I bought this guitar about 5 months ago. normally i find myself being unhappy with alot of things on new guitars around this time. but not this one. it's got a great feel to it. the playability tops any guitar i've ever played. and it's shape gives more than just awesome looks, but it makes it well balanced. i don't find myself having to hold up the neck all the time like i used to. the reason i decked quality was because of the nut. on my E,B, and G strings they stick. which causes it to go out of tune quite often. i heard this happens alot with Gibson though, so i wasn't too disappointed or shocked. but for spending this much on a guitar it was quite aggrivating. other than that though, this remains to be the best guitar i've ever picked up. i would definately consider buying another one, or recommending to a friend.

The best guitar in the world. It can do it all from clean to insane. I own a lot of other guitars, esp, ibenaz, Gibsons, ltd, and washburn. If you whant a guitar to be versitle buy a explorer. It is very light and very well balanced. If you don't trust me go to a dealer and put one to work and let the explorer speak for itself.

This is quite possibly the best guitar I've ever had the honor to touch - let alone own - and I've played a lot of guitars. Mine was made in 1984, and I picked it up three years ago. Even for being 25 years old, this guitar still screams. Gibson really makes these things to last. The Explorer I own is somewhat different - there's no pickguard, and it has a Kahler tremolo on it. It's not too heavy at all, it weighs less than a Les Paul, but more than an SG. The only issues are trivial: the strap button placement makes straplocks necessary, and it's really easy to hit it on things because of how large the body is. Plays like a dream though, and has that legendary sound of a Gibson.

This guitar is everything that rock/proggresive style player would want. Out of every guitar I've ever played this one get the best sounds and is very versatile. My only con is not even that big of a deal but the action is a pain to raise and lower because there is no flat head or phillips head screw driver inserts on the bridge. I'll admit it looks better but turning them from the side just sucks. Other than that there was only some fixable dead frets. If you have the money i highly recomend buying this guitar. You wont regret it.

Had one in 1979, knew it inside out and cranked her through a Peavey Classic VT 100 and an original Dunlop Cry Baby Wah. Forced to sell all in 1982(lfe happens) took 30 years but I now, as of yesterday 4-16-09,Iv'e replaced that set up....Man she still rocks...30 yr old Peavey and a brand new Explorer through a cry baby; play the set ups and it can range from almost perfect thin fender sound(use the wah) to the heavy, thick sound that these things were known for.

Quality of this axe is perfect in all aspects I have been an Explorer man since the first time I played one in 1979 and now with a brand new one I see no difference other than this one has no dings. In a word, "versatility" best describes what you can do with an Explorer you can shred or thread depending on the pedal set up you use. I've owned two and would buy again if I lost this one and although I do play some metal I mostly play plain old Rock and Roll....its all in the setup and you'll only need one guitar: A Gibson Explorer