Gibson Explorer Bass

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Gibson Explorer Bass (1984-1987) 

During the early 80s, when glamour rock and heavy metal was at its peak (ZZ Top, Ozzy, Kiss... etc), Gibson Explorer Guitars gained extreme popularity. 

In 1981 to 1989 Gibson issued some different guitar models reminiscent to the original explorer such as the Korina, CMT, Explorer III and Explorer Heritage.

Due to their success Gibson introduced a bass in 1984 called the Gibson Explorer Bass. Unlike their companions (explorer guitars) the Explorer bass models were short lived and were discontinued in 1987. 

Most had standard finishes.. In 1985 Gibson made some explorer basses with designer graphic finishes which are more valuable today.

The explorer bass had an alder body, a 3 piece laminated neck, chrome hardware, 2 volume controls, 1 master tone, 21 frets, 2 hum buckers with black covers (Gibson logo on covers), it had a blackface peg head w/logo decals, and were made mostly in ebony and ivory white finishes, some black in 85 & red in 86.

In 2011 Gibson reproduced them and had a limited run on the market for about a year (2012), these explorer bass models were available in silver burst and sunburst. The Explorer bass is known today as an all around good sounding sturdy bass, a workhorse for gigs. 

Gibson Explorer Bass Price Guide (Updated April-26-2021)
  • 1984 - 1987 > $1200 to $1500 (Standard Finish)
  • 1985 - 1985 > $1300 to $1600 (Designer Graphic Finishes)
  • 2011 - 2012 > $900 to $1100 (Silver Burst)
  • 2011 - 2012 > $700 to $900 (Sunburst)

Comments

  1. Anonymous6:57 PM

    I had one. Cream colored. Not death metal at all. But I did not care. Three years ago, I sold it. I am now in a perpetual state of depression. Moral of the story: Never sell a Gibson Explorer Bass, unless you sell it to me for a reasonable price. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous4:44 PM

    We have one, apparently an '86 because it is bright candy apple red. It was purchased used from a local shop with hardshell cass for approx. $300. The guy obviously had no clue what he had or thought it was fake or something. But it's the real deal, very loud humbuckers, awesome.

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  3. Anonymous5:13 PM

    I am about to offer my '85 explorer on ebay. It taught me to play. It taught me the meaning of tone. Metal if you like, mellow as the last bus of the night. A true champion of tone. Not for the funk popper-for the groove master. A great bass to wear. Heavy and well balanced. I found it in 1990 for $400 next to Muddy Waters in Mpls. Mn. Time to move on.

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  4. Anonymous7:22 PM

    hey i might be interested in your explorer , do you have any pics maybe we can work out something before you put it up for sale ...craig

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous9:26 PM

    I got my Gibson Explorer Bass(new)(black)in the summer of '85. Being my first bass, it also taught me how to play. I still have it and will most likely be buried with it!This bass is very didtinctive in the strange way that you can feel the sound as well as hear it. It is a juggernaught of intimidation in appearance and sheer presence!Truely a classic to behold!

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  6. Banshee Chuck7:19 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  7. Anonymous8:42 AM

    Please,Please! can someone somewhere tell me where I can get my hands on one of these things the Gibson Explorer bass is the only thing I've ever wanted in a bass!

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  8. Anonymous8:47 PM

    try ebay

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous6:39 PM

    Hi there. I'm looking for a 1987 gibson explorer bass (red). If anyone knows where you can buy one please email me.
    cmsloan28@yahoo.com
    thank you. =]

    ReplyDelete
  10. Unknown8:56 AM

    I've had one since 85.Played every bass in the store and this was the last one I tried out.I wasn't into metal and it was the most expensive bass in the shop.Once I laid my 14 year old hands on it,there was no looking back.It's been my main axe ever since.To give an example of it's durability,it went through a house fire.The case was fried but the bass didn't look too bad.Played a gig that night,pulled it out,plugged it in,and guess what...Still in tune.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous3:57 AM

    An interesting side story to the Gibson Explorer bass is that it was obviously a bass version of the guitar reissue of the 1958/59 Gibson Explorer guitar.

    To my knowledge no 1958/59 Explorer basses were built?

