Best Explorer Style Guitars Made In China in 2024

Here are the top Explorer style guitars made in China . So you can expect lower build quality when compared to others made in Korea, Japan or the United States. Guitars made in this country are meant for mass production, which translates into less attention to detail and quality control. This doesn't mean the product is made poorly at all. Chinese products have a bad reputation since long ago, but they've definitely improved a lot the last few years.

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.

1. Epiphone Prophecy Extura

Compare
Epiphone Prophecy Extura
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoReverb logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability 80
Sound 80
Build quality 63
Value for money 79
Overall Score 74

What our users think

  • Neck access to high frets: Very Easy (4 votes)
  • Fret edges: Smooth (4 votes)
  • Tuning stability: Holds tune well (3 votes)
  • Weight: Slightly heavy (3 votes)
  • Neck profile shape: Asymmetrical (14 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (9 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (4 votes)
  • Pickups power: Hot (3 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoReverb logoMusician's Friend logo
  • 5 Prices - New from $899 >
  • From Epiphone's 2020 Prophecy Collection series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • AAA Flame Maple veneer top
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony, Single Ply White binding fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Proprietary (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: Fishman Fluence Proprietary (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • LockTone Tune-O-Matic bridge
  • Asymmetrical Slim Taper Set neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Grover Locking Rotomatic tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 5 Prices - New from $899 >
  • From Epiphone's 2020 Prophecy Collection series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • AAA Flame Maple veneer top
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Ebony, Single Ply White binding fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Proprietary (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: Fishman Fluence Proprietary (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • LockTone Tune-O-Matic bridge
  • Asymmetrical Slim Taper Set neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Grover Locking Rotomatic tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Epiphone Prophecy Extura
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • NuBone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split, Multi-Voicing Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • Made in China
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

2. Jackson X Series Kelly KEXS

Compare
Jackson X Series Kelly KEXS
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability 77
Sound 71
Build quality 63
Value for money 70
Overall Score 70

What our users think

  • Neck access to high frets: Easy (1 vote)
  • Neck profile shape: D (30 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (33 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (8 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (6 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logo
  • 6 Prices - New from $749.99 >
  • From Jackson's 2021 X series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Shattered Mirror top
  • Mahogany body
  • Maple neck
  • Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Jackson High-Output Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Jackson High-Output Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Special Double-Locking Tremolo (Recessed) bridge
  • Speed Neck-Through neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Jackson Sealed Die-Cast tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 6 Prices - New from $749.99 >
  • From Jackson's 2021 X series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Shattered Mirror top
  • Mahogany body
  • Maple neck
  • Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Jackson High-Output Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Jackson High-Output Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Special Double-Locking Tremolo (Recessed) bridge
  • Speed Neck-Through neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Jackson Sealed Die-Cast tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Jackson X Series Kelly KEXS
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Tremolo
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

3. Harley Benton Extreme-84

Compare
Harley Benton Extreme-84
FIND IT ON:
Thomann logo
Playability 73
Sound 61
Build quality 49
Value for money 71
Overall Score 61

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: C (20 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (17 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (3 votes)
  • Pickups power: Hot (5 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Thomann logo
  • 1 Prices - New from €189 >
  • From Harley Benton's 2015 Progressive series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Blackwood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: HBZ Hi-Gain Humbucker (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: HBZ Hi-Gain Humbucker (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Harley Benton bridge
  • Harley Benton C Set neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • HB tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 1 Prices - New from €189 >
  • From Harley Benton's 2015 Progressive series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Blackwood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: HBZ Hi-Gain Humbucker (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: HBZ Hi-Gain Humbucker (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Harley Benton bridge
  • Harley Benton C Set neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • HB tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Harley Benton Extreme-84
  • Expensive Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • 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

4. Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer

Compare
Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
Playability 78
Sound 81
Build quality 59
Value for money 78
Overall Score 73

What our users think

  • Fret edges: Smooth (1 vote)
  • Tuning stability: Holds tune well (1 vote)
  • Weight: Slightly heavy (1 vote)
  • Neck profile shape: D (10 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (7 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (1 vote)
  • Pickups power: Clean (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
  • 2 Prices - New from $799 >
  • From Epiphone's 2021 Artist Collection series
  • 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
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 2 Prices - New from $799 >
  • From Epiphone's 2021 Artist Collection series
  • 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
  • See all specs and compare >
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

All Prices

5. Jackson JS Series Kelly JS32

Compare
Jackson JS Series Kelly JS32
FIND IT ON:
Amazon logoReverb logoMusician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
Playability 73
Sound 72
Build quality 55
Value for money 77
Overall Score 67

