r/ExplorerGuitars

Ordered a 2005 Explorer from GC and was hyped for it to arrive. Was in good condition based on pics and descriptions. Some personality acquired on it over the years but I embrace it for the doom metal genre I play in. Owned it for all of 5 min until I unboxed it and saw what GC failed to disclose. Complete neck/body crack and separations. I was bummed but off it went back to GC for a refund. Clearly they got hosed and are trying to hide it based on price, lack of pics in this area and description not siting neck cracks. 😓

While I love to think James kept the explorer alive I don’t think it was JUST him that saved that guitar I feel like there are other guitarists that played a role in saving the explorer

I like pickguards. The long and short of this is, i want to build a Warmoth Nomad as a SSH, and then later convert it to HH, or maybe even SSS. I was hoping anyone here might have any more examples of larger pickguard designs on a explorer shaped guitar. Pics for inspiration/what i have been able to track down that seems to be relevant to this topic.

Also, if there are any recommendations for getting a custom pickguard built, that would be appreciated too.

Looking at this thing locally for a decent price, though it has some real finish issues. It comes with all the case candy and the original speed knobs he swapped for the Het metal ones, though if anything that makes me more suspicious. I can’t make out the serial on the headstock in the photo, though it appears to match the one on the case card. Appreciate any help, this would be my first explorer, thanks!

The body is 10% smaller than a regular Explorer, similar to the Pro. Basswood body, mahogany neck, weighs under 8lbs.

Came in a few different colors, including a swamp ash version. It was available with mini humbuckers or with regular. It‘s an awesome guitar.

Big fan of Adrian from Iron Maiden, obviously. Probably the coolest guitar I've had "visual"-wise, but I never got along with the neck profile.

Anybody know anything about this LTD EXP-200 (I GUESS it’s an EXP-200?). This is a “surprise gig” in 2002 at some place called Kimo’s in LA, Bob Rock is on bass for this. I have never seen him play this guitar (or really any LTD) or seen any “gear” repository site/database talk about him owning this at all, ever. Even some of the “strangest guitars James has ever played” videos that list where he played some Jackson ONCE or whatever never mentioned this guitar. I’m kind of a gearhead so stumbling across him playing this LTD after James pretty much had given up on white Explorers entirely at this point is weird. He had already gotten Ken Lawrences, Deer skulls, signature non-Explorer guitars, his ESP Explorers basically some variation of black at this point, he pretty much hadn’t played a white Explorer since Justice at the time of this video, and this is like DURING the St. Anger recordings. I know one of ya’ll knows something about him playing this guitar here. Thanks!

Got a kit for my birthday last year and finally finished it

Feels so much lighter than my 9lb Snakebyte. I love it. Sounds just as chunky and mean.

I am moving and am looking to sell this guitar and I think I almost made a mistake selling it for too cheap. How can I tell?

Been building up my Explorer lineup and thought I’d share the current trio.

Edwards E-EX-120D (VW)-tuned to Drop C.
Mahogany body/neck, rosewood fretboard. Loaded with a Seymour Duncan Black Winter rail in the bridge and a Seymour Duncan '59 in the neck. This one’s probably the most aggressive sounding of the three

Epiphone Explorer Ebony — also Drop C.
Mahogany body/neck, Indian laurel board. Bought it with an EMG HET-SET. This one is a great rhythm machine. Neck is a bit too wide.

ESP LTD EX-7 Baritone — ADADGBE.
Mahogany body, maple neck, ebony board, EMG 81, 27” scale. This one is for the lower, uglier riffs. The single bridge pickup setup makes it feel brutally simple.

Matt Heafy of Trivium posted this on his socials. He is getting an Epi/Gibson Explorer signature. Fans are going to help design/spec it!

Happy mother’s day! 🌺 ❤️ 🌹 💜 🌼