This Might Be The Best-Playing Guitar I Have! | Gibson Explorer - The Guitar Bucket List

guitarbucketli...
Here on the Guitar Bucket List, I talk about my Gibson Explorer in Antique Natural finish - a truly amazing guitar. I loved this thing from the second I opened the case and it plays wonderfully. It checked a very important item off of the bucket list, too! In the video I also discuss why I chose this one over the Epiphone Korina, which was the one I originally wanted.
Check out the blog post about this episode above and make sure to check out the latest status of the bucket list here: guitarbucketli...

[@MEDINAHSHRINER]

Nice I agree. Antique Natural Gibson Explorer

[@michaelheller8841]

I ran into your channel because I'm looking up Gibson Explorers. I'm nearly in the market for one. I already played the Epiphone Korina one and it was actually better than most of their lines in my opinion. I didn't walk out with it because I still want to check out the Gibson versions. I did the same thing as you but in the end, I ended up somewhere else. I used to own 8) Epiphones that I started purchasing back in early 2020. The reason is that I couldn't afford it if they were to be all Gibson lol. Fast forward to today, I only own one Epiphone and I'm not here to bash them, I have my reasons. Out of the 7) Epiphones and a little finagling, I sold all of them to get a Gibson Custom Shop R8 that is now my number one. I also got a Custom Fender Strat made for me, such a cool guitar. I traded in some more guitars to get a Gibson ES-345 and I'm in love with that thing lol. I wanted a Gibson with P-90s so I purchased the Gibson Les Paul Special in TV yellow. The point that I'm making is that during COVID-19, we couldn't play and really check out guitars, everything was online. One thing I can tell you is the feel and sound are worlds apart in my opinion. The feel is so important to me, it has to have that it factor and be a part of me, if not? it collects dust. I would rather have guitars to play all the time and different tools for the job. Your Explorer looks and sounds great, I just have to check the one you got or there's a white The '70s one or the Lzzy Hale one looks really hot. Does this ever end? lol.

[@jimfusco]

First of all, THANK YOU for the awesome comment- this is exactly why I’m making these videos! I totally hear you- I still have all my Epi’s (though I did “trade up” one or two along the way) but you’re right in saying that the Gibsons just feel different. The custom shop R8, man, congrats. I hope to get an R9 in factory burst at some point (‘58 neck is thicker than I prefer) but I’ll get to talking about my Epiphone 59 LP at some point, too. That is a great guitar and one that feels just like the Epiphone Korina Explorers. Speaking of Explorers, when I visited the Gibson Garage a couple months ago, they had this amazing light blue Korina custom shop one- my word, that thing was amazing. But at 11 grand, it’s a shame that they covered up the Korina wood with paint, you know?

[@michaelheller8841]

@@jimfusco If the wood is that impressive I don’t know why they would hide it in paint. I do agree with you there. I purchased the R8 over the R9 and R0 because it sounded better to me acoustically and felt better. But one person likes may not be the same for the next lol. All that’s important is that we keep Rockin’

[@lfader]

NEVER ends .... It's part of your DNA you have to work through it unfortunately can be stressful AND expensive 😭 These Explorer's have been haunting me for decades I was able to get over the Randy rhoads check mark mini V Nix the ergo the necks delicious but not going to happen. The Explorer and SG I still have to deal with I have 9 guitars (No interest Flying V) 2 LP Custom customshop 1 r0 burst I'll never part 1 1960 ri Goldtop (Jackson ESP Charvel PRS) (We all have different reasonings Mojo insanity 😱) Good luck 😎👍

[@michaelheller8841]

@@lfader I call it the rabbit hole of sound. We can be happy here and there, and then we get an itch lol. Since the last time I posted my comment, I have purchased 3 other Gibsons lol. I'm not bragging but things can change in a hurry. I purchased a new Gibson ES-345 in '60s cherry, a Gibson Les Paul Special in TV yellow, and a Gibson new '61 custom color translucent teal SG. I play them all a lot. Each has its own feel and sound. Mojo insanity? yes, I hear you loud and clear lol. Keep Rockin'

[@christopherclaridge433]

I bought a explorer . Was never keen on the shape but I bought one to add to my collection. It chews up the other 20 guitars and spits them out. It really is so versatile and sounds amazing with sustain that goes for ever

[@ConcezioPellegrini]

Excellent Video. Thank You for your insight.

[@jimfusco]

Thank you very much! Just getting my footing with these videos and hoping to talk with fellow guitar lovers out there. So glad you stopped by and took the time to comment.

[@gottadomor7438]

First one I ever saw was Allen Collins'. 'Nuff said. Cool YT t/y for it.

[@jimfusco]

I just love the idea of him playing that on those classic Skynyrd tunes. Didn’t have to be super distorted or anything close to metal- just a rock’n’roll guitar all the way

[@susanholt56]

You have a sweet collection......Nice Job putting it together!!!

