Why the Gibson Explorer FAILED! | Friday Fretworks
Вставка
- Опубліковано 21 лип 2024
- A closer look at the Gibson Explorer; the most successful failure of all time?
Explorer, Flying V & Moderne: www.atbguitars.com/1982-gibso...
Key points:
0:00 Intro
0:10 JAM!
1:17 The biggest year in Gibson's history?
2:46 Like nothing Gibson had ever made
4:37 JAM!
6:58 How did it become successful?
8:30 From strength to strength
9:27 JAM!
My Line 6 Helix Preset: www.chrisbuckguitar.co.uk/hel...
HX Stomp Preset Bundle: www.chrisbuckguitar.co.uk/hel...
Tabs & Backing Tracks: www.chrisbuckguitar.co.uk/tabl...
PayPal Tip Jar: www.paypal.com/paypalme/Chris...
/ chrisbuckguitar
/ chrisbuckguitar
/ thecardinalblack
www.chrisbuckguitar.co.uk
www.thecardinalblack.com
Explorers are the most comfortable guitars I’ve ever played. Balanced perfectly, they hang right where they should 👌
I was just about to write the same thing. Its comfort is amazing. Sitting down it's comfortable too. And you can feel the strings vibrating under your arm and through your body, especially when using heavier strings. And they just look killer. 😎
Have you tried a PRS Custom 24?
That and their headstocks aren't piss poorly designed.
Unadventurous purchasers of old, shame on you. The V and Explorer KILL!
💯Totally agree, super comfy
Chris Buck's intro solo's are the vibe of vibes.
The last jam was unreal. Chris is one of the most expressive guitarists on the galaxy.
It does look like a total rock machine but the Explorer is surprisingly versatile.
Would have made far more than 22 sales back in the day with you doing in store demos. 😊
You really are my favorite guitarist! Can't wait to see you in April! Top playing once again. I love coming back from work on Fridays and enjoy you're Friday Fretworks!!!
Wonder if they still have tours at the old Gibson facility in Kalamazoo. I do have a video of a tour of the old facility from 1967 that it's pretty cool I'm from Detroit and I am think I'm gonna drive out to Kalamazoo and explore that option. I know they're making the heritage they're still. If you ever come to Detroit lots of rock and roll history here .
@@frankreeves2168 isn’t the Heritage guitar facility located at the same location? I think it is or was!
I have a beautiful tobacco sunburst '82 Explorer E2 that I got for graduation in 1994. It can doom. It can blues. It can rock n roll. I love that guitar.
Really interesting background, thanks for explaining the guitar's history, never realised it was used by so many famous guitarists. Love how you make it sing.
Great to see Chris back at his Saturday job at ATB guitars! Awesome playing as always...
The Explorer is my number one guitar in tone, playability, and looks. Brilliant work on the history and most of all, the sound demonstrations. Love your content, Chris, best regards from the US!
Don't forget the built-in arm rest too.
@@castleanthrax1833 HA! They really did think of everything with that design!
The fact that the Explorer is older then the SG blows my mind
Hi Chris. I had an E2 a reissue from circa 79. I remember going to see Def Leopard in circa 1980 at Hammersmith Odeon on the cusp of greatness with the original curly haired guitarist Pete Willis who had one fine example. So I took my life savings of £500 and went into Denmark St to buy one. I had a job at BT at the time and the £500 was forced savings from my Gran for my soon to be first house. I had different ideas and I remember this shop assistant, tired of putting a ladder up to grab a guitar for spotty youths without cash to finger looked at my 17 year old self and asked if I was "serious" (guitar salesman speak for "don't waste my time without the dosh"). I remember sneaking it into the house and within an hour it was discovered and I got the doing of my life from my Gran (it was worth it) it was the most amazing guitar I have ever played then or since. It was uber comfortable with dirty fingers pickups and gold hardware. It also had the first fine tuners on the bridge before they were added to a Floyd Rose and innotive strap locks. I had a pal who was the local guitar hero called Keef and Keef immediately said if you ever sell please give me first bite. So eventually circumstances came around a year later where i had to buy a house or move, so was forced to sell to Keef. I recently found Keef on social media after 30 years who recently sent me a photo of the guitar, still all golden beautiful with a neck which is the most comfortable |I've ever played. Truly the one who got away which I regret to this day! Thanks for posting I know Im a little late at commenting!!
