Gibson Explorer bass

[Mikeg]

I think this is new
[url="http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Bass/Gibson-USA/Explorer-Bass.aspx"]http://www2.gibson.com/Products/Electric-Guitars/Bass/Gibson-USA/Explorer-Bass.aspx[/url]
I think it looks rather odd, too much like a tacky conversion of a guitar, and with retail price of $2249 It will be out of most people's reach. Im curios as to how it sounds

[deanbean502]

pmt Birmingham have one, was in there the other day looks very nice

[AttitudeCastle]

I like it! Especially in silverburst, bet it sounds just like all other Gibsons though, (I jest!)

But the Explorer shape does have it's own "sound"

Does look RAWK,

Edited December 30, 2011 by AttitudeCastle

[TG Flatline]

It says it's a full 34" scale length, looking where the bridge is the body must be massive! The case for my explorer (link in my sig) is big, and that's with a down-sized explorer body with the bridge right at the back. Don't get me wrong, I do like the Gibson version, but I'd bet gigging with it would be difficult on transport space!

[Lozz196]

I saw The Glitterati in 2005, and their bassist had a white one - think it was a Gibbo, but not too sure. It sounded somewhere between a Thunderbird and a Jazz, very deep and rich but with more crispness than you would expect.

[rednose200]

Yes low and rich is correct. However if you want an explorer bass that plays great, sounds the dogs bollocks, and DOESNT have neck dive - go and find an alembic

[Cat Burrito]

I saw this on GAK the other day - the jury is out for me but I'm sure it's cool as a cucumber for some

[Stag]

That has to go in the "cool" section on the Cool Wall.

Price point is a little off though imo.

[alanbass1]

Dunno myself. I do like Thunderbirds but this looks a little too pointy

[Muzz]

Saw one in PMT t'other day, and tho I had pointy basses back in the day (and love a T-bird), these do not look like £2k+ of bass. Initially thought it was a new Epi, and I was so underwhelmed I couldn't be arsed to get it down and try it.

[neepheid]

Sorry Gibson, I still don't like any of your bass output this century so far.

The 80s Explorer had the wedge bridge, like a Schaller 3D but with an opposing wedge mechanism for string height instead of grub screws. Now we get the three point bridge? Gibson, I would ask why you don't come over to my house and urinate in my cornflakes, kick my cat and leave a turd on my doormat as you leave, but then I realise that there would be no need as none of that trumps the three point bridge.

I know you're not going to read this, Gibson but please, please stop using it, especially when you're reissuing basses which never had it in the first place!

Aaaaaand, breathe

[Muzz]

I can only surmise they made about a zillion too many at some point, and now they've got an entire warehouse stocked full of the things they need to shift. No other explanation makes sense. I had one on my Epi T-bird when I bought it, and it was poor for a £200 bass, let alone one 10x that price.

[Shaggy]

[quote name='TG Flatline' timestamp='1325272287' post='1481658']
It says it's a full 34" scale length, looking where the bridge is the body must be massive! The case for my explorer (link in my sig) is big, and that's with a down-sized explorer body with the bridge right at the back. Don't get me wrong, I do like the Gibson version, but I'd bet gigging with it would be difficult on transport space!
[/quote]

Going to be gigging my '85 tonight for New Years, but yes; the case is as large as the deck of an aircraft carrier, and takes up half of my small hatchback.
She doesn't come out too often these days but I love her - monster tone, very ergonomic to play with an Entwhistle-eque right hand style, and with the complulsory extra long strap so it's hanging at knee-level - instant Rock God. No neck dive whatsoever, by the way.

Neepheid; agreed, the '80's models had the best bridge of any Gibson bass (which aint saying much.....) and I'm fairly sure was made by Schaller (the tuners are also Gibson logo-ed Schallers) - very similar indeed to the 3-D, but chunkier.