Photo of Epiphone Goth '58 Explorer and more gear in a pedalboard, guitar, and amplifier

Epiphone Goth '58 Explorer

$449.56 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (32)

1 Critic Review

8 Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Find out who is using Epiphone Goth '58 Explorer

3 community setups

Featured in

Best Guitars for Metal: Gear Guide

11 wishlisted

64 saved

Page last updated Jun 06, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated June 6, 2026.

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Reviews

Price

4.0 (14)

$449.56 3 available Used

View Deal

Average Price: $450

Standard/Professional

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

In the Solid Body Electric Guitars category, Epiphone Goth '58 Explorer is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

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Standard

High-end

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Description

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Channel your inner rock star with the Epiphone Goth '58 Explorer, a guitar that masterfully combines classic design with a captivating Gothic flair. This iconic instrument is built for musicians who crave a touch of the dark and mysterious in their sound. Its Alnico Classic humbuckers are engineered to produce a warm, powerful tone, perfect for both thunderous power chords and sizzling solos. The mahogany body ensures rich sustain, making each note resonate deeply.

The Goth '58 Explorer's signature asymmetrical body shape is not just for show; it provides an ergonomic playing experience, while its black hardware adds a layer of menacing allure. You’ll find the SlimTaper "D" neck profile a delight for shredding through fast riffs or laying down a steady rhythm. For those who love to experiment, the KillPot switch offers a unique stutter effect, adding an unexpected twist to your performance without the wear and tear on your toggle switch.

Whether you're rocking the stage or jamming in your garage, this guitar offers a bold statement. It’s not just about the music; it’s about the attitude. With the Epiphone Goth '58 Explorer, you’re not just playing an instrument; you’re wielding a piece of rock history.

Key Features:

Mahogany body with a distinct asymmetrical shape
Alnico Classic humbuckers for powerful, warm tones
SlimTaper "D" neck for fast and comfortable play
KillPot switch for creating stutter effects
Black hardware and LockTone Tune-o-matic bridge for stability and style

Videos

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Artyom Reborn

EPIPHONE GOTHIC 1958 EXPLORER - Guitar Demo

Artyom Reborn

Epiphone Goth '58 Explorer - Review/Test

megahurtz30

The Epiphone "1958" Goth Explorer

OfficialEpiphone

Reviews

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Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Epiphone Goth '58 Explorer.

Comparisons

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Users suggest trying Jackson Kelly for a slimmer neck compared to the Epiphone Goth '58 Explorer, which typically has a chunkier neck.
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The Epiphone Extura Prophecy is recommended for those seeking a slimmer neck alternative to the Goth '58 Explorer.
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Use cases and applications

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It's important to check for neck dive issues in the Explorer style, which could affect playability, especially when playing metal genres.
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The matte black finish and Explorer shape are highly appreciated for metal aesthetics, embodying the genre's visual style.
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Features and functionality

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The neck on the Epiphone Goth '58 Explorer is noted to be on the chunkier side with smaller frets, potentially limiting modern playing techniques.
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Moving the strap button to the neck heel can resolve neck dive issues, improving balance and comfort.
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Mods and upgrades

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Owners suggest upgrading pickups to Seymour Duncans or DiMarzios for enhanced metal tones, with plans to install them after initial purchase.
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Installing Seymour Duncan Blackouts and Fishman Fluence active pickups are popular mods for enhanced metal tones.
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Value and pricing

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The Goth Explorer is priced around 360€, offering a budget-friendly alternative to higher-priced models like the LTD EX-360.
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A used Epiphone Explorer Goth with Jeff Loomis signature Duncan pickups was purchased for $400, highlighting its value for the features included.
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User experience

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Transporting the Goth Explorer can be challenging; securing a hard case is recommended for better protection.
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The guitar resonates powerfully, akin to a piano, adding depth to its sound profile.
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Setup and maintenance

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Sanding and oiling the neck can maintain its matte feel and prevent glossiness from wear, enhancing playability over time.
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Critic Reviews

Goth 1958 Explorer Review: The feel of it is the best and with new pickups... | Epiphone | Electric Guitars | Reviews @ Ultimate-Guitar.Com

ultimate-guitar.com

The Epiphone Goth '58 Explorer stands out as a solid choice for metal enthusiasts, offering a comfortable feel and a striking aesthetic. While the stock pickups and factory setup are underwhelming, upgrading to EMGs unleashes its true potential, delivering a powerful, searing tone. Its durability is commendable, making it reliable for live performances. However, the clean sound is lacking, and some features, like the pickup selector and strap button placement, require tweaks. Overall, it's a great guitar for shredding, but those seeking versatility might need to look elsewhere.

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Full Review

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4.5 out of 5

Based on 8 Reviews and 32 Ratings

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2 star

1 star

string_dudes

1414

about 5 years ago

Solid Metal Machine

I've wanted an explorer for the longest time but they would either be unappealing or overly expensive. Luckily this fits into the niche of interesting and affordable. The neck felt smooth as butter, came with a molded case, & the electronics were great, for the most part. I'll be blunt, the pickups on this thing are sub par at best and bad at worst. I switched the pickups out with a Seymour Duncan Dimebucker in the bridge & a Seymour Duncan Invader in the neck, turning it into the metal machine of the century. Unfortunately I came onto some hard times and had to sell it. I hope who ever has it now is using it to its fullest potential.

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Rock Blues Rhythm and blues

tiredstringplayer

about 5 years ago

Shreds Hard!

Awesome neck feel, killer tone/killswitch knob, and looks badass! The only thing I wasn't in love with were the pickups, only cause they weren't as loud as i wished but still sounded great.

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Rock Alternative rock Pop punk

fiskburger

229

about 5 years ago

Great in the studio.

Used to be my go to guitar, just because it plays like a god. I personally like EMG-pickups and that's really all it needed to be one of the greatest feeling and played guitars I've touched!

Preferred Settings + Usage:

I have the neck pickup really low, so if I really dig in to the strings it distorts great for blues!

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist Drummer

Genres:

Blues Alternative rock Indie pop

whiplashfuck

over 10 years ago

Bang for buck

Being a massive Metallica fan I always wanted an explorer, ideally a 1984 explorer but when I saw the '58 in this gorgeous matte black colour I had to have it. For the price it's fantastic, it's got a very solid tone with quite a lot of low end, perfect for those chuggy riffs.

liam082

1869

10 years ago over 10 years ago

How are these? I was considering getting one some time back. How are the standard electronics? Also hows the build quality and over all feel?

joe_kairis

1456

almost 8 years ago

New Main Guitar

Solid guitar for the money. The only issue I had was the action was a little bit too high, so I lowered it. The matte black finish is really cool in person. Pretty decent output for Epi pickups. The stop knob was an interesting addition as well.

Roles:

Singer Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Rock Blues Country blues

johnbuck

186

about 6 years ago

Omerta

This guitar has been heavily modified by me with a custom pickguard to cover the neck pickup rout, a single volume control and a DiMarzio Super Distortion in the bridge position.

Roles:

Guitarist Bassist

Genres:

Rock Space rock Avant-garde