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: D (30 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (33 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (8 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (6 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Amazon logoReverb logoMusician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
  • 6 Prices - New from $368.99 >
  • From Jackson's 2014 JS series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Poplar body
  • Maple neck
  • Purpleheart fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Jackson High-Output Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Jackson High-Output Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Licensed Jackson Double-Locking Tremolo bridge
  • Speed Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Jackson Sealed Die-Cast tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 6 Prices - New from $368.99 >
  • From Jackson's 2014 JS series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Poplar body
  • Maple neck
  • Purpleheart fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Jackson High-Output Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Jackson High-Output Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Licensed Jackson Double-Locking Tremolo bridge
  • Speed Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Jackson Sealed Die-Cast tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Jackson JS Series Kelly JS32
  • Locking Nut
  • Tremolo
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

6. Epiphone Explorer

Compare
Epiphone Explorer
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
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)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
  • 5 Prices - New from $589.97 >
  • 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
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 5 Prices - New from $589.97 >
  • 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
  • See all specs and compare >
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

7. Jackson JS Series Kelly JS32T

Compare
Jackson JS Series Kelly JS32T
FIND IT ON:
Amazon logoReverb logoMusician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
Playability 75
Sound 65
Build quality 52
Value for money 74
Overall Score 64

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: D (30 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (33 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (8 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (6 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Amazon logoReverb logoMusician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
  • 6 Prices - New from $368.99 >
  • From Jackson's 2014 JS series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Poplar body
  • Maple neck
  • Purpleheart fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Jackson High-Output Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Jackson High-Output Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Jackson TOM-Style Adjustable String-Through-Body bridge
  • Speed Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Jackson Sealed Die-Cast tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 6 Prices - New from $368.99 >
  • From Jackson's 2014 JS series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Poplar body
  • Maple neck
  • Purpleheart fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Jackson High-Output Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Jackson High-Output Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Jackson TOM-Style Adjustable String-Through-Body bridge
  • Speed Bolt-On neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Jackson Sealed Die-Cast tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Jackson JS Series Kelly JS32T
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

8. Harley Benton Extreme-76

Compare
Harley Benton Extreme-76
FIND IT ON:
Thomann logoReverb logo
Playability 73
Sound 61
Build quality 49
Value for money 76
Overall Score 61

What our users think

  • Neck access to high frets: Normal (1 vote)
  • Fret edges: Smooth (1 vote)
  • Tuning stability: Holds tune well (1 vote)
  • Weight: Slightly heavy (1 vote)
  • Neck profile shape: C (20 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (17 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (6 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (7 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Thomann logoReverb logo
  • 2 Prices - New from €149 >
  • From Harley Benton's 2015 Classic series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Basswood body
  • Maple neck
  • Blackwood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: HB Humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: HB Humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Tune-O-Matic Bridge bridge
  • Harley Benton C Set neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Hb Tuners tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 2 Prices - New from €149 >
  • From Harley Benton's 2015 Classic series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Basswood body
  • Maple neck
  • Blackwood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: HB Humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: HB Humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Tune-O-Matic Bridge bridge
  • Harley Benton C Set neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Hb Tuners tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Harley Benton Extreme-76
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • 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

Filter ResultsClear all filters×
Price
  • General
    Brand
    Country of Origin
    For Hand Size
    Genre
    Great for
    Handedness
    Max Weight
    • Type desired range in pounds (lbs):
    Strings
    Body
    Body Finish
    Body Shape
    Body Type
    Body Wood
    Comfortability
    Decorative Top
    Weight Relief
      Neck
      Custom 12th Fret Inlay
      Fret Material
        Fret Size
        Fretboard Radius
        Fretboard Wood
        Headstock
        Inlay Material
        Inlay Position
        Inlay Shape
        Luminescent Sidedots
          Neck Joint
          Neck Profile
          Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
          • Type desired range in inches:
          Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
          • Type desired range in inches:
          Neck Wood
          Number of Frets
          Nut Material
          Nut Width
          Playstyle
          Scale Length
          Electronics
          Bridge Pickups Brand
          Configuration
          Neck Pickups Brand
          Pickup Mods
          Pickup Selector
          Pickups Power
          Tone Knobs
          Volume Knobs
          Hardware
          Bridge
          Hardware Color
          Knob Style
          Retainer Bar
            Strap Lock
              Tuners Type
              By Score
              Build Quality Score
                Build Quality Score
              • Type desired score
              Features Score
                Features Score
              • Type desired score
              Material Quality Score
                Material Quality Score
              • Type desired score
              Pickups Quality Score
                Pickups Quality Score
              • Type desired score
              Playability Score
                Playability Score
              • Type desired score
              Quality Control Score
                Quality Control Score
              • Type desired score
              Sound Score
                Sound Score
              • Type desired score
              Value for Money Score
                Value for Money Score
              • Type desired score
              Versatility Score
                Versatility Score
              • Type desired score