Skadi! - Epiphone “1984” Explorer EX • 2015 • Alpine White • EMG 81/85

Some guitars are quite happy to blend quietly into the background.

Skadi is an enormous Alpine White Explorer with active EMGs.

So that isn’t going to happen.

Skadi is a 2015 Epiphone “1984” Explorer EX, built around a gloriously uncomplicated combination of mahogany construction, a set neck, active EMG pickups and one of the least apologetic body shapes ever committed to timber.

The mahogany body is paired with a set mahogany SlimTaper neck, a comfortable 24.75-inch scale and a rosewood fingerboard carrying 22 frets and simple dot markers. It’s a wonderfully traditional foundation attached to a body that looks like somebody became distracted halfway through drawing a lightning bolt.

Things become considerably less restrained when we reach the electronics.

An active EMG 81 occupies the bridge position, paired with an EMG 85 at the neck. The 81 provides the tight, aggressive response that has made it a favourite for high-gain rhythm work, while the 85 offers a warmer and fuller neck voice.

Controls are deliberately straightforward, with master volume and tone controls alongside a three-way pickup selector, while the 9V battery has its own dedicated compartment on the rear.

Black LockTone Tune-O-Matic and stopbar hardware continues the monochrome theme, with Grover Mini-Rotomatic machine heads taking care of tuning duties.

And then there’s the headstock.

Long, black-faced, outlined in white and seemingly designed specifically to emerge from behind a wall of dry ice.

The reverse carries Epiphone’s Limited Edition Custom Shop marking and serial number 1506203984.

White Explorer. Black hardware. Active EMGs. “1984”.

There is a fairly substantial elephant in the room wearing a sleeveless black shirt and downpicking extremely quickly.

This isn’t a signature guitar, but the influence behind this particular combination isn’t exactly difficult to spot. Fortunately, the result stands perfectly well on its own as a seriously capable rock and metal instrument.

Rehabilitation

Skadi has received a comprehensive workshop inspection and rehabilitation prior to adoption.

She has been thoroughly cleaned, her hardware and active electronics checked, and her fingerboard attended to. Her frets have been levelled, crowned and polished, the fret ends dressed, and the entire guitar professionally set up ready for her next keeper.

Because respectable frets have once again failed to persuade Jordan to leave them alone.

Condition

Skadi is in good used condition and presents extremely well overall, but she does carry some honest cosmetic battle scars.

Most notably, there is a finish chip at one of the vulnerable Explorer body points, alongside a handful of smaller marks to the body and rear of the neck. These have been deliberately photographed in close-up so her next keeper knows exactly what they’re adopting.

The Alpine White finish remains beautifully bright and glossy across the overwhelming majority of the guitar, and the contrasting black hardware and EMGs make this an exceptionally striking instrument from normal playing distance.

We don’t hide a Stray’s scars.

They’re simply part of where they’ve been before they reached us.

Specification

Manufacturer: Epiphone
Model: 1984 Explorer EX
Year: 2015
Finish: Alpine White
Body: Mahogany
Neck: Set mahogany, SlimTaper profile
Fingerboard: Rosewood
Scale Length: 24.75”
Frets: 22
Neck Pickup: EMG 85 active humbucker
Bridge Pickup: EMG 81 active humbucker
Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone, 3-way selector
Bridge: LockTone Tune-O-Matic
Tailpiece: LockTone Stopbar
Machine Heads: Grover Mini-Rotomatic
Hardware: Black
Serial Number: 1506203984
Condition: Good used condition with photographed cosmetic wear
Status: Ready For Adoption
Adoption Fee: £525

Who is Skadi for?

If you’re looking for something discreet to play quietly in the corner, we may have other Strays.

If you want a set-neck Explorer with active EMGs, a comfortable 24.75-inch scale and enough visual presence to be detectable from low Earth orbit, Skadi might be considerably more appropriate.

She is particularly at home with rock and metal, but the EMG 85 at the neck gives her more range than her appearance might initially suggest.

Big, angular, loud and just inconvenient enough to remind you that nobody has ever bought an Explorer because they wanted something sensible.

Skadi is ready for adoption for £525.

Professionally rehabilitated, fully set up and waiting for somebody whose downpicking arm could probably use the exercise.

Black clothing optional.

Probably inevitable.

Rescue • Restore • Rehome