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Toto'sDad · July 6th, 2012, 04:47 PM

Has Fender ever built a guitar that could compete with the Gibson Explorer for being ugly? Who, or what what group was the Explorer aimed at, did it hit anyone? Has Fender ever even built an ugly guitar of any kind?

Tele Joe · July 6th, 2012, 04:51 PM

Fender jaguar?

Phelonious Ponk · July 6th, 2012, 04:51 PM

I wouldn't step any closer than that if I were you. :)

P

bigmuff113 · July 6th, 2012, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toto'sDad

Has Fender ever built a guitar that could compete with the Gibson Explorer for being ugly? Who, or what what group was the Explorer aimed at, did it hit anyone? Has Fender ever even built an ugly guitar of any kind?

The Fender Performer?

tooncaster · July 6th, 2012, 04:59 PM

Gibson has four basic designs that are elegant and provide the foundation for truly beautiful work: the LP, ES-335, ES-175, and L-5. And of course there are the Broadway, Emperor, etc variations, but those all follow those body templates.

The Explorer, Firebird and Flying V are all just really stupid looking. I never understood the attraction to them, but fortunately they have inspired great artists like Albert King and Lynyrd Skynyrd; so who am I to argue?

As for the SG, it's just cool. Badass.

waparker4 · July 6th, 2012, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tooncaster

Gibson has four basic designs that are elegant and provide the foundation for truly beautiful work: the LP, ES-335, ES-175, and L-5. And of course there are the Broadway, Emperor, etc variations, but those all follow those body templates.

The Explorer, Firebird and Flying V are all just really stupid looking. I never understood the attraction to them, but fortunately they have inspired great artists like Albert King and Lynyrd Skynyrd; so who am I to argue?

As for the SG, it's just cool. Badass.

I used to think flying v's were dumb looking til grace potter came around.. now I'm warming up to them

benderb9 · July 6th, 2012, 05:08 PM

Gibson was attempting to 'get hip' because Leo Fender was cutting them off at the knees. Gibson was pretty stodgy, for old farts ya know, at that time and a bit more expensive than Fenders. They were going to release 3 guitars The Explorer, The Flying V and the Moderne (which supposedly had 2-3 proto-types made but nobody can find one). Gibson was pretty much yesterdays news until John Mayalls Beano album with Eric 'God' Clapton and his '59 LP and Marshall 45 combo. You could buy a LP Jr for 50.00 or less in perfect condition before that album. Gibson discontinued the Explorer and V but tried again with the various Firebirds in the early 60's, it too was doomed...until later but it's still an aquired taste. Funny enough they've all become pretty successful as re-issues except the Moderne over the years...all the Moderne re-issues flopped like a dried out turd (which pretty much describes it). Hammer made a pretty good imprint on the guitar with their Explorer copies. Had a Firebird and never really bonded with it, it's long gone. Have a V and while strange to look at it's really pretty happening to play, light/super neck access roars with 2 HB's...almost bought a Hammer Explorer once but just couldn't go through with it MEH, the Edge likes his though.

Sean W. · July 6th, 2012, 05:08 PM

Fender Jag-Stang. I think Explorers look pretty cool, though.

czgibson · July 6th, 2012, 05:13 PM

I think the Fender Performer is far uglier than the Explorer:

Dwills94 · July 6th, 2012, 05:20 PM

not as ugly as the performer but I can't tell if it's cool or stupid. just kinda awkwardly proportioned IMHO

Seasicksailor · July 6th, 2012, 05:22 PM

How about the Paisley? [... runs to the nearest exit!]

telequacktastic · July 6th, 2012, 05:23 PM

Explorers are great guitars, appearance isn't everything. Nothing says "I mean business" like a lead guitarist with an explorer or a flying V.

BBill64 · July 6th, 2012, 05:24 PM

The Moderne is the ugliest thing Gibson ever made.

Mr. E · July 6th, 2012, 05:24 PM

The Stratocaster

Seasicksailor · July 6th, 2012, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by telequacktastic

Explorers are great guitars, appearance isn't everything. Nothing says "I mean business" like a lead guitarist with an explorer or a flying V.

Nothing says "I have penis envy" like a lead guitarist with an explorer or a flying V. (present company excepted)

Seasicksailor · July 6th, 2012, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. E

The Stratocaster

Hahahahah!! Nice one!

Skub · July 6th, 2012, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by telequacktastic

Explorers are great guitars, appearance isn't everything. Nothing says "I mean business" like a lead guitarist with an explorer or a flying V.

Yeah,you must walk the walk if you own one of those,or a V.

Mike Eldred · July 6th, 2012, 05:31 PM

I (personally) don't think Explorers are ugly.

ME

sixtiesreject · July 6th, 2012, 05:32 PM

Hello Hello--

The Katana

KyAnne · July 6th, 2012, 05:47 PM

The Starcaster maybe?

