Best Explorer Style Guitars With Active Pickups in 2024

Here are the top Explorer style guitars with Active pickups.

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. Schecter E-1 SLS Evil Twin

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Schecter E-1 SLS Evil Twin

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Playability 82

Sound 77

Build quality 77

Value for money 79

Overall Score 79

What our users think

Tuning stability: Won't stay in tune (1 vote)
Neck profile shape: C (15 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (12 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (20 votes)
Pickups power: Hot (17 votes)

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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
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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
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Schecter 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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3. 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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4 Prices - New from $1,899 >
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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4 Prices - New from $1,899 >
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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4. 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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3 Prices - New from $2,199 >
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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3 Prices - New from $2,199 >
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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5. Dean Zero Select Floyd Fluence

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Dean Zero Select Floyd Fluence

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Playability 73

Sound 82

Build quality 73

Value for money 71

Overall Score 76

What our users think

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

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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
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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
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Dean 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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6. Solar E1.6AC

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Solar E1.6AC

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Playability 75

Sound 81

Build quality 70

Value for money 70

Overall Score 75

What our users think

Neck profile shape: C (12 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (7 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (20 votes)
Pickups power: Hot (17 votes)

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From Solar's 2020 Type E series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
13.78" Fretboard Radius
Mahogany body
Maple 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
Evertune F-Type 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
Mahogany body
Maple 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
Evertune F-Type 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 E1.6AC

Stainless Steel Frets
Locking Tuners
Expensive Wood
Top Brand Pickups
Multi-Voicing Pickups
Stays in Tune (Evertune)
Luminescent Inlay
Made in Indonesia
No High-Quality Nut
No Neck-Through Build
No Weight Relief
No Tremolo
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Strap Lock

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7. Epiphone Prophecy Extura

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Epiphone Prophecy Extura

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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)

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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
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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
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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

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8. Harley Benton EX-84 Modern

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Harley Benton EX-84 Modern

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Playability 80

Sound 76

Build quality 62

Value for money 83

Overall Score 73

What our users think

Weight: Very lightweight (1 vote)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (1 vote)

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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
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Roswell LZ51 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: Roswell LZ56 (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Wsc Tune-O-Matic Bridge bridge
Harley Benton Slim Taper C Set neck
22 XL 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
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Roswell LZ51 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: Roswell LZ56 (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Wsc Tune-O-Matic Bridge bridge
Harley Benton Slim Taper C Set neck
22 XL Jumbo frets
Grover Locking Machine Heads tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Harley Benton EX-84 Modern

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

All Prices

9. 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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4 Prices - New from $599 >
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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4 Prices - New from $599 >
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

All Prices

10. Schecter E-1 SLS Elite

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Schecter E-1 SLS Elite

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Playability 82

Sound 77

Build quality 77

Value for money 79

Overall Score 79

What our users think

Neck profile shape: C (15 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (12 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (20 votes)
Pickups power: Hot (17 votes)

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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
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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 >

Strengths & Weaknesses
Schecter 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

All Prices