SOLD FS 1976 Gibson Explorer Natural - P90's SOLD

voodoofuzz

Christmas is coming but my wallet isn't fat!

Unfortunately I have no choice but to say goodbye to my beloved 42 year old Explorer!

I bought her from the original owner over 3o years ago. Largely based on the fact I loved P90 pickups which the owner had 

installed and also on the fact that bloke from U2 had one!

These P90's are gorgeous sounding and are setup up (to my ears anyway) to have a slight out of phase tone when in the 

middle position.

There is also a custom scratch plate as you can see in the pics. (It does have screws BTW, just removed when cleaning!) 

It's had a just a couple of minor running repairs since I've owned it, a replacement volume pot when the original broke 

and a new jack socket plate where the old one cracked.

All work was carried out to the highest possible standards by the wonderful Chris George at :- 

http://www.chrisgeorgeguitars.com/index.html

Chris even took it upon himself to fully shield all the cavities  (essential for single coils)  and setup it up with a perfect action.

It has the usual scuffs, buckle rash and odd dent here and there but nothing  out of the ordinary for a guitar used 

almost daily for over 4 decades!

I had no idea guitars were ever "collectible" when I bought this, if I had I might have at least asked the original owner if he had kept the original pickups for example!

A quick look on FleaBay shows an identical guitar (same year, finish) going for over £4000!

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gibson-Explorer-First-Reissue-1976-Vintage-Regular-Condition/332482666511

Personally I feel a guitar is bought to play rather than as an investment, this guitar was made to bring a great deal of joy!  

There is "something" special about a vintage instrument.

As the pickups aren't original it also means, if  the new owner wanted, they can fit whatever pickups they like without the risk of damaging the value any further!

Any other questions, feel free to ask!

I'm happy for any trial, I'm near Grantham on the A1. I'm also happy to meet on the A1 if that helps anybody out.

Any other questions, feel free to ask!

I'll post some further pics if required.

Many thanks for looking!

Cheers

https://imgur.com/a/GxcxP

https://imgur.com/a/V1ytR

https://imgur.com/a/yMV8c

voodoofuzz

HarrySeven

O
M
G

*lust*

bodhi

Ooophh - sweet!

voodoofuzz

bodhi said:

Ooophh - sweet!

Ah, thank you for posting the pic!

I was missing the jpg suffix on my links - never too old to learn eh?

bodhi

You're welcome.

Just out of interest, did the P90 pickup swap require the Explorer's pickup cavities to be modified?  My understanding is that it would probably have been necessary.

johnl

Oh god. Why would you put something like this up so close to Christmas......lovely thing.

spark240

Oh Oh.....Do I need 2 Explorers?....however I suspect the £4k US seller is somewhat excited...

voodoofuzz

bodhi said:

You're welcome.

Just out of interest, did the P90 pickup swap require the Explorer's pickup cavities to be modified?  My understanding is that it would probably have been necessary.

Yes Indeed!

And not really a nice job.

It's hidden by the scratch plate but he wasn't a skilled lutheir for sure!

Apparently it can be restored, filled with matched wood. The PAF original pick ups also have quite a big plastic surround which would also disguise it.  (you can see in that eBay example.)

If I knew 30 years ago it could potentially be worth thousands I might not have been so keen on a non standard!

Still, I like P90's...

antifash

Mate. I don’t like Explorers. But. Mate. 

voodoofuzz

spark240 said:

Oh Oh.....Do I need 2 Explorers?....however I suspect the £4k US seller is somewhat excited...

YES!!

You can NEVER have too many!!

Agreed about price!

I suspect the exchange rate bumps it up, I'm sure this time last year US models were around £2K.

The last UK example I saw with original pick ups was going for around £2500 IIRC.

What was yours?

spark240

Mine is a 76RI in Natural, but the real deal does have some appeal...

voodoofuzz

spark240 said:

Mine is a 76RI in Natural, but the real deal does have some appeal...

Nice!!

The "reissue" naming is confusing!

So that is a more recent model, based on a 1976?

Technically my 1976 is a reissue, it was made in 1976 but it was called a re-issue as it was a copy of the original 1958.

So your lovely example is really a reissue reissue I think?

spark240

Indeed I guess so !...still sounds monster though ;-)

monoamine

Normally don't like explorers.
That is exceptionally cool.

woody_89

Lovely! Have you got any pictures of what's underneath the scratchplate at all?

usedtobe

Cool as!

HarrySeven

woody_89 said:

Lovely! Have you got any pictures of what's underneath the scratchplate at all?

Yeah, I was going to ask this too...

voodoofuzz

Hey thanks - yes, I'll take some under the plate, it ain't pretty - be warned!

voodoofuzz

OK, As promised some more "under the hood" update pictures & info.












I was asked about specs, I found these online from here:-

https://guitarvillage.co.uk/products/gibson-explorer-alpine-white-pre-owned-1976-vg

In summary they are as follows:-

Weight: 8.04 lbs / 3.64 kg

Body: Mahogany

Neck: Mahogany

Neck Profile: Unknown 

Fingerboard: Rosewood

Fingerboard Inlays: Pearl Dots

Fingerboard Radius: 12" (305 mm)

Nut Width: 1.695"

Scale Length: 24.75”

Frets: 22

Tuners: Gold Gibson Deluxe Tuners

Bridge: Tune-o-Matic w/Stop Bar Tailpiece

Hardware: Gold Plated

Pickups: P90's Origin Unknown - no markings

Controls: 2 Volume, Master Tone

Case : Original Black Hardshell w/Purple Lining

I was also asked would I describe the neck as "fat"?

I've tried my best to measure it, it has a thickness of 20.5mm at the first fret and 24mm at the 12th.  

Would anyone know if that is classed as fat?  The specs above did  state it as "slimmer shape" but they do mention that they were not sure that model was actually a 1976.

As far as I can tell those other specs seem to match to what I can check and have seen elsewhere.

Anyway, I warned you it wasn't too pretty - don't have nightmares!

Oh, in case it isn't clear the s/no. is 00 241222

Thanks again folks!

spark240

Is this a daft question....whats that hole in the middle for?