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Epiphone Explorer
Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer
VS
Playability
73
Sound
64
Build
59
Value
70
Score
65
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Playability
78
Sound
81
Build
59
Value
78
Score
73
FIND IT ON:
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Epiphone Explorer vs Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer

Reasons to Get
Epiphone Explorer over Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer

Number of Frets
22 vs 24
Warmer neck pickup
Type of Frets
Medium Jumbo vs Jumbo
You'll feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Tone Knobs
1 vs 0
More tone control
Nut Width
1.693'' (43mm) vs 1.75'' (44.5mm)
Favors small hands, easier bar chords and other shapes
Bridge
Fixed vs Floyd Rose
Good sustain and needs no set-up

Reasons to Get
Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer over Explorer

Decorative Top
Figured Maple Veneer vs None
Finished with beautiful natural wood patterns
Release Year
2021 vs 2020
From a more recent year
Frets Height
Taller vs Shorter
Easier to press down strings and bend them
Type of Frets
Jumbo vs Medium Jumbo
You won't feel the fretboard when pressing down the strings
Pickups Brand
Gibson vs None
Pickups from a renown brand
Pickup Mods
Coil Split vs None
Splits humbuckers into single coil pickups
Number of Frets
24 vs 22
Allows to reach higher notes
Nut Width
1.75'' (44.5mm) vs 1.693'' (43mm)
Less likely to mute strings by accident and more space for fingerstyle
Bridge
Floyd Rose vs Fixed
Allows intense vibratos and techniques like Dive Bombs
Value Score
78 vs 70
Better price/quality relationship

Other Key Differences
Epiphone Explorer vs Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer

Bridge Pickup
ProBucker 3 vs Gibson USA BurstBucker 2
Different Bridge Pickup
Neck Pickup
ProBucker 2 vs Gibson USA BurstBucker 1
Different Neck Pickup
Fretboard Wood
Laurel vs Ebony
Different Fretboard Wood
Nut Material
Ivory Tusq vs Locking
Different Nut Material

Shared Features
Epiphone Explorer vs Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer

Body Wood
Mahogany
Same Body Wood
Neck Wood
Mahogany
Same Neck Wood
Headstock
6
Same Headstock
Strings
6
Same playing style
Body Type
Solid Body
Feedback free
Switch Positions
3
Same pickups versatility
Volume Knobs
2
Same volume control
Pickups
HH
High output without hum
Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
0.82'' (20.8mm)
Same neck comfortability
Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
0.92'' (23.4mm)
Same neck comfortability
Tuner Ratio
18
Same tuning precision
Paint Finish
Poly
Resistant paint that ages well
Scale Length
24.75'' (628.7mm)
Same string tension and fret separation
Fretboard Radius
12'' (304.8mm)
Same fretboard comfortability
Pickups Power
Passive
Cleaner sound and no battery needed
Neck Profile Type
C
Comfortable neck that works for most people
Neck Joint
Set
Neck is glued to the body

Common Strengths

  • High-Quality Nut
  • Expensive Wood

Common Weaknesses

  • Neck-Through Build
  • Weight Relief
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • High-Quality Frets
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • From a High-Quality-Standards Country
  • Luminescent Sidedots
  • Strap Lock
  • 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • Active/Passive Preamp

Table of Contents

Price History Comparison

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Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer Prices

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Which One is Better Overall?

After going through our comparison algorithm, the results show that the Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer is probably the better product overall with its final score of 73 compared to the Epiphone Explorer's 65 score, although not by a lot.

The Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer wins when it comes to sound, playability, value for the money. On the other hand, the Epiphone Explorer has the upper hand when it comes to.

If you got small hands, none of these instruments will make a big difference when it comes to comfortability.

Which One is Better for Beginners?

If you're looking for your first guitar to learn how to play, the Epiphone Explorer is the better choice.

The Epiphone Explorer meets 4 out of our 8 criteria items for beginner friendliness, while the Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer meets only 3. This takes into account the type of frets, scale length, nut width, bridge type, fretboard radius, and neck profile to determine the easiest combination for new players.

New Player Friendliness

Epiphone Explorer
  • Comfortable shape
  • Easy-to-use bridge
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners

New Player Friendliness

Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer
  • Comfortable shape
  • Tall frets
  • Comfortable neck
  • Comfortable fretboard
  • Narrow nut
  • Short scale
  • Locking tuners
  • Easy-to-use bridge

Nevertheless, when it comes to choosing an instrument, you should pick the one more compatible with your personal style. Still, below we'll try you to give you our results as objectively as it's possible to help you decide.

