Best Explorer Style Guitars With Speed Knobs in 2024

Here you'll find the best Explorer style guitars with Speed knobs.

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. Schecter E-1 FR S Special Edition

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Schecter E-1 FR S Special Edition

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Playability 77

Sound 85

Build quality 78

Value for money 80

Overall Score 80

What our users think

Neck access to high frets: Very Easy (2 votes)
Fret edges: Smooth (2 votes)
Tuning stability: Won't get out of tune (2 votes)
Weight: Slightly heavy (2 votes)
Neck profile shape: C (42 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (37 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (3 votes)
Pickups power: Hot (3 votes)

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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
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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
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Schecter 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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2. Solar E1.6 Priestess

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Solar E1.6 Priestess

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Playability 73

Sound 84

Build quality 72

Value for money 76

Overall Score 76

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 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
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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
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Strengths & Weaknesses
Solar 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. 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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4. 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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2 Prices - New from €329 >
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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2 Prices - New from €329 >
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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5. 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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6. 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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7. 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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5 Prices - New from $649 >
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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5 Prices - New from $649 >
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

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8. Schecter Balsac E-1 FR

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Schecter Balsac E-1 FR

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Playability 77

Sound 84

Build quality 74

Value for money 78

Overall Score 78

What our users think

Neck profile shape: C (16 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (13 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (20 votes)
Pickups power: Hot (17 votes)

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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
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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 >

Strengths & Weaknesses
Schecter 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

All Prices

9. 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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3 Prices - New from $999 >
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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3 Prices - New from $999 >
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

All Prices

10. 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
See all specs and compare >

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

All Prices