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tjon901 « A more focused explorer. »
Published on 05/24/11 at 14:42The Gibson explorer now a days is considered a metal machine, but back in the 80s it was no where near pointy enough for the guitar players of the time. Jackson guitars took the basic Explorer shape and made it more focused for metal. They sharpened up the design overall. They made made it a 24 fret neck through design with an ebony fretboard and Jacksons trademark shark fin inlays. Added a Floyd Rose tremolo system and hot after market pickups. The body is 2 alder wings attached to the side of the maple neck through neck. It has one volume knob and two tone knobs for the two humbucker pickups switched with a 3 way switch.
UTILIZATION
With the neck through design and the body shape the upper frets are very easy to reach. The neck through design means there is virtually no heel to the neck to get in your way. Jackson has extended the cutaway on the lower horn also to make reaching the frets even easier.
SOUNDS
From the factory these guitars come with Seymour Duncan pickups which is great. More companies would do well by providing after market pickups on their guitars from the factory because they would save money on R&D making their own pickups and it would save the consumer in the end from having to buy their own after market pickups. The Seymour Duncan JB in the bridge makes this guitar suitable for all types of music because it is one of the most versatile pickups on the market and this makes this guitar versatile.
OVERALL OPINION
This is a now classic design that is a metal take on the explorer. They are not used that often anymore and that too some people is cool. These guitars are still made in America which is a sign of quality. So if you want an Explorer and a Gibson wont cut it you should look at the Kelly.
UTILIZATION
With the neck through design and the body shape the upper frets are very easy to reach. The neck through design means there is virtually no heel to the neck to get in your way. Jackson has extended the cutaway on the lower horn also to make reaching the frets even easier.
SOUNDS
From the factory these guitars come with Seymour Duncan pickups which is great. More companies would do well by providing after market pickups on their guitars from the factory because they would save money on R&D making their own pickups and it would save the consumer in the end from having to buy their own after market pickups. The Seymour Duncan JB in the bridge makes this guitar suitable for all types of music because it is one of the most versatile pickups on the market and this makes this guitar versatile.
OVERALL OPINION
This is a now classic design that is a metal take on the explorer. They are not used that often anymore and that too some people is cool. These guitars are still made in America which is a sign of quality. So if you want an Explorer and a Gibson wont cut it you should look at the Kelly.