Epiphone Korina Explorer '58 reissue | 2011 | Made in Korea
Epiphone '58 Korina Explorer reissue, made in Korea, in 2011, in the natural korina finish. The Gibson Explorer Korina is one of the most iconic and collectable guitars out there, the epiphone we have here is a remake of the same guitar at a more accessible price, since the Gibson Custom shop models are now going for 9k+.
The body is well balanced when both sitting and standing, the moderately hot passive pickups are versatile and crunchy, and the tune-o-matic bridge and stop tail piece combo are very solid. This particular example is in great shape, both in terms of cosmetics and playing condition.
The guitar has just been setup with Daddario 10/46s, the neck is straight as an arrow, with the truss rod working as it should. The guitar plays amazingly with its low action and great intonation. All electronics tested and working properly. The fretboard is a nice piece of dark rosewood, better than some recent Gibsons out there. The Grover machine heads holds their tuning nice and solidly, and overall they respond brilliantly. It's got a nice bitey crunch with a full, defined midrange and feels most at home playing big rhythm parts. The frets are nice and high, barely played upon from the looks of it. The pickup covers have a bit of discolouration.
So here's your opportunity to obtain a real nice guitar of great craftsmanship made in Korea.
SPECS
- Model: Epiphone 1958 Korina Explorer
- Made: Korea, 2011
- Finish: gloss natural Korina (KO), white guard (which aged nicely into a beige)
- Body: Expolorer Korina
- Neck: rosewood board, slim D shape, dot inlays
- Machine heads: Gold plated Grover tuning heads
- Pickups: Original Epiphone Alnico Classic covered humbuckers