Love the Beck stylee playing at the end Chris 👍👍👍
Great video again! Again, your playing is out of this world, and I'm truly fascinated with your right hand technique, switching effortlessly between playing with your fingers and the pick. Love the way you "store" the pick while not using it! 😎
That bit with the trem on was so nice.
I always wanted one & waited till I found a '83 model in a pawn shop for $200. It needed some work. the bridge was junk & neck pu was silent, but was easily fixable. Thirty yrs. later it's one of my go go to's for rock playing. Ceramic high output buckers (16K) drive any amp tube into lovely overdrive w/o a pedal. Still rocking after many yrs, get one, you won't regret it!
Your best post yet! Super playing, detailed exploration of Explorer history, fun facts!
It's a funny story with Lzzy Hale's guitar, she uses a combination of explorer and firebird. I read on the polish Guitarist magazine that at namm 2020 she got slightly drunk with the Gibson team and told them "you know what would be awesome? an explorer and a firebird in one guitar". Then she forgot it completely the next day. A month later, a delivery guy knocks on her door. She opens tha package, and boom - inside was the Explorerbird. A very rock'n'roll story indeed
I think you can make *any* guitar sound great. It's all in the hands.
I have the '58 Korina V and Explorer. They are Epiphone models but are both very well made brilliant guitars, the V is my favorite of all time.
My first experience with a Gibson Explorer, flash back to a split between Bob Seger and Drew Abbott, Drew had decided to go his own way and was selling a lot of his guitars my neighbors son was looking for a guitar to learn on so we went to Drew's house and saw all the guitars I told him get the explorer he had 2
one with factory tuners and one with Schallers l said take the one with shallers bought it and took it home to show his mom and she was so happy she saw the Bob Seger tour at Cobo and had photos of Drew playing the explorer her son just bought!
You definitely should buy that Explorer, Chris. She really inspires your playing.
Fantastic dive into the Explorer. I’ve always preferred the Explorer over the Flying V, the latter of which can only be comfortably played while one is standing. As always, your playing is terrific. You should consider buying one!
Come on! We NEED to break the 200k mark folks! It's sooo close!! Spread the word
I admire the way your magic fingers make loud noises
an explorer would definitely suit your look Chris-
Great video by the way :D
When I think of the Explorer one guy comes to mind. Matthias Jabs of the Scorpions. It’s also the only Gibson solid body electric guitar I haven’t owned. I would love to own one.
Love to see a Friday Fretworks on the Dan Armstrong Plexi!!!!!
The VEE is my favorite body style. The Explorer has an appeal unlike its competitors. It can handle any style as it captivates the eye. Thanks for the wonderful demonstration. I really enjoy your style.
I have an Ibanez Futura, their 1970s “lawsuit” era version of the Moderne. As weird as it looks it’s comfortable to play, and its Maxon-made Super ‘70s pickups are bright and lively.
You should give the Moderne a try. They are extremely comfortable and great to play.
1970's Hamer Standards (explorer shaped) are the greatest guitars built in the 70's. The tone and feel of a real 59 LP.
Nice chops! You tear it up tastefully. A pleasure to hear. Nice guitar too.
There is an old Gary Moore interview on UA-cam where he plays a Les Paul and demonstrates mostly stock blues style licks. Then he picks up an Explorer and begins to rip it up like his Victims Of Future days when he did amazing stuff that rivaled EVH and the like (some might say surpassed). The reporter asked him if he realised he was playing much faster on the Explorer. Gary seemed surprised like he did not realise it. The guitar just had that effect on him.
Thank you-I associate Explorer guitars with Def Leopard, if only for the videos released for their first two albums.
Great video. I really admire your playing, you are very good indeed!
My god, that’s some juicy hybrid playing! Inspiring.
Man that sound at the beginning , what amp is this ? Is this the line6 in the descrption ?
oh my.....sounds great! geez.
I remember the Edge playing one around 1988 on the NYC Pier.
Great way to play us out!!!!
Great shot of the Gibson guitar in front of the Fender amps!
