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My list of known original '58 through '63 korina Explorer serial numbers

ppgf

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Thanks for the reply. I had pics of Dave's explorer though I can't find them on this device. It definitely had a stepped heel, which we discuss earlier in this thread as well as one that is at Gruhns (I think). They were not built that way, and a one off is just not likely. Dave's neck was installed more like a 50s Les Paul Standard with no lip on the tenon and therefore no step. Oddly, I would think that if the broke neck was there when it was replaced, there would have been a pattern for it which would have been used. So who knows? I wouldn't want to speculate on the rest of the guitar, though I guess I just
A re-neck is a re-neck. In Burst land, that would be 50% deductible or more. In this case, maybe more because it wasn't done all that historically correct. I am surprised to be honest with you that it wasn't. I think (thought?) that Michael Stevens had done the re-neck, so I am surprised its not all that accurate.
no stepped heel.

 
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ppgf

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FWIW: From his own Facebook page that I took a screenshot of [June 25, 2022]. You can even see the 2 tabs: one for FB & the other on how to take a screenshot.

been working w/ michael since 1990. he’s built me at least 12 gtrs. easily the most extraordinary human and builder on the planet. “all real but one.”
 
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Joe Desperado

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FWIW: From his own Facebook page that I took a screenshot of [June 25, 2022]. You can even see the 2 tabs: one for FB & the other on how to take a screenshot.

Thanks kL. I am aware of this post and his comments.
 
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ppgf

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I took that pic from an old Gruhn price list, and posted it on the Gear Page a few years ago.

The serial number may be entirely made up, as the guitar may have been entirely neckless when Stevens got it - at least it is in this pic:

View attachment 18484
that guitar was in a fatal car accident, along with a double cut jr that michael put a carved top & bound traps board on, bitd.

 

Joe Desperado

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Obviously that is not a stepped heel. The pictures I was sent of 9-1995 (that was identified as Dave’s) was an explorer clearly with a stepped heel. Whether the one in your picture is 9-1995 … or the one I had pictures of could have been missed labeled it entirely possible. If you read my posts, I clearly state that IF Micheal renecked the one in the picture I saw with the stepped heel, it would surprise me (as I would expect better of him). It’s obvious that we are talking about two different guitars. Which one is which, I don’t know.

Your attacks on me are laughable. I am certain that I have handled more original Explorers ( and Vs) in just this past year alone than you have or ever will. You obviously idolize Micheal Stevens. And that’s ok. He has years of experience and is highly regarded. But he is still human and can also makes mistakes or miss things. We have seen that before in this very forum. I pointed out a few things in the pictures that I questioned based on my real world experiences of dissecting explorers down into the minutia. I have literally taken every part off of two well known original explorers (and recently an V) and measure and photographed it every detail. I have studied how the original factory would have made these guitars, what tools caused what types of marks and where those marks would be. I have replicated those tool marks in my own shop to ensure my findings were accurate or plausible. I have an inner circle of friends who have done the same thing in their own shops with different original explorers than the ones I have measured. We regularly share notes and findings. We have a pretty good idea of what abnormalities are acceptable and what is not when authenticating origins 50s Korina guitars.

The simple fact is, you were offended by someone not idolizing Michael as much as you and you went off half cocked. You have now posted a bunch of pictures of non original explorers that only convolute what this particular thread was about..original explorers not the Michael Stevens appreciation thread.

So if you want to make this the “ppgf“ shit show, go ahead. I’d be happy to stop sharing my experience with 50s Korina Guitars with this forum. I’m not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but clearly I’m one of only a few in this particular thread that have in- hand experience and was willing to share.
 

ppgf

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Joined
Sep 11, 2014
Messages
688
Obviously that is not a stepped heel. The pictures I was sent of 9-1995 (that was identified as Dave’s) was an explorer clearly with a stepped heel. Whether the one in your picture is 9-1995 … or the one I had pictures of could have been missed labeled it entirely possible. If you read my posts, I clearly state that IF Micheal renecked the one in the picture I saw with the stepped heel, it would surprise me (as I would expect better of him). It’s obvious that we are talking about two different guitars. Which one is which, I don’t know.

Your attacks on me are laughable. I am certain that I have handled more original Explorers ( and Vs) in just this past year alone than you have or ever will. You obviously idolize Micheal Stevens. And that’s ok. He has years of experience and is highly regarded. But he is still human and can also makes mistakes or miss things. We have seen that before in this very forum. I pointed out a few things in the pictures that I questioned based on my real world experiences of dissecting explorers down into the minutia. I have literally taken every part off of two well known original explorers (and recently an V) and measure and photographed it every detail. I have studied how the original factory would have made these guitars, what tools caused what types of marks and where those marks would be. I have replicated those tool marks in my own shop to ensure my findings were accurate or plausible. I have an inner circle of friends who have done the same thing in their own shops with different original explorers than the ones I have measured. We regularly share notes and findings. We have a pretty good idea of what abnormalities are acceptable and what is not when authenticating origins 50s Korina guitars.

The simple fact is, you were offended by someone not idolizing Michael as much as you and you went off half cocked. You have now posted a bunch of pictures of non original explorers that only convolute what this particular thread was about..original explorers not the Michael Stevens appreciation thread.

So if you want to make this the “ppgf“ shit show, go ahead. I’d be happy to stop sharing my experience with 50s Korina Guitars with this forum. I’m not perfect by any stretch of the imagination, but clearly I’m one of only a few in this particular thread that have in- hand experience and was willing to share.
the pics of the non stepped heel are from 9 1995.

you’re confusing idolization w/ friendship here. some of your posts seemed to question both michael’s integrity and ability to do a vintage correct restoration, hence my engagement on this thread. i go back over 30 years w/ michael and have boundless respect for his experience/knowledge/execution. i don’t know anyone who has more hands on experience w/ “50s explorers and vs.

if you have pictures/documentation of your “50s explorer related work, i’d love to see them.
 
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Cody

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Jul 23, 2002
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Matte,

Do you know if the 9-1995 serial number is original to the guitar or an addition at the time of the reneck?
 
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buyusfear

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Oct 3, 2006
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i’ll ask michael & hit u back on ig.
I'd be super interested in knowing this as well.
Another thing that I can't recall ever reading about 9-1995 is with regards to the body (or at a minimum top) being refinished by Michael in addition to the new neck.

If you look at the photos of the guitar without the neck, (especially the last one of it with the V, pictured above; excellent photo btw!) there are some pretty nasty battle scars (especially above the neck pup and above the tailpiece), which are not visible in current photos of the guitar. Not to mention that particular guitar has always looked more tanned, or butterscotch, than normal.
 

K_L

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Sep 11, 2014
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566
the pics of the non stepped heel are from 9 1995.

you’re confusing idolization w/ friendship here. some of your posts seemed to question both michael’s integrity and ability to do a vintage correct restoration, hence my engagement on this thread. i go back over 30 years w/ michael and have boundless respect for his experience/knowledge/execution. i don’t know anyone who has more hands on experience w/ “50s explorers and vs.

if you have pictures/documentation of your “50s explorer related work, i’d love to see them.
I would love to see them also @Joe Desperado if that`s possible!
 
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