Best Flame Maple Top Explorer Style Guitars in 2024

Here you'll find the best Flame Maple top Explorer style guitars. This wood has beautiful patterns only found in specific types of maple.

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 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
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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

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2. Solar E1.6FRLB

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Solar E1.6FRLB

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Playability 75

Sound 84

Build quality 73

Value for money 77

Overall Score 77

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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1 Prices - Used from $1,205.21 >
From Solar's 2020 Type E series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
13.78" Fretboard Radius
Flame Maple Veneer top
Mahogany body
Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Duncan Solar/Bridge (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Duncan Solar (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Floyd Rose 1000, with 34 mm Block bridge
Solar C Shape Set neck
22 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Solar 18:1 Locking Type tuners
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1 Prices - Used from $1,205.21 >
From Solar's 2020 Type E series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
13.78" Fretboard Radius
Flame Maple Veneer top
Mahogany body
Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Duncan Solar/Bridge (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Duncan Solar (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Floyd Rose 1000, with 34 mm Block bridge
Solar C Shape Set neck
22 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Solar 18:1 Locking Type tuners
See all specs and compare >

Strengths & Weaknesses
Solar E1.6FRLB

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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Used from $1,205.21 >>

3. 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
See all specs and compare >

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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4. 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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5. Dean Zero Select Evertune Fluence

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Dean Zero Select Evertune Fluence

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Playability 73

Sound 83

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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3 Prices - New from $1,499 >
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
Evertune bridge
Slim C Set neck
24 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Mini Grover 18:1 tuners
See all specs and compare >

Show all Specs

3 Prices - New from $1,499 >
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
Evertune bridge
Slim C Set neck
24 Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Mini Grover 18:1 tuners
See all specs and compare >

Strengths & Weaknesses
Dean Zero Select Evertune Fluence

Stainless Steel Frets
Expensive Wood
NuBone Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Multi-Voicing Pickups
Stays in Tune (Evertune)
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

6. Schecter Jake Pitts E-1 FR S

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Schecter Jake Pitts E-1 FR S

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Playability 77

Sound 84

Build quality 67

Value for money 76

Overall Score 76

What our users think

Neck access to high frets: Very Easy (1 vote)
Neck profile shape: C (15 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (12 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (9 votes)
Pickups power: Clean (5 votes)

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2 Prices - New from $1,649 >
From Schecter's 2017 Artist series
Made in South Korea
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
14" Fretboard Radius
Flamed Maple top
Mahogany body
Mahogany 3-pc w/ Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: Sustainiac (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Floyd Rose 1500 Series bridge
Ultra Thin C Set neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Grover Rotomatic 18:1 tuners
See all specs and compare >

Show all Specs

2 Prices - New from $1,649 >
From Schecter's 2017 Artist series
Made in South Korea
6 strings
25.5"'' scale
14" Fretboard Radius
Flamed Maple top
Mahogany body
Mahogany 3-pc w/ Carbon Fiber Reinforcement Rods neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: Sustainiac (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Floyd Rose 1500 Series bridge
Ultra Thin C Set neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Grover Rotomatic 18:1 tuners
See all specs and compare >

Strengths & Weaknesses
Schecter Jake Pitts E-1 FR S

Expensive Wood
Locking Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Sustainer Pickups
Tremolo
Retainer Bar
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Locking Tuners
Made in South Korea
No Neck-Through Build
No Weight Relief
No Luminescent Inlay
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Strap Lock

All Prices

7. 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
See all specs and compare >

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

All Prices

8. 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)

Own it? Share your opinion

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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 >

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
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

9. Solar E1.6FBB

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Solar E1.6FBB

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Playability 75

Sound 81

Build quality 69

Value for money 75

Overall Score 75

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)

Own it? Share your opinion

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From Solar's 2020 Type E series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
13.78" Fretboard Radius
Flame Maple Veneer top
Mahogany body
Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Duncan Solar/Bridge (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Duncan Solar (Humbucker/Passive)
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
See all specs and compare >

Show all Specs

From Solar's 2020 Type E series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
13.78" Fretboard Radius
Flame Maple Veneer top
Mahogany body
Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Duncan Solar/Bridge (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Duncan Solar (Humbucker/Passive)
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
See all specs and compare >

Strengths & Weaknesses
Solar E1.6FBB

Stainless Steel Frets
Locking Tuners
Expensive Wood
Top Brand Pickups
Coil Split 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

All Prices

10. Solar E1.7FBB

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Solar E1.7FBB

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Playability 70

Sound 81

Build quality 71

Value for money 69

Overall Score 74

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)

Own it? Share your opinion

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From Solar's 2020 Type E series
Made in Indonesia
7 strings
25.5"'' scale
15.75" Fretboard Radius
Flame Maple Veneer top
Mahogany body
Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Duncan Solar/Bridge (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Duncan Solar (Humbucker/Passive)
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
See all specs and compare >

Show all Specs

From Solar's 2020 Type E series
Made in Indonesia
7 strings
25.5"'' scale
15.75" Fretboard Radius
Flame Maple Veneer top
Mahogany body
Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Duncan Solar/Bridge (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Duncan Solar (Humbucker/Passive)
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
See all specs and compare >

Strengths & Weaknesses
Solar E1.7FBB

Stainless Steel Frets
Locking Tuners
Expensive Wood
Top Brand Pickups
Coil Split 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

All Prices