Epiphone Explorer for Beginners: A Complete Guide

Fancied an Epiphone Explorer as your first "proper" electric guitar because of that shape? Fair enough — it's one of the most striking silhouettes in electric guitar history, and it's a genuinely playable first guitar too, once you know what to expect from it.

Is it actually a sensible first guitar?

Broadly, yes. The shorter 24.75-inch scale length means the strings sit under a bit less tension than on a longer-scale guitar, which many beginners find easier on developing fingers, especially for bending strings and holding down chords. The wood is mahogany throughout, body and neck, giving a warm, sustained sound that's forgiving to play around with while you're learning.

The one thing that surprises new owners

It's the shape, not the sound. That angular body means the guitar behaves differently off your lap than a conventional double-cut electric — the lower point extends further than you'd expect, and it can feel like a lot of guitar sitting down. Most beginners find it actually feels more natural standing up on a strap. Try both positions before you settle into a practice routine, and don't assume it's the wrong guitar for you just because seated playing feels a bit odd at first.

Understanding the pickup options, simply

You'll see two main types mentioned around this guitar, so here's the plain-English version:

• Passive pickups (ProBucker 2/3) — no battery needed, and the sound responds naturally to how hard or gently you pick the strings. This is the friendlier option to learn dynamics on.
• Active pickups (EMG 60/81) — need a 9-volt battery, and give a more compressed, consistent, higher-output sound. Great once you're chasing a specific heavy tone, but slightly more to think about as a total beginner.

If you're just starting out, the passive standard model is generally the easier guitar to learn expression on — you'll hear your own playing more directly, which genuinely helps while you're still developing technique.

Your first few weeks

Get a professional setup before you dive in properly — action, intonation and pickup height all affect how easy a guitar is to actually play, and a poor setup can make any instrument feel harder than it should. Spend your early sessions on basic chords and simple riffs rather than chasing the heaviest possible tone straight away; the Explorer's low-end warmth will still be there once your hands catch up with your ambitions.

What makes this shape different from a "normal" electric

Most beginner guides assume a conventional double-cutaway body, so it's worth saying plainly: an Epiphone Explorer's angular points aren't just decoration, they genuinely change how the guitar balances on a strap and how much space it needs around you. None of that makes it a worse choice — just a slightly different one to plan around, especially the first time you set it down on a stand or squeeze past someone in a rehearsal room.

Practical things nobody mentions upfront

• A standard guitar stand may not properly support the body's extended lower point — check before you buy one.
• A generic gig bag might not fit well; an Explorer-shaped case fits properly and protects those distinctive body points.
• If you go for a pickup-active model later, keep a spare 9-volt battery in your case — nothing kills momentum like a dead battery mid-practice.

Common beginner questions, answered honestly

"Is it too heavy?" It's a reasonably substantial guitar, but not unusually so for the Gibson-style solidbody family — try one on with a strap before deciding it's too much. "Do I need an EMG version to sound heavy?" No — plenty of genuinely heavy tone comes from the standard passive pickups pushed through the right amp settings; the pickup choice shapes the character, not the ceiling of how heavy you can go.

Where to go next

Once you're comfortable with the basics, our complete Epiphone Explorer guide covers every current version in full detail, and if you're ready to actually shop, our buyer's guide covers exactly what to check. It's also worth a read through our common mistakes to avoid before you buy, so you can sidestep the errors other new owners tend to make.

The bottom line

An Epiphone Explorer is a genuinely welcoming first "serious" guitar, once you get used to how that famous shape actually sits and behaves. Get a proper setup, start with the basics, and let that iconic silhouette be the reward rather than the obstacle.

Frequently Asked Questions