July 6th, 2012, 04:47 PM	#1 (permalink)
Toto'sDad Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Bakersfield Posts: 7,108 2 Photos	Has Fender ever built a guitar as ugly as the Gibson Explorer? Has Fender ever built a guitar that could compete with the Gibson Explorer for being ugly? Who, or what what group was the Explorer aimed at, did it hit anyone? Has Fender ever even built an ugly guitar of any kind? __________________ I like me some Twangy Tele and some nonsense about honkytonk badonkadonk!

July 6th, 2012, 04:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tele Joe Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: NJ Age: 30 Posts: 359	Fender jaguar? __________________ Have a nice day!

July 6th, 2012, 05:20 PM	#10 (permalink)
Dwills94 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Troy, Ohio Age: 18 Posts: 384	not as ugly as the performer but I can't tell if it's cool or stupid. just kinda awkwardly proportioned IMHO __________________ Stay calm be confident and everything is gonna be alright

July 6th, 2012, 05:32 PM	#19 (permalink)
sixtiesreject Tele-Holic Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: austin Posts: 868	Hello Hello-- The Katana Attached Images

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Forum Sponsor Sponsored posting Join Date: March, 2003 Location: Forum HQ Posts: N/A	Sponsored by...

July 6th, 2012, 04:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
Phelonious Ponk Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: charlotte, nc Age: 61 Posts: 1,106	I wouldn't step any closer than that if I were you. :) P

July 6th, 2012, 04:59 PM	#5 (permalink)
tooncaster Tele-Afflicted Join Date: May 2010 Location: Portlandia Age: 43 Posts: 1,129 9 Photos	Gibson has four basic designs that are elegant and provide the foundation for truly beautiful work: the LP, ES-335, ES-175, and L-5. And of course there are the Broadway, Emperor, etc variations, but those all follow those body templates. The Explorer, Firebird and Flying V are all just really stupid looking. I never understood the attraction to them, but fortunately they have inspired great artists like Albert King and Lynyrd Skynyrd; so who am I to argue? As for the SG, it's just cool. Badass.

July 6th, 2012, 05:08 PM	#7 (permalink)
benderb9 Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: St Petersburg,FL Age: 61 Posts: 778 6 Photos	Gibson was attempting to 'get hip' because Leo Fender was cutting them off at the knees. Gibson was pretty stodgy, for old farts ya know, at that time and a bit more expensive than Fenders. They were going to release 3 guitars The Explorer, The Flying V and the Moderne (which supposedly had 2-3 proto-types made but nobody can find one). Gibson was pretty much yesterdays news until John Mayalls Beano album with Eric 'God' Clapton and his '59 LP and Marshall 45 combo. You could buy a LP Jr for 50.00 or less in perfect condition before that album. Gibson discontinued the Explorer and V but tried again with the various Firebirds in the early 60's, it too was doomed...until later but it's still an aquired taste. Funny enough they've all become pretty successful as re-issues except the Moderne over the years...all the Moderne re-issues flopped like a dried out turd (which pretty much describes it). Hammer made a pretty good imprint on the guitar with their Explorer copies. Had a Firebird and never really bonded with it, it's long gone. Have a V and while strange to look at it's really pretty happening to play, light/super neck access roars with 2 HB's...almost bought a Hammer Explorer once but just couldn't go through with it MEH, the Edge likes his though.

July 6th, 2012, 05:08 PM	#8 (permalink)
Sean W. TDPRI Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: FL, USA Posts: 47	Fender Jag-Stang. I think Explorers look pretty cool, though.

July 6th, 2012, 05:13 PM	#9 (permalink)
czgibson Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: UK Posts: 342	I think the Fender Performer is far uglier than the Explorer:

July 6th, 2012, 05:22 PM	#11 (permalink)
Seasicksailor Tele-Holic Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Greece Posts: 747	How about the Paisley? [... runs to the nearest exit!]

July 6th, 2012, 05:23 PM	#12 (permalink)
telequacktastic Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Fort Worth Age: 33 Posts: 1,500	Explorers are great guitars, appearance isn't everything. Nothing says "I mean business" like a lead guitarist with an explorer or a flying V.

July 6th, 2012, 05:24 PM	#13 (permalink)
BBill64 Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 573	The Moderne is the ugliest thing Gibson ever made.

July 6th, 2012, 05:24 PM	#14 (permalink)
Mr. E Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Laredo, Texas Posts: 574	The Stratocaster

July 6th, 2012, 05:31 PM	#18 (permalink)
Mike Eldred Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 186	I (personally) don't think Explorers are ugly. ME

July 6th, 2012, 05:47 PM	#20 (permalink)
KyAnne Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Money,MS Posts: 334	The Starcaster maybe?

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