Epiphone Explorer Overview

  • From Epiphone's 2020 Original Collection series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Indian Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: ProBucker 3 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: ProBucker 2 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • LockTone Tune-O-Matic bridge
  • Slim Taper Set neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Grover Mini 18:1 ratio machine heads tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer Overview

  • From Epiphone's 2021 Artist Collection series
  • Brendon Small Signature
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Figured Maple Veneer top
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony; white binding fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Gibson USA BurstBucker 2 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Gibson USA BurstBucker 1 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose FRT-1000 bridge
  • Slim Taper Set neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Grover Mini Rotomatic 18:1 tuners
  • Compare Specs >

Sound Quality Comparison

The wood used in an electric guitar or bass is not as important to determine the final tone. However, some people prefer specific wood types, so we'll take a look at those first. Then, we'll take a look at the electronics to determine the versatility and sound quality of each instrument.

Woods Used in Both

Mahogany wood pattern used for guitar building
Mahogany

Mahogany is a fairly rare wood nowadays. It's used mostly for bodies due to its relatively lightweight. Gibson popularized it with their Les Paul guitars during their golden years, so this wood has a lot of good reputation behind it. The most expensive type comes from South America and it's still used by Gibson even today. Find out more about Mahogany.

Woods Used in the Epiphone Explorer

Laurel wood pattern used for guitar building
Laurel

There are many types of Laurel, but East Indian is the most common for guitar building. Its color can vary from dark to light brown with black lines. Many people find its tonality similar to Rosewood, which favors the warmer frequencies. Find out more about Laurel.

Woods Used in the Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer

Ebony wood pattern used for guitar building
Ebony

Ebony is a high-end wood, so it is not cheap. It's only used for fretboards because it's also very heavy. It does an excellent job as a durable material while looking elegant. Find out more about Ebony.

Winner: Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer.

Pickup Configuration

Both pickup configurations are HH. Double Humbucker (HH) is the choice for people who want a fuller, more round sound with tons of mids and lows. Humbuckers also get rid of the hum noise that plague single-coil pickups. They can work out for almost any genre going from Djent to even Jazz.

Pickups Quality

The Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer pickups from a more specialized brand than the Epiphone Explorer. Its pickups should give you a fuller, richer sound, although it all depends on what type of music you're going to play. We recommend these pickups for Hard Rock and similar genres.

Both use Passive pickups. This is what's used for most music genres. They have a regular output and will serve you for both high-gain and clean tones. The alternative (Active pickups) offer a higher output that is mostly used for heavy music.

Winner: Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer.

Versatility Comparison

Some instruments offer you more ways to explore your creativity than others. Below you'll find how both compare when it comes to versatility.

Switch Options

Both are equal when it comes to the pickup switching option.

Only the Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer comes with some kind of pickup modification: Coil Split.

Coil Split lets you disconnect one of the pickup coils. When used with humbuckers, it turns them into single-coil with lower output and cleaner tone.

Epiphone Explorer pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Epiphone Explorer's switch options
Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer pickups switch and push knobs diagram
Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer's switch options

When evaluating versatility, we also take into consideration bridge and neck joint type, number of frets, switch options, amount of pickups and more.

Winner: Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer.

Final Sound Quality Scores

Epiphone Explorer
Pickups 60
Sustain 75
Versatility 51
Tuning Stability 70
Sound 64
Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer
Pickups 85
Sustain 80
Versatility 74
Tuning Stability 85
Sound 81

Build Quality Comparison

When it comes to build quality, we like to take into account everything used to build the instrument. This includes materials, hardware and the quality control expected depending on the country where it was built. Let's see how the Epiphone Explorer compares to the Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer.

Country of Origin

The manufacturing country can tell a lot about the build quality of an instrument. Both in this comparison where made in China.

China has a bad reputation when it comes to building quality. However, times have changed and now respectable brands use China's cheap labor to build good instruments for a lower price. Don't discount a guitar only because it was built in China, but also expect more quality from countries like Korea.

Winner: Tie

Nut Material

If you want your guitar to stay in tune and sound good, you need a well cut nut. Nut quality can be inconsistent even when comparing two copies of the same model. The best way to make sure you're nut will be well done is by getting a nut made by an expert company like TUSQ or Micarta.

The Epiphone Explorer has a Ivory Tusq nut. Ivory used to be considered the best material for guitar nuts due to its beauty, durability, and the rich harmonics and sustain you could get from a guitar with it. However, the way to obtain it is simply unethical. Enter TUSQ ivory nuts, which are made synthetically to imitate ivory. Technically, it's better than ivory because it is consistent piece-to-piece, while natural materials can vary a lot, even if they're made from the same.

