This bass broke me. | 1999 Epiphone Korina Explorer Bass [Review/Demo]

#ephiphone #explorerbass #epiphoneexplorer
Drop-dead Delight OR Neck-Dive Disaster?!
This bass certainly turns some heads, but is that enough? Let me know your thoughts below!
_____________________________________________
Use code "jonny5" to get £5 off of your order at JDs Music!
www.jds-music....
Sonicate affiliate link - Buy something through this link and I get a kickback with no expense to you - VERY NICE:
www.sonicake.com?sca_ref=1422...
_____________________________________________
Follow me on Instagram:
/ jonnydibble
@jonnydibble
Check out my bass podcast "In The Pocket" here:
Spotify: open.spotify.c....
KZbin: www.youtube.co....
Acast: shows.acast.co...
Line 6 HX Stomp:
uk.line6.com/h...
Background music by Nova Mora
/ novamoraband
/ novamoraband
/ novamoraband

[@dominikkavur5373]

Epiphone is really underappreciated in the bass world. They have made some really awesome models, the EBM series from the 90's was awesome.

[@JonnyDibble]

Totally! There's potential for Gibson to trial some really cool, "higher risk" stuff through Epiphone I think

[@emaheiwa8174]

Every thunderbird should come with that bridge! Sadly it looks like you need a car trip to reach the first fret lol

[@JonnyDibble]

So much better! That's why I kind of want a Tokai instead

[@emaheiwa8174]

@@atrosion1097 Sell it and get an Epi TBird Pro. Those basses have active pickups and a real bridge

[@cgr4817]

@@atrosion1097 Hipshot Supertone is the most common replacement (and improvement).

[@ConceptCarMusic]

A great alternative to an Explorer are the old Aria Pro II ZZB basses. They were in production during the 80's and made in the legendary Japanese Fukushima factory. I picked up an 1984 instrument in great condition on Reverb a couple of years ago for not much cash and it's an awesome bass - lightweight, incredibly fast and comfortable neck, no neck dive at all, and the original stock Aria MBIII humbucker passive pickups sound cool (they're also encased in epoxy resin so virtually indestructible). Definitely recommended and you can usually find them regularly on the 2ndhand market.

[@danielgraham4282]

I gigged one of these relentlessly for about 10 years in the early noughties ! It lived on the bridge pickup the whole time, the switch actually snapped off, so I couldn’t change it anyway, but the neck pickup is pretty horrible. I played it through an old Trace Elliot GP12 for ages, then upgraded to a Gallien Krueger stack with 4x10 and 1x15, and that’s when that bass really came into its own. It’s retired now, looking absolutely every bit like it was gigged for 10 years, it now hangs on my wall, reminding me of the great times we shared! Absolute monster of a bass in every way 😂

[@JonnyDibble]

Sick! Monster is the perfect adjective 👌

[@backburnernoise]

Oh it shall be rocked. Fun fact: GIBSON explorer basses back in the day had two GRABBER pickups. So if you ever come across one, indulge. Thanks for the deep dive!

[@ChrisHopkinsBass]

A short scale version of that would be pretty cool

[@LucasJRice]

We can’t even get Gibson to release them for more than a few years in more than a few colors.

[@markvonwisco7369]

The neck dive is a deal breaker for me full stop. One of my first basses had some pretty serious neck dive. I didn't realize how much energy I was putting in to holding up the the neck, until I got a bass that balanced properly.

[@Jonathan_Doe_]

Move the bridge strap pin from the centre to near the top of the body. Then there’s zero neck dive.

[@echoplexi]

Exactly. I played a 1965 Thunderbird for years- moving the strap button made it balance better than any other bass I have.

[@PatrolOfStroll]

Thanks for the video! I could literally see the neck trying to dive when it was in your lap in the intro jam haha. Great playing as usual though.

