I Got The Scorpions Explorer! | Vintage 1985 Gibson Matthias Jabs

[@SabreLilly.]

Hey Trog, I'm the viewer that told my buddy that you were looking for one of these. I'm glad the deal worked out and that the guitar is in a happy home. I played it once myself, and it was nothing but smiles, even with the tarnished frets.

[@jp2246]

Very cool 👍

[@ericbgordon1575]

Hey, it's not impossible to have them redone or replaced.

[@MrTuXedo89]

Matthias Jabs has a Guitar Store in Munich and he is a really down to earth guy. Met him once in the store and talked to him for a few minutes. He said he had a white Explorer and wanted a spare and got another white one. But when the band became more successful, he wanted people to notice that he had more than one guitar. So he used black electrical tape and put on the stripes. Thats how the stripes came about. Thought I share this with you guys

[@tallpaul1020]

Saw the Scorpions twice in '88 on the Monsters of Rock. Matthias was awesome. Love that guitar, brings back some great memories 🎸

[@paulraider2001]

Treat that KOME sticker with all due respect! One of the greatest radio stations in the country broadcasted from San Jose, California. It was a cultural phenomenon for many years in the mid to late 1970's and the early 80's. Sadly it changed formats to grunge in the 90's and then was sold. The call letters KOME were disbanded by the FCC so never again will there be a KOME spot on your FM dial. Now, I may be biased as I did live in the Bay Area for over 30 years.

[@Trog]

I always love flashing case stickers as someone always remembers them and comments cool history. Thanks for sharing!

[@jimcraig4079]

I grew up listening to KOME 2, it was a sad day when they changed formats

[@SierraAppa]

Growing in San Jose, CA in the 80’s…KOME (sticker on the guitar case) was my radio station. I was so crushed and confused when they changed format. That day radio died for me. RIP KOME

[@duaneperkins8329]

The ZOO!!!! My favorite song from the Scorpions! Thank you very much. Saw them in 2010 in Colorado. They really sounded great. Probably the best sounding band I've ever heard live.

[@Davidckennedymusic]

Saw the Scorpions in 86 in Germany at my very first concert, Monsters of Rock. This has been a dream guitar ever since.

[@gunsofsteele]

Where were you stationed?

[@Davidckennedymusic]

@@gunsofsteeleI was 12 my father was Army ATC. We were in Mannheim & Worms.

[@mknewlan67]

I saw them in 86 as well. I could of swore it was Heidelberg but I don’t think monsters played there. I was stationed in Darmstadt. Had to be Mannheim.

[@Davidckennedymusic]

@@mknewlan67 we did travel quite far (by streetcars) to get there. Had the Monsters T-shirt until I went away to college and my mom got rid of it.

[@mknewlan67]

@@Davidckennedymusic that would of made me sick. Had a similar thing happen with my step mom getting rid of my master of puppets shirt from the Frankfurt show in Jan 87.

[@jameshughes6049]

Ahhh the 80's. Class of '87. The 1986 World Champion N.Y. Mets. The music & culture. Awesome.

[@neilpatrickhairless]

LFGM 🍎🍎🍎

[@jonathanhudak2059]

James Hughes.... Class of 89 myself and my brother the class of 87'. Great times to be growing up in and so many great bands unlike a lot of this garbage that's out there today like Slipknot (IMHO anyway) etc

[@enterprisesoftwarearchitect]

I lusted SO HARD for that guitar in the 1980s!! LOVE AT FIRST STING!

[@gsbguitarsgsb679]

That’s the one I’ve always wanted as far as explorers go. I’ve seen the Scorpions five times, three times in Germany alone. While I was stationed there for four years. From 1983-1987 at Sembach Air Base. Not far from Kaiserslautern. Two times in Denver at mile high stadium the Monsters of Rock, and at Red rocks amphitheater. Nice find, really love it. Thank you.