Great video, always love the information you provide along with your fantastic playing. Keep up the great work. If Cardinal Black ever comes to the states, please stop in Ohio!!!!!! Thx again 🎸
Freebird! Actually, I’d love to know what happened to Alan Collins’ one? does anyone know? Great video an awesome playing as usual Chris. Thank you.
Nice video as always, thanks Chris!....I'm on the other side of the pond but ATB always seems to have an inordinate amount of cool shit....that Selmer amp was killer!....don't see many of those around here....😊
Great sounding demo Chris, on this beautiful Explorer but also a great sounding Selmer amp.
But a reverse (lefthand form) version should be much easier to play: the balance of the guitar improves and the neck will luy much closer to the player.
Always loved the Explorer. Always lusted after one but never owned one. Such a great guitar.The Ibanez Destroyer was a superb guitar as well. A beast.
Glad you mentioned the Hamer Standard. I remember them coming available and to me undoubtedly what pushed Gibson to make the 76 reissue (Edge) model.
Everyone seemed to have them around 77 onwards. Dave from Molly Hatchett, Rick Nielsen of course. Joe Perry had a black one.
Chris, that same axe in LEFTY, OMG!!!!!!!
Great episode Chris!!!! Great playing !!!🤟🤟🤟🤟
What watch you sportin bro?
I guess I'll have to settle for my classic lawsuit 1976 Ibanez Destroyer......... oh well. Thank you Dad and Mom........ 😁
I personally love that Selmer…
Your playing is at another level, mate. Do you have professional recordings we can access?
Thank you. Check out my band, Cardinal Black. You can find us on Spotify etc. We’re on tour in the U.S at the moment 👍🏻
Nothing like an Explorer. OK, maybe a Flying V. But anyway, I love my Explorer!
Bought an Explorer few months back and was blown away by it! Its just an awesome guitar to play, it sounds great plays great and is possibly one of the most underrated guitars ever. Mines a keeper! Awesome playing as always Chris amazing style that you have.
ZZ Top had custom ones in white and of course the fur ones. Jabs had the white one influenced by Eddie Van Halen Plus others.
WOW!
I wonder if Gibson knows where/what dealers the new '58 sets of all 3 were sent.
I saw all three in the '70s at Collins House of Music in Huntington, Indiana. At that time they were in a glass case.
😎 Thanks Chris ⚓️
Thanks Chris epic playing as usual. An alternative to paying Gibson the price of a house for a great guitar may lay with ESP Navigator guitar's.
Along with the V and the LP's cheaper sibling the Marauder, the Explorer was Gibson's only sensible headstock with a relatively straight string pull through the nut (Les Pauls have a fairly pronounced break angle, Epiphones even more so, and the less said about the ridiculous boat paddle that is the Moderne's headstock the better).
Old mate of mine used to play a JayDee Explorer copy and I admired it and have been jonesing for an E shape guitar ever since.
If there's one thing I could have asked for more from this vid, it'd have been more on the difference in feel and native sound between playing this and a V and a Les Paul and an SG. I dunno if it's a niggle or a testament, but pretty much every guitar sounds the same, i.e like Chris Buck when you play them.
Chris Bucks is as much a lovely human as he is a killer player,,,the licks at 6 / 7 mins,,wow !! Smoking !!
Is this one from your collection Chris
I wonder how many people are saying "I owned one of those over fifty years ago, and I traded it for a boss metal zone".
Love Explorers. I guess the shape puts a lot of people off, but it is it's forte, nice balance and it sits right where it should to feel comfortable to play up and down the neck.
Love my Explorer, it's by far the most comfortable guitar to play standing up imho.
Very nice. 👍🏻
Not many maple fretboards on those guitars on the wall behind Chris is there.
I’ve always wanted one, I prefer the flat body over an arch top, but for, some reason I got a 339, and a Les Paul, it feels silly to buy an explorer. I do love a nice Gibson guitar.
Something other than the history (again) would be great. How does the sound compare to other solid Mahogany Gibsons, i.e. the SG. How's the feel? Neck shape? Balance? How does the korina compare to Mahogany? Do we need to spend a million $ for the korina or does mahogany work as well? How's the sound compare to other Gibsons, LesPaul, 335? Is it just about the cool look or does it have something unique to offer besides the shape? Always enjoy your videos. Fantastic playing.