[@mightyV444]

And interesting you'd actually been after a Thunderbird, before settling on _this_ bass! Because, the same thing had happened to myself many years ago! 😀 I don't really remember anymore which player had inspired me, but in the very early 90's I was suddenly dead-keen on getting myself a Thunderbird bass; Until the day came I actually went to all the stores in my greater area to find the right one, only to find out with horror how terribly expensive they actually were! 🤯 Of course, around _that_ time, there was no cheaper Epiphone version or anything like that, as well as no Internet to search for 2nd-hand ones. In the end, and in the last store, a used Hamer 'Blitz' bass suddenly caught my eye: Explorer-shaped, all-mahogany, set neck with rosewood fretboard, P/J pick-up configuration with overwound DiMarzios, 2 Vol and 1 Tone control à la Fender Jazz, no pickguard, Schaller tuners and '3D' bridge, 'Made in USA'... I plugged it in and noticed straight away how similar in sound to a Thunderbird it was, too! And it was only 800 bucks (around £425 in today's money)! 😀 The only disadvantage: The previous owner had refinished the whole bass in a rather awful-looking metallic orange and the front of the headstock in a metallic purple! 🙈 But to my surprise: I'd already paid, and only then was I made aware there even was a Hamer hard-shell case included! 😁👍...the size of a coffee table! 😂 Of course I too would notice very soon that this bass wasn't the most comfortable to play; It was actually alright on a long strap and when playing with a pick, despite the first two frets suddenly being much further away than on my JazzBass 😅 _Looked_ very cool like that too! 😄 Playing fingerstyle only felt comfortable when wearing the bass much higher, similar to Entwhistle and his Alembics or Jonas Hellborg and his Explorers, but for some reason, they had looked way cooler like that than myself! 😅 Playing that thing seated was the worst, though! Especially with a pick 🙈 I eventually took the gawd-awful paint off it and gave it a coat of wax but also had it professionally refinished nearly 20 years later, in a beautiful burgundy colour and the front of the headstock in black (Its shape was actually more Fender-style, instead of the typical 'hockey stick') 😍 One dumb thing I did along the way, though: Inspired by a friend's amazing-sounding German-made Warwick bass with active EMG's, I replaced my Blitz's with a set of those and gave the DiMarzios to another friend to upgrade his Yamaha bass - and realised very soon (but still too late) that I'd actually liked _their_ sound much better! 🙈 Three or four years ago, when experiencing some financially challenging times and after also having realised that I too mostly prefer traditional shapes like the P-bass and especially the JazzBass, I finally let this one go 😌

[@JonnyDibble]

What a story! Loves reading this journey 😄 Sometimes they get aware, for better or for worse. I'd love to see one of those versions in the flesh! Cheers

[@egroegmcdonald9870]

As you are in a Foos/Nirvana cover band, I'm surprised you haven't' either an Ashdown rig or a Fender Nate Mendal model bass. Okay, I can forgive the lack of Ashdown gear. My own experience with their 2x12 cab some years back was that it was great at highs and mids but thin on the bottom end. However, the Fender Nate Mendal bass is a real gem. Hot pickup and stellar for hard rock, punk and alt. In retrospect the 800$ price tag when I got mine (new) seems a bargain. Thanks for the vids. Keep up the good work.

[@JonnyDibble]

I use my Squier P bass for the Foos set 😊 Nates sig seems like a stellar setup! I actually used to own a full Ashdown ABM rig, it was lovely but I never got THE spund I wanted from it at the time. Cheers!

[@Thudmunky]

Brilliant video as always Jonny, I had an Epiphone thunderbird at one point and it looked absolutely amazing and the neck felt so comfy, but I couldn’t get past the bridge, the neck dive and slightly lack lustre sound, which was a shame because it was a beautiful bass and I felt so cool playing it 😎😉. Keep groovin dude 🤘

[@JonnyDibble]

Thanks very much! I'm tempted to get one of the active "pro" thunderbirds. They seem much more functional?

[@Thudmunky]

@@JonnyDibble that would make a great comparison video 👍

[@egroegmcdonald9870]

I had the Epi Thunderbird Pro model. Got rid of it mostly due to neck dive. Wonderful sounds truly thunderous. But I digress. It came with a very nice black bridge instead of the god awful 3-point. From the little looking I did, it seems that for at least some period (mine was an '04 I think) a standard bridge, like this explorer, was standard.

[@ampthebassplayer]

I feel like the neck on a T-Bird feels the same, like it's significantly longer than a standard bass. Yours sounds awesome though, and you can't deny the style points!

