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Average Price: $700

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$400

$1001+

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Description

Unleash your inner metal maestro with the Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer. Crafted in collaboration with the iconic Brendon Small, this guitar isn't just an instrument—it's a powerhouse of expression. The unique Explorer body is tailored with a deep cutaway, allowing for effortless access to those high-octane solos. A custom Galaktikon Burst gloss finish adorns the top, complemented by a sleek matte ebony back and sides, ensuring you turn heads both visually and sonically.

Equipped with a Floyd Rose bridge and tremolo system, this guitar offers unparalleled tuning stability and dive-bombing capabilities, perfect for the most demanding shredders. The Gibson USA BurstBucker pickups deliver a searing tone with impressive clarity, ensuring your riffs cut through any mix. The SlimTaper neck is a speed demon's dream, featuring a contoured heel joint and a bound ebony fretboard with 24 jumbo frets for a smooth, fast-playing experience. Plus, with Grover Mini Rotomatic 18:1 tuners, you'll stay in tune longer, no matter how intense your performance.

Whether you're on stage or in the studio, the Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer is your ticket to crafting legendary metal anthems. And when the show is over, transport it safely in the included EpiLite case.

Key Features:

  • Modified Explorer body with deep cutaway
  • Floyd Rose bridge and tremolo system
  • Gibson USA BurstBucker pickups
  • SlimTaper neck with contoured heel joint
  • Bound ebony fretboard with 24 jumbo frets
  • Grover Mini Rotomatic 18:1 tuners
  • Includes EpiLite case

Product specs

Brand Epiphone
Model Brendon Small Ghosthorse Explorer
Finish Galaktikon Burst
Year 2021 - 2025
Made In China
Categories Solid Body Electric Guitars
Artist Brendon Small
Body Material Mahogany
Body Shape X-Style
Body Type Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type Locking Tremolo Bridge
Color Family Silver
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss
Fretboard Material Ebony
Fretboard Radius 12"
Model Family Epiphone Explorer
Neck Construction Set-Neck
Neck Material Mahogany
Number of Frets 24
Number of Strings 6-String
Offset Body Offset Body
Pickup Configuration HH
Right / Left Handed Right Handed
Scale Length 24.75"
Series Epiphone Artist Collection
Top Material Maple
Wood Top Style Flamed

FAQs

What kind of pickups does the Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer have?

The Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer is equipped with Gibson USA BurstBucker 1 and BurstBucker 2 humbuckers, providing a versatile range of tones suitable for both clean and overdriven sounds.

Is the neck of the Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer comfortable for fast playing?

Yes, the guitar features a SlimTaper neck profile, which is known for its fast playability and comfort, making it ideal for quick solos and intricate playing styles.

Does the Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer support alternate tunings?

The guitar is equipped with a Floyd Rose Locking Nut and a Floyd Rose FRT-1000 bridge, providing excellent tuning stability, making it suitable for alternate tunings and maintaining intonation.

Is the Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer suitable for metal music?

Absolutely, the combination of mahogany body, BurstBucker pickups, and Floyd Rose tremolo system makes it an excellent choice for metal genres, offering powerful tones and sustain.

What is the scale length of the Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer?

The scale length of this guitar is 24.75 inches, which is typical for many electric guitars and contributes to its playability and tone.

Does the Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer come with a case?

Yes, the Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer comes with an EpiLite case, providing protection and convenience for transport.

The Trogly's Guitar Show

The Trogly's Guitar Show

Is The New Explorer a Deal? | 2021 Epiphone Brendon Small Ghost Horse Floyd Rose Explorer Review

Video thumbnail for Is The New Explorer a Deal? | 2021 Epiphone Brendon Small Ghost Horse Floyd Rose Explorer Review by The Trogly's Guitar Show

Is The New Explorer a Deal? | 2021 Epiphone Brendon Small Ghost Horse Floyd Rose Explorer Review

The Trogly's Guitar Show

The Trogly's Guitar Show

Video thumbnail for The Metalocalypse Cometh!! The Classiest Modern Explorer?? || Epiphone Brendon Small "GhostHorse" by Agufish

The Metalocalypse Cometh!! The Classiest Modern Explorer?? || Epiphone Brendon Small "GhostHorse"

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Agufish

Video thumbnail for Epiphone | Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer by OfficialEpiphone

Epiphone | Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer

OfficialEpiphone

OfficialEpiphone

Video thumbnail for The Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer is a great deal by George V Guitars

The Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer is a great deal

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George V Guitars

Video thumbnail for Epiphone's BEST Explorer - Brendon Small Ghosthorse by Play and Trade Guitars

Epiphone's BEST Explorer - Brendon Small Ghosthorse

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Video thumbnail for Brendon Small Ghosthorse Epiphone Explorer - Pawn Shop Find Of The Week! by Marty5150

Brendon Small Ghosthorse Epiphone Explorer - Pawn Shop Find Of The Week!