On the other hand, the Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer comes with a Locking nut. Instead of a regular nut, this guitar has a locking system that will lock down the strings at the nut, preventing it from getting out of tune. It removes one of the disadvantages of tremolo bridges, tune stability.

Winner: Tie.

Fret Material

Most fret wire is made of nickel silver. This material eventually wears down after a lot of use and most instruments end up needing a complete fret replacement. However, some expensive models come with stainless steel frets. This is what you should aim for if you can afford it.

Unfortunately, none of them come with stainless steel frets.

Winner: Tie.

Bridge

The perfect bridge for you will depend on your playstyle because they all have advantages and disadvantages. However, some bridges are more expensive—like Floyd Roses and Evertunes—and thus add more value to a guitar.

The Epiphone Explorer's brige is a Fixed. It's a simple bridge that is very beginner-friendly since it doesn't require any set-up. You can swap strings easily. It might also give more sustain since it doesn't have complex moving parts that make the strings lose vibration. However, it doesn't have the same versatility as a tremolo bridge.

On the other hand, the Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer's is a Floyd Rose. This is a double-locking bridge system that allows you to perform techniques like dive bombs and pinch harmonics. The locking nut allows your guitar to stay in tune even after the most intense tremolo usage. The disadvantage is that it takes more work to change the strings and set up everything correctly.

Since we need to be objective, the most expensive type of bridge will be the winner of this section. In the end, this doesn't matter if you're not going to use the bridge for its original purpose, so choose the bridge that fits your playing style better.

Winner: Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer.

Tuners

Both come with regular tuners. The Epiphone Explorer's are Grover Mini 18:1 ratio machine heads while the Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer's are Grover Mini Rotomatic 18:1

Both of them have a 18:1 tuner ratio. This means that it will take 18 turns of the keys to give the tuning posts an entire turn. Higher ratio means more precise tuning (and more time spent tuning your gutiar). Most guitars have a 18:1 ratio, while the most precise tuning can be achieved with a 21:1 ratio.

Winner: Tie.

Neck Joint

Contrary to popular belief, the difference in sustain and tone that some neck joints give to a guitar is simply unperceivable—if they're all well built. However, some of them do have advantages over the others.

Both have a Set neck joint. This neck is tightly glued to the body. They give you the least versatility because you can't swap them for a neck that fits your hand better if you want to, unlike bolt-on necks. Some people think this gives more resonance and sustain, but there's no real difference if the bolt-on joint is well built.

Winner: Tie.

Here is the list of features that were considered when choosing the winner in the Features subcategory:

Strengths & Weaknesses
Epiphone Explorer
  • Expensive Wood
  • Ivory Tusq Nut
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock
Strengths & Weaknesses
Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
  • No Strap Lock

Final Build Quality Scores

Epiphone Explorer
Quality of materials 66
Features 50
Quality Control 60
Build Quality 59
Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer
Quality of materials 53
Features 65
Quality Control 60
Build Quality 59

Playability Comparison

Let's now compare their playability. Bear in mind that the instrument will feel different depending on your hand size and play style. That's why you should always test before buying. But if you can't or want a second opinion on it, we can still take a look at each of the important measurements of the instrument for you. This way, we can predict how easy a guitar might be to play, or how different it will feel compared to the other.

Remember that, even though the difference might seem small, every inch counts when it comes to feeling of the instrument in your hands. Any variation can completely change how comfortable a guitar feels in your hands.

Nut Width

Epiphone Explorer Nut Width
Epiphone Explorer Nut Width
Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer Nut Width
Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer Nut Width

The nut width will affect the separation between strings at the nut. In this comparison, the Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer has the wider nut with 44.5mm (1.75'') vs 43mm (1.693''). This is a 1.5mm (0.057'') difference

This means that it will be more difficult to do bar chords on the Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer, especially closer to the nut. However, it's also easier to play without muting strings accidently. This favors people with big hands.

Scale Length

Epiphone Explorer and Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer's Scale Length
Both have the same scale length

The scale length is one of the things that influences playability the most. This is the distance between the nut and the bridge and will affect everything from low action allowance, difficulty to perform bends, fret separation, and even tone.

In this case, both have a scale length of 24.75".

This is the scale length that Gibson uses for most of its Les Paul guitars. It's a smaller scale than the typical Stratocaster's 25.5''. Short scale lengths like this make it easier to bend the strings, which is pretty important if you have a fixed bridge. They also have a shorter fret separation, which makes it easier to change position fast at the fretboard.

