Best 22 Fret Explorer Style Guitars in 2024

Here you'll find the best 22 fret Explorer style guitars.

After comparing the 2000+ guitars in our database, these are the best scoring ones with these characteristics. You can use our filters to the left to narrow down these results, or click on "Compare" to get a deep comparison between them. Our automated scoring system takes into account the ratings from ours users who own the guitar, and dozens of parameters to determine the build quality, playability, pickups quality, value for money, and more.

There are affiliate links on this page that may earn us a commission if you purchase after clicking. We are members of the Amazon Associates Program, and many others. However, we compare each guitar against each other under the same parameters, so this doesn't influence our scoring.

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1. ESP Snakebyte Camo

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ESP Snakebyte Camo

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Playability 80

Sound 79

Build quality 75

Value for money 63

Overall Score 78

What our users think

Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (1 vote)
Pickups power: Hot (1 vote)

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From ESP's 2022 Signature series
Made in Japan
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Mahogany body
1Pc Mahogany neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG JH James Hetfield (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG JH James Hetfield (Humbucker/Active)
2 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Tonepros Locking TOM & Tailpiece bridge
Thin U Set neck
22 XL Jumbo frets
Sperzel Locking tuners
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From ESP's 2022 Signature series
Made in Japan
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Mahogany body
1Pc Mahogany neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG JH James Hetfield (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG JH James Hetfield (Humbucker/Active)
2 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Tonepros Locking TOM & Tailpiece bridge
Thin U Set neck
22 XL Jumbo frets
Sperzel Locking tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP Snakebyte Camo

Locking Tuners
Made in Japan
Expensive Wood
Bone Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Strap Lock
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
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

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2. Solar E1.6FRLB

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Solar E1.6FRLB

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Playability 75

Sound 84

Build quality 73

Value for money 77

Overall Score 77

What our users think

Neck profile shape: C (12 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (7 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (9 votes)
Pickups power: Slightly Hot (9 votes)

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From Solar's 2020 Type E series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
13.78" Fretboard Radius
Flame Maple Veneer top
Mahogany body
Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Duncan Solar/Bridge (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Duncan Solar (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Floyd Rose 1000, with 34 mm Block bridge
Solar C Shape Set neck
22 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Solar 18:1 Locking Type tuners
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From Solar's 2020 Type E series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
13.78" Fretboard Radius
Flame Maple Veneer top
Mahogany body
Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Duncan Solar/Bridge (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Duncan Solar (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Floyd Rose 1000, with 34 mm Block bridge
Solar C Shape Set neck
22 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Solar 18:1 Locking Type tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Solar E1.6FRLB

Stainless Steel Frets
Locking Tuners
Expensive Wood
Locking Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Coil Split Pickups
Luminescent Inlay
Tremolo
Made in Indonesia
No Neck-Through Build
No Weight Relief
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Retainer Bar
No Strap Lock

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Used from $1,207.40 >>

3. ESP E-II EX NT

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ESP E-II EX NT

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Playability 80

Sound 76

Build quality 74

Value for money 67

Overall Score 77

What our users think

Neck access to high frets: Very Easy (1 vote)
Tuning stability: Holds tune well (1 vote)
Weight: Lightweight (1 vote)
Neck profile shape: Baseball / U (3 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (6 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (9 votes)
Pickups power: Clean (5 votes)

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From ESP E-II's 2021 EX series
Made in Japan
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Mahogany body
Mahogany neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG 60 (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Gotoh TOM & Tailpiece bridge
Thin U Set neck
22 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners
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From ESP E-II's 2021 EX series
Made in Japan
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Mahogany body
Mahogany neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG 60 (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Gotoh TOM & Tailpiece bridge
Thin U Set neck
22 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP E-II EX NT

Locking Tuners
Made in Japan
Expensive Wood
Bone Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Strap Lock
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
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

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4. Schecter E-1 Custom Special Edition

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Schecter E-1 Custom Special Edition

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Playability 80

Sound 79

Build quality 67

Value for money 80

Overall Score 75

What our users think

Weight: Slightly heavy (1 vote)
Neck profile shape: C (42 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (37 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (1 vote)
Pickups power: Slightly Hot (2 votes)

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From Schecter's 2020 Custom series
Made in South Korea
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
Quilted Maple top
Mahogany body
Mahogany 3-pc neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Schecter USA Sunset Strip (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Schecter USA Pasadena (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
3-way Switch
TonePros T3BT TOM & T1Z Tailpiece bridge
Thin C Set neck
22 XL Jumbo frets
Schecter Locking tuners
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From Schecter's 2020 Custom series
Made in South Korea
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
Quilted Maple top
Mahogany body
Mahogany 3-pc neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Schecter USA Sunset Strip (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Schecter USA Pasadena (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
3-way Switch
TonePros T3BT TOM & T1Z Tailpiece bridge
Thin C Set neck
22 XL Jumbo frets
Schecter Locking tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Schecter E-1 Custom Special Edition

Locking Tuners
Expensive Wood
Ivory Tusq Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Coil Split Pickups
Compound Radius Fretboard
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
Made in South Korea
No Neck-Through Build
No Weight Relief
No Luminescent Inlay
No Tremolo
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Strap Lock

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5. Dean USA Patents Pending Z Flame Top TBZ

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Dean USA Patents Pending Z Flame Top TBZ