    Anyway, the '84-'87 Gibson Explorer bass was an Alder body (as mentioned by Domenic) but the original 58/59 Explorer guitars were made out of Korina not Alder. However the Korean built Epiphone Explorer basses WERE built using Korina from 2002-04. Dont think for a minute that because its built in Korea it was sub standard. I bought one of these basses after falling in love with a mates black Gibson Explorer and honestly they compare very well. IMHO the Korean Epiphone stuff (and more specifically the instruments that came out of the UNSUNG factory) were built with pride and like they had something to live up to.

    http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t253/Freuds_cat/Epi-Explorer/Epi-exporer2.jpg

    http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t253/Freuds_cat/Epi-Explorer/Epi-exporer3.jpg

    http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t253/Freuds_cat/Epi-Explorer/Epi-exporer4.jpg

    http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t253/Freuds_cat/Epi-Explorer/Epi-exporer5.jpg

    Seriously if you want a real Explorer bass and cant find a Gibson dont think that the Epi aint the real deal. If anything you could say that its more authentic because the wood is at least the right wood. After all Alder is one of the main tone woods that Fender use.

    ReplyDelete
  12. ExploreGibSkulls8:05 PM

    I have afew Gibson Explorer Basses!! They rock!!! I run two stacks for my rig .1 Marshall , the other AmpegMy Gibsons sound better than any of my other basses. I've owned Fenders, Rickenbackers, and had customs made but none have that TONE I need !! Gibson Explorer Basses Rule! I want to have them RE -ISSUE them!!

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  13. Anonymous6:09 PM

    I had a black Explorer bass from '86 to '88. Nice fretboard, decent tone but VERY SENSITIVE to changes in temp and humidity. It was too fussy to be a good working instrument, though not as bad as a Ric. I gigged with it for 2 years then switched over to Ibanez Roadster and Fender Jazz basses. Much more usable "real world" instruments!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Anonymous11:55 AM

    where can i buy this bass?

    ReplyDelete
  15. merrick vampire7:25 PM

    I have a Gibson explorer bass, looks like it went through world war III,it came from a Texas prison, not kidding, sounds like butter, stays in tune forever, nice ebony neck. Has original case,the bass is white with a lot of wood showing from the wear. I have thought about selling it, it sits in the case, you walk by it and you can feel it's power, it's raw mojo. Everytime I play it out people try to buy it off me, a real magnet. I have a Gibson thunderbird too that I play more, mainly because of the shape not the sound, I think the explorer is better sounding, fat lows and thick tone on the high strings too, not one bit of honk, nice...

    ReplyDelete
  16. Unknown11:36 AM

    where can i buy this bass?

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous12:40 PM

    IF anyone has a gibson explorer bass they want to sell please contact timcosgrove@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Anonymous9:41 AM

    just bought one one e-bay. Natural yellow wood finish, high gloss with an ebony fretboard. Can't wait to take delivery. Have always wanted one of these. Yes, I'd have prefered a Korina, but these are becoming scarce in any form.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous2:35 PM

    I have one gibson explorer in medellin colombia S.A. 1984 black with original hardcase, for sale , contact me . andresterrazalaguito@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  20. Anonymous10:08 AM

    i have a 1986 red gibson explorer with original case for sale if interested you can contact me at robertneilson74@yahoo.co.uk

    ReplyDelete
  21. Anonymous4:21 PM

    I have a '86 cherry red, with white pickguard. Awesome bass. Really heavy by weight and sound... Never gonna sell it.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Roman12:24 AM

    If anyone has a gibson explorer bass they want to sell please contact romanbolotov@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. Anonymous6:57 PM

    I've got an Epiphone/Unsung 99. Great Bass-be advised these necks are a bit wide. Something I personally like is the placement of the pickups on the Epi vs. the Gibby. Also the string length is 32 on the Gibby, 34 on the Epi.

    Sound on the Gibson IS of higher quality, can't deny it, but you go with what you got!

    PEACE and Happy playing!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Anonymous5:22 PM

    I agree with some of the above comments re the Epiphone version. The 32" Gibson Explorer basses that I've played had trouble getting the full sound out of the E string.

    Epi Explorers are great sounding basses. typical Fitted Gibson style neck and a full 34 a 1/2 Inch neck. The E string rings true unlike some of the 32" Gibsons ironically. The pups in the Epi are great too, not cheapies by any stretch. I think that the Korina on the body is only the top and back laminate piece. Whatever the wood that makes up the main part of the body is, its fairly soft but the tone of these basses is to die for..

    I also agree that the Epi's Neck is a bit wider and must point out that you can definitely feel the difference in the extra width and length of this bass. It takes a little adjustment. If you listen closely you can hear me hit a few notes quite late due to this reason.
    I've had 4 different basses made in the Unsung factory in Korea and all are excellent quality. My Favourite being the Allen Woody Rumblekat.

    Here's an example of the Epi Explorers sound.

    https://youtu.be/PPoqdFqPulw

    ReplyDelete

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