[@JonnyDibble]

Starting a petition for Epiphone to make a short scale thunderbird ✍️

[@BassesandBows]

Gibson actually used to make a short scale thunderbirds in 2011. I hope to find one someday.

[@JonnyDibble]

@@BassesandBows oh wow! Must've missed that

[@vinvenal4243]

The bridge sound is great on this. Not good enough to put up with the terrible ergonomics imo though. Great review, keep up the good work! 😁

[@JonnyDibble]

Yeah you've got to REALLY want one to make it worth it haha. Cheers!

[@wolfgangsaller5843]

This bass has to be played like John Entwistle did!!! Resting the Elbow of the plucking arm on the edge of this upper tail fin so you can hold it down and the neck upwards to relieve the other arm! or hang it very low shortly above your knees and play it with a pick!!! Both ways look very cool depending in what band you are ... ha,ha,ha ... ! Great review, Johnny!

[@mightyV444]

Happy New Year, Johnny! Also to all your Loved Ones and your followers! 😊💚🍾🥂🎉🎇🎶🍀

[@JonnyDibble]

Happy new year! Thanks for the love 🥰

[@mightyV444]

@@JonnyDibble - Thank you, Johnny! 😊 And likewise! 😀👍

[@MasterBattle2000]

Love the sound! Reminds me a bit of a Rickenbacker, especially on the neck pickup.

[@JonnyDibble]

It's got that "vintage modern" 80s bass sound!

[@rwarrior2542]

I want one. The best looking bass guitar shape I've ever seen!

[@ChrisPhippsGallery]

I have a 1983 Gibson Explorer custom bass and it is GORGEOUS! But... I can definitely relate with that neck dive! And it feels like it weighs 743lbs lol! Very useful for tones in the studio, but definitely not practical hahah.

[@alexskibicki2262]

Awesome review, Johnny 😎🤘🏻🎸That is a radical looking bass. I’ve always been a big fan of explorer styled basses. I think it sounds incredible with the gk sim and the Aguilar tone hammer. It also sounds killer with distortion. Personally I’m not a big fan of the thunderbird basses mainly because of the design, but I can understand why some people are into them. It’s just that I like the explorer basses more. Not just from the design, but also from the sound quality.

[@JonnyDibble]

Cheers Alex! It's a monster!

[@alexskibicki2262]

@@JonnyDibble cheers dude. 😎🍻 here’s a story from when I use to be in bands. I originally wanted to get a dean z bass at one point when I was with my brother’s band. Especially since I’m an explorer fan. but I ended up getting a dean ml bass instead considering that my brother owned a dean razorback guitar at the time and wanted to do like a ZZ Top kind of thing where we have matching instruments. I’ve actually gotten a lot of compliments on that bass.

[@zezstergar]

I have not played this Explorer but I guess it has the same issues as the Tbird Pro which I really wanted, bought one and after one year sold it because of the huge size and neck dive. I never gave up on wanting an explorer shape one and found a Fernandes BXB75 which is not exactly a copy of the Explorer, they made it smaller, it is a medium scale length 32" without neckdive.

[@jesusgirarte-sandoval7535]

I switched the strap lock from the front horn to the back of the body and no neck dive

[@josephwalton487]

I love you for this, thank you. Explorers are my favorites.

[@JonnyDibble]

VERY cool basses. Cheers! 😄

[@DrTomoculus]

I found one for sale a couple weeks ago. I snapped it up as soon as I saw it, knowing Explorer Basses you just don't see all that often. You can't sit down with it comfortably. Your elbow will be reminded of this quite suddenly. And painfully. Standing up I have to wear it as low as possible. Luckily I have long arms. I play it with a pick. You can play it with your fingers, but I just think it becomes a force of nature when you use a pick with it. The size of the pick I use is like a shark's tooth. Huge. I love the thing. Once you unleash it, it produces a noise that's just .... it just delivers. The bass says "I thought you said you wanted to ROCK!" It didn't say anything about punishing your body just to play it, but shit happens. I love the thing anyway. 5:44 - through the GK Amp Sim --- there's the start of the potential. The thing is a Beast. It's a junkyard dog. Even if you try and be subtle with it, something is always growling under the surface.

