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25.5" Scale Explorer Style Guitars
Best 25.5" Scale Explorer Style Guitars in 2024
Here you'll find the best 25.5" scale Explorer style guitars. This is the same scale length used in Stratocaster guitars, and it's one of the main reasons they have such a bright sound . It's considered a long scale when compared to most non-baritone guitars.
Since the distance between bridge and nut is relatively long, you'll need to give the strings more tension to get them in tune. This higher tension will allow for a couple of things. First, you can get a lower action (get the strings closer to the fretboard) because the strings won't 'wiggle' too much when pluck and won't cause fret buzz. This can allow you to use lower tunings without increasing your string gauge, and it will make it easier to press down the strings fast.
However, the frets will also have a wider separation between each other, which can make it harder to play, especially if you got small hands. The higher tension will also make the strings feel stiffer, so bending will require more strength. 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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2 Prices - New from $5,999.99 > From Jackson's 2019 Artist Signature series Made in United States
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" to 16" Fretboard Radius Sandblasted Ash top Ash body Quartersawn Maple neck
Ebony fretboard Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Jeff Loomis Signature Blackouts (Humbucker/Active) Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Jeff Loomis Signature Blackouts (Humbucker/Active) 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs 3-way Switch Floyd Rose 1500 Series Double-Locking Tremolo bridge Speed Neck-Through neck
24 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Sperzel Die-Cast tuners See all specs and compare >
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2 Prices - New from $5,999.99 > From Jackson's 2019 Artist Signature series Made in United States
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" to 16" Fretboard Radius Sandblasted Ash top Ash body Quartersawn Maple neck
Ebony fretboard Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Jeff Loomis Signature Blackouts (Humbucker/Active) Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Jeff Loomis Signature Blackouts (Humbucker/Active) 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs 3-way Switch Floyd Rose 1500 Series Double-Locking Tremolo bridge Speed Neck-Through neck
24 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Sperzel Die-Cast tuners See all specs and compare >
Strengths & WeaknessesJackson USA Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly
Stainless Steel Frets Made in United States Expensive Wood Locking Nut Top Brand Pickups Neck-Through Build Luminescent Inlay Tremolo Compound Radius Fretboard No Locking Tuners No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option No Weight Relief No 21:1 Tuner Ratio No Retainer Bar No Strap Lock
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3 Prices - New from $1,068.50 > From Schecter's 2016 Special Edition series Made in South Korea
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" to 16" Fretboard Radius Quilted Maple top Mahogany body Mahogany 3-pc w/ Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods neck
Ebony fretboard Bridge pickup: Schecter USA Apocalypse-VI (Humbucker/Passive) Neck pickup: Sustainiac (Humbucker/Passive) 1 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs 3-way Switch Floyd Rose 1500 Series bridge Thin C Set neck
24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Grover Rotomatic 18:1 tuners See all specs and compare >
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3 Prices - New from $1,068.50 > From Schecter's 2016 Special Edition series Made in South Korea
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" to 16" Fretboard Radius Quilted Maple top Mahogany body Mahogany 3-pc w/ Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods neck
Ebony fretboard Bridge pickup: Schecter USA Apocalypse-VI (Humbucker/Passive) Neck pickup: Sustainiac (Humbucker/Passive) 1 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs 3-way Switch Floyd Rose 1500 Series bridge Thin C Set neck
24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Grover Rotomatic 18:1 tuners See all specs and compare >
Strengths & WeaknessesSchecter E-1 FR S Special Edition
Stainless Steel Frets Expensive Wood Locking Nut Top Brand Pickups Sustainer Pickups Luminescent Inlay Tremolo Compound Radius Fretboard Retainer Bar No Locking Tuners Made in South Korea No Neck-Through Build No Weight Relief No 21:1 Tuner Ratio No Strap Lock
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4 Prices - New from $1,259.09 > From Dean's 2021 Select series Made in Indonesia
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius Flame Maple top Eastern Mahogany body 3 Piece Maple neck
Ebony fretboard Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern (Humbucker/Active) Neck pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern (Humbucker/Active) 2 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs 3-way Switch Floyd Rose 1000 (Korean) bridge Slim C Set neck
24 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Mini Grover 18:1 tuners See all specs and compare >
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4 Prices - New from $1,259.09 > From Dean's 2021 Select series Made in Indonesia
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius Flame Maple top Eastern Mahogany body 3 Piece Maple neck
Ebony fretboard Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern (Humbucker/Active) Neck pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern (Humbucker/Active) 2 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs 3-way Switch Floyd Rose 1000 (Korean) bridge Slim C Set neck
