Korina V and Explorer!!!!

[Keefoman]

The old ones were nice too! Just that even those aren't that easy to find for a good price (either that or in really good condition). Korina Vs and Explorers seem to always be quite popular.

True. I also had the 2017 Explorer. Also a good guitar, but I let it go for a Gibson Explorer. It sold almost immediately. There's actually one on the used market, advertised on the web, here in Norway right now. All original with an original Epiphone case. 7300 nok or a little over 700 usd. Not a bad price, but still about what they cost new at the time.

 

[ThreeChordWonder]

I bought one from zzounds.com in July last year. $599 and 12 months interest free.

I changed all the "gold" hardware to chrome because I don't like fake "gold" and fitted a set of SD Saturday Night Specials. I also fitted a set of Graphtech Ratio locking tuners I had lying about, which were a straight swap for the originals.

The Epi V I bought is solid Korina, or so they say. Three blocks underneath, though, and with a veneer on the front and back, yes. But the only way to tell is to look "inside the V" - the cut-out.

But then, I only paid $600 for mine. The Gibson version is TEN GRAND. So I didn't expect a Mercedes for Kia money.

Oh. I didn't get a case, just a cardboard box. But the $400 I saved (allowing for the pickup swap) will buy one heck of a case!

 

[ThreeChordWonder]

Of course, you could always buy a Chinese knockoff, junk everything except the (mahogany in this case) body and neck and start over.

 

[Noodling Guitars]

I bought one from zzounds.com in July last year. $599 and 12 months interest free.

I changed all the "gold" hardware to chrome because I don't like fake "gold" and fitted a set of SD Saturday Night Specials. I also fitted a set of Graphtech Ratio locking tuners I had lying about, which were a straight swap for the originals.

The Epi V I bought is solid Korina, or so they say. Three blocks underneath, though, and with a veneer on the front and back, yes. But the only way to tell is to look "inside the V" - the cut-out.

But then, I only paid $600 for mine. The Gibson version is TEN GRAND. So I didn't expect a Mercedes for Kia money.

Oh. I didn't get a case, just a cardboard box. But the $400 I saved (allowing for the pickup swap) will buy one heck of a case!

That looks sweet - is that the color it came in or did you modify it? It looks closer to a red-brown than what I usually see (but then again, I've only seen the older models from the late 90s/early 2000s).
I think the way you did it with chrome actually gives it more of that "50s futuristic" vibe than what Gibson did with the gold.

 

[ThreeChordWonder]

That looks sweet - is that the color it came in or did you modify it? It looks closer to a red-brown than what I usually see (but then again, I've only seen the older models from the late 90s/early 2000s).
I think the way you did it with chrome actually gives it more of that "50s futuristic" vibe than what Gibson did with the gold.

The woody bits are untouched. Going chrome was both due to personal preference and because I already had a set of nickel Saturday Night Specials.

The electronics, by the way, have independent volumes plus a single tone. 500K CTS push pulls and a 0.022 uF polyester cap (easier to fit on a push pull body. The push pulls give individual coil splits (not much use TBH - a single push pull splitting both at the same time would have been just as good if not better) but also a phase flip on the bridge pickup, which is useful.

 

[Norton]

yeah,. these 58/59 reissue Vs & Explorers are different than all the other V's and explorers.

Long neck tenon, 1 or 2 piece bodies and No veneer.

Gibson pickups, good hardware and super solid electronics??? There's nothing to complain about. This is exactly what we've all been hoping for.

More please!!

 

[Keefoman]

I bought one from zzounds.com in July last year. $599 and 12 months interest free.

I changed all the "gold" hardware to chrome because I don't like fake "gold" and fitted a set of SD Saturday Night Specials. I also fitted a set of Graphtech Ratio locking tuners I had lying about, which were a straight swap for the originals.

The Epi V I bought is solid Korina, or so they say. Three blocks underneath, though, and with a veneer on the front and back, yes. But the only way to tell is to look "inside the V" - the cut-out.

But then, I only paid $600 for mine. The Gibson version is TEN GRAND. So I didn't expect a Mercedes for Kia money.

Oh. I didn't get a case, just a cardboard box. But the $400 I saved (allowing for the pickup swap) will buy one heck of a case!

Nice guitar! The chrome makes it look unique. I really like the gold hardware look on these, but as you say - personal preferences.

BTW, I've been wondering about getting the Epiphone (or even Gibson) raised logo for mine. Anyone tried to fit one?

 

[ThreeChordWonder]

Nice guitar! The chrome makes it look unique. I really like the gold hardware look on these, but as you say - personal preferences.

BTW, I've been wondering about getting the Epiphone (or even Gibson) raised logo for mine. Anyone tried to fit one?

eBay is your friend, but personally, no. I don't see the point of replacing one Epiphone logo with another, and I wouldn't try passing off any of my Epis as Gibsons, let alone my knockoff.

 

[Keefoman]

I know I can get raised logos on ebay, I was just curious if someone have actually fitted one. I just think the raised logo looks better, and I can assure you that I would never try to pass on the Epiphone as something else. Not that one would get away with it anyway…

 

[Raiyn]

I think the all Korina body and neck jacks the price up as well.

That's likely a huge chunk of it.

Unfortunately prices are up and will continue to go up, on just about everything. It's hard to have a firm grasp on what price is "fair" these days.

I dunno. I'm locked in on a big brand dual-humbucker, maple capped chambered mahogany body axe with a bound mahogany neck including a rosewood (my spell checker changed that to "firewood" ) fingerboard and 22 stainless steel frets.

For $799.

Last year, I was stoked to find a roasted maple neck on a Squier sub $500.

It does seem like they're testing the waters with a "premium" line that isn't someone's signature model.

If that's the case, I'll be quite interested in seeing how nuts they get with the next Jobobanana.

Edit: spelling and grammar tweeks.

 

[Space1999]

Nice guitar! The chrome makes it look unique. I really like the gold hardware look on these, but as you say - personal preferences.

BTW, I've been wondering about getting the Epiphone (or even Gibson) raised logo for mine. Anyone tried to fit one?

I bought a Graphtech tail piece for my IBG SG. When I got it they had a fly in card about Graphtech tuning gears. I’m interested.

So did you just replace the gears and used Epi’s knobs? How does that work?

Thanks,

Pat

 

[Noodling Guitars]

So did you just replace the gears and used Epi’s knobs? How does that work?

I think that's are how the Graphtech tuners come - that's their "vintage" style button.

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[Raiyn]

I think that's are how the Graphtech tuners come - that's their "vintage" style button.

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🎸 GraphTech RATIO® guitar machine heads. Easy tuners to install. Get the fastest, most precise tuning for your electric guitar! ✔️ 45-day guarantee.

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I bought a set of their lockers with those buttons. They'll be shipped with the guitar - eventually.

 

[Darkness]

I got excited yesterday to see the Guitaristas channel had got an Explorer. Then I watched it, he didn't get one but he's trying to.