QUESTION

If money were not an option what one guitar would you recommend for me as a collector to buy. I am a Gibson man I prefer them over Fender guitars Many are telling me to buy a 1959 Les Paul flametop some a flying V. I know you have many years experience in this business your opinion would be of great value to me

REPLY

Thank you for the e mail  would be glad to recommend one for you and I did not even have to think twice. If money really  is no options for you,  A real 1950′s Korina Explorer is the holy grail. I would estimate about 28 were made and I would say about 80% are already accounted for in collections. This would without a double hold is value more than any Gibson guitar unless lets say Jimmy Pages Les Paul or some celebrity guitar.

The guitar itself is a radical design for the time and it along with the Flying Vee and supposedly !!! a Modern was Gibsons futuristic view of the guitar. The Explore itself i have always found to sound and play great. I have had the fortune to actually flay a few real ones and what can i say it is like a religious experience. The guitar was made out of a wood names Korina which is actual African Limba wood I believe and having the same characteristics of mahogany or that is my opinion it was a no loose situation. Any all mahogany guitar with humbuckers or P90′s pickups kills I mean it is a flawless combination and Gibson new this .

You have to be careful there have been many copies and forgeries over the years and some quite good ( thanks to max and others) but still now that i have seen a real one there is no real comparison. the problem lies in the fact that so few exist there is nothing to compare it to so how many people can say they have seen played or touched one. Thousands have played burts and and Flying Vees and have some reference to real and what is not but that is not the case with an Explorer.

A few tips do not buy one without and original case. !!!!! unless you have an expert with you the case is so rare it should be with theguitar also look closely many have converted double neck cases to fit these look close.  Nobody has ever copied the case correctly this is FIRST thing to look for. The parts are very unique for this guitar and I do not want to give all the secrets away but have the parts checked out . The tuners on these varied over the years too so check the fact closely. I Will be glad to answer any question personally rather than put all the info out on the net for the forgers to pickup on. It is better for you to pay a person a few thousand dollars when buy this to verify it i have a list of collectors who have the real ones and will be glad to help . These are going for around $500,000.00 now so what is $2000-$4000 when you could loose your shirt . Do not cheap out on an expert with this one folks you Will thank me later .

I hope this helps and again I will be glad to put you in contact wit a real guy if you need info just e mail me at THE PARTS DRAWER  good luck and happy hunting this one is THE ONE TO OWN.

JIm Pasch