Scott | soldguitars

2000 Gibson USA Explorer '76 re-issue

"Scott"

#02360595

So. This is a Gibson Explorer re-issue, made by Gibson USA.

It's got a solid mahogany body (the size of a coffee table) and a mahogany set neck, and contains no mess, no fuss and no nonesense. This has the 'Limited Edition' logo on the rear of the neck, for what it's worth ... I'm not entirely sure what that signifies, other than the intimation that it is in some way one of a relatively small number. Of course, given the number of guitars that Gibson produce, I'd not be entirely surprised if 'Limited Edition' meant that production was limited to thousands of the things.

Regardless, it is a VERY tidy player.

I bought used from a geezer who had clearly only played it a few times, thanks to eBay ... it was in 100% perfect condition when I got it. I put in a modest bid on this, then went away on business for a few days with no internet. I asked my wife to keep an eye on the auction and to let me know how things went, then found out that she'd got the eBay "red mist" and got in a bidding frenzy with someone else who clearly wanted it a LOT. The winning bid made my eyes water a little, but no biggie, all's well that ends well.

This still has the original 496R and 500T pickups ... that 500T is a bit of an animal, but I like it just as it is. Its not like these are ever going to be used in jazz trios ... I wanted it so that I could wig-out on it, and the 500T is great for that. There are no modifications ... unless strap locks count as modifications, this is bone-stock, just as I like them to be.

Functionally, this is a very simple beast. When it all boils down, it is just a huge plank of mahogany with twin humbuckers. Its a bit like playing a wardrobe. Switch to the neck pickup, with the tone rolled back a bit for THAT hooty, woody goodness tone ... glorious.

Now, although I quite like the look of the gold hardware (which looks good against the natural finish), I can't help but be a LITTLE repulsed at the idea of gold hardware on an Explorer. I mean gold? Really? Black, yes. Chrome, yes. But GOLD? Although it is perhaps a little too blingy for my simple tastes, I'm just going to live with it and appreciate it for the great guitar that it is.