On the other hand, a shorter scale like this one will make fret buzz more likely, which can affect you if you want to use thicker string gauges.

Lastly, remember that you can also affect the tension of the strings by changing your string gauge. You can use a thicker gauge for more tension and a lighter one for less tension.

Neck Profile

Epiphone Explorer Neck Profile
Both guitars have the same neck profile

No single neck shape is better than others. However, most people tend to prefer a thinner necks because it doesn't get in their way when playing fast and most hand sizes can adapt to it pretty well. However, some people still prefer thicker necks for a better grip, especially if they have big hands.

Both the Epiphone Explorer and the Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer have a C-shaped neck. This is what you'll find in most modern guitars. Most people feel like the thickness of a C neck is simply the less intrusive one for playing fast, while at the same time allowing you to grab the neck easily for resting if you want to.

Fretboard Radius

Epiphone Explorer Fingerboard Radius
Both Guitars Have The Same Fretboard Radius

Most guitar fretboards are not flat; they usually have a curve or arc across their width. A curved fretboard will make it easier to perform chords without muting strings, while a flatter one will make it easier to play single notes, which is good for bending and soloing in general. The best fretboards have a compound radius that varies across the fingerboard, but they're not common since they take a lot more work to build.

Both the Epiphone Explorer and the Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer have the same fretboard radius of 12". This is the radius used in most Gibson guitars. It gives you a good balance for playing chords without muting, but also good comfortability for playing single notes and bending.

Hand Size Comfortability

Everyone has a different hand size, and that's why it's recommended to try a guitar before buying, even if others tell you that it's comfortable to play. However, we can know whether a guitar favors small or large hands just by knowing its exact measurements.

After taking into account the scale length, nut width, neck profile and fretboard radius, we can conclude that both in this comparison favor small hands .

Epiphone Explorer:
Big Hands
Small Hands
Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer:
Big Hands
Small Hands

Fret Size

Epiphone Explorer Frets Size
Epiphone Explorer's Frets Size
Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer Frets Size
Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer's Frets Size

The Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer has Jumbo frets, which should be taller than the Epiphone Explorer's Medium Jumbo frets.

Some people prefer taller frets because they result in more sustain since the strings get pressed cleanly without interference from the fretboard. However, if they're too tall—like Jumbo frets—, you might change the pitch of the strings accidentally if you press too hard because you won't be touching the fretboard with your fingers. This is also why some guitarists with a heavy grip prefer smaller frets. They like to feel the fingerboard to avoid pressing down too hard and getting out of pitch.

Final Playability Scores

Epiphone Explorer
Bending & Vibrato Ease 85
Chord Playability 65
Solo Playability 70
Playability 73
Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer
Bending & Vibrato Ease 90
Chord Playability 55
Solo Playability 90
Playability 78

Specs Side-by-Side

Epiphone Explorer vs Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer
General Epiphone Explorer Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer
Brand: Epiphone Epiphone
Year: 2020 2021
Configuration: HH HH
Strings: 6 6
Made in: China China
Series: Original Collection Artist Collection
Colors: Black Green Burst
Left-Handed Version: No No
Body
Type: Solid Body Solid Body
Body Material: Mahogany Mahogany
Bridge: LockTone Tune-O-Matic Floyd Rose FRT-1000
Neck
Neck Joint: Set Set
Tuners: Grover Mini 18:1 ratio machine heads Grover Mini Rotomatic 18:1
Fretboard: Indian Laurel Ebony; white binding
Neck Material: Mahogany Mahogany
Decoration: Dot Dot; Icarus Spaceship at 12th fret
Scale Size: 24.75" 24.75"
Shape: Slim Taper Slim Taper
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.82'' (20.8mm) - 12th Fret: 0.92'' (23.4mm) 1st Fret: 0.82'' (20.8mm) - 12th Fret: 0.92'' (23.4mm)
Frets: 22 Medium Jumbo Nickel Silver 24 Jumbo Nickel Silver
Fretboard Radius: 12" 12"
Nut: Ivory Tusq Locking
Nut Width: 43mm (1.693'') 44.5mm (1.75'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickup: ProBucker 3 (Humbucker / Passive) Gibson USA BurstBucker 2 (Humbucker / Passive)
Middle Pickup:
Neck Pickup: ProBucker 2 (Humbucker / Passive) Gibson USA BurstBucker 1 (Humbucker / Passive)
Switch: 3 Way 3 Way
Knobs: Speed Dome
Pickup Mods: None Coil Split
Volume Controls: 2 2
Tone Controls: 1 0