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A $1,100,000 guitar.. 1958 Gibson Korina Explorer.

DerekW

DerekW

Feb 4, 2014
2,443
4,629
Sarnia Ontario/Detroit Michigan
#1
Shop Claims "Most Expensive Guitar" Sale with '58 Gibson Explorer



Hmmm... 1958? I always thought Def Leppard invented the explorer in the early to mid '80's

deflepbreaknec.jpg
 
#7
I saw Def Leppard open up for Ted Nugent and the Scorpions sometime around 1978-79-80(?), and they were all like 16 years old. No one knew who they were and not too many knew the Scorpions either.

They were blisteringly good. The Scorpions were great also. then Ted came out in his loincloth and wasn't too bad either as he hadn't become a compete reprobate yet.

I later learned Ted would go across the border to Council Bluffs, Iowa, to the Joker Lounge and play a set after his concerts in Omaha. Saw him there years later. Poon hound.
 
#8
Years ago I played in a band with a guy who had an explorer that looked just like that. He always talked about how valuable it was, but he was not much of a player and was kinda odd otherwise so I never thought much of his claims of the guitars worth as they were so crazy high.

Imagine my surprise when a few years later he opens a sound reinforcement company. He was a retail sales guy when we played together so I figured he either had a rich uncle pass or excellent credit or had some other windfall that allowed him to go into a business with such a big up front inventory cost. A few years later I ran in to him and we spent a little time catching up and I thought to ask him how he got his start in the sound biz. Imagine my surprise when he told me he sold his explorer to finance his business. I didn't ask him what he got for it, but he owned the building he's in and had it stacked ceiling to floor with top shelf PA stuff when he opened.
 
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#13
fingerguy said:
Classic is cool and all but I rather get new windows for my house.

Strictly new for me too.
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zontar said:
But it's really a used guitar.
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I have posted here ad nauseum that many new instruments are quite superb and that players not considering them could be missing an opportunity to get a great player at an affordable price. Even if I had the means to afford such near-priceless classic instruments, I'd probably have the Gibson or Fender CS just make me replicas so I could play them and enjoy them rather than having to vault such things. Classic instruments are cool and the histories are awesome but, I don't want to be a high-dollar curator.
 
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#14
P. Aaron said:
I have posted here ad nauseum that many new instruments are quite superb and that players not considering them could be missing an opportunity to get a great player at an affordable price. Even if I had the means to afford such near-priceless classic instruments, I'd probably have the Gibson or Fender CS just make me replicas so I could play them and enjoy them rather than having to vault such things. Classic instruments are cool and the histories are awesome but, I don't want to be a high-dollar curator.
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So to simplify that response, you would prefer to spend your money elsewhere and spend less on the bass. Does that sound about right?
 
#15
fingerguy said:
So to simplify that response, you would prefer to spend your money elsewhere and spend less on the bass. Does that sound about right?
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If it's about getting an playable instrument that's reliable and a good value, yeah. Also, pedigree. Some 'classic' or 'vintage' instruments are real & complete, others in that still spendy stratosphere, not so much.
 

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