Author Topic: Cheapo explorer (Read 6130 times)

Ratrod · « **on:** October 20, 2005, 10:58:52 AM »

Could it be any good?

It goes by the name of SX GG2. Mahogany body, set maple neck and only $159.--. I've read some reviews and apart from the cr@ppy pickups and electronics, it seems to be a quite well made guitar.

Here's the link: http://www.rondomusic.net/gg2.html

Davey · « **Reply #1 on:** October 20, 2005, 04:03:53 PM »

looks like a destroyerII body to me ;)

sorry, havent head about them

big steve · « **Reply #2 on:** October 20, 2005, 05:37:22 PM »

GAS strikes again! with startling frequency...

willo · « **Reply #3 on:** October 20, 2005, 06:29:02 PM »

the fret markers look like elevator buttons...

like the colour scheme though!

Ratrod · « **Reply #4 on:** October 20, 2005, 06:44:23 PM »

Yep, I have GAS again. As for the shape, I think it's a very good interpretation of the original. A bit of Destroyer II in there and a bit of Iceman. I'm not too shure about the pickguard. If I do get one, I'll make a more traditional pickguard out of a piece of diamond plate. For pickups I have a ceramic Warpig and an AV MQ in mind. The switch will move to the place of the neck volume control, leaving two volume pots, no tone pot.

PhilKing · « **Reply #5 on:** October 20, 2005, 10:41:30 PM »

Quote from: Ratrod

For pickups I have a ceramic Warpig and an AV MQ in mind. The switch will move to the place of the neck volume control, leaving two volume pots, no tone pot.

Excellent choice of pickups! I have AV for both in mine, and I have a push-pull pot for series/parallel wiring on the Warpig. You will love the sounds.

_tom_ · « **Reply #6 on:** October 20, 2005, 11:03:28 PM »

that looks really nice actually! I hear they dont ship over to the UK though which is a shame

Ratrod · « **Reply #7 on:** October 21, 2005, 10:42:41 AM »

They're also on ebay. They day the occasionally ship overseas. All the risk and dutties are for the buyer.

I've just made a scetch for a traditional pickguard for it. Looks way better. My design doesn't follow the hump in the lower horn, this gives it a nice 3D effect and makes the hump look like a canard wing or a spoiler rather than a d!ckhead. Like the original, my pickguard runs between the pickups and follows thru behind the bridge. It's a little shorter than the original Gibson because the control knobs are a bit closer to the center of the guitar. I'm still contemplating the color: 3ply white or aluminium.

As for pickups, I'm also thinking about a chrome covered Miracle Man set. Listening to Tim's clips, I think they could nail the metallica sound of the black album era when they're in a (more bassy/beefy) explorer.

lepersmeesa · « **Reply #8 on:** October 22, 2005, 01:00:21 AM »

Yep that guitar is great. Rondo make some of the cheapest well made guitars. I really want to get the Agile Interceptor.

Ratrod · « **Reply #9 on:** October 23, 2005, 08:47:48 PM »

I'm still a bit worried that these guitars might not be good players. I really like the Dean Z '79 too. That's a bit more expensive but they look very classy and everybody is raving about how good those axes are. I'm not sure about the balance though, with that huge V-shaped headstock.

RGX · « **Reply #10 on:** October 24, 2005, 02:30:44 PM »

I really like the look of that, shame you can't have a play to get a feel for it.

Do you know what profile the neck is?

Davey · « **Reply #11 on:** October 24, 2005, 03:11:14 PM »

*chants*diamond plate .. diamond plate.. diamond plate

Ratrod · « **Reply #12 on:** October 24, 2005, 04:49:26 PM »

Quote from: RGX

I really like the look of that, shame you can't have a play to get a feel for it.

Do you know what profile the neck is?

That's my main issue with the guitar. I have no idea what the neck is like.

And yeah, diamond plate looks cool.