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Playability 80

Sound 74

Build quality 72

Value for money 60

Overall Score 75

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From Dean's 2019 USA series
Made in United States
6 strings
24.6"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Flame Maple top
Mahogany body
Mahogany neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: DiMarzio Super Distortion DP100 (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: DiMarzio Super Distortion DP100 (Humbucker/Passive)
2 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
3-way Switch
Tune-O-Matic (With Z Plate) bridge
Patent Pending Spec. C Shaped Set neck
22 Jumbo frets
Vintage Style Grover tuners
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From Dean's 2019 USA series
Made in United States
6 strings
24.6"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Flame Maple top
Mahogany body
Mahogany neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: DiMarzio Super Distortion DP100 (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: DiMarzio Super Distortion DP100 (Humbucker/Passive)
2 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
3-way Switch
Tune-O-Matic (With Z Plate) bridge
Patent Pending Spec. C Shaped Set neck
22 Jumbo frets
Vintage Style Grover tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Dean USA Patents Pending Z Flame Top TBZ

Made in United States
Expensive Wood
Bone Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Locking Tuners
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

6. Harley Benton EX-76 Classic

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Harley Benton EX-76 Classic

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Playability 80

Sound 77

Build quality 62

Value for money 83

Overall Score 73

What our users think

Pickups noise: Noiseless (2 votes)
Pickups power: Slightly Hot (3 votes)

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From Harley Benton's 2020 Tribute series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
15" Fretboard Radius
Mahogany body
Mahogany neck
Purpleheart fretboard
Bridge pickup: Roswell LAF Alnico-5 (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Roswell LAF Alnico-5 (Humbucker/Passive)
2 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
3-way Switch
Wsc Tune-O-Matic Bridge bridge
Harley Benton Slim Taper C Set neck
22 Jumbo frets
Grover Locking Machine Heads tuners
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From Harley Benton's 2020 Tribute series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
15" Fretboard Radius
Mahogany body
Mahogany neck
Purpleheart fretboard
Bridge pickup: Roswell LAF Alnico-5 (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Roswell LAF Alnico-5 (Humbucker/Passive)
2 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
3-way Switch
Wsc Tune-O-Matic Bridge bridge
Harley Benton Slim Taper C Set neck
22 Jumbo frets
Grover Locking Machine Heads tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Harley Benton EX-76 Classic

Locking Tuners
Expensive Wood
Ivory Tusq Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
Made in Indonesia
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

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7. Gibson 80s Explorer

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Gibson 80s Explorer

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Playability 73

Sound 74

Build quality 72

Value for money 63

Overall Score 73

What our users think

Neck profile shape: C (8 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (6 votes)

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From Gibson's 2023 Original series
Made in United States
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Mahogany top
Solid Mahogany body
Mahogany neck
Indian Rosewood fretboard
Bridge pickup: 80s Tribute (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: 80s Tribute (Humbucker/Passive)
2 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
3-way Switch
Aluminum Stop Bar bridge
Slim Taper Set neck
22 Medium Jumbo frets
Grover Mini Rotomatic tuners
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From Gibson's 2023 Original series
Made in United States
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Mahogany top
Solid Mahogany body
Mahogany neck
Indian Rosewood fretboard
Bridge pickup: 80s Tribute (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: 80s Tribute (Humbucker/Passive)
2 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
3-way Switch
Aluminum Stop Bar bridge
Slim Taper Set neck
22 Medium Jumbo frets
Grover Mini Rotomatic tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Gibson 80s Explorer

Made in United States
Expensive Wood
Ivory Tusq Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Tri-Sound Pickups
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Locking Tuners
No Neck-Through Build
No Weight Relief
No Luminescent Inlay
No Tremolo
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Strap Lock

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8. ESP LTD EX Black Metal

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ESP LTD EX Black Metal

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Playability 80

Sound 71

Build quality 67

Value for money 73

Overall Score 73

What our users think

Neck profile shape: D (23 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (33 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (9 votes)
Pickups power: Clean (5 votes)

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From ESP LTD's 2021 Black Metal series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
13.78" Fretboard Radius
Mahogany body
3pc Maple neck
Macassar Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
Tonepros Locking TOM & Tailpiece bridge
Thin U Set neck
22 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
LTD Locking tuners
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From ESP LTD's 2021 Black Metal series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
13.78" Fretboard Radius
Mahogany body
3pc Maple neck
Macassar Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
Tonepros Locking TOM & Tailpiece bridge
Thin U Set neck
22 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
LTD Locking tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD EX Black Metal

Stainless Steel Frets
Locking Tuners
Expensive Wood
Top Brand Pickups
Luminescent Inlay
Made in Indonesia
No High-Quality Nut
No Neck-Through Build
No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
No Weight Relief
No Tremolo
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Strap Lock

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9. Gibson Custom 1958 Korina Explorer Reissue

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Gibson Custom 1958 Korina Explorer Reissue

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Playability 73

Sound 72

Build quality 70

Value for money 57

Overall Score 72

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From Gibson Custom's 2022 Historic Collection series
Made in United States
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Korina body
Korina neck
Rosewood fretboard
Bridge pickup: Custombucker (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Custombucker (Humbucker/Passive)
2 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
3-way Switch
ABR-1 bridge
Vintage 50s Set neck
22 Medium frets
Kluson with Celluloid Tips tuners
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From Gibson Custom's 2022 Historic Collection series
Made in United States
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Korina body
Korina neck
Rosewood fretboard
Bridge pickup: Custombucker (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Custombucker (Humbucker/Passive)
2 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
3-way Switch
ABR-1 bridge
Vintage 50s Set neck
22 Medium frets
Kluson with Celluloid Tips tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Gibson Custom 1958 Korina Explorer Reissue

Made in United States
Expensive Wood
Nylon Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Locking Tuners
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

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10. Epiphone Explorer

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Epiphone Explorer

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Playability 73

Sound 64

Build quality 57

Value for money 70

Overall Score 65

What our users think

Neck profile shape: D (10 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (7 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (4 votes)
Pickups power: Clean (7 votes)

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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
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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
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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

All Prices