsy jazz to Christian metal polish, to the chants of the Mass".
  
  
  
  The bridge pickup is most comfortable in saturations hard / metal. Turning down the volume, it was a crunch of the friendliest, which responds well to the attack! Volume at bottom, we go for the big rhythmic Hetfieldiennes: powerful and precise, but with a pudgy hand. Fan
  
  
  
  The neck pickup does not seem to be super appreciated. Ben I like it! I find it fits perfectly with the guitar: he manages to be warm without being mushy, and it is capable of supporting heavy loadings, which handle a lot of microphones can not do (I think, for example, the EMG 85, which handsomely pukes whenever there is a little gain).
  
  
  
  In short, as already stated, the sound is huge!
  
  In fact, I feel I have found the scratches that suits me, that makes me vibrate entirely to each chord of E major, on which I play everything seems better ... In short, conquered!

  Overall Opinion

  I love the sound!
  
  Apart from a few aesthetic details mentioned above, I'm totally a fan!
  
  Before it, I tested a lot of models, the telecaster to Super Start LTD. Finally, Gibson is right for me! She sits next to a copy of a Gibson LP and LP BFG.
  
  
  
  The quality / price is right.
  
  And this choice I would do with pleasure! Even sooner!
  Did you find this review helpful?yesno
• 06/20/08

  lothar2's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  T say any of this, I put 2 because it possde volume and tone, the scope of volume 2 m 'can be very useful when I switched to the neck pickup and I have earlier stages r gl volume lower, it allows me to get the sound Frantic see you;)

  Utilization

  The neck is quite thin compared a SG and trs enjoyable example, it is fluid and does it right.
  
  
  
  The ACCS is the acute pain in the ass on dernires two boxes, a finger against the body and stops when you reach the end of Master of Puppets solo you have to fight lol, but it is done with, then we often not in a box 22 as a bender chtarbe
  
  
  
  So the the ergonomics are fantastic, both seated and standing, we say that it is molded to you, everything is easier with this guitar. Moreover it is not too heavy.

  Sounds

  What struck me first that is that it sounds very vrment empty, I found a pretty amazing!
  
  
  
  It is perfect for my style of music that is on the ACCS Heavy and Hard, that is heavy Submitted end of everything that must be what ...
  
  
  
  The 500T hard on all of the big riff, that is runny but prcis difficult dcrire, that is EXCELLENT (not this is not the horrible annoying runny degeule).
  
  
  
  All sounds are exelente with this guitar, that is a pleasure every time

  Overall Opinion

  Since I nol possde the bte and I'm in TRs TRs content, quality price ratio EXCELLENT I do it again No matter when that choice, that is a guitar worth the money
  Did you find this review helpful?yesno
• 08/29/06

  Lonewolf's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  Rah! The Gibson Explo, just a myth, Designed primarily for jazz, rcupre by rockers, suitable notice by mtalleux.
  
  A beautiful Rican way you like them.
  
  
  
  How is it you it done?
  
  Accajou body mass (two parts certaimnement fun I will not grind to know
  
  )
  
  Set Mahogany neck pitch 24.3 / 4 ", 50 Rounded profile with rosewood fingerboard, 22 frets, again points Perloid (greenish nacre low end, but as is the observation points is not too much), the junction is the ten-NINTH box, with a typical heel Gibson, not really optimized CAD I is not a super teacher, but it's still a neck-through less enjoyable, and always better (much better) than a Les Paul.
  
  Bone nut
  
  Mechanical mini Grover
  
  Tune-O-Matic with Stop-Bar tailpiece
  
  Two humbuckers with Gibson cramique 496R (neck) and 500T (bridge)
  
  Two volume knobs and one of Ring with a three-position toggle
  
  And the mythical cellulose varnish (note the stand on which we will put it, some caouchoucs on the unfortunate tendency of damaging the varnish handsomely from this type), clean after each use, especially if you sweat a lot of paws, was nasty white marks that can ultimately become embedded DEFINITIONS (if not glop like mine is black).
  
  Level finishing, bah is nickel, not one that Exceeds fret, everything is aligned to a quarter of the hair.
  
  It exudes health.
  
  Supplied with a rigid exclente tui bill.
  
  
  
  Price:
  
  Between 1100 and 1300 after finishing

  Utilization

  We are dealing the guitar quite heavy (a little 4kg200 prs) and cumbersome in form can GNER small jigs (I will have)
  
  Level neck was beautiful find pais, chubby, it is clear that with the key rather flat (less than a Jackson or Ibanez when even) and the profile has been under control and that c is comfortable in all circumstances, then certainly the budding pseudo Steve Vai will find it slow, but hey they still vainly trying to ring their wooden crate Ibanez (free polmique that is only my opinion) here need not be for a Petrucci sounds, we can have fun at any level, of course, be a little dbourser
  
  
  
  In terms of the form for my part I find trs comfortable sitting the game is very well, the guitar is positioned naturally, and the game is a stand rgal (for me) the guitar, the position of the straps and locks rpartition masses, naturally positioned at an angle of about 35 which puts it in a position where the arms are working smoothly and gently, while gniale simply.
  