[@nj1255]

That thing is ridiculously huge! I need one.

[@sirhandelno3]

I own an explorer bass I that put together from a kit. Looks wise, I painted it white, including the fretboard, capped off with blue glow in the dark strings. Playability wise, it’s not perfect, especially on the higher register towards the lower horn. That being said, I would never get rid of it. I love it so much.

[@666thsense]

the gibson version of explorer basses have the pickups in different locations which adds more bite to the bridge pickup and cleans up the muddy neck pickup. also many people, including myself, put the strap button on the back of the heel of explorers (like a gibson SG) and that really helps the neck dive and makes it hang differently and almost float forward off your body instead of hanging straight down like a slab.

[@rudolftheblacknosegemsbok1677]

I'm a proud owner of that huge axe as well and you really nail it with your this video! Just two things to admit: 1. This monster is very heavy... I mean reeeeeaaally heavy. My shoulder hurts after one hour of constantly playing (a wide strap fixed that a bit) 2. Beside the eternality of the fred board the width is freaking huge, more than a p bass, rickenbacker or Ibanez ATK. So make sure your palms are stretched well before trying to noodle around on this ;)

[@JonnyDibble]

You gotta be a big noodle to noodle

[@donthorpe6301]

Love my Epi Explorer in the Black Beauty styling.. and it does sustain FOREVER. added bonus it can double as a serious bludgeoning weapon in a pinch lol def not a bass for the smaller players..

[@chrisbassman3936]

No. I have a 2017 model and it is awesome. No issues at all and is a swiss army bass aka can do anything. I like to modify my guitars so I had sung ill high mass locking saddle bridge and gotoh gb707 tuners installed both in gold of course and now it has upgraded hardware so it is even better 😉. One of my favorites. Basically this and the neck thru t bird from epiphone are the best basses when you don't have gibson money.

[@Joetime90]

I have one from 2016 and it's beat up with no strap pins (bought used). Was really impressed, it's now my go to. It's awkward to reach up on the first frets if you're small like me (5'6"). I do love to rest my arm on the Sharkfin as it places my hand next to the neck where I am wont to on bass naturally. The passive humbuckers 👌. I love my Sterling Stingray but don't like active electronics. My CIJ Geddy Lee Jazz Bass is phenomenal but the neck is too temperamental (had it since 07). My Mustang is strung with flats (awesome sounding though). The Explorer bridge is also 👌 My as advice is, I too am conservative with bass design but also an Entwistle fan, so I had to try. I didn't regret it. The cool factor with the good sound is there.

[@chrisbartenhagen4914]

Hint I have found when playing my thunder bird or destroyer I tend to copy John the ox style of play . Try resting your arm on the hump and taping the strings by the bottom of the fret board . Works for me .

[@JustK009]

Somewhere Chris Glenn is smiling🍻

[@Paajanenae]

As soon as I saw this in your new years video, I set a search for "Epiphone Explorer Bass" to my Reverb account 😅 Screw the sounds, this bass looks killer!

[@JonnyDibble]

Sometimes a beautiful bass can make you do beautiful things 😍

[@rickrolli7091]

Hey Jonny. There are some really good comments and ideas below. I wanted to add a couple ideas for fixing the neck dive situation. #1 ~ did you know that the funny angle on the body, by your right elbow, is actually an arm rest?!? Watch some John Entwistle videos of him playing his explorer. Although he does that finger tapping thing on the strings to play it. #2 ~ you could possibly put a "hootenanny" button or headstock strap on the back of the headstock. Attach the end of the strap there. You may have to get a little bit longer strap. That's got a long neck. #3 ~ your idea of a wider strap would definitely help. What are your thoughts mate?

[@JonnyDibble]

Hi Rick! Great ideas. I think it definitely depends on your playing style too

[@rickrolli7091]

@@JonnyDibble absolutely. Your playing mechanics and style is just another tool in your musical toolbox.

