Best ESP Electric Guitars With Active Pickups in 2024

Here are the top ESP electric guitars with Active pickups.

After comparing the 2000+ guitars in our database, these are the best scoring ones with these characteristics. You can use our filters to the left to narrow down these results, or click on "Compare" to get a deep comparison between them. Our automated scoring system takes into account the ratings from ours users who own the guitar, and dozens of parameters to determine the build quality, playability, pickups quality, value for money, and more.

There are affiliate links on this page that may earn us a commission if you purchase after clicking. We are members of the Amazon Associates Program, and many others. However, we compare each guitar against each other under the same parameters, so this doesn't influence our scoring.

1. ESP Stef-T7B

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ESP Stef-T7B
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Playability 82
Sound 77
Build quality 75
Value for money 63
Overall Score 78
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  • 1 Prices - Used from $3,495 >
  • From ESP's 2008 Signature series
  • Made in Japan
  • 7 strings
  • 27"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence SRC Signature (Humbucker/Active)
  • Middle pickup: Fishman Fluence SRC Signature (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: (/)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Tonepros Locking TOM bridge
  • Thin U Neck-Through neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Sperzel Locking tuners
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  • 1 Prices - Used from $3,495 >
  • From ESP's 2008 Signature series
  • Made in Japan
  • 7 strings
  • 27"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence SRC Signature (Humbucker/Active)
  • Middle pickup: Fishman Fluence SRC Signature (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: (/)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Tonepros Locking TOM bridge
  • Thin U Neck-Through neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Sperzel Locking tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP Stef-T7B
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Multi-Voicing Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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2. ESP Iron Cross

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ESP Iron Cross
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Playability 80
Sound 79
Build quality 77
Value for money 64
Overall Score 79

What our users think

  • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (1 vote)
  • Pickups power: Hot (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • 2 Prices - New from $7,252.51 >
  • From ESP's 2014 Signature series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Maple top
  • Mahogany body
  • 1Pc Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG JH James Hetfield (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG JH James Hetfield (Humbucker/Active)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Tonepros Locking TOM & Tailpiece bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 22 XL Jumbo frets
  • Sperzel Locking tuners
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  • 2 Prices - New from $7,252.51 >
  • From ESP's 2014 Signature series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Maple top
  • Mahogany body
  • 1Pc Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG JH James Hetfield (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG JH James Hetfield (Humbucker/Active)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Tonepros Locking TOM & Tailpiece bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 22 XL Jumbo frets
  • Sperzel Locking tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP Iron Cross
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Strap Lock
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

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3. ESP Gary Holt EC

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ESP Gary Holt EC
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Playability 78
Sound 81
Build quality 77
Value for money 64
Overall Score 79

What our users think

  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (9 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (5 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • 3 Prices - New from $7,053.92 >
  • From ESP's 2015 Signature series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Maple top
  • Mahogany body
  • 1Pc Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 89R (Humbucker/Active)
  • 2 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Original bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 22 XL Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
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  • 3 Prices - New from $7,053.92 >
  • From ESP's 2015 Signature series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Maple top
  • Mahogany body
  • 1Pc Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 89R (Humbucker/Active)
  • 2 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Original bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 22 XL Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP Gary Holt EC
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Retainer Bar
  • Strap Lock
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

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4. ESP Snakebyte Camo

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ESP Snakebyte Camo
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Playability 80
Sound 79
Build quality 75
Value for money 63
Overall Score 78

What our users think

  • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (1 vote)
  • Pickups power: Hot (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • 4 Prices - New from $1,899 >
  • From ESP's 2022 Signature series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 1Pc Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG JH James Hetfield (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG JH James Hetfield (Humbucker/Active)
  • 2 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Tonepros Locking TOM & Tailpiece bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 22 XL Jumbo frets
  • Sperzel Locking tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 4 Prices - New from $1,899 >
  • From ESP's 2022 Signature series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 1Pc Mahogany neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG JH James Hetfield (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG JH James Hetfield (Humbucker/Active)
  • 2 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Tonepros Locking TOM & Tailpiece bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 22 XL Jumbo frets
  • Sperzel Locking tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP Snakebyte Camo
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Strap Lock
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

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5. ESP Arrow

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ESP Arrow
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Playability 80
Sound 78
Build quality 75
Value for money 63
Overall Score 78

What our users think

  • Pickups noise: Noisy (1 vote)
  • Pickups power: Hot (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
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Reverb logoSweetwater logo
  • 3 Prices - New from $5,570.12 >
  • From ESP's 2014 Arrow series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Blackouts AHB-1B (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Blackouts AHB-1N (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Original bridge
  • Thin U Neck-Through neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 3 Prices - New from $5,570.12 >
  • From ESP's 2014 Arrow series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Blackouts AHB-1B (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Blackouts AHB-1N (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Original bridge
  • Thin U Neck-Through neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP Arrow
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Tremolo
  • Retainer Bar
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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6. ESP RZK-II Burnt

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ESP RZK-II Burnt
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Playability 80
Sound 78
Build quality 77
Value for money 63
Overall Score 78

What our users think

  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (9 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (5 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • 2 Prices - New from $7,999 >
  • From ESP's 2010 Signature series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Original bridge
  • Thin U Neck-Through neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 2 Prices - New from $7,999 >
  • From ESP's 2010 Signature series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Original bridge
  • Thin U Neck-Through neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP RZK-II Burnt
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Tremolo
  • Retainer Bar
  • Strap Lock
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

