Best Explorer Style Guitars Made In United States in 2024

Here are the top Explorer style guitars made in United States . Guitars made in the USA have the reputation of being the best instruments you can get. This statement isn't as accurate as a few years ago, but you should still expect top-quality from a guitar made in this country.

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. Jackson USA Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly

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Jackson USA Signature Jeff Loomis Kelly

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Playability 77

Sound 78

Build quality 87

Value for money 66

Overall Score 81

What our users think

Neck profile shape: D (30 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (33 votes)
Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (1 vote)
Pickups power: Hot (1 vote)

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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
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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
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Jackson 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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2. 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

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3. 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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4 Prices - New from $2,499 >
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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4 Prices - New from $2,499 >
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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4. 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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5 Prices - New from $9,999 >
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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5 Prices - New from $9,999 >
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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5. Jackson USA Select Kelly KE2

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Jackson USA Select Kelly KE2

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Playability 77

Sound 79

Build quality 74

Value for money 62

Overall Score 77

What our users think

Neck profile shape: D (30 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (33 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (4 votes)
Pickups power: Hot (4 votes)

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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
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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
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Jackson 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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6. Dean USA Time Capsule Z

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Dean USA Time Capsule Z

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Playability 80

Sound 74

Build quality 72

Value for money 60

Overall Score 75

What our users think

Neck speed (thickness): Fast (1 vote)

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From Dean's 2017 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: USA DMT Time Capsule (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: USA DMT Time Capsule (Humbucker/Passive)
2 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
3-way Switch
Tune-O-Matic (With Z Plate) bridge
V Set neck
22 Jumbo frets
Grover tuners
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From Dean's 2017 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: USA DMT Time Capsule (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: USA DMT Time Capsule (Humbucker/Passive)
2 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
3-way Switch
Tune-O-Matic (With Z Plate) bridge
V Set neck
22 Jumbo frets
Grover tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Dean USA Time Capsule Z

Made in United States
Expensive Wood
Ivory Tusq 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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7. Gibson Lzzy Hale Signature Explorerbird

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Gibson Lzzy Hale Signature Explorerbird

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Playability 73

Sound 72

Build quality 69

Value for money 61

Overall Score 71

What our users think

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

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5 Prices - New from $2,493.85 >
From Gibson's 2022 Artist Collection series
Made in United States
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Mahogany body
Mahogany neck
Indian Rosewood fretboard
Bridge pickup: 70s Tribute with Gold Screws/Rods (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: 70s Tribute with Gold Screws/Rods (Humbucker/Passive)
2 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
3-way Switch
Tune-O-Matic bridge
Slim Taper Set neck
22 Medium Jumbo frets
Grover Mini Rotomatics tuners
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5 Prices - New from $2,493.85 >
From Gibson's 2022 Artist Collection series
Made in United States
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Mahogany body
Mahogany neck
Indian Rosewood fretboard
Bridge pickup: 70s Tribute with Gold Screws/Rods (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: 70s Tribute with Gold Screws/Rods (Humbucker/Passive)
2 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
3-way Switch
Tune-O-Matic bridge
Slim Taper Set neck
22 Medium Jumbo frets
Grover Mini Rotomatics tuners
See all specs and compare >

Strengths & Weaknesses
Gibson Lzzy Hale Signature Explorerbird

Made in United States
Expensive Wood
Ivory Tusq 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

All Prices

8. Gibson Custom Explorer Custom w/ Ebony Fingerboard Gloss

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Gibson Custom Explorer Custom w/ Ebony Fingerboard Gloss

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Playability 73

Sound 70

Build quality 67

Value for money 55

Overall Score 70

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4 Prices - New from $5,499 >
From Gibson Custom's 2022 Modern Collection series
Made in United States
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Solid Mahogany body
Mahogany neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: 498T Humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: 490R Humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
2 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
3-way Switch
Stop Bar bridge
Medium C Set neck
22 Medium Jumbo frets
Grover Kidney tuners
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4 Prices - New from $5,499 >
From Gibson Custom's 2022 Modern Collection series
Made in United States
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Solid Mahogany body
Mahogany neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: 498T Humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: 490R Humbucker (Humbucker/Passive)
2 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
3-way Switch
Stop Bar bridge
Medium C Set neck
22 Medium Jumbo frets
Grover Kidney tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Gibson Custom Explorer Custom w/ Ebony Fingerboard Gloss

Made in United States
Expensive Wood
Top Brand Pickups
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Locking Tuners
No High-Quality Nut
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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9. Gibson Explorer

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Gibson Explorer

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Playability 73

Sound 72

Build quality 67

Value for money 66

Overall Score 71

What our users think

Neck access to high frets: Easy (1 vote)
Fret edges: Smooth (2 votes)
Tuning stability: Holds tune well (2 votes)
Weight: Heavy (1 vote)
Neck profile shape: C (8 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (6 votes)
Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (4 votes)
Pickups power: Slightly Hot (2 votes)

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2 Prices - New from $1,999 >
From Gibson's 2019 Original Collection series
Made in United States
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Mahogany body
Mahogany neck
Rosewood fretboard
Bridge pickup: Gibson BurstBucker 3 (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Gibson Burstbucker 2 (Humbucker/Passive)
2 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
3-way Switch
Aluminum Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge
Slim Taper Set neck
22 Medium Jumbo frets
Grover Mini Rotomatics tuners
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2 Prices - New from $1,999 >
From Gibson's 2019 Original Collection series
Made in United States
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Mahogany body
Mahogany neck
Rosewood fretboard
Bridge pickup: Gibson BurstBucker 3 (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Gibson Burstbucker 2 (Humbucker/Passive)
2 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
3-way Switch
Aluminum Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge
Slim Taper Set neck
22 Medium Jumbo frets
Grover Mini Rotomatics tuners
See all specs and compare >

Strengths & Weaknesses
Gibson Explorer

Made in United States
Expensive Wood
Ivory Tusq 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. Gibson 70s Explorer

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Gibson 70s Explorer

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Playability 73

Sound 72

Build quality 65

Value for money 60

Overall Score 70

What our users think

Neck access to high frets: Very Easy (1 vote)
Fret edges: Smooth (1 vote)
Tuning stability: Holds tune well (1 vote)
Weight: Lightweight (1 vote)
Neck profile shape: C (8 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (6 votes)

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5 Prices - New from $2,499 >
From Gibson's 2019 Original Collection series
Made in United States
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Mahogany body
Mahogany neck
Rosewood fretboard
Bridge pickup: Gibson 70s Tribute (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Gibson 70s Tribute (Humbucker/Passive)
2 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
3-way Switch
Aluminum Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge
Slim Taper Set neck
22 Medium Jumbo frets
Regular Tuners tuners
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5 Prices - New from $2,499 >
From Gibson's 2019 Original Collection series
Made in United States
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Mahogany body
Mahogany neck
Rosewood fretboard
Bridge pickup: Gibson 70s Tribute (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Gibson 70s Tribute (Humbucker/Passive)
2 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
3-way Switch
Aluminum Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge
Slim Taper Set neck
22 Medium Jumbo frets
Regular Tuners tuners
See all specs and compare >

Strengths & Weaknesses
Gibson 70s Explorer

Made in United States
Expensive Wood
Ivory Tusq 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

All Prices