24 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Mini Grover 18:1 tuners See all specs and compare >
Strengths & WeaknessesDean Zero Select Floyd Fluence
Stainless Steel Frets Expensive Wood Locking Nut Top Brand Pickups Multi-Voicing Pickups Tremolo No Locking Tuners Made in Indonesia 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
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From Solar's 2020 Artist series Made in Indonesia
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
13.78" Fretboard Radius Alder body Maple neck
Ebony fretboard Bridge pickup: Duncan Solar/Bridge (Humbucker/Passive) Neck pickup: Duncan Solar (Humbucker/Passive) 2 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs 3-way Switch Floyd Rose 1000 bridge Solar C Shape Set neck
24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Solar 18:1 Locking Type tuners See all specs and compare >
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From Solar's 2020 Artist series Made in Indonesia
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
13.78" Fretboard Radius Alder body Maple neck
Ebony fretboard Bridge pickup: Duncan Solar/Bridge (Humbucker/Passive) Neck pickup: Duncan Solar (Humbucker/Passive) 2 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs 3-way Switch Floyd Rose 1000 bridge Solar C Shape Set neck
24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Solar 18:1 Locking Type tuners See all specs and compare >
Strengths & WeaknessesSolar E1.6 Priestess
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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3 Prices - New from $1,399 > From Schecter's 2018 SLS Elite series Made in South Korea
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" to 16" Fretboard Radius Swamp Ash body Maple/Walnut/Padauk Multi-ply w/ Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods neck
Ebony fretboard Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Ceramic (Humbucker/Active) Neck pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Alnico (Humbucker/Active) 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs 3-way Switch TonePros T3BT TOM & T1Z Tailpiece bridge Ultra Thin C Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Schecter Locking tuners See all specs and compare >
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3 Prices - New from $1,399 > From Schecter's 2018 SLS Elite series Made in South Korea
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" to 16" Fretboard Radius Swamp Ash body Maple/Walnut/Padauk Multi-ply w/ Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods neck
Ebony fretboard Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Ceramic (Humbucker/Active) Neck pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Alnico (Humbucker/Active) 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs 3-way Switch TonePros T3BT TOM & T1Z Tailpiece bridge Ultra Thin C Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Schecter Locking tuners See all specs and compare >
Strengths & WeaknessesSchecter E-1 SLS Evil Twin
Stainless Steel Frets Locking Tuners Expensive Wood Compensated Nut Top Brand Pickups Neck-Through Build Multi-Voicing Pickups Luminescent Inlay Compound Radius Fretboard Made in South Korea No Weight Relief No Tremolo No 21:1 Tuner Ratio No Strap Lock
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2 Prices - New from $1,399 > From Schecter's 2018 SLS Elite series Made in South Korea
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" to 16" Fretboard Radius Flamed Maple top Swamp Ash body Maple/Walnut/Padauk Multi-ply w/ Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods neck
Ebony fretboard Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Ceramic (Humbucker/Active) Neck pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Alnico (Humbucker/Active) 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs 3-way Switch TonePros T3BT TOM & T1Z Tailpiece bridge Ultra Thin C Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Schecter Locking tuners See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
2 Prices - New from $1,399 > From Schecter's 2018 SLS Elite series Made in South Korea
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" to 16" Fretboard Radius Flamed Maple top Swamp Ash body Maple/Walnut/Padauk Multi-ply w/ Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods neck
Ebony fretboard Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Ceramic (Humbucker/Active) Neck pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Alnico (Humbucker/Active) 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs 3-way Switch TonePros T3BT TOM & T1Z Tailpiece bridge Ultra Thin C Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Schecter Locking tuners See all specs and compare >
Strengths & WeaknessesSchecter E-1 SLS Elite
Stainless Steel Frets Locking Tuners Expensive Wood Compensated Nut Top Brand Pickups Neck-Through Build Multi-Voicing Pickups Compound Radius Fretboard Made in South Korea No Weight Relief No Luminescent Inlay No Tremolo No 21:1 Tuner Ratio No Strap Lock
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4 Prices - New from $1,299 > From Schecter's 2020 Artist series Made in Indonesia
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
14" Fretboard Radius Mahogany body Maple 3-pc w/ Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods neck
Ebony fretboard Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Ceramic (Humbucker/Active) Neck pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Alnico (Humbucker/Active) 2 volume and 0 tone Speed knobs 3-way Switch Floyd Rose 1500 Series bridge Ultra Thin C Set neck
24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Schecter Locking tuners See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
4 Prices - New from $1,299 > From Schecter's 2020 Artist series Made in Indonesia
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
14" Fretboard Radius Mahogany body Maple 3-pc w/ Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods neck
Ebony fretboard Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Ceramic (Humbucker/Active) Neck pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Alnico (Humbucker/Active) 2 volume and 0 tone Speed knobs 3-way Switch Floyd Rose 1500 Series bridge Ultra Thin C Set neck
24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Schecter Locking tuners See all specs and compare >
Strengths & WeaknessesSchecter Balsac E-1 FR
Stainless Steel Frets Locking Tuners Expensive Wood Locking Nut Top Brand Pickups Multi-Voicing Pickups Luminescent Inlay Tremolo Retainer Bar Made in Indonesia No Neck-Through Build No Weight Relief No Compound Radius Fretboard No 21:1 Tuner Ratio No Strap Lock
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4 Prices - New from $1,299 > From Schecter's 2022 Apocalypse series Made in South Korea
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" to 16" Fretboard Radius Swamp Ash body Maple/Padauk Multi-ply w/Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods neck
Ebony fretboard Bridge pickup: Schecter USA Apocalypse-VI (Humbucker/Passive) Neck pickup: Schecter USA Apocalypse-VI (Humbucker/Passive) 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs 3-way Switch TonePros T3BT TOM & T1Z Tailpiece bridge Thin C Set neck
24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Schecter Locking tuners See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
4 Prices - New from $1,299 > From Schecter's 2022 Apocalypse series Made in South Korea
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" to 16" Fretboard Radius Swamp Ash body Maple/Padauk Multi-ply w/Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods neck
Ebony fretboard Bridge pickup: Schecter USA Apocalypse-VI (Humbucker/Passive) Neck pickup: Schecter USA Apocalypse-VI (Humbucker/Passive) 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs 3-way Switch TonePros T3BT TOM & T1Z Tailpiece bridge Thin C Set neck
24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Schecter Locking tuners See all specs and compare >
Strengths & WeaknessesSchecter E-1 Apocalypse Red Reign
Stainless Steel Frets Locking Tuners Expensive Wood Black Tusq XL Nut Top Brand Pickups Coil Split Pickups Luminescent Inlay Compound Radius Fretboard Made in South Korea No Neck-Through Build No Weight Relief No Tremolo No 21:1 Tuner Ratio No Strap Lock
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4 Prices - New from $4,199.99 > From Jackson's 2020 USA Select series Made in United States
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" to 16" Fretboard Radius Alder body Quartersawn Maple neck
Ebony fretboard Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan JB TB-4 (Humbucker/Passive) Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Jazz SH-2 (Humbucker/Passive) 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs 3-way Switch Floyd Rose Original Double-Locking Tremolo bridge Speed Neck-Through neck
24 Jumbo frets
Jackson Sealed Die-Cast tuners See all specs and compare >
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4 Prices - New from $4,199.99 > From Jackson's 2020 USA Select series Made in United States
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" to 16" Fretboard Radius Alder body Quartersawn Maple neck
Ebony fretboard Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan JB TB-4 (Humbucker/Passive) Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Jazz SH-2 (Humbucker/Passive) 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs 3-way Switch Floyd Rose Original Double-Locking Tremolo bridge Speed Neck-Through neck
24 Jumbo frets
Jackson Sealed Die-Cast tuners See all specs and compare >
Strengths & WeaknessesJackson USA Select Kelly KE2
Made in United States Expensive Wood Locking Nut Top Brand Pickups Neck-Through Build Tremolo Compound Radius Fretboard Cheap Fret Wire (NS) No Locking Tuners No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option No Weight Relief No Luminescent Inlay No 21:1 Tuner Ratio No Retainer Bar No Strap Lock
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2 Prices - New from $1,299 > From Schecter's 2020 Apocalypse series Made in South Korea
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" to 16" Fretboard Radius Swamp Ash body Maple/Padauk Multi-ply w/Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods neck
Ebony fretboard Bridge pickup: Schecter USA Apocalypse-VI (Humbucker/Passive) Neck pickup: Schecter USA Apocalypse-VI (Humbucker/Passive) 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs 3-way Switch TonePros T3BT TOM & T1Z Tailpiece bridge Thin C Set neck
24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Schecter Locking tuners See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
2 Prices - New from $1,299 > From Schecter's 2020 Apocalypse series Made in South Korea
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
12" to 16" Fretboard Radius Swamp Ash body Maple/Padauk Multi-ply w/Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods neck
Ebony fretboard Bridge pickup: Schecter USA Apocalypse-VI (Humbucker/Passive) Neck pickup: Schecter USA Apocalypse-VI (Humbucker/Passive) 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs 3-way Switch TonePros T3BT TOM & T1Z Tailpiece bridge Thin C Set neck
24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Schecter Locking tuners See all specs and compare >
Strengths & WeaknessesSchecter E-1 Apocalypse
Stainless Steel Frets Locking Tuners Expensive Wood Black Tusq XL Nut Top Brand Pickups Coil Split Pickups Luminescent Inlay Compound Radius Fretboard Made in South Korea No Neck-Through Build No Weight Relief No Tremolo No 21:1 Tuner Ratio No Strap Lock
All Prices