Explorer Het'd out.

[Mike Oxhuge]

Just finished Hetfield tribute mods to my Explorer. Tone pros hardware, Grover locking 18:1 tuners, 81/85 set, fret decals. This is how it should have came. Before and after pics.

Before
PXL_20230915_223245667 by Billy Coverdale, on Flickr

After
PXL_20231005_023654617 by Billy Coverdale, on Flickr

[GuitarBilly]

Fuck me that's amazing


What a difference the black hardware makes. I don't know why Gibson is not selling them with black hardware, they would probably sell a lot more of them.

And they need to make a white one too!!!

[Zozobra]

Saucy

[linthat22]

Fuck me that's amazing


What a difference the black hardware makes. I don't know why Gibson is not selling them with black hardware, they would probably sell a lot more of them.

And they need to make a white one too!!!

Oh dude, could you imagine if Gibson made a white one with the eet fuck sticker on it? Probably would sell like hotcakes.

[GuitarBilly]

Fuck me that's amazing


What a difference the black hardware makes. I don't know why Gibson is not selling them with black hardware, they would probably sell a lot more of them.

And they need to make a white one too!!!

Oh dude, could you imagine if Gibson made a white one with the eet fuck sticker on it? Probably would sell like hotcakes.

I have a feeling something is happening with Gibson and Metallica. They already released 2 Hammett models (the V and Greenie), they're doing sig models for other metal bands like Megadeth and LoG and they even own Mesa now. So they're well positioned to offer something in that market.

My guitar conspiracy theory is that this series is a trial run for an offer to Metallica. They HAVE to know these guitars are being bought by people looking for a Hetfield Explorer, so they're probably gathering sales numbers to present in negotiations.

[Mike Oxhuge]

They already have stated a white one is coming. Weird thing about this one is it is a 2023 as confirmed by the pickup date codes of 3/23, but serial number starts with 20. I wonder if they changed their serial number designation again.

[Mike Oxhuge]

Also, I can't find any flaws on this guitar. The fit, finish and fretwork are top notch. Every Gibson I've had since 2019 have been consistent in quality and tone. Also this is the lightest guitar I own, even lighter than my PRS S2 McCarty double cut!

[GuitarBilly]

They already have stated a white one is coming. Weird thing about this one is it is a 2023 as confirmed by the pickup date codes of 3/23, but serial number starts with 20. I wonder if they changed their serial number designation again.

Should be digits 1 and 5. That's how Gibson has done it for decades, except for special runs.
What's the 5th digit?

[GuitarBilly]

Also, I can't find any flaws on this guitar. The fit, finish and fretwork are top notch. Every Gibson I've had since 2019 have been consistent in quality and tone. Also this is the lightest guitar I own, even lighter than my PRS S2 McCarty double cut!

Yep. They really righted the ship after the management changes. All the current production Gibsons I've played have been awesome.
I think they're going through a really great phase that is being unnoticed by some customers. This also happened in the late 80s and the 90s (again shortly after a management change), those guitars are now recognized as some of Gibson best guitars but at the time they're not considered anything special. I think the late 10s and 20s guitars will hold up just as well if not better.

[Devin]

Dopee

[Mike Oxhuge]

They already have stated a white one is coming. Weird thing about this one is it is a 2023 as confirmed by the pickup date codes of 3/23, but serial number starts with 20. I wonder if they changed their serial number designation again.

Should be digits 1 and 5. That's how Gibson has done it for decades, except for special runs.
What's the 5th digit?

It is a 3. I mistakenly thought it was the first 2 digits.

[ZEEGLER]

Very nice!

I'm sure the Hetfield sig will be something like $10k

[GuitarBilly]

The Standard production Greenie replica is $3100, which is pretty reasonable for a Les Paul. Obviously the Custom Shop version is much more expensive.

But maybe they will do the same with Hetfield guitars and release one for each price range, Epiphone, Gibson USA and Gibson Custom Shop. That would be ideal.