[@jimfusco]

Thank you so much! Definitely a labor of love. Hope you’ll keep checking in!

[@JD-vj4go]

I am probably in the minority but I fell in love with Explorers after seeing Overkill's video for Hello from the Gutter.

[@hipster09]

Do an Explorer vs. Flying V video! The two major rock guitar styles (or metal styles maybe?); which will give the most versatility and rock godliness?

[@jimfusco]

Good idea for a video series! I’m also thinking of doing a head to head comparison when I have two similar models (like my Flying V next to my brother’s “The V”)

[@catalinagoose]

I bought both the 2019 natural Gibson Explorer like yours and the 2023 Epiphone inspired by Gibson Custom Korina Explorer. I actually prefer playing the Epiphone because it has a larger, 58 profile neck and I prefer the Epiphone's sound too. Also, the Epiphone is about a pound and a half lighter than the Gibson. They both came with BB2 and BB3 Gibson pickups. They are both great guitars.

[@jimfusco]

Wow, you took the plunge on the real-deal Korina! That’s awesome- congrats. I’m sure it’s awesome (as is the Epiphone, as you mentioned!)

[@JeffreyDonovanOfficial]

I have over 30 explorers for a reason. The hang is right. The playability is superb. You can make it sound like anything you like. 95% of tone is in the players hands and what they feel confident with. Nothing tops the explorer, in my humble opinion....and that's all it is, an opinion.

[@jimfusco]

Hard to disagree with you here! I finally got to jam with the guys last night and of all the guitars I could’ve taken with me, the Explorer was what I chose. Well, that and the silver sparkle Les Paul Custom…just for showmanship. 😃 Thanks for commenting!

[@FastRedPonyCar]

My first explorer showed up today. It's the red Lizzy Hale model and it absolutely RIPS! I was on the fence with the headstock before it arrived but seeing it in person.. man it looks great. I'll have a review of it on my channel soon.

[@AudioStorm1980]

​@@FastRedPonyCarI own the explorerbird too..... through my rockerverb it's a beast.

[@FastRedPonyCar]

@@AudioStorm1980 oh dude I just gigged with the Explorerbird and an OR30. Absolutely amazing experience. I’ve got the rv50 on my list to demo on my channel. I did a video this week of the explorer bird too. Check it out if you have a minute.

[@AudioStorm1980]

@@FastRedPonyCar checking it out now

[@screamingintothewind]

I had the Explorer 70s and the new Explorer like yours. I loved them both. I'm buying a Gibson Custom Shop Explorer in the next few months.

[@jimfusco]

OMG which Custom Shop Explorer are you getting??

[@lfader]

Eric Clapton Allen Collins Gary Moore Mathias jabs Rick Nielsen Billy gibbons brought me here 🙏

[@jimfusco]

Glad they did! This guitar has certainly inspired me to play better!

[@lueyteledeluxe7457]

You & I are alike, like that. I love sparkle finishes. And I love wood finishes (flame maple, quilt, straight hoggin nanny.... or trans scotch swamp ash. 🤷‍♂️) Luv me plain lookin' LP Tribute.... And I luv me extra sparkle, margarita green Charvel an Dimas! They all m' chillun! I also like every guitar to be a totally different colour and look...so my collection looks like someone scarfed a bag I'm skittles....and then vommited! You know like the LGBT lmnop .. flag! 😆 hehehe... But yeah... I don't have any Epiphanies... but then again, I only got 9 guitars all up, so... you get to have way more when you take on some Epi's... I, personally, would rather a low end Gibson than a high end Epiphone... but having said that.. I've never actually given Epi's a chance. I don't even think I've ever picked one up.... 🤔❔ Maybe I've been totally cheatin' myself..this whole time..!?! 🤷‍♂️

[@jimfusco]

Thanks for the comment! So I’m not the only one with a guitar color preference of…THEM ALL! The Epi’s are great (though when I bought them, even the “high end” ones were still a lot cheaper than the low-end Gibson’s). These days, I would absolutely go for the low-end Gibson over the high-end Epiphone, unless the Epi had something (like the ones with Custombucker pickups they have now) that I couldn’t get on the lower-end Gibson models.

[@shnarfers]

so-is-that-the-ahogay-please

[@shnarfers]

there-is-a-urse-o-te-afria-wood

[@hlyangel1]

You never played it. WTH?

[@michaelworse6034]

10 minutes if bla .Good lord It‘s a guitar! …playthat damn thing !

[@jimfusco]

I hear you- I’ll consider doing a little more sounds and a little less talking. I started these videos because I don’t get to talk guitars very much and am more interested in the story and the features I was looking for in the collection. Maybe I can make chapters for the talking and the playing parts so people can skip to the end if they want to.

[@marcopolo9622]

Exactly 😂