Back in the mid-70's, friend and I purchase various guitars and parts from a retired guy who'd worked for Gibson in Kalamazoo in the 50's and 60's. At the time, I didn't know what an Explorer was (I was a total SG lover) but I bought from him an unfinished guitar that I now recognize as an Explorer. He referred to it just as an unfinished prototype and never called it an Explorer. I paid him 60 or 70 bucks for it.

Seems pretty odd to me; body & neck are joined and sanded, a beautiful stripey fingerboard is in place but not fretted (has fret slots and is drilled for dot markers) and control cavity is routed. Wood appears to me to be all mahogany (though I don't know what unfinished korina looks like).

Anyway, after 30 some years of hauling this thing around through various moves, it's remained untouched but now I'm finally gonna finish it into a complete guitar. Obviously, I can't say it's a Gibson; besides, I'm thinking of a fairly ludicrous loud metallic "hotrod" finish and possibly other non-standard accoutrements.

I'm still a bit hesitant though - A little voice in the back of my head claims I'm committing some kind of reckless "sacrilege". Two other vintage-freak pals think I should be jailed. I think it's just a potentially a great guitar and I'd like to play it an enjoy it - I don't see it as much beyond a conversation-piece in it's present state.

So, I guess, I'd like to get a few other viewpoints from the knowledgeable (and no-doubt opinionated!) readers here before I proceed. Any thoughts, anyone?? (I could also post a picture if someone tells me how to do so here)

anyway, thanks for reading - your comments/thoughts are most welcome - I submit myself to the "jury"....