Best Rosewood Fretboard Explorer Style Guitars in 2024

Here you'll find the best Rosewood fretboard Explorer style guitars. Since the ban of Brazillian Rosewood, this has become a rare and expensive wood. It's not usually used for guitar bodies because of this, and also because it's heavy. Instead, it's used mainly for fretboards. Sometimes it's also used for necks because it's an extremely hard wood (even harder than maple). Its tonality tends to favor warm tones.

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. 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)
Own it? Share your opinion
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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
  • See all specs and compare >
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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2. Gibson Custom 1958 Korina Explorer Reissue

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Gibson Custom 1958 Korina Explorer Reissue
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Playability 73
Sound 72
Build quality 70
Value for money 57
Overall Score 72
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Sweetwater logoReverb logoMusician's Friend logo
  • 5 Prices - New from $9,999 >
  • From Gibson Custom's 2022 Historic Collection series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Korina body
  • Korina neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Custombucker (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Custombucker (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • ABR-1 bridge
  • Vintage 50s Set neck
  • 22 Medium frets
  • Kluson with Celluloid Tips tuners
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  • 5 Prices - New from $9,999 >
  • From Gibson Custom's 2022 Historic Collection series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Korina body
  • Korina neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Custombucker (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Custombucker (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • ABR-1 bridge
  • Vintage 50s Set neck
  • 22 Medium frets
  • Kluson with Celluloid Tips tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Gibson Custom 1958 Korina Explorer Reissue
  • Made in United States
  • Expensive Wood
  • Nylon 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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3. Dean Z 79 Floyd

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Dean Z 79 Floyd
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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
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  • 3 Prices - New from $999 >
  • 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
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 3 Prices - New from $999 >
  • 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
  • See all specs and compare >
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

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4. Gibson Lzzy Hale Signature Explorerbird

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Gibson Lzzy Hale Signature Explorerbird
FIND IT ON:
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Playability 73
Sound 72
Build quality 69
Value for money 61
Overall Score 71

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: C (8 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (6 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
  • 5 Prices - New from $2,512.19 >
  • From Gibson's 2022 Artist Collection series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: 70s Tribute with Gold Screws/Rods (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: 70s Tribute with Gold Screws/Rods (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Tune-O-Matic bridge
  • Slim Taper Set neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Grover Mini Rotomatics tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 5 Prices - New from $2,512.19 >
  • From Gibson's 2022 Artist Collection series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: 70s Tribute with Gold Screws/Rods (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: 70s Tribute with Gold Screws/Rods (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Tune-O-Matic bridge
  • Slim Taper Set neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Grover Mini Rotomatics tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Gibson Lzzy Hale Signature Explorerbird
  • 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

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5. Gibson Explorer

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Gibson Explorer
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
Playability 73
Sound 72
Build quality 67
Value for money 66
Overall Score 71

What our users think

  • Neck access to high frets: Easy (1 vote)
  • Fret edges: Smooth (2 votes)
  • Tuning stability: Holds tune well (2 votes)
  • Weight: Heavy (1 vote)
  • Neck profile shape: C (8 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (6 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (4 votes)
  • Pickups power: Slightly Hot (2 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
  • 2 Prices - New from $1,799.99 >
  • From Gibson's 2019 Original Collection series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Gibson BurstBucker 3 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Gibson Burstbucker 2 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Aluminum Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge
  • Slim Taper Set neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Grover Mini Rotomatics tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 2 Prices - New from $1,799.99 >
  • From Gibson's 2019 Original Collection series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Gibson BurstBucker 3 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Gibson Burstbucker 2 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Aluminum Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge
  • Slim Taper Set neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Grover Mini Rotomatics tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Gibson Explorer
  • 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

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6. Gibson 70s Explorer

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Gibson 70s Explorer
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Playability 73
Sound 72
Build quality 65
Value for money 60
Overall Score 70

What our users think

  • Neck access to high frets: Very Easy (1 vote)
  • Fret edges: Smooth (1 vote)
  • Tuning stability: Holds tune well (1 vote)
  • Weight: Lightweight (1 vote)
  • Neck profile shape: C (8 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (6 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoReverb logoMusician's Friend logo
  • 5 Prices - New from $2,499 >
  • From Gibson's 2019 Original Collection series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Gibson 70s Tribute (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Gibson 70s Tribute (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Aluminum Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge
  • Slim Taper Set neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Regular Tuners tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 5 Prices - New from $2,499 >
  • From Gibson's 2019 Original Collection series
  • Made in United States
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • Mahogany neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Gibson 70s Tribute (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Gibson 70s Tribute (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Aluminum Nashville Tune-O-Matic bridge
  • Slim Taper Set neck
  • 22 Medium Jumbo frets
  • Regular Tuners tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Gibson 70s Explorer
  • 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

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7. Dean Z 79

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Dean Z 79
FIND IT ON:
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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
  • 1 Prices - Used from $319.99 >
  • 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
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 1 Prices - Used from $319.99 >
  • 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
  • See all specs and compare >
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

8. Dean ZX Floyd

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Dean ZX Floyd
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
Playability 75
Sound 73
Build quality 52
Value for money 77
Overall Score 67

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: C (2 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (3 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (3 votes)
  • Pickups power: Hot (3 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
  • 1 Prices - Used from $599.99 >
  • From Dean's 2021 X series
  • Made in India
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Eastern Mahogany body
  • Maple neck
  • Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: DMT Design (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: DMT Design (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose FR20 bridge
  • C Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Jumbo frets
  • Sealed Die Cast tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 1 Prices - Used from $599.99 >
  • From Dean's 2021 X series
  • Made in India
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Eastern Mahogany body
  • Maple neck
  • Indian Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: DMT Design (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: DMT Design (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose FR20 bridge
  • C Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Jumbo frets
  • Sealed Die Cast tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Dean ZX Floyd
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in India
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • 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

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