Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Guitars, Amps and Effects => Topic started by: 5F6-A on December 13, 2008, 08:22:58 PM

Title: Gibson explorer tone
Post by: 5F6-A on December 13, 2008, 08:22:58 PM
I really like the tone of the Gibson Explorers I hear on records or clips but I am asking those with real in-the-flesh experience...
What are the explorer fortes? I'm talking both on the tonal department as well as playing confort.

How does the Explorer tone compare to a good LP tone?

Cheers!
Title: Re: Gibson explorer tone
Post by: Alex on December 13, 2008, 11:36:26 PM
Admit it... you've been listening to too much Airbourne?  :D
Title: Re: Gibson explorer tone
Post by: Ted 'N' Leo on December 13, 2008, 11:45:00 PM
Admit it... you've been listening to too much Airbourne?  :D

You can listen to TOO MUCH Airbourne?
Title: Re: Gibson explorer tone
Post by: SG Thrasher on December 13, 2008, 11:50:40 PM
Any Airbourne is too much Airbourne. :lol:
Title: Re: Gibson explorer tone
Post by: FELINEGUITARS on December 14, 2008, 12:16:23 AM
Tone is kind of like that of an SG or a Flying V , maybe a bit beefierdue to it being a big slab of wood.

It tends to have a bit more untamed top end than a Les Paul - the maple cap dampens down some treble and makes the guitar sound a bit more focussed.

In a two guitar band a Les Paul and a V/Explorer work well together as they have slightly different tones and compliment each other pretty well.
Title: Re: Gibson explorer tone
Post by: rohlfo on December 14, 2008, 02:12:52 AM
Airbourne rule!  They're so down to earth and chilled, and always up for giving out a round  :P
I'm building an explorer atm, so will let you know how it feels, but personally I think it has great balance and potential to be a rock beast :twisted:
Title: Re: Gibson explorer tone
Post by: Stevepage on December 14, 2008, 12:52:33 PM
Explorers have more pronounced bass and mids (which I personally love). Compared to a V, the V has more mids and not as much bass in its tone.

Never compared one to an LP though, but I would think it would be some where between the two.
Title: Re: Gibson explorer tone
Post by: Denim n Leather on December 14, 2008, 02:12:51 PM
I love the look of Explorers, but find the midrange to be too honky.
Title: Re: Gibson explorer tone
Post by: rohlfo on December 14, 2008, 02:43:12 PM
honky.

Tim also used that word in some decription, and for some reason I just can't imagine how a honky sounding guitar would sound...?
Title: Re: Gibson explorer tone
Post by: Denim n Leather on December 14, 2008, 03:02:31 PM
honky.

Tim also used that word in some decription, and for some reason I just can't imagine how a honky sounding guitar would sound...?

Say something aloud. Then cup your hands to either side of your mouth and say the same thing. That's the basic idea of the subjective term 'honky'.
Title: Re: Gibson explorer tone
Post by: FernandoDuarte on December 14, 2008, 03:08:11 PM
honky.

Tim also used that word in some decription, and for some reason I just can't imagine how a honky sounding guitar would sound...?

Imagine me, my friend :lol:
That's why I like foruns in english, I've to try figure many things, so I think my english is getting better :D
Title: Re: Gibson explorer tone
Post by: 5F6-A on December 14, 2008, 03:10:57 PM
Tone is kind of like that of an SG or a Flying V , maybe a bit beefierdue to it being a big slab of wood.

It tends to have a bit more untamed top end than a Les Paul - the maple cap dampens down some treble and makes the guitar sound a bit more focussed.

In a two guitar band a Les Paul and a V/Explorer work well together as they have slightly different tones and compliment each other pretty well.

I see....
Title: Re: Gibson explorer tone
Post by: FernandoDuarte on December 14, 2008, 03:12:01 PM
honky.

Tim also used that word in some decription, and for some reason I just can't imagine how a honky sounding guitar would sound...?

Say something aloud. Then cup your hands to either side of your mouth and say the same thing. That's the basic idea of the subjective term 'honky'.

Like a traffic cone? :?
Title: Re: Gibson explorer tone
Post by: TheDev01dOne on December 14, 2008, 04:07:41 PM
No good at comparing tone between guitars but playing wise I find Explorers dead comfortable standing and sitting. I had an Epiphone gothic explorer and it was probably 2nd in the alltime comfortability department after an ESP Viper.
Title: Re: Gibson explorer tone
Post by: bucketshred on December 14, 2008, 04:31:31 PM
I love my Explorer, its been through hell and back and STILL hasnt been BKP'd (I just cant decide on which one to stick in it and I'd like to put the money towards an SG or a V). It plays like a pig and I use heavyish strings on it but I LOVE IT!!!!
Title: Re: Gibson explorer tone
Post by: Philly Q on December 14, 2008, 04:45:44 PM
Never owned an Explorer, but I had a Firebird Studio which isn't far off the same thing but with rounded corners.