[@horrorview]

I have the REVERSE version of this (Black body, VERY smoke-stained white tape lol). Inside the control cavity it has the signature of the builder and a little doodle of a scorpion :P

[@Trog]

send pics please. [e-mail]

[@gunsofsteele]

@@Trog You guitar perv! 🤣🤣🤣

[@horrorview]

@@Trog Sure!! Just a warning...she's ugly!! :P

[@enterprisesoftwarearchitect]

You played Scorps tunes … The Zoo … awesome!

[@enterprisesoftwarearchitect]

And was that?? “Anarchy in the UK” that you played?

[@ditch6389]

The Scorpions were one of my favorite bands growing up and still are. Seen them somewhere around 8 times in concert. Awesome video! Thanks for sharing.

[@snapfinger1]

A nice pair. The Matthias Jabs Strat belongs in that collection.

[@Trog]

I didn't even know that was a thing - thanks! I'll have to at least review one since it has cool inlays

[@thebuck1152]

​​@@Trog ran across a epiphone spotlight looking double cut super strat looking thing on marketplace in Summit Argo, Illinois you might want to check out....looks amazing except the goofy style epi headstock. I didn't know they made a epiphone like that. After researching it's a noveau spotlight that prs sued over.....b interesting to see covered

[@SKRooU2]

@@Trog Jabocaster

[@jefferson4245]

Trogly delivers on his promises! Thanks for the Explorer review! I'd rock that striped horn. My senior class song was Winds of Change. 🤘

[@silvernuggets1285]

I'm an 85 too! Always impressed by true vintage pups the sound is just perfect.

[@mightyV444]

When it comes to the Scorpions, the design I've always liked the most is _Michael_ Schenker's Medallion Flying V's b/w one, which is similar to Rudolf's but with the pickguard's and truss rod cover's colours reversed. The original refinishing job was done by Hamer Guitars.

[@nbenning25]

Got to see this original guitar when The Scorpions played the US Festival! Them and Triumph totally rocked!

[@JokersWild70]

That'll be 40 years ago this May....😳 I wish I'd been old enough to go, but I was only 13. Looks like Priest rocked as well

[@nbenning25]

@@JokersWild70 yikes! You are right …1983!

[@lb_2601]

I cant imagine how unbelievable this must have been. Judas Priest, Motley Crue, Ozzy, VAN HALEN and Scorpions. All these bands at one festival together?Does it get any better ?

[@marmelaki]

That's a sweet Explorer! Kudos to you Austin for actually learning some Scorpions licks 🙂

[@DouglasRosser]

I remember seeing the Scorps during the Monsters of Rock mega-tour a dog's age ago. Yes, they brought it.

[@justadog8248]

I love Explorer episodes!

[@dpoultski2499]

I had that Black V with the gold lines, back in the day. Wish I still had that guitar!!

[@hkguitar1984]

Yeah, cool V. We all have regrets concerning the guitars we used to have, I wish I could have kept them all.

[@georgeprice4212]

One thing about Mattias: he also employed a Fender Stratocaster as well, and probably did the wide bends on the records with the Strat and not the Explorer.

[@MarbsMusic]

I had one of these but mine had a Kahler. My friend's dad who owned the local guitar store and got it for me at NAMM in 1985, he also got my best friend and bassist a 1982 P Bass Special in Candy Apple Green which "technically" doesn't exist as it was a NAMM one off to show the color which was on the 1983 P Bass Elite. Sadly I let a former band member borrow the Explorer who disappeared for the next 20+ years and had sold it for substances. It's worth quite a lot, would love to still have it. All I have are videos and pictures from me playing it 35 years ago. I WAS able to get my friend's, who passed in 1991, bass back. Our old singer had it and wanted my son, who is a bassist, to have it and carry on the legacy. Funny thing is mine was that yellow after only a couple of years of playing in smoky bars. I watch your channel almost daily, while I love most of the guitars this is the first one I'm truly jealous of, congrats!

[@lhmmhl1]

I loooooove how that white has yellowed. Shows the age in just the right way.

