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  1. My idea would simply be to head to your nearest guitar store and try out a few guitars, maybe with a bit of help from a staff member or something. You wanna find a guitar that you feel comfortable playing primarily - my first guitar, which I still have, was a Ridgewood Strat. copy which I tried out when I was first starting out. I couldn't play guitar, but I still got a feel for it being comfortable and suited, so that would be my advice. I still use it now and still rate it.

    That and it was all I could afford =P but yeah, there's my take
    Originally posted by EyesWithPrideB3:The obvious choice would be an Epiphone Explorer (or a Gibson, if you're talking some serious money)...but Edge also plays Les Paul models and Fender Strats (which sound great clean) most commonly.

    He's been using what looks like a hollow-body on "Breathe" and "No Line" live this year, and someone else on the thread would probably be able to help you out with what thats called. I play a PRS (Paul Reed Smith) SE, which looks remotely like a Les Paul. It has fantastic action and sound, and through my multi-effect pedal, Edge's sounds are usually close to achievable. It's all a matter of personal preference. The PRS cost me about $500

    I wouldn't say the Explorer is an obvious choice, but as guitars go it's one of the best I've played. That said, I've not played every guitar in existence, but it suits me to a tee - everything about the look, the feel, the sound, the versatility (which might not be apparent to everyone); of the three electrics I have, it's far and away the best. The Les Paul is a fun guitar to play, but there are things about it which knark me, primarily the fact the tuners are shite and it goes out of tune very easily - bend any string a slight amount and you then have to spend the next 3 minutes retuning (thankyou Epiphone's Chinese-based factories...).

    Re. Breathe and NLOTH, he's using one of his arsenal of Epiphone Casinos. My housemate has one and it just doesn't have that zing for me - the P90s plus its limited sustain don't suit my style, but it's a decent guitar for what it's worth. I just prefer my Explorer One of my best friends has a PRS SE too, and I would also say that's a damned good piece of kit for what it's worth, but again it doesn't quite do it for me - having said that, it's not mine so I'm not gonna worry!

    Amen brutha
  2. I love my new Explorer, it just looks so unique compared to all my friends who have strat-copy type guitars. I noticed it only has 22 frets though, are the Epiphones shorter scale than their Gibson equivalents?

    Though it is based on the 58 Explorers not the 76 reissues Edge uses.
  3. Originally posted by vanquish:I love my new Explorer, it just looks so unique compared to all my friends who have strat-copy type guitars. I noticed it only has 22 frets though, are the Epiphones shorter scale than their Gibson equivalents?

    Though it is based on the 58 Explorers not the 76 reissues Edge uses.


    The 1976 'Limited Edition' Gibson Explorers that The Edge (and I !) use were based on the original 1958 explorer design.

    I don't think there is much difference, other than the pickups in the 1976 being the T-Tops versus the 1958 which probably had the PAF Humbucker.

    The only difference in the Epiphone Explorer design and Edge's 1976's are that the Epiphone guitar body is Korina vs. the Edge's being mahogany body. That said, I've not heard anyone complain about an Epiphone Explorer. A friend has one, which she had T-Tops put in, and it sounds great!
  4. Originally posted by anstratdubh1979:[..]

    The 1976 'Limited Edition' Gibson Explorers that The Edge (and I !) use were based on the original 1958 explorer design.

    I don't think there is much difference, other than the pickups in the 1976 being the T-Tops versus the 1958 which probably had the PAF Humbucker.

    The only difference in the Epiphone Explorer design and Edge's 1976's are that the Epiphone guitar body is Korina vs. the Edge's being mahogany body. That said, I've not heard anyone complain about an Epiphone Explorer. A friend has one, which she had T-Tops put in, and it sounds great!


    I heard from numerous sources that the 76's have humbuckers called "tarbacks". One of the members on the U2-sound-forum has 2 LE exploerers, and he checked both of his and they have these tarbacks.
  5. Wow....thanks for all the advice guys!! I will definitely take it all on board and will let you know what I end up with!!

    THanks again!!
  6. Originally posted by RattleandHum1988:[..]

    I heard from numerous sources that the 76's have humbuckers called "tarbacks". One of the members on the U2-sound-forum has 2 LE exploerers, and he checked both of his and they have these tarbacks.


    A "tarback" IS a T-Top/T-Bucker pickup. Not all T-Tops are Humbuckers. Some had the epoxy seal and some didn't.

    Why are they referred to as T-Tops?

    T-Tops are referred to as such as they have a "T" that is part of the molding on the front of the two pickup bobbins. These also had the decal with "Patent No 2,737,842"

  7. Originally posted by anstratdubh1979:[..]

    The 1976 'Limited Edition' Gibson Explorers that The Edge (and I !) use were based on the original 1958 explorer design.

    I don't think there is much difference, other than the pickups in the 1976 being the T-Tops versus the 1958 which probably had the PAF Humbucker.

    The only difference in the Epiphone Explorer design and Edge's 1976's are that the Epiphone guitar body is Korina vs. the Edge's being mahogany body. That said, I've not heard anyone complain about an Epiphone Explorer. A friend has one, which she had T-Tops put in, and it sounds great!


    The design on the 76 ones is better, it has sharper curves compared to the 58


    The 58s (both the Gibsons and the Epis) also use Korina wood instead of mahogany which means they should sound different, to luthiers apparently Korina has even better tone than mahogany (brighter with more sustain) and is a lighter wood too.
  8. Originally posted by vanquish:[..]

    The design on the 76 ones is better, it has sharper curves compared to the 58[image]
    [image]

    The 58s (both the Gibsons and the Epis) also use Korina wood instead of mahogany which means they should sound different, to luthiers apparently Korina has even better tone than mahogany (brighter with more sustain) and is a lighter wood too.


    I much, much, much prefer the bridge on the '58, though. Subtle difference in sound and look, but still a gorgeous difference in the '58.


  9. It started it's life as a Powerhouse Strat, one of the very first ever made(not that it matters), I then changed the stock pearl pickguard with a different one, since the stock Fender one was too yellowish for my taste. Then threw in some EMG SAs and about a year later put the EXG and SPC (just like Gilmour's, unintentionally). It also has Graphteck string saddles since my sweaty palms rusted out the stock vintage styles. One day while picking up some new strings I saw some gold screws and decided to replace the silver with gold and made it look even better, to me at least.

    The neck is surprisingly figured for a Mexi-strat as an added bonus.

  10. I'd like to get a '76 in time, but as things are I do love my Epi. '58 model. As I've said above...
  11. Originally posted by vanquish:[..]

    The design on the 76 ones is better, it has sharper curves compared to the 58[image]
    [image]

    The 58s (both the Gibsons and the Epis) also use Korina wood instead of mahogany which means they should sound different, to luthiers apparently Korina has even better tone than mahogany (brighter with more sustain) and is a lighter wood too.


    Where's the picture of the 1958? Don't think that the black one is not a 1958. They only made the 1958's in natural wood finish.

    The 1976 is a 1958 copy. Only diffeence that I know of is the T-Top pickups vs. the original PAF humbuckers of the 1958 model. I've heard a few different numbers but I think there was less than 50 made in 1958.

    So I am not sure that curve differences you are referring to... other than the photos shown were taken from a slightly different angle.

    As for Korina being a better wood or not... some luthiers may prefer it. Possibly is a better wood.

    But there is no denying the amazing tone of the 1976 Explorers. One need only listen to U2's BOY album alone to see this.
  12. I see that the black explorer has sharper edges too.
    As you guys seem to like explorers, what do you think about these?

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