NBD! Epiphone Explorer

[lowendblues]

I've been watching this one for over a year sleeping in a pawn shop about 15 miles from my home. I tried to do trade on it last summer but no go. I walked in yesterday and was surprised to see it still hanging on the wall. Asking price was $675.00. Nah.

I made him an offer, he hesitated, and we did the "dealer customer dance" and I ended up walking out with it for considerably less than the asking price. I got it home and was surprised to see that, under all the dust and grime from hanging, other than some pick scratches, this thing was mint. I cleaned it up, set it up with some newer strings and it plays and sounds really good.

Other than being an ergonomic nightmare, (I really don't know how John Entwistle played these things), It's a very well built and good sounding bass.

 

[CletusMarley]

Nice score!! Congrats!

 

[lowendblues]

Here's another pic of it coming home. Still had the protective film on the pickguard.

 

[Iristone]

Other than being an ergonomic nightmare, (I really don't know how John Entwistle played these things)

He rested His right arm on the pointy tail of the bass. It's reportedly a comfortable bass played that way.

 

[ac100X]

John Entwistle played an Alembic Spyder or Exploiter but similar body styles.

 

[Deleted member 271037]

The ergonomics might be horrible, but that's a VERY cool looking bass! Congrats!!!

Be careful when you move around with that thing though. With that body shape its' very easy to bump the lower "spike" into something and cause damage, both to the bass and to whatever you hit. (Speaking from experience...).

 

[lowendblues]

I'm going to have to find a longer strap to get it to hang in my comfort zone. It is a fun bass to play, getting some good sounds out of it.

 

[Pauly 4001]

It's a beauty
Set neck or bolt on?

 

[lowendblues]

Korina, set neck.

 

[Wavy]

CONGRATULATIONS

I've always liked that shape. Full weight of plucking (left) forearm on the top ought to help playing it.

If the neck dive is too much, make it headless.

 

[BeyondFiredUp]

CONGRATULATIONS

I've always liked that shape. Full weight of plucking (left) forearm on the top ought to help playing it.

If the neck dive is too much, make it headless.

I don't think he said he was a "lefty". Or, he might me a veeeery limber individual!

 

[Engle]

CONGRATULATIONS

I've always liked that shape. Full weight of plucking (left) forearm on the top ought to help playing it.

If the neck dive is too much, make it headless.

I bought the same bass with a snapped headstock, with the intention of converting it to headless. It balanced perfectly on a strap, but I also wanted to practice that repair so I ended up putting the headstock back on

 

[lowendblues]

It's not really neck heavy so much, but do to the strap button locations, it hangs away from your body. Kind of awkward.

 

[Wicked G]

Nice bass. I use to have one many moons ago in black with the white pickguard and gold hardware. Looked cool as h3ll, but I do agree on the ergonomic nightmare quote. When I see old pictures of me playing it, I begin to miss it. Congratulations.

 

[Engle]

It's not really neck heavy so much, but do to the strap button locations, it hangs away from your body. Kind of awkward.

You could run the strap over top of the rear bout if the tilt-forward bugs you. Some Tbird players do that.

 

[Gino t]

$675 seems like an absolute steal. Neck dive: can try 3" wide suede strap and sit on it or pass under belt if standing up

 

[lowendblues]

The strap over the body wing works, but I'm 6'4 @ 270 lbs., I need to find a longer strap.

 

[Engle]

The strap over the body wing works, but I'm 6'4 @ 270 lbs., I need to find a longer strap.

I have lengthened for a couple of my leather straps using a piece of nylon from a laptop bag strap (or similar) between the 2 parts.

 

[embellisher]

Aww yeah! I know the ergonomics are bad, but I love the Explorer shape! I couldn't use one as an everyday player, but would love to have one.