u/Dookie_Blast

I put in an order for this guitar in April this year, with the expected delivery date in September. There was a sale on at the time and was able to snag it for $2600 CAD (+tax). Still expensive but I have been gassing for an Explorer.

Much to my surprise it was delivered on June 9th! I had no intentions of keeping it stock and had already ordered some replacement parts and got to work.

Modifications:

Tone Pros Locking TOM and Tailpeice

Gotoh VK3 Short Some Knobs - these are almost as short as the knobs ESP uses (at a much lower cost)

Dopro (random Amazon brand) Deep Dish Nut for toggle switch.

Toggle switch tip (black)

Hipshot locking tuners (I wanted the Schaller M6 180's but can't source them in Canada).

Schaller S-Lock strap locks

Pure Tone Stereo Jack

Elixir 10-46 strings

EMG 81 & EMG 85 in Black Chrome - I had originally ordered the Het Set in Black Chrome when I ordered the guitar but they have been delayed until July, so I found another retailer that had the 81/85 in stock and picked those up instead (I am impatient). After playing the 81/85 I cancelled the Het Set order.

I was going to replace the switch with the full black switchcraft, but it's been discontinued and can't find stock in Canada. The Jack plate is still chrome because I can't source a black one.

I used EMG's solderless system to wire everything up but did not want to use the supplied pickup bus as I wanted less clutter in the control cavity. I used a couple single DuPont style connectors and cut the end of an EMG connect cable and soldered those to the switch. I then connected the grounds from the neck pot to the bridge pot and tone pot. The battery wires are also soldered together. The battery is secured with a metal 9V clip (which is epoxied to the control cavity).

What I don't like about the guitar is the frets...they are medium jumbo nickel. Honestly the size is fine, in just lazy and hate polishing frets. My other guitars all have extra jumbo stainless steel. Maybe someday I will get them replaced.

The only QC issue I have found is that there is a finish crack where the neck meets the guitar body. Not the end of the world and from my understanding this was bound to happen at some point and the retailer gave me some compensation for it (no exchange as they can't get them from Gibson anymore in white).

Overall very happy with this guitar and it absolutely rips! Added some after pictures and one from when I first opened the case.

I put in an order for this guitar in April this year, with the expected delivery date in September. There was a sale on at the time and was able to snag it for $2600 CAD (+tax). Still expensive but I have been gassing for an Explorer.

Much to my surprise it was delivered on June 9th! I had no intentions of keeping it stock and had already ordered some replacement parts and got to work.

Modifications:

Tone Pros Locking TOM and Tailpeice

Gotoh VK3 Short Some Knobs - these are almost as short as the knobs ESP uses (at a much lower cost)

Dopro (random Amazon brand) Deep Dish Nut for toggle switch.

Toggle switch tip (black)

Hipshot locking tuners (I wanted the Schaller M6 180's but can't source them in Canada).

Schaller S-Lock strap locks

Pure Tone Stereo Jack

Elixir 10-46 strings

EMG 81 & EMG 85 in Black Chrome - I had originally ordered the Het Set in Black Chrome when I ordered the guitar but they have been delayed until July, so I found another retailer that had the 81/85 in stock and picked those up instead (I am impatient). After playing the 81/85 I cancelled the Het Set order.

I was going to replace the switch with the full black switchcraft, but it's been discontinued and can't find stock in Canada. The Jack plate is still chrome because I can't source a black one.

I used EMG's solderless system to wire everything up but did not want to use the supplied pickup bus as I wanted less clutter in the control cavity. I used a couple single DuPont style connectors and cut the end of an EMG connect cable and soldered those to the switch. I then connected the grounds from the neck pot to the bridge pot and tone pot. The battery wires are also soldered together. The battery is secured with a metal 9V clip (which is epoxied to the control cavity).

What I don't like about the guitar is the frets...they are medium jumbo nickel. Honestly the size is fine, in just lazy and hate polishing frets. My other guitars all have extra jumbo stainless steel. Maybe someday I will get them replaced.

The only QC issue I have found is that there is a finish crack where the neck meets the guitar body. Not the end of the world and from my understanding this was bound to happen at some point and the retailer gave me some compensation for it (no exchange as they can't get them from Gibson anymore in white).

Overall very happy with this guitar and it absolutely rips! Added some after pictures and one from when I first opened the case.