This Explorer is VERY Different | 2005 Gibson 'Explorer Pro' Trans Ebony Flame Top Review + Demo

This Explorer is VERY Different | 2005 Gibson Explorer Pro Trans Ebony Review + Demo

Tonight we check out an original run Explorer Pro Guitar. A unique shrunken-bodied explorer that has a flame maple top, ebony fretboard and custom block mother of pearl inlays and 496R/500T pickups. These are rather unique and birthed quite a few other "smaller body" explorer.

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[Trog]

Should Gibson bring the "Explorer Pro" size back?

[D.Guitar]

This is honestly gorgeous... I would take this over a regular explorer any day

[zombieparrot]

I love this version. I’m partial to block and trapezoid inlays as opposed to dots. Also it sounds fantastic.

[oldstone]

I graduated in the top 90% of my class.

[TRHummer]

10% smaller, not 90%. If it were that small it would be a tie tac.

[chrishansen-crowley]

I’m guessing there isn’t any neck dove since Austin didn’t complain about it. That’s what I love about my gothic explorer; it’s really well balanced. It was also on sale from MF for $500 in 2001 or 2. Free shipping and no tax on internet sales. Ah, the good ol’ days…

[michaelsmilek]

I have both of them Trans Black and Amber. They are beautiful and play great. I had to check my cavities to see if it had brass grounding. No they don’t have it. Keep up the great work!

[Nothing-gvmv]

I freaking like it! I always felt like the regular models were too big

[alangreenway]

I’m only 5’6” and I don’t have a issue with my lefty Explorer- the extra bit sits under your arm so it doesn’t stick out too much. If anything it keeps it nicely balanced.

Saying that, the case is about 5ft long which can be a bit cumbersome.

[jimballardband]

X-Plorer studio 2006 Basswood (Green, blue, copper, red, yellow or Swap Ash body. Mini humbuckers, 22frets, rosewood fingerboard. Mahogany neck. Chrome stopbar Tune-o-matic, speed knobs and grovers w/chrome buttons. Was 90% of the original. I always wanted one.

[ethanhitchcock]

Wow I was'nt expecting to like the downsized Explorer but its super cool !...I love that finish and the way Gibson made the cuts on the body, well done Gibson !...Ive always liked the larger bodied guitars, like the older BIG bodied Gretsch models and the old Jazz Box Gibson models...Thanky Trogly !

[glaucosouza]

Oh my! Thats THE exolorer that I always wanted, a Pro of the first batch in trans Black with custom appointments. Sweet!!!!

[BUNKERJR]

I think you meant to say they are shrunken down 10%. You kept saying 90%. Beautiful guitar. I've always wanted an Explorer.

[timmypix]

I bought one of these in December and was surprised there wasn't a Trogly vid when I was looking into it! I love mine, brilliant guitar. Mine's a 2003 with a brown/pink case (no shroud anymore, boo)

[hostilerampage]

it's basically 1/10 smaller. they did away with the pickguard and put a 500 in the bridge which is great but made it smaller and changed the knobs like an ibanez destroyer. so for me it's two steps foward and two steps back

[ernieb]

man that bridge pick up sounds narly! takes me back to high school in the late 80's

[astheseasonsgrey]

This would be my dream spec'd explorer. Thanks for the deep dive into it

[Myoldnameiscringy]

Galen Hensen (rhythm guitar for Satriani and Tech for TSO) plays one of these. Stunning instrument.

[russfalkowski]

I have week #13 of the 2007 gotw and it’s awesome. No maple cap, cherry finished mahogany

[paulwilliams]

The GoTW Explorer Pro is the one that got away for me. They had a used one at the local GC, but I just bought my LP. Being smaller, it was awesome to play.