[@GavinTilling]

I’m looking for one as a concert bass, I already play with my strap real low and I’m a big guy so reaching shouldn’t be an issue. They only problems there’s none out there. They’re either 1400 dollars or cheap 120 dollar basses

[@extantia]

Though quite a bit pricier, the 32 inch scale of the original 80’s Gibson models might suit you better. Or the Aria Pro II ZZB Deluxe which has about that same length. Probably designed that way to compensate for the long body-

[@JonnyDibble]

If I'm getting a vintage Gibson, it'll be a Grabber or G3 😍

[@extantia]

@@JonnyDibble Btw, the 80's Explorer basses had grabber pickups but they were installed in a fixed pickup ring instead of the sliding Grabber fixture.

[@freakalishess]

After owning a Thunderbird for a few months now I want to try the Explorer as well but there's non for sale 😢

[@sonsauvage]

I would say go iceman bass before you go explorer, the comfort factor is so much higher while the form factor is very similar. I’m pretty short and the iceman still is very out of the way (as far as a giant bodied instrument like an explorer can be)

[@JonnyDibble]

That's good to hear! Would love to try one 😁

[@egnbigdave]

always wanted an explorer (Thanks Rick Savage...). Owned a Korean Epi Thunderbird and a Tbird Pro IV. Both neck divey, both were a pain in the arse to get used to (Fret where you THINK your regular P bass 1st Fret would be.. and you're somewhere around the middle of the neck..!!) look cool As Fook though.

[@JonnyDibble]

It hurts to look so cool

[@reeganpotz7334]

I have what I believe is a 2016 model and it plays wonderfully, I find I don't have the neck dive issue but maybe I just haven't realised it

[@Flacidpancakerequiem]

This to me feels like a great t bird alternative (which is kinda what I’ve been looking for as of late) definitely gonna try get one some day

[@JonnyDibble]

Despite their flaws, they're really fun

[@jameslewis2635]

That bass really works well with the Gallian Kruger amp setup. Seems it has the same problem as my old Epi Thunderbird bass. No matter how I mod that thing I have never managed to get it to work well with a strap. I kind of wish I could get a non-reverse body Thunderbird bass (which would put the neck side strap button at a place where balance might actually have half a chance) but sadly, it's not an option.

[@Farrow23]

Knowing the previous owner of this bass, I can confidently say that even with the sheer size of it, in his hands, he made it look like a mustang 😂 awesome video mate!

[@JonnyDibble]

You need to be 7ft for this bass! Haha thanks mate x

[@groovefretboard]

Not bad! I like a more traditional shape. The clean setting was decent. Check my patented vertical scallop mod. The edge of the FretCorner plucks an extra note on pulloffs or gives infinite vibrato sustain. 🎸👋🏽 Wojtek Pilichowski and Ron Carter have pulled the high G off the fretboard on vids I found to alter pitch. I just evolved it to any string or fret including chords.

[@JonnyDibble]

That sounds sick!

[@rm25088]

I think its awesome. I have incredibly long arms so the length wouldn't bother me at all. The balance kinda sucks though but whatever.

[@daveandrews5485]

It’s about the look rather than the playability I think. I had a Epiphone Gothic Thunderbird many, many years ago and it was awful to play but looked amazing! Sold it after 2 gigs… I was always about chasing the tone obviously… 😐 Great review as always Jonny, keep ‘‘em coming. 👍🏻

[@JonnyDibble]

Totally! It is what it is. Cheers Dave!

[@lasteffect]

I've been eyeing one of these. The pickup placement is a little different than the typical tbird or j bass. Almost in the rickenbacker position. The bridge looks to almost be in the Stingray sweet spot. Giving it a wider and more unique tone. The pickups sound very nice too. You can get that gibson and almost rickenbacker sound with it. I must disagree on the shape, I rather love it.

[@JonnyDibble]

I too love it now! Wasn't for me before, but I actually really like the look of it, despite the playability drawbacks haha. You're right about pickup positions, I'd be interested to hear what an active version sounded like!

[@lasteffect]

@@JonnyDibble if I ever grab one, i have a spare MM style aria replacement pickup by rautia and I'd put sustainiac in the neck. Or just a nordy style MM pre in it. Make it a perfect tool for out of the box music or maybe fit in both modern and vintage. You will need probably a weight at the end of the strap for the dive. I don't think moving the strap button will matter much.

