topekatj Posted May 26, 2020 Share Posted May 26, 2020 I’m pretty much a Strat, Les Paul (Standard) and LP DC Jr. player. I don’t believe I’ve ever played an Explorer shaped electric. Played a Gibson Firebird once, now that’s a l-o-n-g guitar. The Fender Jazzmaster is dang big, too. Is the Explorer comfortable to play sitting down? How about that hefty body point on the bass side, butt end: Does it interfere with the forearm? I don’t play in a band and don’t practice standing up. And let’s just say the contours of the Strat body fit the contours of my brawny frame. I’d like to try one but right now is not optimal for guitar window shopping. I am interested in hearing what the forum has to say (about Explorers!). Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobB Posted May 26, 2020 Share Posted May 26, 2020 53 minutes ago, topekatj said: 1.) Is the Explorer comfortable to play sitting down? 2.) How about that hefty body point on the bass side, butt end: Does it interfere with the forearm? 1.) Yes 2.) No Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Haynie Posted May 26, 2020 Share Posted May 26, 2020 Sitting down with an Explorer (Standard) shaped guitar works OK. The Futura (Rick Nielsen) shape with the deeper angle is even better for sitting down. The Shishkov Ultimates have that little extra cut, but not as radical as the Futura. That upper part of the body is a nice shelf for your forearm. The feel and balance are much different from a Firebird. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biz Prof Posted May 26, 2020 Share Posted May 26, 2020 2 hours ago, Steve Haynie said: The feel and balance are much different from a Firebird. Verily. I love the look of Firebirds, and I even owned a reissue FBV back in the '90s, but the way they hang makes a F barre chord rather tedious unless you have NBA-grade wings. Kind of like have a utility pole hanging off one's shoulders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G Man Posted May 26, 2020 Share Posted May 26, 2020 I was amazed the first time I played one at how comfortable these guitars are to play. That little shelf for your forearm to rest on, and the overall balance and just about perfect. It is a bit long though, easy to whack the bass bout on any number of things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biz Prof Posted May 26, 2020 Share Posted May 26, 2020 10 minutes ago, G Man said: That little shelf for your forearm to rest on, and the overall balance and just about perfect. It is a bit long though, easy to whack the bass bout on any number of things. That's been my experience with my Standard, as well. When I play mine while standing, I do find it more comfortable to wrap the strap around the bass bout "horn" a la Allen Collins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
velorush Posted May 26, 2020 Share Posted May 26, 2020 I am decidedly not "brawny" and found the aptly-named Shiskov Ultimate to be entirely too large for me. I mention this only to offer this simple advice: go somewhere and play one (or a few) before you buy. I am the idiot that was fortunate enough to be included in the Shishkov Ultimate run only to discover after delivery the body shape just wasn't for me. Had I taken the time to actually go and play a Standard-shaped guitar beforehand I would have known better. That said, in the right hands (i.e., Mike Shishkov), the body shape (and size) lends itself to some magnificent tonal manipulation - Shishkov Ultimate 0023 is a thunderous instrument with unbelievably thick harmonic output. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Haynie Posted May 26, 2020 Share Posted May 26, 2020 Rick Medlocke is another guy who puts his guitar strap over the front of his Explorer. He was in an early line-up of Lynyrd Skynyrd, so he and Allen Collins may have both started placing their straps that way at the same time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funky Chicken Posted May 26, 2020 Share Posted May 26, 2020 I find the shape to be much more comfortable than I expected. My right forearm kinda sits on the "shelf" formed by the body. I would imagine that a 10 pounder might be awkward but mine (Ultimate #73) doesn't ever feel heavy to me. It's a much more comfortable guitar than any Les Paul I have owned or played. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kizanski Posted May 26, 2020 Share Posted May 26, 2020 19 minutes ago, Steve Haynie said: Rick Medlocke is another guy who puts his guitar strap over the front of his Explorer. He was in an early line-up of Lynyrd Skynyrd, so he and Allen Collins may have both started placing their straps that way at the same time. This should not be allowed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Willie G. Moseley Posted May 26, 2020 Share Posted May 26, 2020 G Man's post is valid for my experiences as well; at various points in my time of collecting I'd owned a '76 Gibson Explorer and two Blitz basses Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Shark Posted May 26, 2020 Share Posted May 26, 2020 2 hours ago, kizanski said: This should not be allowed. Like tucking a dress shirt inside your underwear. Forbidden. