Best Laurel Fretboard Explorer Style Guitars in 2024

Here you'll find the best Laurel fretboard Explorer style guitars. There are many types of Laurel, but East Indian is the most common for guitar building. Its color can vary from dark to light brown with black lines. Many people find its tonality similar to Rosewood, which favors the warmer frequencies.

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. Jackson Pro Series Signature Phil Demmel Demmelition Fury PD

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Jackson Pro Series Signature Phil Demmel Demmelition Fury PD
FIND IT ON:
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Playability 77
Sound 79
Build quality 65
Value for money 79
Overall Score 74

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: D (30 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (33 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (9 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (5 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
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  • 4 Prices - New from $721.33 >
  • From Jackson's 2019 Artist Signature series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • Maple neck
  • Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 60 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 2 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Special Double-Locking Tremolo (Recessed) bridge
  • Speed Neck-Through neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Jackson Sealed Die-Cast tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 4 Prices - New from $721.33 >
  • From Jackson's 2019 Artist Signature series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • Maple neck
  • Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 60 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 2 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Special Double-Locking Tremolo (Recessed) bridge
  • Speed Neck-Through neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Jackson Sealed Die-Cast tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Jackson Pro Series Signature Phil Demmel Demmelition Fury PD
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Tremolo
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Strap Lock
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar

All Prices

2. Epiphone Explorer

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Epiphone Explorer
FIND IT ON:
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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)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
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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
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 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
  • See all specs and compare >
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

All Prices

3. Jackson X Series Kelly KEX

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Jackson X Series Kelly KEX
FIND IT ON:
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Playability 77
Sound 71
Build quality 64
Value for money 76
Overall Score 71

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: D (30 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (33 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (8 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (6 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoAmazon logoSweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
  • 5 Prices - New from $587.99 >
  • From Jackson's 2022 X series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Poplar body
  • Maple neck
  • Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Jackson High-Output Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Jackson High-Output Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Special Double-Locking Tremolo (Recessed) bridge
  • Speed Neck-Through neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Jackson Sealed Die-Cast tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 5 Prices - New from $587.99 >
  • From Jackson's 2022 X series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Poplar body
  • Maple neck
  • Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Jackson High-Output Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Jackson High-Output Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Special Double-Locking Tremolo (Recessed) bridge
  • Speed Neck-Through neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Jackson Sealed Die-Cast tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Jackson X Series Kelly KEX
  • Locking Nut
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Tremolo
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

4. Jackson X Series Kelly KEXQ

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Jackson X Series Kelly KEXQ
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoReverb logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability 77
Sound 71
Build quality 65
Value for money 76
Overall Score 71

What our users think

  • Neck access to high frets: Easy (1 vote)
  • Tuning stability: Holds tune well (1 vote)
  • Weight: Lightweight (1 vote)
  • Neck profile shape: D (30 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (33 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (8 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (6 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoReverb logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logo
  • 6 Prices - New from $799.99 >
  • From Jackson's 2019 X series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Quilt Maple top
  • Poplar body
  • Maple neck
  • Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Jackson High-Output Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Jackson High-Output Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Special Double-Locking Tremolo (Recessed) bridge
  • Speed Neck-Through neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Jackson Sealed Die-Cast tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 6 Prices - New from $799.99 >
  • From Jackson's 2019 X series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Quilt Maple top
  • Poplar body
  • Maple neck
  • Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Jackson High-Output Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Jackson High-Output Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Special Double-Locking Tremolo (Recessed) bridge
  • Speed Neck-Through neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Jackson Sealed Die-Cast tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Jackson X Series Kelly KEXQ
  • Locking Nut
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Tremolo
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

5. Jackson X Series Kelly KEXS

Compare
Jackson X Series Kelly KEXS
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability 77
Sound 71
Build quality 63
Value for money 70
Overall Score 70

What our users think

  • Neck access to high frets: Easy (1 vote)
  • Neck profile shape: D (30 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (33 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (8 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (6 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logo
  • 6 Prices - New from $587.99 >
  • From Jackson's 2021 X series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Shattered Mirror top
  • Mahogany body
  • Maple neck
  • Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Jackson High-Output Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Jackson High-Output Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Special Double-Locking Tremolo (Recessed) bridge
  • Speed Neck-Through neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Jackson Sealed Die-Cast tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 6 Prices - New from $587.99 >
  • From Jackson's 2021 X series
  • Made in China
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Shattered Mirror top
  • Mahogany body
  • Maple neck
  • Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Jackson High-Output Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Jackson High-Output Humbucking (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Special Double-Locking Tremolo (Recessed) bridge
  • Speed Neck-Through neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Jackson Sealed Die-Cast tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Jackson X Series Kelly KEXS
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Tremolo
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in China
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

6. Jackson Pro Series Signature Phil Demmel Demmelition Fury PDT

Compare
Jackson Pro Series Signature Phil Demmel Demmelition Fury PDT
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability 78
Sound 71
Build quality 62
Value for money 75
Overall Score 70

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: D (30 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (33 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (9 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (5 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
  • 5 Prices - New from $738.24 >
  • From Jackson's 2019 Artist Signature series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • Maple neck
  • Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 60 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 2 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Jackson TOM-Style Adjustable String-Through-Body bridge
  • Speed Neck-Through neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Jackson Sealed Die-Cast tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 5 Prices - New from $738.24 >
  • From Jackson's 2019 Artist Signature series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • Maple neck
  • Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 60 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 2 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Jackson TOM-Style Adjustable String-Through-Body bridge
  • Speed Neck-Through neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Jackson Sealed Die-Cast tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Jackson Pro Series Signature Phil Demmel Demmelition Fury PDT
  • Expensive Wood
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Strap Lock
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

All Prices

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