NGD Incoming (it's heeeere)

[LancerTheGreat]

Well I've gone and done it now, the GAS got me and I pulled the trigger. The boss isn't upset and that's a relief. I'm way too excited, should be in by the 1st, don't know if I'll be able to get it that day or not though, I had to have it shipped to my Pappaw's because UPS/FedEx/USPS can't be trusted to actually deliver my packages to my address correctly.

Anyway, I just wanted to share that and make you guys wait with me for the reveal

Hint:

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[LancerTheGreat]

Well shipping says it should arrive tomorrow.
I guess another hint lies within my next question; What should a person know about nitro finishes when a person receives their first nitro finished guitar?
Probably going to put her in the case when I'm not playing instead of using one of my wallhangers. I've got some microfiber cloths for wiping down after use. All of my straps are some kind of polyester or nylon, I'll have to see if I can still read the "ingredients" label for them.

[mickey]

Be careful of guitar polishes. Anything with silicon/silicone in it will destroy the finish. Also, careful of guitar straps! I ruined the finish on a Les Paul Custom by putting it in the case with a Fender strap on it (anywhere the strap touched the guitar inside the case the nitro finish MELTED!) I would suggest ONLY leather straps!

[LancerTheGreat]

Thanks Mickey, that's exactly the kind of info and warnings I was hoping for!

I'll probably just use the Gibson polish until I find one I actually like specifically. I've got a Levy's strap, it's been (~8+) years since the tag was still on it, but I think it's polyester or nylon, so I don't think I'll be using that one.

It's coming from Mississippi to Kentucky so hopefully the weather/climate isn't too different right now, I saw they were about 12°F lower and 20% more humid than here when it shipped, so I'm thinking that'll balance out and I can just rip it out of the box and case and play immediately

[toomanycats]

Gibson Explorer Blackout Ebony?

[LancerTheGreat]

Gibson Explorer Blackout Ebony?

Ooh good guess, close but no cigar
Brand is right, shape is wrong

I'm so far beyond excited, I practically crap myself every time I think about it lol
Gonna be the first true Gibson in my stable too, so I'm hyped about that as well.

[toomanycats]

Gibson Explorer Blackout Ebony?

Ooh good guess, close but no cigar
Brand is right, shape is wrong

I'm so far beyond excited, I practically crap myself every time I think about it lol
Gonna be the first true Gibson in my stable too, so I'm hyped about that as well.

Gibson DC XPL?

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[LancerTheGreat]

Gibson DC XPL?

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I didn't even know that sexy bit of gear existed!

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Two of the letters in that model name are correct though, you could even say it's a modern version of that series.

[bleys21]

Gotta be a Gibson Dave Mustaine Flying V...

[LancerTheGreat]

Gotta be a Gibson Dave Mustaine Flying V...

Now that's just outright accusatory!
....but correct

[bleys21]

I kinda figured, since I know you're a big Megadeth/Mustaine fan. Which color did you get? I'm more partial to the silver model myself, but both look really good...

[LancerTheGreat]

Heeeeey, I got the silver!
Always wanted one of his silver guitars, the natural was kinda tempting too, but I didn't see those in stock anywhere, plus man that silver just looks so good.

Delivery's expected Tuesday, and hopefully it arrives early enough I can grab it that day. Definitely will post some pictures asap, maybe a lil soundbite too.

[redman]

@LancerTheGreat what a great guitar congrats. I have an 83 LP Studio I bought used in 87/88 sometime around then, it wasn't new when I bought it, but it was in mint condition however after 30 plus years of gigging with it the finish got dings and gouges and such and you just can't help it. It's funny how careful you are at load in for a gig then load out after 3 or 4 sets at 2AM or 3AM you just toss your gear out of the venue and throw it into your van, truck, bus whatever you are traveling in. Anyway, two of the pots (bridge tone and volume) were just worn out to a point contact cleaner had no effect. I recently started to just replace those 2 pots after opening it up I decided to completely rebuild that old LP and did a thread on it here viewtopic.php?f=8&t=2294.

I said all that to tell you my Gibson lasted over 30 years of hard use and really the only electric guitar I ever played on stage, and I must have played a few thousand shows over all those years. So great snag if you so desire that's a guitar that will last a lifetime plus. Did I tell you I really like your guitar so rock on my friend.

[LancerTheGreat]

Hell yeah @redman, there's noooo way I thought that guitar looked/looks like it's been that used over that many years, that's insane about the pots though.

Awesome to get some reinforcement that they still just make guitars and not ceramic dolls you can only play with in a padded room.

[LancerTheGreat]

Picked 'er up around 7pm-ish EDT.
Got back home a bit after 10pm. It's now after 1 am, and I have finally put it back in its case to rest.

I'll go in depth a little better if y'all want me to, but so far I'm absolutely loving it.
The finish is chefs kiss awesome and smooth, sparkly and shiny but you can still see some of the woodgrain through it, also first time experiencing that aroma that comes out of the case.
The setup out of the box was solid, close to how I set my stuff up personally so I won't have much tweaking to go.
The pickups are killer, good pronounced midrange, fat bottom end, sparkly and defined high end on the Thrash Factor(definitely similar to the JB in my LTD, but quite a bit hotter and a just a bit muchier), the '59 in the neck is smooth like a '59 in the neck, which I already knew I liked, but it's nice to catch some reassurance.
Came with dunlop straplocks, a Gibson leather strap that is hopefully not treated with anything nitro reactive lol, but so far so good. I was hoping he had went with the flush mount version again, but I'd say Gibson probably just wasn't into the idea or maybe dunlop actually stopped making them, still work well, and are compatible with my other set.
Also included was a nifty little Gibson multi-tool with a good spread of Allen keys, two sizes of Phillips, a flathead, and what looks to be a really handy truss rod key.