It sounded just like a bigger, fatter SG.  Very well-balanced too, I was shocked when I weighed it and it was over 8 pounds, it felt like nothing on a strap.
Title: Re: Gibson explorer tone
Post by: dave_mc on December 14, 2008, 06:45:12 PM
ugh, i've resisted trying an explorer to avoid uncontrollable GAS... hearing it sounds like a slightly bigger SG isn't exactly helping... :lol:
Title: Re: Gibson explorer tone
Post by: rohlfo on December 15, 2008, 12:04:03 AM
honky.

Tim also used that word in some decription, and for some reason I just can't imagine how a honky sounding guitar would sound...?

Say something aloud. Then cup your hands to either side of your mouth and say the same thing. That's the basic idea of the subjective term 'honky'.

that literally!? Ok, I think I got it now, would just sound rubbish.

The balance is also one reason why I decided to make one as my next guitar - I jump around on stage quite a bit so would want something balanced and light enough, without loosing the meaty sound! I hope this is the anser...!
Title: Re: Gibson explorer tone
Post by: hunter on December 15, 2008, 06:18:10 AM
honky.

Tim also used that word in some decription, and for some reason I just can't imagine how a honky sounding guitar would sound...?

Say something aloud. Then cup your hands to either side of your mouth and say the same thing. That's the basic idea of the subjective term 'honky'.

So ... Hetfield sounds honky?
Title: Re: Gibson explorer tone
Post by: 5F6-A on December 16, 2008, 08:46:04 PM
ugh, i've resisted trying an explorer to avoid uncontrollable GAS... hearing it sounds like a slightly bigger SG isn't exactly helping... :lol:

LOL!!!
Title: Re: Gibson explorer tone
Post by: dave_mc on December 16, 2008, 09:58:50 PM
:)
Title: Re: Gibson explorer tone
Post by: Alex on December 17, 2008, 11:41:21 PM
ugh, i've resisted trying an explorer to avoid uncontrollable GAS... hearing it sounds like a slightly bigger SG isn't exactly helping... :lol:

I was thinking exactly the same!!!

Explorer or Flying V... can't decide though.
Title: Re: Gibson explorer tone
Post by: dave_mc on December 18, 2008, 06:17:04 PM
yeah, i haven't tried one of those either, also to resist GAS. I already have a Legra King V, but even that's that's not a foolproof GAS-resisting device.
Title: Re: Gibson explorer tone
Post by: Matt77 on December 18, 2008, 06:39:49 PM
Photograph and High 'N' Dry by Def Leppard were recorded on Explorers I think. Even if you don't like the songs I think you can hear the difference in tone compared to a Les Paul. You Tube them, but beware the spandex
Title: Re: Gibson explorer tone
Post by: Will on December 18, 2008, 07:59:24 PM
Yeah, Pete played a Hamer standard (explorer style) and the difference between that and a LP have a good effect on High n Dry.
I don't know if the Ibanez Destroyer had a Mahogany body though? or if Phil did any rythme work on Photograph at all
Title: Re: Gibson explorer tone
Post by: FELINEGUITARS on December 18, 2008, 08:26:13 PM
Photograph and High 'N' Dry by Def Leppard were recorded on Explorers I think. Even if you don't like the songs I think you can hear the difference in tone compared to a Les Paul. You Tube them, but beware the spandex

High N Dry is one of my fave albums for guitar tone - wonderful!

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Q0MBCR7JL._SL500_AA240_.jpg)
Title: Re: Gibson explorer tone
Post by: Denim n Leather on December 18, 2008, 08:49:42 PM
honky.

Tim also used that word in some decription, and for some reason I just can't imagine how a honky sounding guitar would sound...?

Say something aloud. Then cup your hands to either side of your mouth and say the same thing. That's the basic idea of the subjective term 'honky'.

So ... Hetfield sounds honky?
Hetfield has midrange?
Title: Re: Gibson explorer tone
Post by: Philly Q on December 18, 2008, 09:36:29 PM
High N Dry is one of my fave albums for guitar tone - wonderful!

+1!
Title: Re: Gibson explorer tone
Post by: HTH AMPS on December 24, 2008, 12:12:10 AM
High N Dry is one of my fave albums for guitar tone - wonderful!

+1!

great classic Marshall tones on that album, but I always liked Pyromania more - just better songs.

Title: Re: Gibson explorer tone
Post by: Philly Q on December 24, 2008, 12:17:59 AM
High N Dry is one of my fave albums for guitar tone - wonderful!

+1!

great classic Marshall tones on that album, but I always liked Pyromania more - just better songs.

Pyromania's a great album, but it was the start of them getting down with the slickness, which is where it all went wrong for me (though not for multi-millionaires Elliott, Collen & co, obviously!  :lol: )
Title: Re: Gibson explorer tone
Post by: dheim on December 27, 2008, 11:47:51 AM
honky.

Tim also used that word in some decription, and for some reason I just can't imagine how a honky sounding guitar would sound...?

Say something aloud. Then cup your hands to either side of your mouth and say the same thing. That's the basic idea of the subjective term 'honky'.

So ... Hetfield sounds honky?

hetfield sounds like a swarm of dildoes...  :lol: