Gibson '76 Explorer Electric Guitar (with Case)
Ceramic humbuckers. Deluxe case.
Overall User Ratings (based on 125 ratings)
Submitted January 9, 2008 by a customer from aol.com
"The perfect guitar for advanced players looking for a classic radical cut"
I'm saving up for a Gretsch White Falcon right now, but even when I get that, I will still play my Explorer. I don't know if it will last forever, but I'm hoping it will last as long as I can make it. :)
Sound
The sound is great. It ranges from almost a hollow body-type sound to a punchy, hardcore type sound with no distortion. With distortion, it's even better. I didn't notice a lot of difference with the toggle-switch while distorted, but it may just be my pedal, too (I use a Big Muff Pi).
I don't think I'd change anything about the guitar's set up.
Features
It's made very well. The humbuckers are nice, the bridge works great with palm muting. I'm not too thrilled with gold hardware, it seems just flashy to me. But, for this guitar, I don't really mind. It almost makes it look even better.
Oh, and it stays in tune for weeks because of the Grover Tuners.
Ease of Use
It's very easy to get a nice sound out of it. But, if you practice sitting down, there's a lot to get used to. The main thing being the way the body is cut. It locks you into place, which is sort of an awkward feeling at first, and I suggest using a stool or your amp to put your foot up on to make sure it doesn't slip out. But, if you play standing up, then it's pretty much perfect. It's not even that heavy of a guitar, despite its looks. So, your shoulders won't tire out to quickly.
Quality
Like I mentioned, it's made very well.
There was a weird highlighted part of the wood on the back of the head, but I've come to think it looks pretty awesome.
It's the perfect guitar for gigging, at least I think so.
Value
I own a Paul Reed Smith Custom Hollow Body along with this. Twelve hundred dollars compared to almost five thousand, and the Explorer seems like the better guitar. So, if it's better than a five thousand dollar guitar, I think it's worth saving up a little extra cash for.
Manufacturer Support
This guitar does not break. Throw it off your roof, it may just get scratched a little. :P
So, I have not yet had to deal with support at all.
The Wow Factor
Well, keep in mind. This guitar was originally disliked for its looks.
So, all those classic people may not like it. And, all these kids today are into Ibanez and Dean and stuff like that, so they won't bother looking at a classic model. But, in my personal opinion, this is pretty much the archetype of radical cut guitars, and the only better looking one out there would be an original '56 model.
Musical Background:
Active Musician
Musical Style:
Neo-Classicalcore, Alternative, Ska
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Submitted October 13, 2014 by John B
"Gibson Explorer '76 re-issue"
I own a lot of guitars. I play mostly classic rock and blues and also some metal and grunge. I never expected to like this guitar because it looks too flashy and flamboyant. But then I tried it and despite not wanting to I ended up making this guitar my number 1. It's plays effortlessly, you can easily reach to the end of the fretboard better than any other guitar I've ever played inlcuding other "explorer like" models. Even the Gibson explorer pro and epiphone models are different and don't have the easy reach and playability of this thing. I was born in the sixties. This for me is not a classic look or feel. But the feel and playability and sound just bowl me over. I love this guitar, despite the fact that I can't take it to a jazz gig without being looked at like I'm a jerk. The fact is if you don't know how good this guitar is it's because you never gigged one.
Musical Background:
playing 37 years and very experienced in selecting great guitars
Musical Style:
rock, blues, R&B, funk, alternative, americana,
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Submitted September 17, 2006 by a customer from hotmail.com
"Best guitar ever"
best guitar i've ever played with!
Sound
the sound is as good with or without distortion. it has a great and powerful sound!
Features
2 volume and 1 tone knobs! i love how the neck has been put with the body, it's very useful when you're playing on the high notes. it's not made like a fender neck. and the shape is realy nice!
Quality
well it's a gibson! nothing wrong with the quality.
Value
i would have paid more for this guitar!
The Wow Factor
i own it...
Musical Background:
Active musician (guitarist, vocals)
Musical Style:
Experimental/Grindcore/post hardcore/electronica
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Submitted December 4, 2004 by a customer from hotmail.com
"Sexy, self respecting, lovely style."
It's a life long commitment.There is no need to sell it, unless I was starving to death.
Sound
The pickups driven through a Marshall are truely amazing. I wanted to get the Scorpions sound and its here plus its bridge pickups are realy perfect for acoustic sound.
Features
2 humbuckers, 3-way switch, two volume and 1 tone. Perfect headstock, makes me drool, its a woman for shure and sexy.
Quality
Its all I've ever wanted in a guitar.
Value
It's very expensive, much more than mid range guitar, but you get the sound and quality.
Manufacturer Support
Parts are plentifull at a respected dealer.
The Wow Factor
Love the shape, it's sleek, curvious, and makes a good bed companion.
Musical Background:
20 yrs experience, no band
Musical Style:
Heavy Metal, Hard Rock
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Submitted February 2, 2005 by a customer from fgjk.com
"Great, Beautiful, Classic"
Great. It's realy one of the better guitars of today
Sound
All around a great guitar. Out of basically every explorer on the market, this one tops most of them. It's a nice, thick sound, and great playability. Not to mention it's beautiful, especially with the gold hardware.
Features
great. I was pretty surprised to see 1 tone and 2 volume. But otherwise, it's nice.
Quality
It,s great in the quality department. Especially that thick pice of wood it's made up of.
Value
Going into the thousands is pricey, but for this guitar, it's worth every penny.
Manufacturer Support
I was up and playing in no time!
The Wow Factor
It's gorgeous. The natural wood and gold makes it look beautiful. Don't forget it's classic Gibson shape
Musical Background:
active musician
Musical Style:
alternative
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Submitted August 5, 2005
"Gibson X-plorer review"
love the guitar
Sound
Powerful sound
Features
tremelo bar
Quality
great finished look to it
Value
i got a great deal considering how well the guitar performs
Manufacturer Support
very helpful
The Wow Factor
power rocker look
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Submitted February 23, 2005
"because i own 5 of them"
wish it was lighter but overall a great looking and sounding guitar
Sound
fat deep sound w/tons of top end
Features
great rock guitar
Quality
a true players guitar !!!!!!!!!!
Value
can be found cheaper if you shop
Manufacturer Support
its a gibson enuf said!
The Wow Factor
it looks and sounds like a guitar players guitar
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