[@dunxy]

Old Epi's are cool, i have an old Epiphone Explorer guitar myself, few years newer than yours but still Korean and made of Korina. They are one of the most uncomfortable guitars to play. I only got mine because i got it very cheap a decade or so ago. Didnt play it much but i have of late, threw a 500t in the bridge a mate had and threw some 11's on it and its cool for dropped tuning. I do much prefer my Tele though. That is a nice sounding bass for sure, id rate it with my Fender MIJ Jazz bass!

[@rodrickusher313]

Certified John Entwistle moment

[@peterlewis3038]

I have a thunderbird already so I would definitely go with the explorer.

[@JonnyDibble]

Can't have enough! 😝

[@greganderson7216]

Love my Thunderbird, if you want a thunderbird sound, I’m not sure why anyone would choose the Explorer. My T-bird rocks without me even playing a single note!

[@poikusa0207]

the pan up for strap on killed me!!!!!!!

[@JonnyDibble]

Fun fact: I wear a strap on every single video

[@the_nondrive_side]

Just needs a stereo jack with the pickups separated so you can run the neck clean and the bridge overdriven.

[@JonnyDibble]

That would be 👌👌

[@SxSxG666]

I have one too and agree with what you say. The long neck and the shape of the body hinders you from anchoring the instrument against your body and you need to compensate for that with your fretting hand. It's gets exhausting very quickly. Furthermore you need a really big case to carry it around. But it looks cool and sounds good.

[@m_4135]

Where did you find yours and how much was it? Debating on buying and don’t want to overpay. They’re discontinued now so I’m assuming you got it used?

[@OonaEskeli]

"If I'm pretending to be a train" lol 😂😂 An excellent review! The bass looks pretty cool but I think that looks shouldn't hinder playability that much, or at least it wouldn't be worth the pain in my view.. 😁 Had to sell my super cool acoustic bass because I just couldn't play it comfortably enough because of the huge body. The neck in it was nice, though, because it was a Fender Kingman with a jazz bass neck.

[@JonnyDibble]

Totally agree,you've got to REALLY want the look to make it worth it I think. Thanks!

[@PushSueAside]

I thought it looked great on you, it sounds real good as well. “Hold on loosely, but don’t let go…”🎶

[@JonnyDibble]

Weird so! It's so ridiculous and I have so much more time for crazier shapes now haha

[@PushSueAside]

@@JonnyDibble indeed, you still need to check out the kiloton. Cheers Jonny

[@your_austrian_weeb]

Nice distorted bass tone

[@JonnyDibble]

Thanks!

[@NiskRanThawll]

I have an epi T bird (truly horrendous bass, it was a gift so.. meh) and I play a status graphite B2 which is essentially a P bass profiled thunderbird neck on a P bass/T bird hybrid body. it does take some getting used to, and I cannot play either slung low, it just doesn't work without snapping your wrists, unless you are a human sasquatch hybrid like Krist :) explorers as basses shouldn't really sit below belt height IMO use the wing to rest your arm on so your picking hand can float between, high neck, neck pickup, mid pickup and bridge pickup positions using your thumb as an anchor on the side of the neck, pickups or body if you cannot/do not use a floating hand style.

[@danwalters6338]

I had one of these for a bit, can’t say I loved it. Tone was fine but fuck me it was a nightmare to play standing up, neckdive plus stupidly large body isn’t fun. Did look cool though

[@JonnyDibble]

This pretty much sums it up haha

[@myflyisopen.8732]

I had that bass. It went back to the store in two days.

[@JonnyDibble]

You've got to REALLY want the aesthetic to get through the issues 😅

[@myflyisopen.8732]

@@JonnyDibble Still was bad.

[@grantkoeller8911]

I tried to play along with you and your bass is tuned to an alternative tuning????? Did you check your tuner??

[@JonnyDibble]

Bass was tuned to E flat standard before, could've slipped, but shouldn't be dramatically out?

[@grantkoeller8911]

@@JonnyDibble ok that explains it you were Eb Ab Db Gb

[@robjones7725]

Love the Explorer look but hate the ergonomics and playability - better as a guitar imho.

[@JonnyDibble]

I agree

[@chriscuthbertson]

Not sure if it's 'correct' for a nirvana tribute band but the Dingwall D-Roc might be the solution.

[@JonnyDibble]

Ngl, I was very tempted!

[@brunocyclist]

Even with the ultra light Gotoh tuning machines - which noticeably help a little bit - I still think the slight tendency to neck dive is a downside of my short scale Gretsch Junior Jet 3. Something like this would be a rock hard pass for me. Nice wood though.

[@JonnyDibble]

Definitely needs a few tweaks to get it balanced! I actually never had much neck dive on my Gretsch - but I have seen lots of people talking about it!

[@Blackbirddc]

I love my thunderbird but I definitely want to replace the bridge with a hipshot high-mass bridge. The sound of it is great and I actually love the neck. But I mostly just play my stingray while my poor thunderbird sits in it's case.

[@JonnyDibble]

They're SO cool. But dammit, does it come at a cost haha

[@Blackbirddc]

@@JonnyDibble *single tear*

[@PorchBass]

The Aguilar amp sim is nice

[@JonnyDibble]

Love it!

[@markblackstad8705]

Thanks for the great demo Jonny, but I'll definitely pass on this one. It does have some cool sounds but I feel there are better options unless you are totally sold on, or feel somehow you need that look.

[@JonnyDibble]

Exactly what I mean, you've got to want THIS

[@paulsnijder2031]

Just relocate the top strap button to the back just behind where the setneck meets the body and get a wider strap. Problem solved. Just like on the T-birds 🤘🏼

[@JonnyDibble]

Would definitely help!

[@Luthiart]

I think basses have always been an after-though to Gibson. For the most part, they just made bass versions of their guitars and called it good. I doubt they spent a hot second thinking about things like ergonomics, playability or... practicality. I used to own a Thunderbird and hated it. It felt like you had an aircraft carrier strapped around your neck that was trying to escape you on two different axis.

[@pilummurialis6490]

Proof right here that it's all in the speakers of your armp, not the pickups, that affect tone

[@JonnyDibble]

They're quite plain sounding pickups tbf, so they adapt to amps and showcase the amp character more I think

[@trikkke11]

I would have bought one if it wasn't top heavy. Don't understand why companies can't help that.

[@keldrean]

I want this so bad, I have the flying v that matches

[@jacobmays-xw6mh]

Im just below intermediate on bass and really want an explorer. Does anyone have any explorer model suggestions for me? I want it to be easy to play

[@JonnyDibble]

Can't think of any models apart from the Gibson/Epiphone ones. The nature of the beast unfortunately means they're not easy basses to play 🥲

[@TNTGoBoomBoom]

Sounds killer 😎

[@JonnyDibble]

Really cool bass!

[@FoamSquatch]

I had an epi thunderbird, but wanted an explorer. Still kinda do. The Thunderbird has all the same issues but with a worse bridge.

[@JonnyDibble]

Haha yeah, I'm thinking of getting a Tokai or the Pro thunderbird as both have better bridges!

[@davelock3166]

What a cool bass! Obviously made before (in my view) Epiphone went downhill.

[@JonnyDibble]

Super cool! Would love Epiphone to re-issue some old models

[@BenMartin-is8yr]

I love explorer basses

[@WilDBeestMF]

I'm with you. Ergonomically all wrong and not to my tastes, visually. But damn it all if that thing doesn't sound REALLY good. It's hyper aggressive in around the 125 hertz mark. Love that flavour.

[@JonnyDibble]

It's so wrong, it's right. A monster!

[@WilDBeestMF]

@@JonnyDibble It would be the mystery bass in my arsenal that I record for special occasions. "That tone! How did you get it?" The answer? Having my chiropractor on standby.

[@shawnhuff3920]

So if jason newsted and James Hetfield had matching guitar and bass guitar and did a reunion black album tour 🤔

[@JonnyDibble]

This would be the one!

[@BaBaBaBenny]

Explorer fanboy here: I do not know what ever possessed Gibson to put that strap button on the top "horn", but move it to back of the neck heel and you should have an infinitely better time with it.

