The Gibson Explorer Electric Guitar is a Gibson electric guitar, currently around $3850. Close alternatives include the Explorer Copy and the 1977 Dean Z Electric Guitar. It pairs well with the PRS HX 50 Head and the PRS HX 100 Head.
Gibson Explorer Electric Guitar
Gibson · electric guitar
The Gibson Explorer is an angular, futuristic electric guitar delivering thick tone with excellent sustain. Its dual humbucker pickups and solid mahogany body provide warm, powerful tone suitable for rock and metal. The Explorer remains iconic for its distinctive aesthetics and bold character.
- solid
- meaty
- distortion
- chunky
- thick
- warm
- bold
Price updated Aug 27, 2026
Genres the Gibson Explorer Electric Guitar is commonly used in
- Hard Rock
- Metal
- Rock
Amps that pair well with the Gibson Explorer Electric Guitar
PRS HX 50 Head
PRS
34% matchThe HX 50's driven, tube-forward voicing gives the Explorer's meaty, chunky humbucker tone plenty to push against.
PRS HX 100 Head
PRS
33% matchThe HX 100's full, headroom-rich tube gain gives the Explorer's meaty, chunky humbucker tone plenty to push against.
Fender Deluxe Reverb
Fender
32% matchThe Explorer's meaty, chunky humbuckers push the Deluxe Reverb's bright, sparkling clean into crunch rather than staying pristine.
Marshall Studio Classic SC20H Limited Purple
Marshall
19% matchGibson Explorer Electric Guitar leans toward full, and that's a real, usable character to pair with
Marshall Studio Classic SC20H 20W Head
Marshall
19% matchThe Explorer's meaty, chunky humbuckers push the SC20H's open, biting midrange into something denser rather than just brighter.
Marshall MG15GFX
Marshall
15% matchGibson Explorer Electric Guitar's own full character is the real reason this is worth trying
Boss Waza-Air
Boss
tonal matchWhere this leans warm, Boss Waza-Air answers back bright
Egnater VN-412A
Egnater
tonal matchRun Egnater VN-412A after it and the warm edge settles into something more bright
Pedals that stack with the Gibson Explorer Electric Guitar
EarthQuaker Devices Chelsea
EarthQuaker Devices
32% matchThe Explorer's meaty, chunky pickups push the Chelsea's bright British drive into something denser rather than just brighter.
MXR Distortion+
MXR
32% matchThe Distortion+'s thick, gritty gain pushes the Explorer's meaty, chunky humbucker tone into heavier saturation.
Boss EQ 200 Graphic Equalizer
Boss
tonal matchBoss EQ 200 Graphic Equalizer leans bright right where the warm tone needs it
CALIFORNIA WUB Continuum EQ Galaxy Man Edition
California Wub
tonal matchCALIFORNIA WUB Continuum EQ Galaxy Man Edition's bright balances out the warm tone
Friedman Plexi-Drive Mini Overdrive
Friedman
tonal matchFriedman Plexi-Drive Mini Overdrive leans bright right where the warm tone needs it
Fuzzrocious Baxtabber
Fuzzrocious
tonal matchFuzzrocious Baxtabber leans bright right where the warm tone needs it
Hornby Skewes Treble Booster
pedal
tonal matchHornby Skewes Treble Booster leans bright right where the warm tone needs it
Ibanez Jemini
Ibanez
tonal matchWhere this leans warm, Ibanez Jemini answers back bright
Cheaper alternatives
Gibson Les Paul Standard
Gibson
70% similarity“very light compared to my Gibson Les Paul standard”
Gibson SG Standard
Gibson
92% similaritysimilar tone character
Gibson Les Paul Goldtop
Gibson
91% similaritysimilar tone character
Gibson Les Paul
Gibson
91% similaritysimilar tone character
Gibson ES-335
Gibson
91% similaritysimilar tone character
Jackson Adrian Smith SDX San Dimas
Jackson
90% similaritysimilar tone character
Boutique & premium upgrades
Similar charactersee all similar tone character →
Explorer Copy
electric guitar
70% similarity“This is an unbranded copy of the Gibson Explorer body shape, the angular, futuristic design Gibson introduced in 1958”
1977 Dean Z Electric Guitar
Dean
70% similarity“The Dean Z's body shape closely mirrors Gibson's Explorer, with a distinctive V-shaped tailpiece and strings running through the body”
Washburn P4 Electric Guitar
electric guitar
91% similaritysimilar tone character
Gibson "Old Black" 1953 Les Paul
Gibson
91% similaritysimilar tone character
Washburn Dime 3
Washburn
90% similaritysimilar tone character
Dean ML "Dean From Hell"
Dean
90% similaritysimilar tone character
See all alternatives to the Gibson Explorer Electric Guitar (cheaper + boutique) →
Questions people ask
What are good alternatives to the Gibson Explorer Electric Guitar?+
The closest matches in character are the Explorer Copy, the 1977 Dean Z Electric Guitar, the Washburn P4 Electric Guitar. Budget picks: Gibson Les Paul Standard, Gibson SG Standard, Gibson Les Paul Goldtop. Boutique upgrades: Gibson Les Paul Custom Electric Guitar.
What pairs well with the Gibson Explorer Electric Guitar?+
Strong matches from rig and tone-complementarity evidence: PRS HX 50 Head, PRS HX 100 Head, Fender Deluxe Reverb — The HX 50's driven, tube-forward voicing gives the Explorer's meaty, chunky humbucker tone plenty to push against..
How much does the Gibson Explorer Electric Guitar cost?+
Around $3850 (live listing price, updated Aug 27, 2026).