Best Explorer Style Guitars With V Neck Profile in 2024

Here are the top Explorer style guitars with V neck profile. This is a vintage type of neck that is not so common nowadays. Some people like it because they can rest their hand easily while letting their thumb hang over the edge of the fretboard. It's thicker than most modern necks, so it's great for playing chords but not so much for shredding.

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. Dean USA Time Capsule Z

Compare
Dean USA Time Capsule Z
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Playability 80
Sound 74
Build quality 72
Value for money 60
Overall Score 75

What our users think

  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
  • 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
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • 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
  • Compare Specs >
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

2. Dean Z Select Fluence

Compare
Dean Z Select Fluence
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
Playability 77
Sound 77
Build quality 64
Value for money 73
Overall Score 73

What our users think

  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (1 vote)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (3 votes)
  • Pickups power: Slightly Hot (2 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
  • From Dean's 2022 Select series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Eastern Mahogany body
  • 3 Piece Eastern Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 2 tone Speed knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Tune-O-Matic (With Z Plate) bridge
  • V Set neck
  • 22 Jumbo frets
  • Grover 18:1 tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Dean's 2022 Select series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Eastern Mahogany body
  • 3 Piece Eastern Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 2 tone Speed knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Tune-O-Matic (With Z Plate) bridge
  • V Set neck
  • 22 Jumbo frets
  • Grover 18:1 tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Dean Z Select Fluence
  • Expensive Wood
  • NuBone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Multi-Voicing Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 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

3. Dean Z Select 24 Kahler

Compare
Dean Z Select 24 Kahler
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
Playability 78
Sound 79
Build quality 62
Value for money 73
Overall Score 73

What our users think

  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
  • From Dean's 2021 Select series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Eastern Mahogany body
  • 3 Piece Eastern Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan TB-5 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan APH-1N (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Kahler Hybrid bridge
  • V Set neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Grover 18:1 tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Dean's 2021 Select series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Eastern Mahogany body
  • 3 Piece Eastern Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan TB-5 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan APH-1N (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Kahler Hybrid bridge
  • V Set neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Grover 18:1 tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Dean Z Select 24 Kahler
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

4. Dean Z Select Floyd Quilt Top

Compare
Dean Z Select Floyd Quilt Top
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Playability 75
Sound 79
Build quality 63
Value for money 72
Overall Score 72

What our users think

  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
  • From Dean's 2019 Select series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Quilt Maple top
  • Eastern Mahogany body
  • 3 Piece Eastern Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan TB-5 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan APH-1N (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose 1000 (Korean) bridge
  • V Set neck
  • 22 Jumbo frets
  • Grover tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Dean's 2019 Select series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Quilt Maple top
  • Eastern Mahogany body
  • 3 Piece Eastern Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan TB-5 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan APH-1N (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose 1000 (Korean) bridge
  • V Set neck
  • 22 Jumbo frets
  • Grover tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Dean Z Select Floyd Quilt Top
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
  • No Strap Lock

5. Dean Z 79 Floyd

Compare
Dean Z 79 Floyd
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoAmazon logoSweetwater logo
Playability 75
Sound 79
Build quality 58
Value for money 76
Overall Score 71

What our users think

  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoAmazon logoSweetwater logo
  • From Dean's 2021 Classic series
  • Made in India
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Flame Maple top
  • Eastern Mahogany body
  • Eastern Mahogany neck
  • Indian Rosewood 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
  • Floyd Rose Special bridge
  • V Set neck
  • 22 Jumbo frets
  • Grover 18:1 tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Dean's 2021 Classic series
  • Made in India
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Flame Maple top
  • Eastern Mahogany body
  • Eastern Mahogany neck
  • Indian Rosewood 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
  • Floyd Rose Special bridge
  • V Set neck
  • 22 Jumbo frets
  • Grover 18:1 tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Dean Z 79 Floyd
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in India
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

6. Dean Z Select Quilt Top

Compare
Dean Z Select Quilt Top
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Playability 77
Sound 72
Build quality 58
Value for money 74
Overall Score 69

What our users think

  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
  • From Dean's 2019 Select series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Quilt Maple top
  • Eastern Mahogany body
  • 3 Piece Eastern Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan SH-5 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan APH-1N (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
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Dean's 2019 Select series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Quilt Maple top
  • Eastern Mahogany body
  • 3 Piece Eastern Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan SH-5 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan APH-1N (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
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Dean Z Select Quilt Top
  • Expensive Wood
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 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

7. Dean Z Select

Compare
Dean Z Select
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
Playability 77
Sound 72
Build quality 57
Value for money 74
Overall Score 69

What our users think

  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
  • From Dean's 2019 Select series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3 Piece Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan SH-5 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan APH-1N (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
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Dean's 2019 Select series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3 Piece Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan SH-5 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan APH-1N (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
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Dean Z Select
  • Expensive Wood
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 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

All Prices

8. Dean Z 79

Compare
Dean Z 79
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
Playability 77
Sound 72
Build quality 54
Value for money 73
Overall Score 68

What our users think

  • Neck access to high frets: Hard (1 vote)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
  • From Dean's 2021 Classic series
  • Made in India
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Eastern Mahogany body
  • Eastern Mahogany neck
  • Indian Rosewood 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 18:1 tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From Dean's 2021 Classic series
  • Made in India
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Eastern Mahogany body
  • Eastern Mahogany neck
  • Indian Rosewood 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 18:1 tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Dean Z 79
  • Expensive Wood
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in India
  • 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

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