[@JonnyDibble]

Crazy isn't it. WHYYYYY

[@WimRijksen]

Hi Jonny, thanks for the review. Would I want to own one? Only if I could buy it cheap and trade it in for a good old boring looking P-bass. Not particularly because of the look of it but for the sound and playability. If I saw a Nirvana tribute band and the bass player had a P-bass or even a J-bass I wouldn't hold it against them one bit.

[@JonnyDibble]

J Bass is actually pretty good for Nirvana as Krist had an RD with SS configuration 😝

[@WimRijksen]

@@JonnyDibble Well, Santa will be back in a little under a year so you know what's going to be on the list.

[@kelalamusic9258]

About the only thing I like about that thing, is the bridge. The headstock could be useful for picking your nose. Some sounds are OK. I don’t know how it plays and I don’t particularly care because I won’t even go near it to try. It’s so bloody ugly . . . where’s my barf bag? Thank you for a few minutes of laughter. I needed that today.

[@JonnyDibble]

You are very welcome 😆

[@marcblum5348]

This is not the kind of bass you play in a fusion band. It's all about rockin out and looking good on stage. IMHO it meets the criteria.

[@lefix3425]

I dont get why gibson isn`t releasing new versions of this.

[@JonnyDibble]

They really do bass players dirty in general

[@zhili8827]

sounds better than a gibson sg

[@EnglishPalette]

Ok, so to alleviate the horrendous neck dive, you need to wear the bass below your balls and you need to switch to a non-slip strap. Thanks for a great review!

[@JonnyDibble]

Gotta tojave the body touching the floor, that'd eleiviate some weight! 😝 Cheers!

[@DanielYance]

We all hate that ominous 3-point bridge!

[@JonnyDibble]

Worst. Design. Ever.

[@austin4669]

I believe epiphone made cheaper versions of the g3 bass and I know the neck on those was terrible feeling

[@JonnyDibble]

They did indeed, Rippers too... went down BADLY. They need to do it justice!

[@frankcarter6427]

Gibson have always had a problem with their guitar designs not taking into account things like the shape of the human body, whether they are playable and will they survive normal knocks and abuse - I don't know why they're still in business

[@leighcoulson2148]

Nice'ish ... I think. I'm not a love or hate marmite person ...more of a uggh no I don't fancy any marmite on my toast but when I have it, I quite like it. That's this bass.

[@alanwardle9807]

Stop neck dive by feeding the strap thru your belt loop that provides enough resistance to hold the neck. I have a thunderbird and a BCRich Mockingbird both have neck dive issues and this cures it.

[@JonnyDibble]

Creative!

[@ryanwarsh]

A big reason why I would choose this one over a Thunderbird: This bass appears to have 22 frets. The T-Bird has 20 and no easy access to the upper frets due to the body shape and the position of the set neck. If a bass is only going to have 20 frets, you gotta have that access!

[@JonnyDibble]

This one is definitely meant to be shredded on then! I feel like the target audience for a thunderbird are less likely to want upper fret access, I'm generalising there though

[@sonojon0]

Must be a hard bass to slap! 1:01 😢

[@JonnyDibble]

Yeah, it's not a slapper

[@sharr3766]

I got a chance to buy one of these bad boys, I love the look but I think it sounds like trash imo, which really makes me sad lol, I have a washburn from the 80s and it sounds soooooooooooooo much better

[@Invictus13666]

That thing is hideous but I love the sounds. All of them.

[@Invictus13666]

Also I want to thank you for taking pick playing seriously 👍🏽

[@JonnyDibble]

I was like "it's so wrong, it's right" when I bought it haha

[@jackdempsy9304]

you look like if DanTDM continued to pursue his career in music

[@katelynseng8341]

did you cut your nails on this demo? haha kidding

[@mr_ozzio5095]

Would i rock one..No, but they do look very hair-metal tastic! You need winkle picker cowboy boots, plus a large power mullet to combat the neck dive🎸😅😂🤣

[@JonnyDibble]

Mullet is getting there! 😝

[@hairboyanimaciones2711]

I feel like you can only play Thrash on that bass.

[@floppytnarwal1641]

I had the flying V version for a bit, worst bass I ever owned. It played like a dog. It got passed around friends before I ended up selling it for more money than I paid for it.