1. Originally posted by anstratdubh1979[..]

    That tobacco Strat that he was talking about was a 'dog' as many 1970's Strats can be. In that, he owns and plays MANY 1970's era Strats.

    I think it's more than just the pickups issues. Not that the pickup issues weren't a reason enough. But the layout of the Explorer does lend itself to hand positions that naturally fall in the 10th - 12 frets. Many friends who've played mine have said similar things when playing mine; without my mentioning it beforehand.

    Fair kop - if I don't get an white Epiphone LP for my b'day (a week on Monday) I'm hoping to get an Epiphone Explorer (natural finish), so I'd have to get adjusted to it. THAT said, a lot of Edge's solos start on the high frets so it's not too much of a transition (I'm thinking The Fly and live versions of WOWY and WGRYWH for starters)
  2. Originally posted by WojBhoy[..]
    Fair kop - if I don't get an white Epiphone LP for my b'day (a week on Monday) I'm hoping to get an Epiphone Explorer (natural finish), so I'd have to get adjusted to it. THAT said, a lot of Edge's solos start on the high frets so it's not too much of a transition (I'm thinking The Fly and live versions of WOWY and WGRYWH for starters)


    Most solos are higher notes. Higher notes cut through the mix better.

    The Epiphone Explorers & white Epi Les Paul Customs are not bad but you might want to swap the pickups out at some point. The stock Epi's p'ups are not great. But there are plenty of great replacement pickups. Even paying for the p'ups and someone to put them in, is cheaper than buying a new Gibson.

    Edge got his first white Les Paul because Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols played one. That's pretty cool.

    I wouldn't mind one. Although, I might like a black one with gold hardware better.
  3. Originally posted by anstratdubh1979[..]

    Most solos are higher notes. Higher notes cut through the mix better.

    The Epiphone Explorers & white Epi Les Paul Customs are not bad but you might want to swap the pickups out at some point. The stock Epi's p'ups are not great. But there are plenty of great replacement pickups. Even paying for the p'ups and someone to put them in, is cheaper than buying a new Gibson.

    Edge got his first white Les Paul because Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols played one. That's pretty cool.

    I wouldn't mind one. Although, I might like a black one with gold hardware better.

    Yeah, another fair point regarding solos lol - I'm more for speaking before I think

    And yeah, I wanted something different because I do like my Strat. (a fairly good copy to be fair), but I wanted to start building up my collection (which currently stands at one electric and one semi-acoustic lol), PLUS the fact I just love the look of the white LP. And with it being my b'day, hopefully it won't cost me a penny!
  4. Originally posted by WojBhoy[..]
    Yeah, another fair point regarding solos lol - I'm more for speaking before I think

    And yeah, I wanted something different because I do like my Strat. (a fairly good copy to be fair), but I wanted to start building up my collection (which currently stands at one electric and one semi-acoustic lol), PLUS the fact I just love the look of the white LP. And with it being my b'day, hopefully it won't cost me a penny!



    Look at the Epiphone `56 Les Paul Reisues. The goldtop is 499.00:
    http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-Les-Paul-1956-Goldtop-Electric-Guitar?sku=518320

    They sound great. Lanois plays the Gibson equivalent. And the P-90's in the Epi sound great!

  5. That IS quite nice...shame I don't live in Canada lol...

    Re. Ep pickups, I spoke a while ago about my mate's black LP custom, that's got Epiphone standard issues pickups and if that's what you should go on, I could live with that

    I'd like a Gibson, but I've got a lifetime ahead of me to save for that! Gibsons don't really fit the prospective Uni. lifestyle lol...

  6. Originally posted by WojBhoy[..]
    That IS quite nice...shame I don't live in Canada lol...

    Re. Ep pickups, I spoke a while ago about my mate's black LP custom, that's got Epiphone standard issues pickups and if that's what you should go on, I could live with that

    I'd like a Gibson, but I've got a lifetime ahead of me to save for that! Gibsons don't really fit the prospective Uni. lifestyle lol...




    Canada? I'm confused. That bit on the page merely means that other than the US, they will ship to Canada too.

    I hear you about the Gibson prices. Keep in mind, my 1976 Gibson Explorer was a gift. I don't have that kind of money to spare most days.

    If you've played a black Epi LP Custom and like it, you're set.

  7. Originally posted by anstratdubh1979[..]

    Canada? I'm confused. That bit on the page merely means that other than the US, they will ship to Canada too.

    I hear you about the Gibson prices. Keep in mind, my 1976 Gibson Explorer was a gift. I don't have that kind of money to spare most days.

    If you've played a black Epi LP Custom and like it, you're set.



    glad you think so. About the Canada bit, I just noticed on the link you sent had a bit saying "we ship to Canada!", which unfortunately isn't much use for poor little me sitting on my arse on the wrong side of the UK lol...

    Yeah, I played said black Epi recently at a mini-gig for WOWY á la ZooTV (random note - we played it in C, i.e. had the guitar tuned to Drop D because the vocalist can't hit the high notes in D or Db like Bono can) and ooooh, I still smile about it now...
  8. Originally posted by WojBhoy[..]
    glad you think so. About the Canada bit, I just noticed on the link you sent had a bit saying "we ship to Canada!", which unfortunately isn't much use for poor little me sitting on my arse on the wrong side of the UK lol...

    Yeah, I played said black Epi recently at a mini-gig for WOWY á la ZooTV (random note - we played it in C, i.e. had the guitar tuned to Drop D because the vocalist can't hit the high notes in D or Db like Bono can) and ooooh, I still smile about it now...



    Not sure if Musiciansfriend will ship to the UK. But there are some other great online dealers in the UK. Where are you located? I can try to find a few onlines stores for you, if you like.
  9. Originally posted by anstratdubh1979[..]

    Not sure if Musiciansfriend will ship to the UK. But there are some other great online dealers in the UK. Where are you located? I can try to find a few onlines stores for you, if you like.

    I'm near Norwich, in Norfolk - I've got in touch with relatives so they're looking around too, I gave them the following links just so they got some idea of what I meant;

    http://www.soundcontrol.co.uk/mod_1/pages/mod_1.12/pages/mod_1.12.1/pages/mod_1.12.1.1/pages/index.php?sku=1.1.1.1.1-6-459
    http://www.soundcontrol.co.uk/mod_1/pages/mod_1.12/pages/mod_1.12.1/pages/mod_1.12.1.1/pages/index.php?sku=1.1.1.1.1-6-15100

    Just so you know, the Explorer is my #2 choice in case they can't find an LP. If they can't find either, I'm probably gonna get a handful of cash and have to go searching!

    EDIT - it was also a natural finish, rather than Ebony - don't know why that link's still on here lol...
  10. (And another thing, I think this topic should be re-named "Jeff's guitar Q&A" or something...rather like Dan and Nikki's vet topic...)
  11. Originally posted by WojBhoy(And another thing, I think this topic should be re-named "Jeff's guitar Q&A" or something...rather like Dan and Nikki's vet topic...)


    I don't know about that. It doesn't need to be named after me. We could rename it:

    Gear Chat: Q&A about all things U2 use live and in the studio.
  12. Originally posted by anstratdubh1979[..]

    I don't know about that. It doesn't need to be named after me. We could rename it:

    Gear Chat: Q&A about all things U2 use live and in the studio.

    Yeah, I didn't mean to sound patronising or anything - I think your suggestion is probably about right (although perhaps a bit more succinct because it does seem a tad wordy in retrospect )