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7. ESP KH-2 Neck Thru Body

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ESP KH-2 Neck Thru Body
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Playability 80
Sound 79
Build quality 75
Value for money 63
Overall Score 78
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  • 2 Prices - New from $4,507 >
  • From ESP's 2018 Signature series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG KH Bone Breaker Limited Edition (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG KH Bone Breaker Limited Edition (Humbucker/Active)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Original bridge
  • Extra Thin U Neck-Through neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 2 Prices - New from $4,507 >
  • From ESP's 2018 Signature series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG KH Bone Breaker Limited Edition (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG KH Bone Breaker Limited Edition (Humbucker/Active)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Original bridge
  • Extra Thin U Neck-Through neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP KH-2 Neck Thru Body
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Tremolo
  • Retainer Bar
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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8. ESP KH Demonology

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ESP KH Demonology
FIND IT ON:
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Playability 80
Sound 79
Build quality 75
Value for money 63
Overall Score 78

What our users think

  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (9 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (5 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
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  • From ESP's 2017 Signature series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 60 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Original bridge
  • Extra Thin U Neck-Through neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • From ESP's 2017 Signature series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 60 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Original bridge
  • Extra Thin U Neck-Through neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP KH Demonology
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Tremolo
  • Retainer Bar
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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    9. ESP KH-2 Vintage

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    ESP KH-2 Vintage
    FIND IT ON:
    Reverb logoSweetwater logo
    Playability 80
    Sound 79
    Build quality 75
    Value for money 63
    Overall Score 78

    What our users think

    • Pickups noise: Noiseless (9 votes)
    • Pickups power: Clean (5 votes)
    Own it? Share your opinion
    FIND IT ON:
    Reverb logoSweetwater logo
    • 2 Prices - New from $6,099 >
    • From ESP's 2001 Signature series
    • Made in Japan
    • 6 strings
    • 25.5"'' scale
    • 12" Fretboard Radius
    • Alder body
    • 3pc Maple neck
    • Rosewood fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
    • Neck pickup: EMG 60A (Humbucker/Active)
    • 2 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
    • 3-way Switch
    • Floyd Rose Original bridge
    • Extra Thin U Neck-Through neck
    • 24 XL Jumbo frets
    • Gotoh tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Show all Specs
    • 2 Prices - New from $6,099 >
    • From ESP's 2001 Signature series
    • Made in Japan
    • 6 strings
    • 25.5"'' scale
    • 12" Fretboard Radius
    • Alder body
    • 3pc Maple neck
    • Rosewood fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
    • Neck pickup: EMG 60A (Humbucker/Active)
    • 2 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
    • 3-way Switch
    • Floyd Rose Original bridge
    • Extra Thin U Neck-Through neck
    • 24 XL Jumbo frets
    • Gotoh tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    ESP KH-2 Vintage
    • Made in Japan
    • Expensive Wood
    • Locking Nut
    • Top Brand Pickups
    • Neck-Through Build
    • Tremolo
    • Retainer Bar
    • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
    • No Locking Tuners
    • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
    • No Weight Relief
    • No Luminescent Inlay
    • No Compound Radius Fretboard
    • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
    • No Strap Lock

    All Prices

    10. ESP KH-3 Spider

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    ESP KH-3 Spider
    FIND IT ON:
    Amazon logoReverb logoSweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
    Playability 85
    Sound 79
    Build quality 70
    Value for money 78
    Overall Score 78

    What our users think

    • Pickups noise: Noiseless (2 votes)
    • Pickups power: Hot (2 votes)
    Own it? Share your opinion
    FIND IT ON:
    Amazon logoReverb logoSweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
    • 6 Prices - New from $1,399 >
    • From ESP's 2021 Signature series
    • Made in Japan
    • 6 strings
    • 24.75"'' scale
    • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
    • Alder body
    • 3pc Maple neck
    • Rosewood fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: EMG Bone Breaker (Humbucker/Active)
    • Neck pickup: EMG Bone Breaker (Humbucker/Active)
    • 2 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
    • 3-way Switch
    • Floyd Rose Original bridge
    • Extra Thin U Neck-Through neck
    • 24 XL Jumbo frets
    • Grover tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Show all Specs
    • 6 Prices - New from $1,399 >
    • From ESP's 2021 Signature series
    • Made in Japan
    • 6 strings
    • 24.75"'' scale
    • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
    • Alder body
    • 3pc Maple neck
    • Rosewood fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: EMG Bone Breaker (Humbucker/Active)
    • Neck pickup: EMG Bone Breaker (Humbucker/Active)
    • 2 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
    • 3-way Switch
    • Floyd Rose Original bridge
    • Extra Thin U Neck-Through neck
    • 24 XL Jumbo frets
    • Grover tuners
    • See all specs and compare >
    Strengths & Weaknesses
    ESP KH-3 Spider
    • Made in Japan
    • Expensive Wood
    • Locking Nut
    • Top Brand Pickups
    • Neck-Through Build
    • Tremolo
    • Retainer Bar
    • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
    • No Locking Tuners
    • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
    • No Weight Relief
    • No Luminescent Inlay
    • No Compound Radius Fretboard
    • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
    • No Strap Lock

    All Prices

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