Split Head Stock Explorer Junior - One Off Hand Made Custom Design

[guitar hiro]

Recently acquired this Explorer Junior, a one off hand made custom design produced by a Japanese luthier that produces Gibsonesque designs.
This luthier's one off custom builds typically feature HUGE necks unlike anything out there; exceptionally HUGE necks.
This Explorer Junior features a Honduran Mahogany body and neck, and very awesome split head stock that mimics the first couple of real Explorers; think Rick Derringer's 1958 Explorer 8 2142.
This Explorer Junior has to be one of the most exceptional electric solid body guitars I have ever had the privilege to own.
It is a true one of a kind rock and roll beast; no holds barred.

a few seller pics















after delivery with a couple of friends ('63 Korina replica in the middle is from the same custom builder)

 

[gigantor]

Just saw this entry. Guitar looks great! Who is the maker?
Thanks!

 

[guitar hiro]

the builder sells his own builds on Yahoo Japan auctions

His listing titles typically include the words Handmade and Gibson

 

[Freebird]

I’ve seen other examples from this builder and his guitars look really nice. Million dollar question is how costly are his builds?

 

[guitar hiro]

Price point is akin to pickup choice; it is all subjective.

One buyer's opinion of a product being "expensive" could easily be a different buyers "inexpensive"

I will have to say that this builder is doing a LOT of things 'right' with his builds.
The builder offers very detailed item descriptions so, any potential buyer has actual, real information about the item. That is worth a lot IMO as many other sellers offer near nothing for details when they list guitars and I pass those listings right away and I don't look back.
This builder is offering 'one off,' never duplicated builds and I'm a huge fan of owning and playing a great guitar that no one else has.
When buying any product there is often a lot to consider but when I consider the purchase of one of this builders offerings I will pretty much know exactly what I will be getting if I am the highest bidder when the listing ends.
All of that is worth something; it may not be in a hard monetary sense but a reputation can be worth quite a bit, IMO.
EDIT: If you're a fan of huge necks then there's another bonus because this builders guitars more often than not have thicker to huge necks which work great for my old, arthritic fretting hand.
My '63 Korina Explorer copy from this builder has a monster neck; .974" @ fret 1 – 1.056" @ fret 11 and it contributes a ton to the overall resonance and sustain.
The Explorer Jr. neck is a tad slimmer but not by much.

My opinion of "how costly" this builders offerings are is subjective but I will say the bang for the buck is pretty sweet and besides that point; where else is anyone gonna get another one?

 

[guitar hiro]

I’ve seen other examples from this builder and his guitars look really nice. Million dollar question is how costly are his builds?

here is a current YJ listing from the builder that should offer some perspective as far as your question

https://page.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/f1169509318

this one is sitting @ 175K yen with nearly 47 hours to go before the listing ends