First build Explorer EXM-1

[Trevor Davies]

Nice work. It looks great in the pics.

[Alexej]

Thank you guys.
Hope I can manage to install the hardware this weekend...

[Alexej]

So, started to install the hardware...

EMGs were set, locking tunings were set...

and then I fucked up the surface while installing the potis...

The wrench had a little notch (little sharp piece of metal standing out) which I didn't notice...
it drew a nice scratch...

So I started to repaint the part, but it didn't work out well...the difference between old and new paint...just ruined teh whole thing...
so now I had to sand it a little bit and repaint the whole front again...

It was almost done...

[Chaosblade]

Hopefully you get it looking as good as it was. That matte finished looked great, way better than mine is looking to turn out.

Probably a good idea to use something like a lens cleaning cloth or other small cloth over the finish.

[Alexej]

Main mistake was, that I masked the part with the scretches off, so no color comes to the finished parts and hardware...
The problem was, it made a hard line where the masking tape was (quiet logical...but...)...

You can see the line...



And the second issue was, that I sprayed wrong...maybe again too much distance...

But anyway...seems that I could save it...

Started mounting, in a more save mode...







and after setting all the hardware...the late evening I managed to finish the guitar!!!

I put some strings on and made some soundtesting...sounds good so far...never tried the EMGs before and I think I like them...
It's the Zakk Wylde set...

I am not good in guitar playing...so it is difficult for me to judge...but comparing the Explorer to my Epiphone Les Paul Gothic I think the playability is similar, maybe even better...so the first impression is positive...have to make all the adjustments...but in the pure built setup it made already fun...

And it is looking great, just like I wanted it to be...simple black metal machine

I will try to make some pics these days...

[Alexej]

So, finally I can present the object





The only thing that is missing are the strap buttons...But the rest is fine to me...

The most thing I personally like is the installation of the EMGs...



Thought about the cover of the truss rod, but just can not find the perfect shape to fit...
And maybe I will even leave it open, kind of like it that way...



And I made a custom toggleswitch handle, but I think this one has to be glossy...soon...

[Sonic Mountain]

Looks great. Well done.

[Alexej]

Here and there are some small damages in the wood, which I could not prevent...but about 90% of the surface are great, I think...



And also one problem is the border between fretboard and the neck, where the masking tape was...I think should have placed the masking tape not directly on the line between fretboard and neck, but a little above, more to the fretboard...and then sanding the part on the fretboard, to get it smooth...now it is a different lvl in height, sanded it a little, so it does not disturb...but it looks not that nice...overall ok...



Now I am experimenting with the adjustments...not that easy to get a low string height without clattering...
It is playable and sounds good to me...but the clattering is too much for my taste...for high gain maybe it does not matter, but it does not feel good ...

Will try out thicker strings, it might help a bit...at the moment I put some 10/46...

Maybe I will bring it to a guitar builder for the "sound finish"...for I am totally not good in that and helpless

[Alexej]

Thank you Sonic!

[Sonic Mountain]

Setup always takes a while after it's 'finished' to settle down. I find myself going over it several times over the course of a few months to really dial it in, filing frets and tinkering the action and intonation. Just make small changes and play it, you'll eventually narrow down any problem areas.