U2 & Guitar Gear: Q & A

Originally posted by anstratdubh1979:What model Stratocaster is the one pictured?

Looks similar to a Clapton, with the Lace Sensor pickups. Or perhaps an older Stratocaster Plus?

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Originally posted by vanquish:The design on the 76 ones is better, it has sharper curves compared to the 58[image]
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Originally posted by vanquish:[..]

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

Originally posted by anstratdubh1979:[..]

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.

It'll be interesting to compare the tone of one of those new 58 Gibson Korina Explorers with the normal mahogany Explorers to see the difference in tone.
Indeed, I wonder why Edge hasn't picked one up himself, seeing as it is similar in tone to mahogany except a bit brighter and with more sustain (which would suit Edge's style a lot).

Originally posted by vanquish:[..]

The 1958 was the natural colour one, its a Gibson Custom shop re-issue costs like $8000 US

These pics illustrate the difference in bodystyle better, the 76 reissue has a longer horn and a wickedly sharp curve to the bout
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Originally posted by anstratdubh1979:Try the Korina Epiphone Explorer. $500.00 is easier to find than $7999 for the Custom Shop.

My point on the original pictures was that the natural looked like a 1976. You say it's a 1958. Which matches what I said initially, the 1976 Explorers are 1958 reissues.

What year was the black one pictured? I don't think that it is a 1976 - they were natural.

Edge hasn't used a Korina Explorer as he probably feels he's hit the jackpot with his 1976 Limited Edition Explorer (and it's mahogany body). Why mess with perfection?

We could all pitch in and buy Edge a Korina 1958 reissue? Hahahaha...





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I meant to say that the black explorer is a new current issue model (which is the same shape as the 76 reissues) it's not a 76 vintage Explorer.

Has anyone actually heard the tone of a custom shop korina explorer or flying v?