Marty5150

Marty5150

Reviews

PROS

  • Exceptional sound quality with versatile coil-tapped pickups for diverse tonal options

  • High-quality construction with a resonant neck-thru mahogany body

  • Features a Floyd Rose tremolo system for expressive playing techniques

  • Stunning aesthetics with a smokey grey veneer and aggressive, modern look

  • Offers great value for money, comparable to higher-end models

  • Smooth and fast-playing neck with an ebony fretboard

  • Push/pull pots add versatility for single coil tones

CONS

  • Inconsistent quality control; may require multiple returns to find an acceptable unit

  • Often requires a professional setup out of the box for optimal performance

  • Neck heavy design can cause balance issues during play

  • Limited access to higher frets for players with larger hands

  • Lacks a tone control, limiting some tonal versatility

  • Gig bag quality is poor, with common issues like broken straps

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer.

Build quality

  • The stock strap buttons are small, often requiring owners to switch to Schaller strap locks for better security.

    Source
  • Owners report smooth frets with no sharp edges, adding to the playability of the guitar out of the box.

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  • Some users report that the high and low E strings are positioned at the edge of the fretboard, potentially due to using a Tune-O-Matic width neck with a wider Floyd bridge.

    Source

User experience

  • Despite being a complex system, the Floyd Rose bridge is manageable even for less experienced players, enhancing the guitar's appeal.

    Source
  • Owners appreciate the forgiving nature of the top-mounted Floyd Rose, which simplifies setup for beginners.

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  • Owners report that the guitar holds tune exceptionally well even with frequent use, thanks to the quality hardware and construction.

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Features and functionality

  • The close positioning of the pickups, necessary for accommodating extra frets, can be a concern for some potential buyers.

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  • The guitar's coil splitting is distinct, offering unique tones not commonly found in other models, particularly benefiting from the closer pickup spacing.

    Source
  • The GhostHorse lacks a tone knob, prompting some to modify the volume pots for a global volume and tone control setup.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • The guitar's limited run and included case and upgraded pickups justify its price as $150 more than other Epiphone Explorers.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Replacing the neck locking nut with a narrower one can address issues with string spacing near the fretboard edges.

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  • Replacing the stock Floyd block with a fat brass 37 is a recommended upgrade for improving resonance and sustain.

    Source
  • A D-Tuna can be installed without modifications, allowing for easy drop tuning adjustments while maintaining good action if the bridge is lowered fully.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • A common issue is the stock switch failing; replacing it with a Switchcraft switch resolves this problem, improving reliability.

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  • The non-recessed Floyd Rose may require neck shimming to achieve desired action heights, as it limits how low the action can be set.

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  • High string action is a common issue; solving it may involve adjusting the truss rod and bridge height for optimal playability.

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  • The bottom three frets are noted to be too tight for comfortable play, suggesting a potential setup adjustment or personal adaptation for optimal use.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The GhostHorse is compared favorably against the Extura Prophecy, with better quality control attributed to its status as a signature model.

    Source
  • The neck on this model feels more like a thin C shape compared to the typical Epi D shape, which aligns with the preferences of fans of Epi slimtaper necks.

    Source

Critic Reviews

This new Epiphone Brendon Small Ghost Horse Explorer is brutal! - gearnews.com

gearnews.com

The Epiphone Brendon Small Ghost Horse Explorer is a bold entry into the signature guitar realm, boasting a 24-fret neck and Floyd Rose tremolo that cater to metal enthusiasts. While its unique design and features, like the Galaktikon Burst finish and Burstbucker pickups, may excite fans, the aesthetic choices, particularly the glossy finish, have drawn mixed reactions. Some players feel a matte or natural wood finish would enhance its appeal. Priced at $799, it occupies an intriguing spot in the market, yet its unconventional look may not resonate with everyone. This guitar leaves a lasting impression but might not suit every taste.

Epiphone Unveils the Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer - Premier Guitar

premierguitar.com

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Artist usage

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See how Brendon Small uses Epiphone Brendon Small GhostHorse Explorer

Brendon Small

Guitarist

Dethklok

...
Verified via YouTube

In this Q&A video with Brendon Small, he discusses his signature Epiphone GhostHorse.

Genre Usage

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