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topekatj Posted May 26, 2020 Author Share Posted May 26, 2020 Thanks to everyone who's replied! I remember reading that the Shishkov's are built a little narrower in the waist (for comfort?), and also the the Nielson/Futura is a bit more comfortable to play sitting down than your basic Explorer (but damn pricey!). (Guess I could ask Mr. Shishkov, but does anyone know if he's still producing the 'Ultimate' shaped guitars?) The other thing RE: brawny/big shoulders is, for example, if I'm sometimes wishing that the upper horn on my Hamer Special were a bit longer, then how's a guitar with NO upper horn gonna hang? I'm going to look forward to trying one out (whatever's on Guitar Sinner's, er, Center's wall) once the all-clear is sounded to see if the shape works for me (or not). It's kind of like a Martin D-18 (dreadnought) acoustic: They look and sound great, but if it doesn't fit on your lap and/or you can't reach over the guitar to play it.... game over. Over the weekend I was kind of watching the KK pegheaded Blitz that was listed on Reverb. Super cool, but between not being sure about the body shape, and likelihood that the '85 neck is probably gonna be skinny, decided not to make a move on it. Finally: Agreed that wearing your strap IN FRONT of upper rear body point should be illegal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobB Posted May 26, 2020 Share Posted May 26, 2020 5 minutes ago, topekatj said: 3.) (Guess I could ask Mr. Shishkov, but does anyone know if he's still producing the 'Ultimate' shaped guitars?) 4.) The other thing RE: brawny/big shoulders is, for example, if I'm sometimes wishing that the upper horn on my Hamer Special were a bit longer, then how's a guitar with NO upper horn gonna hang? 5.) Finally: Agreed that wearing your strap IN FRONT of upper rear body point should be illegal. 3.) He is not building Ultimates currently. 4.) 'Tis a fine hang. 5.) Truth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jakeboy Posted May 27, 2020 Share Posted May 27, 2020 8 hours ago, Steve Haynie said: Rick Medlocke is another guy who puts his guitar strap over the front of his Explorer. He was in an early line-up of Lynyrd Skynyrd, so he and Allen Collins may have both started placing their straps that way at the same time. I thought Medlocke played drums with Skynrd originally? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobB Posted May 27, 2020 Share Posted May 27, 2020 2 minutes ago, Jakeboy said: I thought Medlocke played drums with Skynrd originally? Correct. Even sang lead on a coupla ballads on the Muscle Shoals recordings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Shark Posted May 27, 2020 Share Posted May 27, 2020 30 minutes ago, RobB said: Correct. Even sang lead on a coupla ballads on the Muscle Shoals recordings. He's one of the most unassuming "stars" you'll ever meet. He and Charley were at one of the first Orlando vintage guitar shows. Had lunch with them at a Chinese buffet just down the street from the show. About ten people at the table. Ricky owned the joint. Charley put away some serious calories. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Victor (Fret Friend) Posted June 7, 2020 Share Posted June 7, 2020 Explorers are my favourite guitar shape (always have been). I have a one-of-a-kind Edwards (made in Japan by ESP). I say one-of-a-kind because a year after I bought it new, I knocked it off a stand and snapped the headstock and damaged the body. As I did not want to lose a heap of money, I had it repaired and refinished in Arctic White (they come in satin stock: no paint/coating). Since being grain-filled and painted, it is twice the guitar it was. I stained the rosewood board to make it look like ebony. Cracking guitar now that has that comes with SD Blackouts (EMG's ar an option) and Gotoh hardware. The only thing I changed was the nut (original was bone but I wanted black so went with a Graphtech TUSQ)... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Haynie Posted June 7, 2020 Share Posted June 7, 2020 A friend has one of those satin finished Edwards Explorers. Those are nice guitars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Victor (Fret Friend) Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 11 hours ago, Steve Haynie said: A friend has one of those satin finished Edwards Explorers. Those are nice guitars. Mine is the E-EX-125D. It sounds much better painted Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamerhead Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 In the great strap-over-the-front debate, I gotta say it's mighty comfy. And when you're reaching for pedals on the floor, not having the damn guitar flop forwards is pretty handy. I know it's about 'the look', but it is functionally superior in every conceivable way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gorch Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 Actually, I fell in love with them Standards. My collection grew over time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamerica Posted June 8, 2020 Share Posted June 8, 2020 Yeah but Ricky Medlocke is badass musician so he can do whatever he wants. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brooks Posted June 9, 2020 Share Posted June 9, 2020 On 5/26/2020 at 11:28 AM, G Man said: I was amazed the first time I played one at how comfortable these guitars are to play. That little shelf for your forearm to rest on, and the overall balance and just about perfect. It is a bit long though, easy to whack the bass bout on any number of things. This was what I was going to post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sixesandsevens Posted June 9, 2020 Share Posted June 9, 2020 On 5/26/2020 at 3:43 PM, The Shark said: Like tucking a dress shirt inside your underwear. Forbidden. The obvious solution is to ditch the underwear. I'm ... not sure what that metaphor means for guitar straps... 🤔 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.