"Most definitely a show-stopper": Epiphone Lzzy Hale Explorer Custom review

What is it?

As the frontwoman, guitar slinger, and songwriting powerhouse behind Halestorm, Lzzy Hale has already been honored with six signature models to date, ranging from Gibson, Epiphone, and even Kramer, and now with the new Explorer Custom, that makes seven models to bear her name.

Lzzy is a long-time fan of this angular Gibson, so it’s no surprise this new model is an Explorer, but what makes this one different is the appointments. Built around the attributes of a Les Paul Custom, the mahogany Explorer body features elegant 7-ply binding, the mahogany neck is the standard SlimTaper 60s C profile and is equipped with an ebony fretboard that sports those classic pearloid block inlays.

Of course, the neck is crowned with the iconic hockey stick headstock, but this one showcases a raised Epiphone nickel logo, not unlike what you’d find on a vintage ‘58 Flying V. Rounding out the peghead is a Graph Tech nut and Grover Mini Rotomatic tuners.

The model is dressed in a striking gloss Black Diamond Holographic Sparkle finish, just like Lzzy’s Kramer Voyager, and is paired with a single-ply mirror pickguard.

Tonally, we have a pair of Epiphone Probucker Ignite pickups, with no fancy electronics here, just a volume for each pickup, a master tone, and, of course, a 3-way toggle switch. The model comes bundled with an Epiphone hardshell case that bears Hale’s signature.

Specs

• Launch price: $999 | £859 | €999
• Made: China
• Type: Six-string electric guitar
• Body: Mahogany
• Neck: SlimTaper 60s C
• Fingerboard: Ebony
• Scale length: 24.75"/628.65 mm
• Frets: 22, Medium jumbo
• Hardware: LockTone Tune-O-Matic bridge, LockTone Stop Bar tailpiece, Grover Rotomatic tuners, Silver Speed knobs
• Electrics: Pickups, controls, switching
• Left-handed options: No
• Finishes: Black Diamond Holographic Sparkle
• Cases: Epiphone Lzzy Hale hardcase
• Contact: Epiphone

Build quality

Build quality rating: ★★★★½

I’ve never had an electric guitar arrive for review that’s had such a big reaction from others in the house. My wife kept coming into my office just to look at it. Simply put, this guitar looks stunning. Yes, it looks good in photos, but in person you can really see how all of those little flecks of glitter catch the light and morph through greens, silvers, and purples – and that black stinger on the rear of the headstock is the icing on the cake.

Thankfully, the finish has been very well applied, with nothing to spoil its striking appearance. I like the black edge to the binding too. It’s the perfect understated frame for that pretty wild finish.

While we’re on the aesthetics, the raised Epiphone logo is a bold choice, and I think this guitar pulls it off. It reminds me of the models produced by Gibson Custom and master artisan Leo Scala, and the very limited '58 Addiction Explorers. It’s a cool look, and I’d love to see this appear on more instruments going forward.

Moving on to the fretwork, I’m happy to see a clutch of well-polished and very well-installed medium jumbo frets. They are well cut and trimmed, with no sharp ends or high spots. They also look good against a jet-black ebony board that is perfectly dark and without streaks or marks.

The only issue I could find from a build point of view was with the control knobs. The silver speed knobs look great, but have been poorly installed from the factory. Not only were they a little crooked on the pots, but they also pop straight off with very little force.

It’s an easy enough fix if you have two minutes spare and a small screwdriver to open up the post of the pot, but at this price point, it’s the sort of thing you’d hope wouldn’t make it through quality control. I’ll chalk this one up to bad luck, though, and I hope the rest are all fine, as otherwise it’s a neat and tidy build overall.

Playability

Playability rating: ★★★★★

Explorers can feel a little unwieldy and just straight up awkward if you’re not used to them. I happen to be a die-hard fan of Explorers, so I’m more than familiar with their quirks.

It’s fair to say weight distribution can be an issue with this style of guitar, but this one’s 8lbs are surprisingly balanced, whether I’m playing seated or standing with a strap. It stays put and sits rock-solid. The cutaway and deep lower bout give easy access to the upper frets, so stretching for those high notes is no problem at all.

Billed as a SlimTaper ‘60s neck profile, this guitar actually feels pretty substantial, and a little thicker than I was expecting – but in a good way. Once I pick it up, the neck fills my hand just right, striking a nice balance between not too thin and not too thick. More rounded than my own Gibson Explorer, especially in the open position, but it’s very comfortable indeed.

