Gibson explorer 7-string - Anybody who owns one ; feedback ?

[akarawd]

I'd like to know the pros and cons from people owning one.
I'm especially interested in it's ability to stay in tune and of course
its sound.

Cheers

 

[006]

I absolutely love my Gibson Explorer, but, the 7-string model is incredibly overpriced for what you get. I would point you towards the Schecter Loomis, et al instead.

 

[462studio]

I've never played one, but I wanted to add my LTD SC607B is 27" scale, is very comfortable and the neck has always reminded me of a slightly larger Gibson neck. You may want to see if you can find one of those to try out. You might be able to find one used for far less than Gibson asks for the Explorer too.

 

[akarawd]

Thanks for the answers and suggestions.

Its price is not a game stopper - it'll be my only pro guitar for the rest of my life so I'll go for it.

Thing is, I love the gibson sound (prior to 2000 - none of that chambered crap) combined with emgs ...all in all that's the only setup I can get a decent recorded tone out of.

However, gibsons tend to vary greatly from model to model hence I need some user feedback before I decide to take the plunge.


006, have you ever compared your explorer to the sound of a custom ? I've heard it's pretty damn close. Would you trust it to record professionally ?

 

[sprack]

You can really tell a difference between the chambered and solid body? Especially with actives like the EMG's its 95% in the pickups.

 

[Robert W]

24" scale length? Doesn't sound like the best choice for 7.

Also the price seems to be a little steep for what you're getting. I mean for 2K, you're almost in the custom range. I figure if you can afford the 2K price tag, then why not just spend a little extra and get a custom made one to your exact specs.

 

[006]

I wouldn't hesitate to use my Explorer for anything, it plays great and sounds great. You mentioned tuning stability, the stock Grover tuners are ok, I upgraded mine to the Planet Waves Auto-Trim tuners though as I just prefer locking tuners. The main issue I want to warn you about is the scale length that Gibson uses, 24.75", it won't be all that great for that low B string, there is a reason why generally every 7-string is 25.5" or longer. I know where you are coming from though, I wanted a Gibson Explorer since the first time I saw one and knew what it was when I started playing guitar. I finally got one years later and I wouldn't ever give it up for anything, so I know it's hard to hear anyone saying don't do it, but if the scale were at least 25.5" I would say definitely go for it. Otherwise, the only thing I can say is you really need to play one in person before you drop the cash, again 24.75" just isn't ideal for that low B.

And to sprack... When you have swapped out pickups in as many guitars as I have to EMG and found out that it doesn't make every guitar sound the same it gets really old seeing people still trying to pass around that myth. EMGs do have their own unique sound, but they don't impose themselves on the guitar's inherent tone any more than any SD, DiMarzio and any other pickups out there. And yes, you can definitely tell the difference in sound between chambered and non-chambered Gibsons. With EMGs as much as you can any other pups.

 

[MarcusGHedwig]

And to sprack... When you have swapped out pickups in as many guitars as I have to EMG and found out that it doesn't make every guitar sound the same it gets really old seeing people still trying to pass around that myth. EMGs do have their own unique sound, but they don't impose themselves on the guitar's inherent tone any more than any SD, DiMarzio and any other pickups out there. And yes, you can definitely tell the difference in sound between chambered and non-chambered Gibsons. With EMGs as much as you can any other pups.

+01100100

 

[akarawd]

I wouldn't hesitate to use my Explorer for anything, it plays great and sounds great. You mentioned tuning stability, the stock Grover tuners are ok, I upgraded mine to the Planet Waves Trimlock tuners though as I just prefer locking tuners. The main issue I want to warn you about is the scale length that Gibson uses, 24.75", it won't be all that great for that low B string, there is a reason why generally every 7-string is 25.5" or longer. I know where you are coming from though, I wanted a Gibson Explorer since the first time I saw one and knew what it was when I started playing guitar. I finally got one years later and I wouldn't ever give it up for anything, so I know it's hard to hear anyone saying don't do it, but if the scale were at least 25.5" I would say definitely go for it. Otherwise, the only thing I can say is you really need to play one in person before you drop the cash, again 24.75" just isn't ideal for that low B.

That's the kind of info I was looking for - thanks a lot 006.
One last question, what kind of trouble does the scale length give you ?
If it's sth I can't live with I'll really consider what RobertW suggested as the zakk wylde custom models I cannot afford.

And to sprack... When you have swapped out pickups in as many guitars as I have to EMG and found out that it doesn't make every guitar sound the same it gets really old seeing people still trying to pass around that myth. EMGs do have their own unique sound, but they don't impose themselves on the guitar's inherent tone any more than any SD, DiMarzio and any other pickups out there. And yes, you can definitely tell the difference in sound between chambered and non-chambered Gibsons. With EMGs as much as you can any other pups.

Exactly.

 

[006]

24.75" is just really short man. It's cool for E, D, C# and, bridge adjustment permitting, C standard tuning. Beyond that and it's nearly impossible to intonate without sufficient play allowed by the saddles - I wouldn't put it past Gibson these days to use a regular 'ol TOM bridge on that model, which I guarantee won't have enough room to based on my experience with my Explorer. Besides that the tension won't be there for the low B string without using some ridiculous gauge string for it, if that would even work out. It's just the physics of how guitars, strings and tunings work. I can't stress it enough, why do you think all the other 7-strings on the market use longer scales? If you have $2k to drop on that Explorer, Robert's advice is great in that you could find a luthier to build you a 7-string Explorer with a longer scale, you'd be better off IMO.

 

[akarawd]

24.75" is just really short man. It's cool for E, D, C# and, bridge adjustment permitting, C standard tuning. Beyond that and it's nearly impossible to intonate without sufficient play allowed by the saddles - I wouldn't put it past Gibson these days to use a regular 'ol TOM bridge on that model, which I guarantee won't have enough room to based on my experience with my Explorer. Besides that the tension won't be there for the low B string without using some ridiculous gauge string for it, if that would even work out. It's just the physics of how guitars, strings and tunings work. I can't stress it enough, why do you think all the other 7-strings on the market use longer scales? If you have $2k to drop on that Explorer, Robert's advice is great in that you could find a luthier to build you a 7-string Explorer with a longer scale, you'd be better off IMO.

Thanks 006 - I understand now. I'll review my options, this was really helpful.
Thanks again,
Thanos

 

[Robert W]

I had a Schecter w/ 26.5" scale length that I couldn't intonate to A standard. Just wasn't enough room left on the saddle....

Agile makes some longer scale 7s though, 27"-30".