Your like SRV you guys try to kill the guitar, but that's what makes you shine
Not mentioning Claudio Sanchez among explorer players is criminal lol.
Marvelous!
The Explorer has always been my favorite but it wasn't until 2018 when Gibson brought back their left-handed version that I was able to actually get hold of a left-handed model. It's my best guitar and my most desired possession. My Schecter E-1 would be my second favorite.
I was probably just as excited as you but man, the placing of the headstock logo just bugs the living h*ll out of me.
Damn, that right hand!!
So there is still no supecut with all of Chris' jams?
great pickin'
I don’t like cricket… I love it, …. From dreadlock holiday by 10cc?
I use my explorer for my original music. The shape forces you to become a better performer or risk looking like a fool! Also, a great opportunity to put a sticker on the rear spike with the Band's logo ;)
I didn't know that Gibson only starting making the reissues in 1981, but I bet it was because Ibanez copied both the Flying V and Explorer and started selling them in 1976. I remember seeing the ads for them in some magazine in 1976. I think Gibson ultimately launched a lawsuit against them because Ibanez stopped making them after a few years. I eventually got an Ibanez explorer and it was a beautiful guitar which I unfortunately sold. Anyhow, I'm thinking that's probably what got Gibson interested in selling them again. Just imagine if a person had bought a few back in '58 and lived long enough, what a good investment that would have been.
I love the way they look, but I just can’t deal with the big part near your elbow. I have no problem on my Firebird, but I just smack Exporers into things 😢
Sounds pretty good, but I reckon you could make rubber bands round a tissue box sound good!
A thing that I've always assumed about the explorer is that it would be prone to neck dive due to the position of the neck strap button, and that the big fin sticking out the other end acts as a counter balance. I don't know if this is true or not, just my imagination.
As usual, you smoked my face with your playing!🥵 I don't care about all of the "Tonewood" and tone nuances so many believe they can hear, and all that's a matter of taste anyhow, so there really is, nor ever will be "The perfect guitar"... but when it comes to design, the explorer was cool as all get go, especially for the time, and just maybe a little too far out for most. I loved the Jetson's, so go figure!🤪 If George Jetson or his son Elroy played guitar, theirs would probably fold up into a small brief case at the push of a button.
I like the explorer more than the V, but not the Modern, it reminds me of Gumby for some reason!😅
Ill say for tht time period those shapes were pretty out there .
I always had a soft spot for the Explorer. Well, maybe that's not right. It's the look of hard rock!
Forgive my ignorance, but I'd always assumed Billy Gibbons was playing an Explorer (with the split headstock, as in the Rick Derringer example in the video), but I've just checked and it was (as I'm sure all the guitar nerds out there will already know) a Dean Z guitar - the only key design difference I can see, being the positioning of the machine heads.
Yeah but Freebird!
You and Matthew Scott should do some videos together!
NICE JAM MAN!
I’ve wanted one since I was a kid
My favorite and I sold it in early 90s I regretted it every day since.
I saw Foo Fighters live when I was 16 and Dave Grohl had his Explorer. He is the reason I have a black Explorer. I now also have a new Antique Natural model which I also love.
Always were, and always will be, my favourite guitar model.
It's a shame the Moderne was never mass produced. I'd love to have one.
This guy has tasteful and epic use of triads
The Explorer is one of those guitars that at first I thought was kind of ugly and over the top, but as time has passed it's grown on me considerably. Probably not a guitar I would own personally, when it comes to Gibsons I'm an SG guy through and through, but I'd be kidding myself if I said than the Explorer isn't one of the coolest looking guitars out there, and shows some serious balls on the guys at Gibson to create and release something like that in the late 50s. Ahead of the curve indeed.
It's so wild how metal is what made the explorer a big deal. It took some time but with the advent of metal it's clear that Gibson was indeed thinking VERY far into the future
If a guitar resonates well, has reasonable pickups, which are able to transport that resonance AND it resonates with the player, it is a very usable instrument. no matter the price.
I think of Explorers more as one of the most iconic examples of '50s American design and less as the go to heavy metal tool. Think Cadillac , think Jetsons, think classic diners.