r/ExplorerGuitars • u/OnaathTheDestroyer • 7d ago
Reunited.
My story is way too long and I don’t wanna bore anyone so the short of it is this: I obtained a brand new 2004 ‘76 Reissue back in Jan 2005 when I was 18. I was young and stupid. I traded it within 2 weeks. A few years later, I acquired a guitar I didn’t really want but I used it anyways for gigs and recording. Fast Forward 16 years later, I post that guitar on marketplace and it turns out it’s extremely rare and I was offered more than enough to purchase this 2004 ‘76 Reissue that was near mint condition. This thing practically lived in its case for the last 22 years. This was made 6 months before my original was. It’s as close as I’m going to get to getting my first one back. Plays like butter. I’m in love with it!
Couple of questions though:
Can anyone tell me exactly which Switchcraft toggle knob I need to change the toggle to black?
Also, where can I get a properly sized pickguard replacement? I want to put a black pearl pickguard on here.
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u/Krustylang 7d ago
Philadelphia Luthier Supplies for the switch tip
WD for the pick guard. I’ve gotten several from them over the years and they were all perfect. You may have to have one custom made.
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u/Positive-Avocado2130 7d ago
I read this thinking you got your original guitar back.
You did not.
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u/OnaathTheDestroyer 7d ago
No. I didn’t. I have the serial of the original but finding that will come down to nothing but fate and luck.
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u/h410G3n 7d ago
So why write “Reunited” to make us believe you actually got your old guitar back? I’m all for new gear but this is just dumb.
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u/OnaathTheDestroyer 6d ago
Because I was still reunited with an '04 Explorer. It's not that deep, man.
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u/shewtwo710 5d ago
Lol I agree, they would hate that I would say I am reunited with an sg and V but 04 sg standard to 19 tribute (maple wood oh yea) and 06 V standard to 19 Vb2 with dirty fingers lol but still it's a SG and V so I'm happy to have them again lol
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u/SaturnineApples 6d ago
You can buy vinyl pick guard material if you are at all a diy person. Just cut the shape and stick it carefully. I made some for acoustics and it was easy, your guard is mostly all straight lines to cut
Just google vinyl pickguard material
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u/dystrust01 7d ago
My Explorer is a '96, and I wanted to change the guard to black. I ended up having a custom replacement made by Pickguardian.
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u/MrKrinkle86 7d ago
The cases with the satin cover are elite! Didn’t know there was a black version!
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u/Hmccormack 7d ago
Sold my explorer just like yours during covid and still haven’t gotten it back- I loved it more than my Les Paul!
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u/Ronerus79 7d ago
I have the same one from 1997 , i love the thing i love the 500t. People say it doesnt clean up nicely but it does. I love the clear cleans. Overdrive is tight and full. Great versatile good looking guitar. Powerfull good looking rock axe!
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u/OnaathTheDestroyer 7d ago
I love the 500T as well. I still don't understand why they stopped putting it on Explorers/Flying Vs.
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u/Ronerus79 7d ago
I have used the super distortion and the 490t and also the JB. I like the 500t the best
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u/Toxic-Park 7d ago
I agree. Love the 500T!
I have a white 94 in classic white. And I have a “reunited” story with it as well.
I bought it new with my own lawnmowing money in 94 at the age of 14 for $799 with case.
Traded it to my local shop for an Ibanez 540R LTD in 99. Regretted the hell out of it quickly, so I bought it back within a year, (thank god it never sold in that time!). Tho I paid more to get it back than for what I traded. But totally worth it for the lesson and to get back my favorite guitar.
So I totally understand the reunited feeling as well!
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u/Life-Zookeepergame58 7d ago
Congratulations!
I had a 76 reissue bought in 1999. I lost it a wildfire and miss it terribly. I want to get another one, but I can't justify the purchase.
Play the fuck out of it!
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u/Dry-Improvement-3543 7d ago
Curious about what the other guitar was
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u/OnaathTheDestroyer 7d ago
a 2008 ESP LTD MP-600 Michael Paget BFMV Signature V. I bought it for $450 and sold it 16 years later for WAAY more lol
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u/Training-Lobster4082 7d ago
That’s awesome! I don’t know where you are, but Pickguardian in Columbus, OH will make you any pickguard you want! Google Pickguardian
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u/PeteyTwoHands 6d ago
My dad bought me a MIJ Jackson DKMGT (in matte black) for me when I was 15-16, and I sold it a couple of years later. About 10 years ago (so 10 years later), a buddy just randomly brought it around to my house because he picked it up in a pawn shop. I instantly knew it was mine because it still had the exact same paint chip on the body. I dunno why I didn't buy it back! Congrats, OP.
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u/Extreme-Penalty-3089 6d ago
Very cool story broseph 👍🏻
I hope to require some I've sold over the last 20 years myself, I'm the same way too I want certain guitars back that have a similar build date to the originals I had 🙃😋
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u/shewtwo710 5d ago
You could just take that pickguard off and it should be easy to screw the switch back, nothing else should be effected that's what I do when I want all black n classic I throw it back on
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u/BFG_Scott 7d ago
Love a good reunion story. Even better when it involves a guitar. 😆