[@bassfingers]

Saw Matthias using his at a gig in Manchester UK in the early 80’s. He also had a black early 60’s Strat and though I remember it being modified I can’t remember what the mods were. I’m a bit old!.

[@TheBlindAndTheBeautiful]

I always wanted one of these. The Scorpions were an absolutely huge inspiration for me. I'm not a child of the 80s either and discovered them by accident. Saw the explorer design and was just like I need that!!!! Unfortunately it was expensive to find one of these when I really doubled down as a guitar player with very little money in college. Now that I'm just out of college I have money. The problem is they are even more expensive now. Wanted to try to get my hands on one before I go completely blind in the next few years just so that I could own a piece of history from one of if not my favorite guitar players and bands of all time. Maybe. Maybe not. Either way man this is a super cool find. Way to go and hopefully you will enjoy it for years to come

[@neilpatrickhairless]

Matthias Jabs is the reason I like Explorers, and later on, seeing Rick Neilsen on Time Life commercials playing them

[@jezmez68]

The Explorer shape was always a favorite of mine. Nice tones displayed here.

[@hansgauvin8076]

I'm a sucker for black and white guitars, beautiful find! Nice dark fingerboard too on that one.

[@MrScott-go6]

Previous owner from the Bay Area.... K.O.M.E. A great (San Jose based , Hard Rock) radio station..... Especially in the eighties ...... Great memories listening to that station growing up

[@russellzauner]

+1 for KOME sticker "Don't touch that dial, it's got KOME on it!"

[@johndef5075]

Got to see them a few times in the 80s. Great live act. Mathias Jabs was impressive. 3rd loudest concert next to AC/DC and B.O.C.😅

[@iroc-z-blues8570]

That is one rocking guitar!

[@RobertBakerGuitar]

When I think of Explorers The Jabs Explorer is one of the ones I think of.

[@Trog]

You’ll have to borrow it sometime and make some great scorpions content with it

[@evrgreen_69]

Thinking a Scorpion’s cover band is in Trogly’s future..The Troglions 😆..Fun review (I’m an 80’s kid) thanks dude.

[@toddsteele5918]

Whoa and old 98.5 KOME sticker. That was one of the better radio stations of my youth in the SF Area

[@hivoltage-wk2fp]

KOME KSJO KRQR KMEL RIP.

[@toddsteele5918]

@@cataclysmicconverter And tapes were still a thing. Esp in the bay area's punk scene!

[@jeffsquires6620]

The Scorpions are a incredible band. Seen them many times and always a good time.

[@ericbgordon1575]

I'd like to see the Scorpions live the same way I last saw Chicago. The most enjoyable part of the night was when we were away from the stage during the encore; the sound was better balanced than when we were right in front of it. It was September 2015, and they were touring with Earth Wind & Fire. None of the guitar players in either band were metalheads, which is why it was so shocking for me when the guitars were so in my face. It sounded a whole lot smoother and closer to the records when my father and I moved away from the stage at the end. I could just imagine how a Scorpions concert will sound right in front of the PA.

[@jeffsquires6620]

@@ericbgordon1575 the first time I saw them was 40 years ago. They were different than the other bands. All incredible musicians but I wish I had seen them with Uly Roth. Would also have loved to see Terry kath. The good bands live forever.

[@ericbgordon1575]

Terry died two years before I was born, @@jeffsquires6620. I thought, I was immediately robbed of any opportunity to catch him live. I imagine plenty of original Fant relish the fact that they got to see him everybody my age, slightly younger and slightly older probably feels short-changed as I do.

[@jeffsquires6620]

@@ericbgordon1575 I remember when he died, a sad day. Incredible guitar player.

[@ericbgordon1575]

I believe that, @@jeffsquires6620.

[@smitty1015]

I have one of the new 70s explorers and it scratches the itch, but this explorer is my holy grail. Love it!

[@EddieVanAidan]

I've got one of the 70s V's, but if the 70s explorer had a matching headstock like the V does I don't think I'd be able to stop myself!