  Be careful when you move in a confined space, the guitar is so cumbersome that quickly because of the shock.
  
  
  
  From a purely ergonomic is much better than a Les Paul ... provided they do not have the physique of a 10-year Garonnette
  
  
  
  Regarding the holding of the agreement, in average, less than a good or good floyd Mecas blocking but is no problem.
  
  Small BMOL however, are mcaniques trs close what can be if you Gnant mca utliisez a crank, and quickly connect a rope was quick to dsaccorder that of acot if not gaffe
  
  The knobs are roughly effective against the toggle by MRIT have to be a little better quality because it will tend to jump into the time
  
  The worst comes from the strap lock point of origin, so small and rounded that I not give a 1 min 30 acts to get the guitar on the feet (and his weight has been going to waltz), O Dunlop Strap Lock BLI-GE-! (Schaller and are not adapted to see that there is one on the back of the guitar, is likely to take the pin in the belt and the dcrocher, uncomfortable, ...).

  Sounds

  Then! Welcome to the world of guitars that dchirent fat!
  
  Sound russi be both fat and prcis.
  
  
  
  On the bridge pickup (500T)
  
  Dj output level is not comparable to the best Dimarzio or Duncan, it is the realm of distortion, distortion of the same big, it's full of low fat while remaining pchu prcis and versatile, a really good micro trs trs. But it also excels in clean (something I recement Discoveries enough) or it is both trs round, soft and trs prcis basically there is no fear of Duncan Jazz neck my old Schecter C1 Classic, I really
  
  
  
  On the neck pickup (496R)
  
  against this by the microphone is not super Polivalente and I think it will not please everyone, even me, took me a while before I shall decide to keep it because in the end n ' ininterressant is not far from l. If broadly it is close to his companion (low fat, powerful), it is colder, much colder and much less prcis, we come quickly to trs cruncher lamp with an amp and it a, not a hot mlodieux crunch, but a crunch cold fat (radiohead?).
  
  In fact with a little more perspective, I prfre largely 500T for clean sounds (not a peak), and I use the 496 as rarementpour grasseillants of crunches.
  
  
  
  So in the end it was a guitar that is not what one might call polivalente really is a guitar for rock and metal, it excels
  
  By changing the mic for a neck Paf is rcupererait Polivalente this, but for me it will remain as I was in my Les Paul Classic Di Marzio for Polivalente
  
  
  
  Small edit of the bundles derrire:
  
  I just switch to the Di Marzio (Tone Zone and Air Norton) and it's just EnnOOOoooooOOOrrrrmmeeeuuhhhh !!!!!!!!!!
  
  Grain belt of good tone associated to the mast to explore it in fact a machine montrueuse Riffs is a rgal for gaming agreements with a big fat distortion. Are drilled with the least 500T, but ultimately I think it's more balance.
  
  For the Air Norton, no need to say that it is night and day compared to 496, it's clean, warm and trs equilibrated the 496 or more silent nazillard and drooling, an r gal in the sentence as clean distortion.

  Overall Opinion

  Rock guitar by exclence in original configuration, trs can quickly turn into a diva of jazz and blues with good microphones.
  
  I love the shape, quality finish, comfort, sound, everything
  
  This is a scratch or you love it, not put in any hands, tiring for the petite framed (KHII), with a true grain, but a real personality exclle in its field, the big rock .
  
  Report quality price level is one of Gibson's cheaper, but it's a real Gibson, it is easily found between 1100 and 1300 after finishing, and frankly I have not seen beacoup from scratch in this range price can take the comparison.
  
  My guitar prfre simply but well have to carry around in the fly (1m20 long the beast), and it is not always forcment empty.
  Did you find this review helpful?yesno
• 09/17/05

  Mikl O's review ( translated ) Improve this translation

  Characteristics

  The Explorer, I had the rv and Gibson had made up before I am even planned in the head of my parents ... A mug, made by Jame Hetfield clbre and many other grateux, copy many (ESP, Ibanez, ...). O In the era I bought it (1994), was still spoken in francs, and was quoted in the new 6000-7000 bullets. A shot ass bowl nrme was that I found my NEW titin 3200 francs in a store that was liquidating its stock ... I am a loan over 10 years my parents for me to pay this era but APRS 11 years, I have no regrets. Nothing at all.
  
  
  
  It's Gibson, so it's heavy, it is not always well thought out and sounds but it seems to play slippers. Mahogany body, mahogany neck, rosewood fingerboard, rounded handle 50 (which said "tree trunk"?), 22 frets, Tune-O-Matic and Stopbar, mechanical mini Grovers. For sound, two humbuckers cramique Gibson 496R & 500T bridge handle, with 2 volume and 1 tone. It is well finished, well assembled clean, enjoyable, and simply beautiful to watch.
  
