1990s Epiphone "Gibson" Explorer Electric Guitar

Overview: What we have here is what appears to be a late-'90s Epiphone Explorer that someone has modified at the headstock to read Gibson. It has the maple neck (with scarf joint), mahogany-veneered (basswood?) body, and various other details that peg it as an Epi from that era. I've, of course, covered-over the problematic "branding" at the headstock, but suffice to say, it looks "right" at a glance under there. What this guitar does have in extras is a set of Duncan '59 pickups and improved wiring (as well as, it seems, hardware).

Tone: It sounds like... old PAF buckers...! You've got a nice, full, relaxed sound with some chime when you want it and some girth when you want it, depending on how much drive you've got your amp set to. 

Feel: The neck is quite slim and has a flatter board radius. It reminds me of SuperStrat-style necks from the '80s, to be honest. Quick! The instrument is lightweight, overall, for an Explorer-size guitar, so it doesn't feel as ungainly as some of these can be.

Interesting features: Well -- let's start with the bogus "G" headstock logo. There you go! The rest is straightforward, though the pickup upgrades are welcome.

Repairs included: Gurion gave it a level/dress of the frets and a full setup and it's now playing bang-on and is ready to go.

• Weight: 8 lbs 0 oz
• Scale length: 24 5/8"
• Nut width: 1 11/16"
• Neck shape: slim C/D
• Board radius: 20"
• Body width: 17"
• Body depth: 1 5/8"
• Body wood: mahogany veneer over...?
• Bridge: ABR
• Fretboard: rosewood
• Neck wood: maple
• Pickups: 2x humbucker
• Action height at 12th fret: 1/16” overall (fast, spot-on)
• String gauges: 46w-10
• Truss rod: adjustable
• Neck relief: straight
• Fret style: wide/medium-height

Condition notes: There are some small bumps and nicks and dings and scratches here and there throughout the body, but nothing seriously untoward. The headstock has a little "crackle" to the finish. on the front and some rubbing on the back. The serial number is missing on the back of the headstock and, of course, the headstock's face/logo has been altered. It is, however, a handsome guitar.

It comes with: It has an original Epiphone hard case (yes, and it's big).

Consignor tag: DCH