[@funkster007]

Don't confuse that '85 model with the guitar in the band photo (Jabs never played those models). His main Explorer was a '76.

[@SKRooU2]

'79

[@funkster007]

@@SKRooU2 I think that was his black one.

[@wadeguidry6675]

As soon as I saw it I heard Rock You Like a Hurricane in my head.

[@snowdevil7727]

He actually added the black stripes using gaffing tape on the original guitar.

[@ericbgordon1575]

"Still Loving You" was something I was hungry for the entire demonstration. It was more fitting to hear that played on a Scorpions Explorer than anything Sex Pistols, I say anyway. I was born six days into 1980, which means I missed two-thirds of the era of music I find the most gratifying and endearing. That doesn't mean I can't enjoy it. Same goes for the music of the 80s; you can enjoy it whether you were born into that time or not.

[@Hydro-Québec]

My dream guitar !

[@JokersWild70]

If you missed the 80's, you missed out. What an incredible decade to grow up and graduate in ('88). "Blackout! I really had a blackout!"

[@hkguitar1984]

Agreed, I graduated High School in 1980. For myself, the 1970s where training for the '80s. I remember loading my amp stack in the back of my 1982 Mustang GT, and then squaring off and racing an IROC Camaro on the way to rehearsal....LOL, with all that weight in the back my Mustang squatted down and walked away from the IROC!

[@JokersWild70]

@@hkguitar1984 Hell yes! Great memory. I remember staring at the photos of the Scorps, Van Halen, Priest, etc in Circus Magazine taken at US Festival '83 and thinking how cool all those guys looked. I especially loved Carlos Cavazo's black Washburn, the Scorps guitars, and of course, had already thought that EVH's Frankenstein was the coolest ever. That'll be 40 years ago this May

[@hkguitar1984]

@@JokersWild70 It was a great time back then I still have my original Fender Twin Reverb I purchased new in 1976. Every time I crank it up its like my own personal time machine. Young people have no idea what they missed out on.

[@JokersWild70]

@@hkguitar1984 That's a killer amp. Good thing you've hung onto it!

[@hkguitar1984]

@@JokersWild70 Thanks, and yes it is. What is amazing is how robust the PTP wiring has been. That amplifier has been dropped, abused and attended to more parties than I can honestly remember. I'm also kind of glad it can tell no stories 😉

[@garthkolbeck8674]

I graduated high school in 1985... My favorite band at the time was the Replacements

[@bobbyg4196]

Loved hearing those Scorpions riffs!

[@hivoltage-wk2fp]

Love the KOME 98.5 FM sticker on the case. I saw The Scorpions many times growing up in the Bay Area. Monsters of Rock, Candlestick Park, in the pit, with 120,000 of my closest friends ! Both nights @ Oakland coliseum when they recorded World Wide Live ! Scorpions would usually stop in the Bay Area twice every tour. Of all the bands I've seen, I think I've seen Scorpions the most. It's hard to remember the 80's, I've lost too many brain cells !!

[@bikerjon8934]

🥃

[@hivoltage-wk2fp]

@@bikerjon8934 scotch whisky*scotch whisky*scotch whisky

[@yourdrummer2034]

Legendary stuff in particular that explorer and flying V! Michael Schenker is legendary for that Finish on A flying V as well!

[@JokersWild70]

Michael had that finish before his older brother asked him if he could "borrow" it

[@yourdrummer2034]

@@JokersWild70 Michael absolutely have it first.i wasn't goin to stir that pot, but it needs to be said.

[@leosun8469]

I’ve wanted one of those for ages!🤘🏻 You must’ve bought that from someone in the Ca Bay Area- judging from that old school KOME sticker! The finish checking is more akin to the nitrocellulose finish rather than the body being alder. Matthias even admits that he striped his “second” Explorer with gaffer tape, not electrical tape. If you still have these, I’d be interested in purchasing them?