  
  
  2 small notes, however ... The suitcase transport standard. No, really: a fit in any trunk, apse a tonne, with exquisite décor and the famous satin fuchsia wig made in Gibson, but can go under a truck, will not have a guitar scratches ... Then the famous Gibson cellulose varnish. It's pretty, but it is super fragile. Need to be careful when you move (especially given the size of the box), when laying on a stand or on a plastic when achte of cleaning products ... In short, it's not the big spot varnish infme of Fender (yes, c'tait mchant and free), but sometimes it sucks well grate.

  Utilization

  In use, the scraper is a wonder ... in rhythm. She sits alone in a corner with a good IDAL rpartition weight, while the o should fall, everything is accessible, there is nothing to swell while playing (like the Les Paul slecteur ), and hands are enjoyable poses. The handle is enjoyable (once well rgl), freight also ... the foot. Note however that I find it more enjoyable to play than sitting upright.
  
  As for sound, well it's a Gibson (of 11 years ago, and more ...): Scratch, a ring. For cons, the highest frets are not super accessible. If the guitar is a rhythmic walk total (heavy, preferences), it quickly becomes sucks solo: you have to get far enough notes, and the weight of the BTE does not help when wants to get a little help chih.

  Sounds

  AAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh, the sound ... First, let's be clear, this skyscraper has t think the basis for jazz, and the original pickups are felt: the bridge pickup is clear, but lack of precision in the large distortion, and the neck pickup has a sound a little too sweet and the clump still lacks precision. Trs guitar is versatile, fun jazz, blues, rock and metal, but average everywhere and nowhere gniale. In short, the original is "good but not great."
  
  
  
  So, we change the pickups. Like many, I thought of the classic kit from Zakk Wylde EMG 81/85, and then I throw a look of ct the man for whom the Explorer no longer has any secret, the one who probably knows better than anyone and that has given its pedigree, I appointed Mr. James Hetfield. I expected to find the same scratches on his kit as his collgue Hammett, a dual EMG 81, but no! Hetfield uses a combination of two EMG, a 81 and a 60 (respectively bridge and neck). EMG 60, would like yours, not super power ... but super INTERESTED. I test you, and I adopted: it's wonderful. The 81, everyone knows, the micro patator distortion in your face, big sound, the stuff that explodes. The 60, however, less is known, which is unfortunate. Is the basis for jazz, it is trs round extrment prcis, lens, and much more subtle than the 85 in the same place. This gives a thundering bass sound trs, powerful without being aggressive, trs prcis without being cold, in a word: stunning.
  
  With 81/85, you Specializes in my opinion the guitar using a rock / metal. 81/60 with a duo, we keep the versatility of origin, but with a sound much more acute and pchu prcis, and a serious sound that changes everything. With the original pickups, I played almost exclusively on micro acute, including pieces clean or walk, because the microphone silent grave just too weird. Since 60, I redcouvre a lot of song. Have a "Nothing Else Matters" before and APRS, you will understand what I mean.
  
  
  
  Sound: 6 / 10 front, 10/10 APRS (go, average of 8: D)

  Overall Opinion

  I scratched the last 11 years. O In the era I bought j'tais not fix the MODEL, I was looking plutt sound, sound, and ergonomics ... I tried a little of everything, even if c'tait even when well oriented metal: of Jackson (the RR in particular), Ibanez (there is nothing to do, their sleeves, I can p Washburn Dimebag Darell's and the original home of Dean, and BC Rich, and even 2 or 3 Les Paul. The Explorer was one of the candidates, but I never find a russi ( has no air s'tre arrang since then, APRS what I've read a and l. ..). And then I fell into this store, Nantes, who emptied their stock, I tried it and I had the impression of being tomb of Excalibur: c'tait her, and not another. In 11 years, she did not due, never cheated. She leaves at the luthier (a few years she was there was no longer set foot), and rglages t have done all minors, ds and basically pulling my strings change.
  
  
  
  It's perfect my game, my size (ah yes, stunted dwarf refrain), my use. I love its comfort, reliability its sound, its ergonomics, simplicity effective. No real complaints, most of the "t have a perfect if ..." : Trs it is bulky, heavy and trs. If you your muscles like a plum pudding, standing will pnible. Similarly, if you play in a confined space, you will not keep a pretty long time ... varnish The only real complaint, in fact, will Aesthetics: I have the black version comes with a white plate imonde and put $% * big ugly buttons plastoc Gibson. In clear, have to make a black plate and find mtal black buttons, and it is impeccable. Oh, and invest in strap locks to the risk of ending up with a multiple fracture of the foot bone ...
  
  
  
  If c'tait again? I would head down ... In fact, made many years I want to buy another skyscraper, but they all, for now, something they lack from the Explorer.
  
  
  
  She has the mouth, and the sound, comfort ... yes, it has default, but you forget ds branch amp and you start playing. In short, go ahead without hsiter, you will not regret it ... if you find one ...
  Did you find this review helpful?yesno

• Page: 1