1998 ESP Custom EXP Explorer Black w/ EMG 81 w/ Case
Up for sale, a 1998 ESP Custom EXP Explorer in excellent, 100% original condition and in perfect working order. Particularly rare and one of the most vaunted models ever produced by ESP, this bolt-on brother of the MX250 is perfect for channeling your inner Hetfield, featuring a mahogany body and quartersawn maple neck capped with a slab rosewood fingerboard. The pair of EMG 81 pickups utilize ceramic magnets and close aperture coils, designed for optimal note detail, enhanced high end cut, and fluid sustain, engineered so that lead work will slice through even the densest mix with an aggressive snarl. This EXP weighs 8lbs 5oz, professionally setup here at Mike & Mike’s Guitar Bar with 10-46 strings, slinky action, and accurate intonation.
Neck Specs:
-Wood: Maple (quartersawn)
-Shape: Medium C, measuring .840” 1st fret, .895” 12th fret
-Fretboard: Rosewood slab, 22-fret, 12” radius, dot inlay
-Frets: Jumbo, no wear
-Scale Length: 24 3/4”
-Nut: 1 11/16”
-Headstock: “ESP Custom Guitars” decal (back)
-Tuners: Gotoh
-Joint: Contoured
-Serialization: Five-digit stamp (neck heel)
Body Specs:
-Wood: Mahogany
-Pickups: EMG 81 x2 (H-suffix baseplate stickers date to ‘98)
-Controls: Volume, Tone, Three-way pickup selector
-Hardware: Tune-o-Matic bridge and stopbar, dome-top knurled knobs
There are some minor dings along the body perimeter (concentrated at the points) with very limited finish touch-up, with cosmetic wear otherwise limited to a bit of buckle scuffing on the back at the treble side waist and a few faint marks in the clear coat on top. The gloss finish on the neck profile is flawless.
The original form-fit ESP-branded gigbag is included, along with an ESP-branded hardshell case (not pictured).