[@sergedurivage562]

I did hear the ZOO 😂

[@timothyharrison8953]

I've seen UV light bleach the yellow out of old model decals. I wonder if it can do the same for old guitars

[@Ottophil]

Lol bro, UV is what caused the yellowing

[@albertocastillo4572]

That is a sweet axe, I use to dream about that guitar as a kid of the 80's that later turn into the super strats from Washburn and Ibanez that were more affordable at the time.

[@BrentAdams]

Messing around with the setup a little might help those "Big Bends" if you're really interested in making it "better" for that.

[@DR440]

I clicked this video immediately. I had the identical model around twenty years ago. Mine had a specific belt buckle rash spot dead centered on the back. I'd love to have it back. Even if I could locate it, I could not afford it at today's prices.

[@alby2298]

I believe that the Matthias Jabs Explorer is smaller than than all other Explorers. He liked the Explorer, but not the size, so he had them shrink the overall size down. Correct me if I’m wrong……

[@SKRooU2]

The original white ones he played had thinner stripes than the Black Explorers with the white stripes. How much did ya get it for? Have you ever watched the YT videos at his guitar shop in Munich? He has some very cool and unusual guitars and amps for sale. He has musicians stop in along with fans and they all will rock out some Scorpions songs. I have custom airbrushed Ibanez and it is signed on the back of the headstock by Matthias, Rudolf, Klaus and James. Matthias now plays Dommenget custom made guitars. They are very expensive if a person wants to order one.

[@mikecarbone828]

Salutations Austin! Nice Explorer! It has survived fairly well considering the life most of these have likely led, I would imagine that many of them have been through the mill by now, a little stand rash, some aged white paint, and a small blemish from a cigarette is remarkable, although I reckon if you could find one from a collector, it might be in slightly better shape. It sounds and plays well, which is about the most you can expect now. Thank you for posting these videos! Please have an excellent and awesome day! ☀️✨🎸

[@eddiejr540]

When I was a youngster just starting out, I wanted one of those Matthias Jabs explorers so bad…I had that gibson poster on my bedroom wall !!!!!

[@neilpatrickhairless]

Always wanted an Explorer 90, which is the smaller version Matthias requested. That is his "actual" signature model for Gibson

[@joermnyc]

My cousin probably saw them live, he saw pretty much every ‘80s metal band at least once. It’s pretty wild that now his oldest son is drummer in a band (and they got to play a day gig (they’re teenagers) at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ!)

[@stuartkinzel8195]

I've been jonesin' for a Schenker V lately. A Mawtthias Explorer would be cool too.

[@allisonholmesmusic97]

What fabulous aging. Awesome guitar. Class of’86 here, I spent my teen years parked in front of the tv watching MTV

[@wokedragon3211]

I have wanted one of these since I was a kid

[@johngillis7736]

Who remembers “Don’t touch that dial, there’s KOME on it!” Best commercial ever and so rad to see the sticker on the case⚡️⚡️⚡️

[@bretspangler8717]

What an odd day, everything I watched had some link to the Scorpions, one of my all-time favorite bands. I "need" an Explorer, I was hoping to get a Korina body, I prefer natural finishes when I can get them. My Korina Flying V is super light and very resonant, so it makes some honey-sweet tones.

[@raytorvalds3699]

You can store your guitar without strings on them. "Just make sure the neck is straight and walk away" is what Dave from Dave's World of Fun Stuff told me when I asked him (I trust that dude 100%). So far, in my experience, that indeed holds true. I've had a guitar without strings on for quite some time (set the neck straight). It was just fine.

[@comedyandgardeninginflorid2562]

I’m a fan of these. I had a couple of alder guitars in the late 70s that were outfitted with mid to late seventies mighty mite pups and they were incredible with my Gibson amps, then 1980 rolled around and I was a 17 year old high school graduate whose dad insisted he join the army and I never saw those guitars again waaaa

[@chriscarol4965]

There have been a few for sale recently with the FR here in Europe.

