ibacred

Basically what the title says. I love the shape of the explorer, and don't mind the balance (just feels different from everything else I've played, it weird to explain) so I started looking for something similar. I want something higher end then the epiphone ones, but I don't quite want to drop the $1500 or so I've seen most gibson's go for. Just wondering if there are any middle of the road options I could go with.

I saw that Carvin makes something explorer-ish, but it's kind of ugly

I also saw one of the MIJ Ibanez destroyers, which looks nice, but I don't want anything with an Ibanez wizard neck (I don't think the destroyer has one, could anyone verify this?)

Any other options would be nice too, thanks for any help.

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Gear

Carvin Bolt Classic
LTD EC-400
Epiphone Standard Pro Les Paul
Currently no amp
Line 6 Pod 2.0

GunsNSnakepits

Jackson Kelly? Super sexy guitars.

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Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus
Jackson King V
Jackson Kelly
Handmade Gibson Les Paul
Marshall JCM2000 DSL100/JCM900 1960 Lead cab

omidmash

LTD makes some awesome explorers.

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ich bin indeed ein sprechender panda, how are you?
Music Man JP6 BFR
Ibanez S7420
Fender American Standard
Ibanez EW35 acoustic
6505!!

ouijaspirit

^^^
yes!!!
I highly recommend LTD
really good quality
I love mine

learningplayer

If you're willing to go used, you could buy a used Gibson Explorer, you could probably snag one off eBay for $1000 or less.

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Stuff:
ESP/LTD EC-200QM
1986 Charvel Model 4
Epiphone Accubass jr P bass copy

Amps
Some 15 watt Crate amp (also a POS)
Marshall MS-2 microamp (a POS)
B-52 LG-100a head (Not bad)

Pedals
Digitech Grunge distortion

T00DEEPBLUE

Used Gibson Explorer.

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lightningjoe88

Hamer Standard

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09 Gibson Firebird Studio w/ vintage Seymour Duncans > Dunlop Original Crybaby Wah > Jetter Jet Drive > T.C. Electronic Nova Delay > BBE Sonic Stomp > Marshall JVM410H w/ vintage Marshall JCM800 1960 Cab

Youtube Username: slojo88

lightningjoe88

Also, I noticed in your sig it said no amp. So after (or before) you get the new guitar I would probably sell your Line 6 Pod and a guitar and start looking for a new amp... it's just as exciting as guitar searching! Haha

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09 Gibson Firebird Studio w/ vintage Seymour Duncans > Dunlop Original Crybaby Wah > Jetter Jet Drive > T.C. Electronic Nova Delay > BBE Sonic Stomp > Marshall JVM410H w/ vintage Marshall JCM800 1960 Cab

Youtube Username: slojo88

MG_Sora

I heard from a guy with an old Ibanez Destroyer that the neck was somewhat strat-like, but keep in mind that the guitar was from like 1976, you know, that year when they were practically indistinguishable from a Gibson Explorer.

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ihartfood

explorer?
stratty neck?
yes please.

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My Rig
Like Telecasters?

ibacred

I actually got a Laney VH100r recently. I need to update that sig

I'm most interested so far in the Kelly or a Destroyer. I don't know, I started gassing for an explorer recently and thought I'd explore my options. I didn't know the Gibson's went that cheap, so that definitely a possibility too.

Thanks guys

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Gear

Carvin Bolt Classic
LTD EC-400
Epiphone Standard Pro Les Paul
Currently no amp
Line 6 Pod 2.0

MESAexplorer

I have a Gibson Explorer Studio. They're pretty rare, but occasionally you can find them on eBay for about $600-$800.

Certain finishes have certain characteristics.

The metallic paint ones are made of poplar and the unfinished one if I recall is ash. Some of the metallic painted ones had mini humbuckers, all of the ash ones and some of the metallic painted ones had the traditional Gibson Explorer pickups.

The body size is 10% smaller than the traditional explorer, and both the poplar and ash ones are extremely lightweight but very full sounding. You can really hear the wood sing in this guitar, very organic tone. The minihumbuckers do kinda suck though.

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Major of 7 String Legion 7 > 6

ihartfood

heres one for $850 http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gibson-expl...=item3ccedadc8a on the bay.
they aren't $1500 if you look used.

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My Rig
Like Telecasters?

TVeye

10% smaller and metallic ........ Sorry ... I just gagged a bit!

Hamer or Korean Epi.

Ippon

RAN, outside of the budget, just wanted to post it.

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Who To Listen To EG/GG&A and GB&C ... 7/ERG Field Marshall ... ?!?

MESAexplorer

That RAN reminds me of the Ken Lawrence Explorer....which reminds me of Edwards.

It seems to be a lot harder to find Edwards Explorers on eBay than it was a few years ago, but if you can get your hands on one of those, they're more like the ESP MX and EX (closer to Gibsons shape and James Hetfields specs than the pointy ESP/LTD ones). They should cost you no more than $900 as well.

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Major of 7 String Legion 7 > 6

Ippon

I had the Edwards E-EX-110D but I scored it for a bit over 1000.

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Who To Listen To EG/GG&A and GB&C ... 7/ERG Field Marshall ... ?!?

progdude93

Destroyers are pretty sweet. I have one (I PM'ed you), and it definitely rips. Something I have to tell you though, do NOT move your guitar through doorways without it being in a case the explorer shape has its drawbacks.