Now I know you're really here for the porn, but the sun had already set and I don't have the best lighting so I grabbed a quick lil snaparoo to hold you over until I can get some sunlight in for some decent pictures.

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The finish is way sparklier than any photos show, but I'll try to capture that when the sun's out tomorrow.

Anyway, I'm still way too excited and starstruck, so I'm gonna go stare at it or touch it before I hit the hay lol.

[redman]

Standing tall and ready for the Lancer to shred.
I do love a new guitar and that one I'm sure is superb so again congratulations on a fine piece of Lutherie and enjoy every chance you get.

[thepezident]

[LancerTheGreat]

Finally took a second and grabbed some pics while I could still get some daylight.
Also finally got around to doing my setup, and it's absolutely perfect now.

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Bonus shot of the input jack in the wing where they should be on all Vs

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I had some fret buzz exclusively on the 5th fret low E string, if i pressed down harder than normal/necessary it wouldn't buzz, the neck had zero relief so I gave the truss rod the tiniest adjustment yesterday and it's quite a bit better today. But I noticed this while I was doing the set up earlier:

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It kinda looks like the 6th fret isn't fully seated right under the low E string. However I lack an actual fret rocker to check how level they are, so I used a few different debit cards. I got one of them to actually rock and it was at the 6th fret, but none of the other cards did it and when I went back with the one that rocked I couldn't get it to again, so I guess it's not high, but I have no clue what's going on there.
The buzz is like 90% cleared up after the truss adjustment and set up too.


And @redman I recommend checking out zzounds "pay while you play" payment options if you're gassing for something new, I've used it for quite a few things now.

[redman]

The guitar is a Mahogany guitar looks like a strat but with 2 P90s and just $159 if you've never had a SX they are really good little guitar's solid wood great bones I have so far modded everyone I've ever had. I bought a guitar from AMS they have that same credit deal but thanks for the tip.

You should buy a few set-up tools and start playing around with them it's not hard and you may already know how. I have a ton of tools I've bought over the years

THESE ARE MY SET-UP TOOLS

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[LancerTheGreat]

I used to have an SX Liquid I got off of a buddy, it came with p90s, he ended up swapping in some mean 90s from gfs I think, before he traded it to me, I ended up swapping back a few years later when he started missing it. That was a fun little funk machine for sure though. They definitely punch way above their weight class with just a little love.

I've definitely gotta stock back up on tools, I've lost so many in the last few years from moving around, and I think I lost my box of extra parts/pickups/etc. Looks like you've got all your bases covered plus some extra contingency tools too. Went to harbor freight the other day and had to leave before I started trying to open up a line of credit with them

We're going to be moving soon, so hopefully I'll have a space to store and organize my equipment all neat and accessible.

[tlarson58]

Love this: "Chef's kiss awesome."

That guitar looks like a "I can't believe I have this/I can't believe I ever sold it" axe. 'Hope that you never have to experience the latter.

[JeffBeck]

Perfection. What a gorgeous guitar. HNGD!

[LancerTheGreat]

@tlarson58 it's definitely a grail I've craved for about 15 years, or whenever it was I first saw the Jackson Y2KV. Plus almost every young guitarist dreams of the day they'll get a Gibson

And I'm not one to part with gear I actually bond with, I'm pretty sentimental too lol. Definitely planning on making this bad boy an heirloom.


Well, maybe this one, or if I get a replacement that one will be the heirloom. But I contacted zzounds to see if it'd be better for me to go through them or Gibson to resolve the fret sprout on the 6th fret.
Might be taking a little trip to Tennessee if Gibson will just let me come by and have them fix it since they opened their little

[LightWingStudios]

Finally took a second and grabbed some pics while I could still get some daylight.
Also finally got around to doing my setup, and it's absolutely perfect now.

Bonus shot of the input jack in the wing where they should be on all Vs

I had some fret buzz exclusively on the 5th fret low E string, if i pressed down harder than normal/necessary it wouldn't buzz, the neck had zero relief so I gave the truss rod the tiniest adjustment yesterday and it's quite a bit better today. But I noticed this while I was doing the set up earlier:

It kinda looks like the 6th fret isn't fully seated right under the low E string. However I lack an actual fret rocker to check how level they are, so I used a few different debit cards. I got one of them to actually rock and it was at the 6th fret, but none of the other cards did it and when I went back with the one that rocked I couldn't get it to again, so I guess it's not high, but I have no clue what's going on there.
The buzz is like 90% cleared up after the truss adjustment and set up too.

And @redman I recommend checking out zzounds "pay while you play" payment options if you're gassing for something new, I've used it for quite a few things now.

Whack that fret GENTLY with a Rubber Hammer and see if it sits deeper. Looks "Sprouted" a tad. Sweet Axe. Congrats.

[LancerTheGreat]

Thanks @LightWingStudios! I'll see if I can dig up a rubber hammer, probably buy one if I can't find one lol.

I contacted zzounds, they've offered a partial refund to keep it as is, and then I can just contact Gibson for their warranty service, and probably drive it up to Florence, KY to have it worked on. This is probably what I'm going to do, but I still wanna try to set it myself and not have to go to Florence lol.