Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 7 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
4.5 (5)
$599.99
Guitar Center
5.0 (2)
$699.00 $599.99 $99.01
Amazon
4.7 (5)
$599.99
Musician's Friend
$699.00 $599.99 $99.01 · All time low
zZounds
5.0 (6)
$699.00
Thomann
5.0 (3)
$654.00 $625.00 $29.00 · All time low
Gear4Music
£569.00

Average Price: $621

Standard/Professional

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 6 merchants for "ESP EX Explorer". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Experience the electric power of the ESP EX Explorer, a guitar crafted to meet the demands of metal and hard rock aficionados. Designed with a striking explorer-style body, this guitar offers the perfect blend of aggressive sound and smooth playability. Its thin, U-shaped neck is engineered for speed, allowing you to navigate intricate solos and powerful riffs with ease. The 22 extra-jumbo frets and 24.75" scale length provide ample space for note-bending and vibrant vibrato, while the jatoba fingerboard offers a warm, resonant feel under your fingertips.

Equipped with ESP LH-150 humbuckers, the EX Explorer delivers a formidable tone with thick mids and tight lows, perfect for driving your amp into high-gain overdrive. These pickups are designed to switch effortlessly from chunky rhythm sections to searing lead tones, ensuring versatility in any setup. With ESP's quality tuning machines, you'll maintain perfect pitch, even during the most intense performances.

The EX Explorer's lightweight design ensures comfort and balance on stage, allowing you to focus on your performance without distraction. Whether you're unleashing heavy power chords or delicate leads, this guitar provides the tonal flexibility and reliable tuning you need to perform at your best.

Key Features:

  • Explorer-style body with a thin, U-shaped neck
  • 24.75" scale length with 22 extra-jumbo frets
  • Jatoba fingerboard for smooth playability
  • ESP LH-150 humbucker pickups for versatile tone
  • Quality ESP tuning machines for stable tuning
  • Lightweight and balanced for comfortable playing on stage

Product specs

Body type Solidbody
Top wood Maple
Body wood Mahogany
Body finish Gloss
Neck wood 3-Piece mahogany
Shape Thin U
Joint Set-neck
Scale length 24.75"
Material Roasted jatoba
Fret size Extra-jumbo
Number of frets 22
Inlays Pearloid block inlay
Nut width/material 1.69"(43mm)/Bone
Configuration HH
Neck  ESP humbucker
Bridge ESP humbucker
Control layout Volume, Tone
Switch 3-way
Special Electronics Coil-split (push-pull)
Bridge type Fixed
Bridge design TOM-style
Tuning machines LTD Locking
Number of strings 6-string
Case Sold separately
Orientation Right-Handed

FAQs

What is the neck profile of the ESP EX Explorer?

The ESP EX Explorer features a Thin U neck profile, which provides a comfortable and fast playing experience, ideal for both rhythm and lead guitarists.

What type of pickups does the ESP EX Explorer have?

The ESP EX Explorer is equipped with ESP humbucker pickups, offering a powerful and versatile tone suitable for a wide range of musical styles.

Can the ESP EX Explorer produce single-coil tones?

Yes, the ESP EX Explorer includes a push-pull coil-split feature that allows you to switch the humbuckers to single-coil mode, providing additional tonal versatility.

What kind of wood is used for the body of the ESP EX Explorer?

The body of the ESP EX Explorer is made from mahogany with a maple top, which contributes to its rich, warm tone and sustain.

How many frets does the ESP EX Explorer have?

The ESP EX Explorer features 22 extra-jumbo frets, allowing for smooth playability and easier bending of notes.

Is the ESP EX Explorer suitable for heavy music genres?

Yes, the ESP EX Explorer is well-suited for heavy music genres due to its powerful humbucker pickups and solid mahogany body, which deliver a thick, aggressive sound.

Essex Recording Studios

Essex Recording Studios

ESP EX Explorer Diamond Steel Plate EMG 81 60 James Hetfield Metallica Guitar Video Up Close Review

Video thumbnail for ESP EX Explorer Diamond Steel Plate EMG 81 60 James Hetfield Metallica Guitar Video Up Close Review by Essex Recording Studios

ESP EX Explorer Diamond Steel Plate EMG 81 60 James Hetfield Metallica Guitar Video Up Close Review

Essex Recording Studios

Essex Recording Studios

Video thumbnail for ESP EX EXPLORER 2007 BLACK STANDARD SERIES EMG 81 60 UP CLOSE GUITAR VIDEO REVIEW by Essex Recording Studios

ESP EX EXPLORER 2007 BLACK STANDARD SERIES EMG 81 60 UP CLOSE GUITAR VIDEO REVIEW

Essex Recording Studios

Essex Recording Studios

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about ESP EX Explorer.

Build quality

  • The horns on Explorer-shaped guitars are prone to chipping, requiring careful handling.

    Source
  • Weighs approximately 7 lbs, lighter than expected for its size, which may contribute to slight neck dive.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The neck of the ESP EX-200 is round and thick, which may affect playability preferences.

    Source
  • The LTD EX-401 offers EMG pickups straight from the factory, providing a tonal upgrade over the EX-200, which comes with stock pickups.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Some players prefer swapping out the stock EMG-Hz pickups for passive ones like Gibson Burstbuckers to achieve a different tonal character.

    Source
  • Owners often replace the stock EMG pickups to better suit personal tonal preferences.

    Source
  • Owners recommend swapping stock pickups on Epiphone Explorers with EMG 60X and 81 pickups for improved metal tones.

    Source
  • Dressing the frets and replacing the nut are suggested upgrades for enhancing playability on Epiphone Explorers.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The EX-200 is considered a good budget guitar, but it's noted that it's lighter than some might expect, possibly due to cut-out wood.

    Source
  • Lighter than the Charvel Joe Duplantier signature, indicating weight differences among similar guitar styles.

    Source
  • The LTD EX series features a more angular, pointy shape compared to the classic Gibson Explorer, which some users find less visually appealing.

    Source
  • The Epiphone Explorer is praised for its classic shape, aligning more closely with Gibson's original design, which appeals to traditionalists.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Explorers are highly comfortable but may be challenging for seated players due to their large body.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • The LTD versions, like the EX-200, offer decent quality for the price, despite being outsourced and not matching the quality of higher-end ESP models.

    Source

User experience

  • Some EX models, like the EX400BD, are reported to have no neck dive, contrary to reports for other models in the series.

    Source

Based on 0 Reviews and 0 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Sammy Duet uses ESP EX Explorer

Sammy Duet

Guitarist

Acid Bath

...
Verified via YouTube
Color/Finish: Andromeda II Year: 2026

In the "Acid Bath Rig Rundown" video by Premier Guitar, around the 2-minute mark, guitarist Sammy Duet discusses his 2026 ESP EX Explorer model, which he acquired from NAMM.

See how Balsac The Jaws of Death (Mike Derks) uses ESP EX Explorer

Balsac The Jaws of Death (Mike Derks)

Guitarist

Gwar

...
Verified via YouTube

Before switching to schecter guitars, Balsac used a custom esp ex guitar

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use ESP EX Explorer, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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1

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