Epiphone Explorer
Epiphone 1958 Explorer Ebony
Seymour Duncan Invader SH-8
Seymour Duncan ’59 SH-1n
Tone Pros Bridge
CTS 500k pots
Epiphone Explorer
As you may have already noticed, I’m a big fan of Epiphone gutiars. Here’s another good reason. The 1958 Explorer model is not only a few pounds lighter than the Gibson version, but it sounds great and plays just as well after a few modifications. I added a Seymour Duncan SH-8 Invader in the bridge position and the Seymour Duncan SH-1n ’59 in the neck to make this a sweet guitar thats all about the rock.
Explorer Mods
***Thanks Michael for your question***
The most obvious mod was swapping the pickups. But I also replaced the 2 volume pots and the single tone pot with CTS 500k’s. It surprises most, but the pots in any guitar can make a big difference in sound. The stock Epiphone pots are generally ok, but in this year/model they were extremely small and even visually didn’t look like they were of much quality.
Another mod that I’ve done previously in guitars (and will when time permits to the Explorer) is the treble-bleed mod I first heard about on the Seymour Duncan site. Check it out. I also replaced the pickup selector switch with a much sturdier one while I was in there, but it’s hard to tell the effect it had.
Lastly, replace the bridge with a TonePros (and the tail piece if you have the cash). It’s so much easier to intonate and it really helps tighten up the natural tones of the guitar, while adding lots of sustain.
September 11th, 2007 at 8:05 pm
Hi! I’m just curious about the modifications you did on your explorer. How’s the sound of the SD pick-ups on your guitar? I have a ’58 Flying V and if I make the same MODS you did, would it make my guitar sound as sweet as your explorer as what you have said? Hey thanks for your posts you’re a great help!
July 25th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
Hey – if you’re still out there, I’ve been reading your very informative blog and is right in my wheelhouse as I just purchased a 10 year old or so Epi Explorer, which is my “project” guitar. I’m going to upgrade everything – re bridge/tailpiece – which TonePros model did you put on yours? I also noticed that Guitar Electronics has a full packaged kit of electros for about 60 bucks. Thoughts?
THX– EK
July 30th, 2009 at 8:33 am
Hey EK-
I’m not sure of the exact model number of the Tone Pros bridge I used, and it’s been almost 2 years since. It’s the standard tune-o-matic setup and they don’t make many variations. The most important thing to remember is the Epiphone’s are built overseas so be sure to purchase the metric versions in order to have a proper fit. For the electronics, I remember having to purchase the Les Paul wiring kit because they didn’t have a 3-knob package. Don’t order the long-shaft versions of the pots and switcher either, you’ll learn the hard way they don’t fit. If you’re going to shop around for the parts, I recommend CTS 500k audio taper pots. When it comes to making a cheap guitar sound like it’s not, you really will get what you pay for and CTS is worth the few extra bucks in sound and reliability alone.
September 13th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
You should make a video of it on youtube. I’ve heard that the Invader + Mahogany = mud, but I have yet to hear clips.