The Epiphone Lzzy Hale Explorer Custom has finally arrived and it’s as sparkly as you and I want it to be. Designed in collaboration with the Halestorm frontwoman, the signature model blends classic Explorer attitude with modern appointments, high-output electronics, and a finish that’s impossible to overlook.
It’s like her Kramer from back in 2023, but y’know – an Explorer.
Built for a Modern Rock Icon
As one of rock’s most influential guitarists and the first female Gibson brand ambassador, Lzzy Hale has forged a reputation as one hell of a presence in the rock world. Her signature Explorer reflects that approach and then some.
The solid Mahogany body and Set Mahogany neck provide a warm, sustaining foundation, while the SlimTaper ’60s C neck profile offers a fast, comfortable feel that encourages everything from powerful rhythm work to expressive lead playing. An Ebony fingerboard with a 12″ radius and 22 Medium Jumbo frets completes the playing experience, delivering smooth bends and effortless upper-register access.
The visual details are equally distinctive. Finished in Gloss Black Diamond Holographic Sparkle, the Explorer catches the light from every angle, while multi-ply top binding, a single-ply mirror pickguard, and the signature hockey-stick headstock create a really angular look.
Personal touches include a rare three-dimensional nickel Epiphone logo, a Black stinger on the rear of the headstock, and a truss rod cover engraved with a reproduction of Hale’s signature.
High-Output Power with Vintage Roots
At the heart of the Explorer Custom is a matched set of Epiphone ProBucker Ignite humbuckers.
Based on the company’s popular ProBucker design but revoiced for higher output, the Ignite pickups retain the warmth and character of vintage PAF-style humbuckers while delivering the additional punch and clarity demanded by modern hard rock.
he bridge pickup excels at tight, articulate riffing with ample bite, while the neck pickup offers a thicker voice suited to melodic solos and expressive clean passages.
The electronics layout remains reassuringly familiar, with independent Volume controls, a shared Master Tone control, Speed knobs, and a three-way pickup selector offering plenty of flexibility without overcomplicating the guitar’s operation.
Get the Epiphone Lzzy Hale Explorer Custom for $999 at Sweetwater right here.
