Gibson [Guitar of the Week #43] Explorer w/Short Vibrola

(Originally written by John Difool/translated from Audiofanzine FR)

Gibson Explorer Guitar of the Week n°43.Made in USA. Limited series, only 400 made.
Trans amber color
Mahogany body
Mahogany neck
Ebony fingerboard
Neck pickup: Gibson Classic '57
Bridge pickup: Gibson Classic '57 plus
Vibrato: Gibson "Short Vibrola"

UTILIZATION

It's easy to play this guitar. I don't give it a 10 because it would be too much. Lighter than a Les Paul but bulkier than a Strat or a Tele.
Perfectly ergonomic, the shape of the body guarantees that it doesn't move when you play sitting!!

SOUNDS

The sound doesn't match the aggressive look of this guitar. The tone reminds me of Led Zeppelin and ACDC (actually the Angus Young Signature model also has a '57 neck pickup) rather than James Hetfield but it sounds slightly fatter, like good old 70's hard rock. This guitar is perfect for those who love big dirty rock 'n' roll. The tremolo gives it a vintage look that matches the sound perfectly. Far from an Explorer Reissue'84 with active EMG pickups!!

Although the Vibrola naturally decreases the sustain, the typical Gibson sound stays very round, warm and accurate thanks to the mahogany body and neck and the ebony fingerboard. Watch out, Classic '57 pickups have a high output level: Stronger pick attacks immediately produce a crunch sound giving it a vintage color!

In distortion mode each attack of the strings generates a flood of overtones. I don't recommend modern distortion. The output level is made for a good Tube Screamer-like overdrive pedal or even for an accurate fuzz effect with an all-tube Marshall amp.

OVERALL OPINION

I've been using it for about one year. It's a perfect guitar for vintage rock 'n' roll and hard rock but it requires lots of watts!

Owning this guitar to play in your bedroom is like driving a Lamborghini in Paris: either you resign yourself not to take it to the limits or you get busted by the police (or your neighbors in this case).

If you like leather jackets and cowboy boots and you have a good tube amp (and the location to play it) you'll be inseparable from this guitar!

Gibson Explorer Guitar of the Week No. 43.Made in United States. Limited edition of 400 copies.
color "trans amber"
body accajou
Handle: accajou
Fingerboard: Ebony
neck pickup: Gibson '57 Classic
bridge pickup: Gibson '57 Classic More
vibrato: Gibson "Short Vibrolance"

UTILIZATION

It's an easy guitar to play. I do not 10 as it is still fairly impressive. Lighter than a les paul but more cumbersome than a stratum or a TV.
Level ergonomics nothing to say, when playing seated, the form is that the guitar does not move a muscle!

SOUNDS

Its level, it is best not to rely on the aggressive look of this guitar. It is closer to the Led Zep / ACDC (also the model signature Angus Young has a classic round in '57) than that of James Hetfield, but with a slightly "dirty" (in a good way) that not unlike the big sound of seventies hard rock. For anyone who loves good rock and roll that stain, this guitar is perfect. vibrato also gives a vintage look that fits perfectly with the sound. It is far from a reissue'84 explore with EMG active!

In his clear, even if the Vibrolance leads naturally to a loss of sustain, accajou the body and neck coupled with ebony buttons offers the most accurate, round and warm as the only Gibson can do it! Please note, the '57 Classic pickups at high gain: as soon as you attack a little, the sound starts immediately cruncher giving immediately a good vintage color!

In saturated is very simple: a flood of harmonics falls every time the pick! I do not recommend the use of modern distortion. Given the gain, a good tube screamer type overdrive or a fuzz precise all on a good Marshall tube is more than enough

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a little less than a year. is a perfect guitar for rock n roll / hard rock vintage typed but requires a lot of watts under the hood!

Owning this guitar to play in his room is like having a Lamborghini in Paris: it is either all the time in sub-scheme, or one gets caught by the Marechausse (in this case the neighbors ...)

If you like leather jackets, the cowboy and you have a tube amp worthy of the name (and the place to hear it) this guitar will not leave you!

Guitar factory in the U.S. 400.
Mini Vibrolance
Straight handle large fawn ...... Explore ....
22 frets (I did not count ....)
Micro classic 57 round and 57 + classic easel
2 Volume and 1 Tone

UTILIZATION

Entirely the guitar is mahogany, so not very heavy and very good balance.
The sound is warm and powerful desire. If the classic 57 + easel in fact very good job, I prefer the classic 57 round with a precision roundness and extraordinary love!
The pickups still sound with the volume pot down to two-thirds, which is not always the case on gibsons.
The sound ranges from crunchy and good warm distortion, excellent classic rock to good Hard Rock family, may be less present in large disto .... But must try again ....
It is very good agreement and do not often dsacorde unless we take the Vibrolance for a Floyd Rose ....

SOUNDS

I play classic rock, southern rock pulling.
It is very good in the registry.
Branch in my Peavey Classic 100 with either a boost or a MXR RC Xotic, she pulls out its hairpin of the game it saturates very quickly note a few attack and hop Graille!

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a year and a half, alternating with my SG, my and my spcial Tl I often find it hard to choose! I leave the room when the scene is too narrow, it takes up space beautiful!
In rsum I love it for its sound and irreproachable finish ...... Its look ... Pure beauty reminiscent of course the guitar Allen Collins.
I always dreamed of having a model that has in Korina, but hard to find and often unaffordable. I found this model and I do not regret my choice. In addition it will very quickly ct collector, and has me flat!