![]() |
#1 |
Babyface
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 9
Local Time: 03:56 AM
|
New Gibson Explorer
Hello All,
__________________I have lurked for sometime while I learn at least a few chords, but now I have jumped in and bought a new Gibson Explorer. I love it to death, BUT, I have to admit the pickups might be a little too hot (496R and 500T). I was wondering a couple of things. First, what would be a worthy replacement? Perhaps a PAF type, or how about the 57 Classics that are standard in the Gibson Custom Explorer? Second, will replacing the PU's lower the "value" of the guitar? I would appreciate any help. I am of course after an Edge type sound not Metallica. Oh, and here's another question, I have a black 2002 epi les paul standard, would the pickups from the Explorer be any sort of upgrade to the stock Epi pickups? I could kill two birds with one stone then. James. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 | |
Rock n' Roll Doggie
FOB Join Date: May 2007
Location: * The Edge's Guitar Storage Room *
Posts: 8,569
Local Time: 03:56 AM
|
Edge's has T-Tops in them. They were the standard issue pickup for his 1976 Limited Edition Explorer.
__________________They were also the standard issue Gibson humbucker in the 1970's to early 1980's. Swapping out pickups might 'lower' the value as it is no longer a stock guitar. But you would have to weigh the options between resale value and a better/desired tone? Quote:
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 | |
Rock n' Roll Doggie
FOB Join Date: May 2007
Location: * The Edge's Guitar Storage Room *
Posts: 8,569
Local Time: 03:56 AM
|
As for your Epi Les Paul... similar. T-Tops would be a great replacement.
Friend of mine got a Gibson 1960's reissue Les Paul Custom. She changed the pickups out to T-Tops and is very happy with the tone. Seth Lover humbuckers are good too. 57 Classics are not bad. But if you want to get closest to Edge's tone, T-Tops are a good way to go. You can find them on E-Bay from time to time; that is where my friend got hers. Quote:
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 |
Blue Crack Addict
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 27,897
Local Time: 08:56 PM
|
P-Rails are amazing. Seymour Duncan makes them and I recommend them to everyone as they're a p-90 wound with a single coil, so you can either get a single coil tone, a p-90 tone, use them together in synch and get a humbucker tone, or use them together out of synch and get a PAF tone.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 | |
Rock n' Roll Doggie
FOB Join Date: May 2007
Location: * The Edge's Guitar Storage Room *
Posts: 8,569
Local Time: 03:56 AM
|
Quote:
No disrespect to 'The Tourist' but I'm not so sure his recommendation will fit the bill. Seems a better choice to choose a humbucker that is the same or very close to what Edge uses, if you are looking for Edge-like tone for your Explorer and/or Les Paul. In the end, let your own ears be the judge. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
Rock n' Roll Doggie
Band-aid Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Secretly listening to a U2 record that's beyond the greatness of Achtung Baby and Joshua Tree while eating brownies. In The Hive™.
Posts: 4,848
Local Time: 11:56 PM
|
Yep. TTops are a great way to get Edge's sound. He has them in his 75 Cream Custom. They were standard issue in the 70's and 80's since Edge owns a lot of guitars from this time period he has them in there. Good choice!
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
Babyface
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 9
Local Time: 03:56 AM
|
They are a little hard to come by though aren't they, I did see one on ebay yesterday. Whay would be the best alternate? Can you put new covers on them, my Explorer has the Nickel hardware.
On a slightly different topic, When I bought the EXPL at Sam Ash I also poped over to Guitar center and noticed they have a 2008 model for same price with gold hardware. Any difference than y'all know of? I would guess the PUPS are different if anything. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 | |
Refugee
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Vermont
Posts: 1,346
Local Time: 11:56 PM
|
Quote:
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 | |
Rock n' Roll Doggie
FOB Join Date: May 2007
Location: * The Edge's Guitar Storage Room *
Posts: 8,569
Local Time: 03:56 AM
|
Quote:
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 | |
Rock n' Roll Doggie
FOB Join Date: May 2007
Location: * The Edge's Guitar Storage Room *
Posts: 8,569
Local Time: 03:56 AM
|
Quote:
Gold hardware is nice but if you already have the previously mentioned Explorer, you can change that out later. What finish is your Explorer? |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#11 |
Babyface
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 9
Local Time: 03:56 AM
|
It's the cherry finish of course, a la Edge.....I am a little in awe of it right now, very beautiful, even my wife gasped when i opened the case. I really appreciate all your responses here, looks like TTops it is, is 1979 a good year? Any gotcha's that you know of with regard to years/condition?
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#12 | |
Rock n' Roll Doggie
FOB Join Date: May 2007
Location: * The Edge's Guitar Storage Room *
Posts: 8,569
Local Time: 03:56 AM
|
Quote:
I know of many that have put them into their Explorers (even Epiphone Explorers) and Les Pauls and had great results. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#13 |
Babyface
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 9
Local Time: 03:56 AM
|
ok, looks like a pretty solid recommendation, I can find some, ebay has some 1979's in a matched pair for $240 right now actually.
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#14 |
Rock n' Roll Doggie
FOB Join Date: May 2007
Location: * The Edge's Guitar Storage Room *
Posts: 8,569
Local Time: 03:56 AM
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#15 |
Babyface
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 9
Local Time: 03:56 AM
|
OK,
I did pick up a pair of 1979 T Tops (no cover) with the intent of replacing the stock ceramic humbuckers in the Explorer. Currently these are also uncovered (i.e. no chrome cover plate). The t-tops are pretty ugly looking so I was wondering if there is a downside to getting these pups put into chrome covers. I understand they do not need to be potted but would need a couple of dabs of solder. Do it myself? I have replaced pups in strat and Epi Les Paul so aI am not a complete doofus. So, any no no's? Risks? I don't want to devalue or otherwise ruin a fantastic guitar, nor do I want to ruin a perfectly good set of pickups. Any advice from knowledgable folks would be much appreciated. |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#16 | |
Rock n' Roll Doggie
FOB Join Date: May 2007
Location: * The Edge's Guitar Storage Room *
Posts: 8,569
Local Time: 03:56 AM
|
The Edge's Explorer pickups have gold covers that the finish has worn over the years. Tuners are/were gold color too.
Quote:
|
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#17 |
Babyface
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 9
Local Time: 03:56 AM
|
Ok, update on what i have done. I did get hold of some 1979 Gibson PAF's they were uncovered. After much debate I bought some chrome Gibson covers and inserted the T-tops, no wax just a piece of tape. Fitted PERFECTLY. Lead on the neck was too short so I had to extend it but that worked fine. Pickups are easy to change in the explorer.. I LOVE them
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#18 |
Babyface
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 9
Local Time: 03:56 AM
|
I do have one question. The bneck humbucker sounds a little thin/missing bass type tones. I could be mistaken having just had a veryt heavy ceramic pickup there. Could I have messed up the installation/wire extension? Would a poor solder job do that? Or maybe it just the way vintage neck pups sound?
__________________ |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
![]() |
||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Gibson Signature Explorer | The_Pac_Mule | Even Better Than The Real Thing ?? | 13 | 09-04-2007 02:49 PM |
The Edge and the Gibson Explorer | DreamOutLoud13 | PLEBA Archive | 24 | 01-02-2006 08:57 AM |
Edge's gibson explorer | salty72 | Everything You Know Is Wrong Archive | 1 | 04-01-2004 02:28 PM |
Althea Gibson | MrsSpringsteen | Lemonade Stand Archive | 1 | 09-28-2003 04:51 PM |