[@EddieVanAidan]

I have a V and an Explorer, people always assume I must be a Metallica fan but nope, it’s the Scorps all the way.🤘

[@vadimec19]

8:59 I just recently purchased a 1985 Gibson Explorer and it has the exact same 58 pot code! I guess they just screwed up the pot code stamps for a few days/months.

[@Trog]

Thanks for sharing yours was messed up too! haha

[@lb_2601]

I saw the Scorpions in 2011, it was my first concert ever and im gonna see them this year again 😁

[@therealone1288]

Beautiful yellowing

[@zublacus]

The Seller was in Bay Area or knew about it. KOME 98.5 was the go to AOR station with Dennis Erectus.

[@John-cw4no]

Thanks for this one...can't help falling for what you saw when you're young

[@CarloRegadasGuitar]

What's the gold one with the single coil?

[@EvilHomer1973]

My 86 white v has never checked. Its the alder body and ebony fret board.

[@insederec]

Was never much of a fan of scorpions but Sails of Charon is a legitimately incredible song.

[@kaidemen156]

Your videos are so addictive, I learn a lot from watching them.

[@mcb3865]

Smoked out guitars always play and age so much nicer bro

[@swordmonkey6635]

Rudy's older brother Michael Schenker (MSG) was famous for his black and white V guitars, so Rudy might have been influenced by that and brought it to the band.

[@danpritchett5617]

Just a lovely mid 80s Explorer... Killer tone with those Dirty Fingers!

[@cheezyridr]

i had a chance to buy one of mathias jabb's actual guitars about a decade or so, ago. i passed on it because i'm not a collector. i only own guitars i would play. the price was lower than you might expect, but there was plenty of documentation that it was his guitar. when i saw the title, i thought maybe you somehow ended up with it.

[@jonathanhudak2059]

Awesome guitar and an awesome band! have seen them a couple of times in more recent years and they were great each time. They have such a amazing catalog of albums and songs and it's too bad they're only known for a few by the average person

[@doctoribanez]

I just found a early 90's mij charvel I'm exited to get.

[@georgek4gjn777]

Love me some Scorpions. Always like his guitars.

[@liamplunkett5100]

Man, those things yellowed so much over the years. Would be cool to see them fresh and white like new, but they're still super cool regardless of course!

[@gunsofsteele]

My OCD is always annoyed when I see adjustable pole pieces which have never been screwed. 🤔

[@andye3684]

👍

[@sleevelessace]

whever he says "white" in this episode im like Yellow u mean LOL

[@hostilerampage]

matthias's explorer had a pick guard. that one is like scorpions meets metallica

[@patprop74]

What do you guys reckon I should pay for a 2016 Alpine white Studio with the rosewood ( Not the ebony :( ) fretboard and gold hardware?

[@pumkinbreath]

Bill Spooner made those cooler than any one else.

[@hectormutton2542]

✌️

[@sgt.grinch3299]

Peace Peace Hector

[@hectormutton2542]

@@sgt.grinch3299 ✌️

[@hkguitar1984]

Peace, Peace Hector ☮☮☮

[@hectormutton2542]

@@hkguitar1984 ✌️

[@hkguitar1984]

@@hectormutton2542 ✌✌✌✌

[@Blimpus]

Awesome guitar! it's Dynamite! you will rock it like a hurricane! Definitely one for the guitar Zoo!

[@acdclexu6296]

i heard of a collector the best is if you store a guitar for long you should drop it a full step down but definitely store it with strings .

[@thegeekedgods4329]

This episode Rocked me like a Hurricane

[@dhannegan]

Have always wanted the e90.

[@vladimirpoutine7522]

When I was young everyone smoked. Especially guitar players. I guess it's good most people don't now.

[@HeelBJC]

To your point about smoking, a smoke smelling guitar is ABSOLUTELY something that needs to be disclosed by a seller (not saying this guy did anything wrong as you said it didn't have a stench, but I had an issue here once). It's as problematic as a hidden headstock repair or big ding that they try and hide in photos and is 100% a valid reason to return a used guitar if they fail to mention it.