What surprised me most, though, is how effortless it is to move up and down the fretboard. The setup from the factory was spot-on, with a low action that measured just about 1.5mm at the 12th fret on the low E. There’s no fighting the strings here. ​

I guess it’s to be expected with whose name is on the headstock, but it feels great for riffing – and that’s thanks to the nicely rounded neck. Chording is comfortable, and the slightly chunkier neck profile gives you something to really hold onto, especially when you’re laying into heavy power chords.

But that’s not to say it’s not capable of some speed too. Thanks to the low action, you get a slinky feel that makes fast runs and bends easy, but without any annoying fret buzz. All in, I think this is a fabulous feeling instrument.

Sounds

Sounds rating: ★★★★★

Epiphone’s new ProBucker Ignite humbuckers are at the heart of this guitar’s sound. I recently reviewed the excellent Epiphone RD Futura Custom, which featured these pickups, and I’m glad to see them used here as well. They’re a key part of what gives this Explorer its modern edge, and they sound pretty great.

​For me, I’d say these pickups are definitely voiced with modern players in mind. They have a bit more output than your average PAF, but they aren’t so loud that they lose all definition.

For testing, I opted for a Positive Grid Spark Live modeling amp and matching cab. Now, from what I believe, Lzzy is a fan of a dimed Marshall JCM800 – aren’t we all? – so that’s exactly what I dial in with a touch of verb for some space.

As expected, the tone here is tight and focused, with a slightly hollowed-out mid-range that pairs really well with a healthy dose of distortion. As I noted the last time I used these pickups, the bottom end has been excellently shaped. There’s no flabby low-end with these pups, meaning I can de-tune without worry that things will get too muddy.

Unlike the Futura series, there is no extra switching with the Custom Explorer. No coil-splits or out-of-phase switch, which feels like a shame. I understand that Hale may not use anything like that herself, preferring to keep this simple, but this switching worked well on the Futura, and I think it would work equally as well here – it would certainly make the model more versatile.

That said, this is a fantastic-sounding guitar, and one that perfectly nails those Halestorm high-gain tones and a whole lot more.

Verdict

There’s no denying this is a bold guitar, and that’s definitely in keeping with Hales's other signature guitars. From her Falcon-esque white and gold Explorer, her Firebird-headed Explorerbird, and her Kramer Voyager, she just doesn’t do subtlety, and I, for one, am here for it. In fact, this may be my favorite of her signature models so far.

It isn’t all about looks either; this guitar more than delivers on playability and sound, too. My review model arrived perfectly playable straight out of the box, and as I’ve noted before, the Ignite pickups from Epiphone may be up there with the best the company has produced.

Yes, this is a guitar that will appeal to Halestorm fans, but I think its appeal goes far beyond that. If you’re looking for a stage-ready axe that is most definitely a show-stopper, then this is the Explorer for you.

Guitar World verdict: With its stunning good looks, flawless playability, and a sound to match, this guitar isn’t just a model for Lzzy Hale fans, it’s for anyone who wants a show-stopping Explorer at a reasonable price. Okay, while a couple of minor quirks keep it from perfection, its bold aesthetic and stellar sound make it impossible to ignore. This Explorer delivers the goods in spades.

Also try

Epiphone Futura RD Custom
$899 | £949 | €860

Tired of run-of-the-mill guitars? Well, this may be the six-string for you. Loaded with the same pickups as the Lzzy Hale Explorer, this flawlessly built RD is perfect for those who crave something offbeat and inspiring.

Read more: Epiphone Futura RD Custom review

Epiphone Explorer 80s EMG
$899 | £849 | €1,099

If you want a guitar to play all kinds of heavy music, the Epiphone Explorer 80s EMG is one that will let you do it with aplomb. From the eye-catching looks to the super playable neck, it’s a great guitar for laying down precision metal rhythms and searing lead licks. It’s not subtle, but it’s not trying to be.

Read more: Epiphone Explorer 80s EMG review

Kramer Lzzy Hale Voyager
$1,049 | £1,199 | €1,099

Want your Lzzy Hale model a little bolder? Well then you need to try her striking Kramer Voyager. This is her most extreme signature guitar to date and well worth seeking out.

Hands-on videos

Epiphone

Introducing the Lzzy Hale Epiphone Explorer Custom - YouTube

Watch On

• Best metal guitars: hell-raising electrics for shredders on any budge