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Audiofanzine FR
Published on 10/29/08 at 07:46
(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 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!