Explorer-bodied basses

[corsa]

I've been thinking lately about an Explorer-bodied bass.

I know there are Gibsons out there and that Epiphone is releasing a Korina Explorer soon.

In addition, I've seen Dean Explorers, Ibanez Destroyers and, of course, Alembic Explorers and Exploiters.

Alembics are probably out of my price range. Is there something in between the Dean/Ibanez offerings and the Alembics? The only Gibsons I've seen are silver or black and that doesn't appeal much to me. I've considered getting the Epiphone when it comes out but I wanted to check to see if there were other choices.

I'd appreciate hearing your feedback on any Explorer-type basses that you have played .

 

[Snakeman1066]

i have been thinking about picking up a Destroyer for the collection as well...I find myself wishing ESP would convert the Snakebyte body style to bass..

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Warwick reverso?
The Explorer Bass Club

Aria ZZ?

Jackson Kelly:

ESP EX 104

look in the club:
The Explorer Bass Club

 

[ajkula66]

Somewhere around '82 I bought a brand new Hondo Explorer, black with maple neck, one "P" type pickup. Weighed a ton and the neck was meant for people with bigger hands than mine but other than that it was very good inexpensive instrument with killer looks. I replaced the original pup with a Duncan and it sounded huge through an Orange stack.

Worth a shot if you can find one nowadays.

Happy hunting.

 

[thunderbird66]

I had an epiphone korina explorer. Bought it new. It's an incredibly huge bass. With the case I could barely fit in my car at the time.
Beefy neck, brass nut, glue joint, pretty killer craftsmanship. I traded mine though. It was to Damn long. I'm 5'-10" and usually play thunderbirds but I found my fingering hand would fatigue quickly with the long thick neck. Not good doing 5 sets a night. I loved it but just couldn't make it work. It's a lot of bass.

 

[corsa]

look in the club:
The Explorer Bass Club

Thanks, I'll check it out. I searched on "Explorer bass" and the club wasn't in the first 50 or so results.

I bought one for $1000.

Is that out of your price range?

No, it's not. I wouldn't have thought that an Alembic could be had for that price. I'll keep looking.

 

[keto]

The Epi Korina is out and NICE! Light - guessing not much over 8 lb - Jazz type neck, sounded great when I demo'd in store. I would have taken it home but they didn't have a single bag or case, out of trying near 10, it would fit in.

 

[corsa]

The Epi Korina is out and NICE! Light - guessing not much over 8 lb - Jazz type neck, sounded great when I demo'd in store. I would have taken it home but they didn't have a single bag or case, out of trying near 10, it would fit in.

Where did you try one? I can't even find any on line. American Musical Supply is the only retailer I can find that even lists them and they show 1-10-17 as the expected in-stock date .

 

[keto]

I'm in Canada, a few Canucks have reported trying them at our national chain Long & McQuade

 

[BurnOut]

I gots me a beauty. Big Hair Dean Hollywood Z in Zebra

 

[Planespotter]

A local shop had an 80s Ibanez destroyer that had the weird big pickups (sounded like a p/j). It was pretty cool and priced right at $450. Thinking about it now, I should've bought it haha.

 

[Coolhandjjl]

When Hamer was still a US company, they had an Explorer model.

 

[Alban]

 

[wintremute]

i have been thinking about picking up a Destroyer for the collection as well...I find myself wishing ESP would convert the Snakebyte body style to bass..

Oh yeah. I want to get one and string it BEAD.

 

[Johnny Crab]

Be warned in advance: Using a normal-sized Explorer on a small stage is like driving a city bus in a very small parking lot.

I had the Epi version for a while. Sounded OK(it was going to get Greco or other chrome T-Bird pickups, etc...like Martin Turner's Hamer S/N 0001). Martin Turners 4-Digit Standard Bass #0001

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Cataldo basses?
ExplorerBird

 

[Ric5]

 

[Ric5]

 

[Dadagoboi]

Cataldo basses?
ExplorerBird

Thanks for the mention, here's a few more...

Lefty (strung righty)

And a blacked out VerZo 52 with with wenge/ebony neck.

 

[Dadagoboi]

My two '84 Destroyers. One mint, one beat.

I also own a black korina early 2000s Epi Explorer. Good looking and playing but the pickups are the same as in a bolt on Epi. Not worthy of the bass IMO.