Need your guitar expertise

[Gunther_mag_user]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ARBOR-Explorer-Flash-Series-450-AXE-1984-Japan_W0QQitemZ7392149306QQcategoryZ2384QQrdZ1QQcm dZViewItem

Would the $200 price tag be worth that guitar? I am considering buying it for the body and upgrading the pickups, maybe a new neck. I've always loved explorers and I love that color. You think it's worth it?

[personman]

Well for 200 you cant expect much from a guitar.. that tremolo is a bad idea, you're probably going to have tuning issues. The action is probably going to be pretty bad too. I cant say though because I've never heard of Arbor (which probably isnt that great of a sign either)

Then again I'm not exactly a guitar guru.

[Gunther_mag_user]

The main thing I am interested in is the body, Almost everything else would be replaced. Think that would be cheaper than having a custom body made?.

[etjoyride]

What happened to my old one??? or are you using the parts off of it :D

[Gunther_mag_user]

What happened to my old one??? or are you using the parts off of it :D
I traded it off about 3 days ago, I only traded cause it was way in my favor. Anyways, I can now afford a much higher end guitar, so I plan on getting some nice pickups(haven't decided yet). I already have another guitar coming to me, but since I quit my gun-whore ways I have become a guitar-whore. I really would just be getting this because it would be a mega sweet project and something to show off.


Also, has anyone ever tried refinishing a guitar? Could I do it myself? I would pick this up but I am having fears of the quality of the body and everything else. Most all the parts on it would be "throwaways" and eventualy swapped out. Just looking for some insight.

[Gunther_mag_user]

Well, temptation set in and I bid on it.

[Automaggot68]

Well for 200 you cant expect much from a guitar.. that tremolo is a bad idea, you're probably going to have tuning issues. The action is probably going to be pretty bad too. I cant say though because I've never heard of Arbor (which probably isnt that great of a sign either)

Then again I'm not exactly a guitar guru.


The action can be adjusted.
And what's wrong with the tremolo?
I can't see anything wrong with it at all.
It's a rinky dink cheap guitar.
Thats all.


I suggest buying a Jackson JS30, still within $300 and you get an extended scale, humbucking pickups and a floyd Rose licensed locking tremolo.

The lower priced Washburns are also GREAT buys, the quality guitar you got for the lower price was really amazing.

Here's my babydoll. Her name is Chelsea.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v36/StaticKnight/DSC01376.jpg

[Gunther_mag_user]

The action can be adjusted.
And what's wrong with the tremolo?
I can't see anything wrong with it at all.
It's a rinky dink cheap guitar.
Thats all.


I suggest buying a Jackson JS30, still within $300 and you get an extended scale, humbucking pickups and a floyd Rose licensed locking tremolo.

The lower priced Washburns are also GREAT buys, the quality guitar you got for the lower price was really amazing.

Here's my babydoll. Her name is Chelsea.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v36/StaticKnight/DSC01376.jpg
I understand I am not getting a quality product, this is gonna be more of a "I think it looks cool" project. I plan on upgrading both pickups and whatever else I feel the need for. I already have a guitar that is all I need and more, this is just something fun to work on. I will most definately check out the jacksons and washburns, as I am still shopping around for a more permanent guitar.

And I must say, I love your guitar, It's a shame you're selling it.

[Automaggot68]

I understand I am not getting a quality product, this is gonna be more of a "I think it looks cool" project. I plan on upgrading both pickups and whatever else I feel the need for. I already have a guitar that is all I need and more, this is just something fun to work on. I will most definately check out the jacksons and washburns, as I am still shopping around for a more permanent guitar.

And I must say, I love your guitar, It's a shame you're selling it.

Yeah man, If thats your plan, totally go for it.


I also decided against selling her...i can't rbing myself to do it.
You can reach me at Xenocontraknight on AIM, if you want to know anything more.

[Gunther_mag_user]

Yeah man, If thats your plan, totally go for it.


I also decided against selling her...i can't rbing myself to do it.
You can reach me at Xenocontraknight on AIM, if you want to know anything more.
Excellent choice on keeping her, it's a beaut. I don't do aim, just messenger. Thanks for the input!

[skife]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ARBOR-Explorer-Flash-Series-450-AXE-1984-Japan_W0QQitemZ7392149306QQcategoryZ2384QQrdZ1QQcm dZViewItem

Would the $200 price tag be worth that guitar? I am considering buying it for the body and upgrading the pickups, maybe a new neck. I've always loved explorers and I love that color. You think it's worth it?


save your cash, buy guitar hero.


/i've been rocking out all week
//the chicks dig it.

[personman]

The action can be adjusted.
And what's wrong with the tremolo?
I can't see anything wrong with it at all.
It's a rinky dink cheap guitar.
Thats all.
Well, in my experience with low quality guitars ( I have a crappy yamaha ) the tremolo was crap. The arm stripped the first time I unscrewed it and screwed it back in. The guitar has godawful intonation and will not stay in tune (which, I guess most guitars with tremolos have, but I have another guitar with a floyd rose tremolo that stays in tune way more easily, granted it has a locking nut). True, the action can be adjusted but it still wont be that great.

[gimp]

....
Also, has anyone ever tried refinishing a guitar? Could I do it myself? I would pick this up but I am having fears of the quality of the body and everything else. Most all the parts on it would be "throwaways" and eventualy swapped out. Just looking for some insight.

I'm actually in the process of refinishing a guitar right now. A great reference site is http://www.projectguitar.com I stripped the guitar with a heat gun like so, http://www.projectguitar.com/tut/burn.htm I've got some pictures from when I did it, but I havn't uploaded them yet. I'm going to do that shortly. Right now I'm finishing sanding and I'll get to actually painting it when the weathers warmer.

[Gunther_mag_user]

I'm actually in the process of refinishing a guitar right now. A great reference site is http://www.projectguitar.com I stripped the guitar with a heat gun like so, http://www.projectguitar.com/tut/burn.htm I've got some pictures from when I did it, but I havn't uploaded them yet. I'm going to do that shortly. Right now I'm finishing sanding and I'll get to actually painting it when the weathers warmer.
Thanks for the link! I would love to see pics! I am a noob at working with wood.


save your cash, buy guitar hero.


/i've been rocking out all week
//the chicks dig it.
Haha, yeah, that pretty much sums it up ;)

[AGDlover]

well if you like that look just save up some more and invest in a Gibson 76 explorer

[Automaggot68]

well if you like that look just save up some more and invest in a Gibson 76 explorer

Did you read his post?
It's a project guitar.

[Gunther_mag_user]

well if you like that look just save up some more and invest in a Gibson 76 explorer
If anything I would get an esp/ltd. Great for the price.

[Vex]

If anything I would get an esp/ltd. Great for the price.
I was about to suggest that! ;)

[RRfireblade]

If all your looking for is the body , there are a bunch of companies that sell unfinished AND prefinshed bodies in the pricde range except you'll get a true quality build body the accepts 'standard' components.

Check like

http://www.warmoth.com/

http://www.usacustomguitars.com/

http://www.stewmac.coml

to name a few.

[RRfireblade]

http://www.warmoth.com/guitar/images/bodies/explorer_mahogany.jpg