Best ESP Electric Guitars With Active Pickups in 2026
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.
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 KH-3 Spider
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What our users think
- Neck profile shape: C (1 vote)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (1 vote)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (2 votes)
- Pickups power: Hot (2 votes)
Show All Specs
| ESP KH-3 Spider | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | ESP | |
| Year: | 2021 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Japan | |
| Series: | Signature | |
| Colors: | Black | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Alder | |
| Bridge: | Floyd Rose Original | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Neck-Through | |
| Tuners: | Grover | |
| Fretboard: | Rosewood | |
| Neck Material: | 3pc Maple | |
| Decoration: | Spiders and Skulls | |
| Scale Size: | 24.75" | |
| Shape: | Extra Thin U | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.748'' (19mm) - 12th Fret: 0.827'' (21mm) | |
| Frets: | 24 XL Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 13.78" | |
| Nut: | Locking | |
| Nut Width: | 42mm (1.654'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | EMG Bone Breaker (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Neck Pickup: | EMG Bone Breaker (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Volume Controls: | 2 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Black | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP KH-3 Spider
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
2. ESP Stef-T7B
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Show All Specs
| ESP Stef-T7B | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | ESP | |
| Year: | 2008 | |
| Configuration: | HHX | |
| Strings: | 7 | |
| Made in: | Japan | |
| Series: | Signature | |
| Colors: | Black | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Alder | |
| Bridge: | Tonepros Locking TOM | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Neck-Through | |
| Tuners: | Sperzel Locking | |
| Fretboard: | Ebony | |
| Neck Material: | 3pc Maple | |
| Decoration: | ||
| Scale Size: | 27" | |
| Shape: | Thin U | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) - 12th Fret: 0.866'' (22mm) | |
| Frets: | 24 XL Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Graphite | |
| Nut Width: | 47mm (1.85'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Fishman Fluence SRC Signature (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Middle Pickup: | Fishman Fluence SRC Signature (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Pickup Mods: | Multi-Voicing | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Black | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP Stef-T7B
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
All Prices
3. ESP Iron Cross
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What our users think
- Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (1 vote)
- Pickups power: Hot (1 vote)
Show All Specs
| ESP Iron Cross | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | ESP | |
| Year: | 2014 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Japan | |
| Series: | Signature | |
| Colors: | Black | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Top: | Maple | |
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Mahogany | |
| Bridge: | Tonepros Locking TOM & Tailpiece | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Sperzel Locking | |
| Fretboard: | Ebony | |
| Neck Material: | 1Pc Mahogany | |
| Decoration: | Flags with Cross on 12th | |
| Scale Size: | 24.75" | |
| Shape: | Thin U | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) - 12th Fret: 0.866'' (22mm) | |
| Frets: | 22 XL Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 42mm (1.654'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | EMG JH James Hetfield (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Neck Pickup: | EMG JH James Hetfield (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Bell | |
| Volume Controls: | 2 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | Yes | |
| Hardware Color: | Black | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP Iron Cross
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
All Prices
4. ESP Snakebyte Camo
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What our users think
- Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (1 vote)
- Pickups power: Hot (1 vote)
Show All Specs
| ESP Snakebyte Camo | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | ESP | |
| Year: | 2022 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Japan | |
| Series: | Signature | |
| Colors: | White Patterns | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Mahogany | |
| Bridge: | Tonepros Locking TOM & Tailpiece | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Sperzel Locking | |
| Fretboard: | Ebony | |
| Neck Material: | 1Pc Mahogany | |
| Decoration: | White dots with snake at 12th | |
| Scale Size: | 24.75" | |
| Shape: | Thin U | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) - 12th Fret: 0.866'' (22mm) | |
| Frets: | 22 XL Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 42mm (1.654'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | EMG JH James Hetfield (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Neck Pickup: | EMG JH James Hetfield (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Volume Controls: | 2 | |
| Tone Controls: | 0 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | Yes | |
| Hardware Color: | Black | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP Snakebyte Camo
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
All Prices
5. ESP RZK-II Burnt
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What our users think
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (23 votes)
- Pickups power: Hot (15 votes)
Show All Specs
| ESP RZK-II Burnt | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | ESP | |
| Year: | 2010 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Japan | |
| Series: | Signature | |
| Colors: | Natural Patterns | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Alder | |
| Bridge: | Floyd Rose Original | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Neck-Through | |
| Tuners: | Gotoh | |
| Fretboard: | Rosewood | |
| Neck Material: | 3pc Maple | |
| Decoration: | Rammstein Logos | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Thin U | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) - 12th Fret: 0.866'' (22mm) | |
| Frets: | 24 XL Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Locking | |
| Nut Width: | 42mm (1.654'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | EMG 81 (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Neck Pickup: | EMG 81 (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 0 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | Yes | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP RZK-II Burnt
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
All Prices
6. ESP KH-2 Neck Thru Body
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What our users think
- Neck access to high frets: Easy (1 vote)
- Fret edges: Smooth (1 vote)
- Tuning stability: Holds tune well (1 vote)
- Weight: Lightweight (1 vote)
- Neck profile shape: C (1 vote)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (1 vote)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (1 vote)
- Pickups power: Hot (1 vote)
Show All Specs
| ESP KH-2 Neck Thru Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | ESP | |
| Year: | 2018 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Japan | |
| Series: | Signature | |
| Colors: | Black, Purple | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Alder | |
| Bridge: | Floyd Rose Original | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Neck-Through | |
| Tuners: | Gotoh | |
| Fretboard: | Rosewood | |
| Neck Material: | 3pc Maple | |
| Decoration: | Skulls | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Extra Thin U | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.748'' (19mm) - 12th Fret: 0.827'' (21mm) | |
| Frets: | 24 XL Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Locking | |
| Nut Width: | 42mm (1.654'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | EMG KH Bone Breaker Limited Edition (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Neck Pickup: | EMG KH Bone Breaker Limited Edition (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Volume Controls: | 2 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Black | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP KH-2 Neck Thru Body
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
All Prices
7. ESP KH Demonology
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What our users think
- Neck profile shape: C (1 vote)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (1 vote)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (23 votes)
- Pickups power: Hot (15 votes)
Show All Specs
| ESP KH Demonology | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | ESP | |
| Year: | 2017 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Japan | |
| Series: | Signature | |
| Colors: | Black | |
| Left-Handed Version: | Yes | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Alder | |
| Bridge: | Floyd Rose Original | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Neck-Through | |
| Tuners: | Gotoh | |
| Fretboard: | Rosewood | |
| Neck Material: | 3pc Maple | |
| Decoration: | Skulls | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Extra Thin U | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.748'' (19mm) - 12th Fret: 0.827'' (21mm) | |
| Frets: | 24 XL Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Locking | |
| Nut Width: | 42mm (1.654'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | EMG 81 (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Neck Pickup: | EMG 60 (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Volume Controls: | 2 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Black | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP KH Demonology
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
All Prices
8. ESP KH-2 Vintage
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What our users think
- Neck profile shape: C (1 vote)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (1 vote)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (23 votes)
- Pickups power: Hot (15 votes)
Show All Specs
| ESP KH-2 Vintage | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | ESP | |
| Year: | 2001 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Japan | |
| Series: | Signature | |
| Colors: | Black | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Alder | |
| Bridge: | Floyd Rose Original | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Neck-Through | |
| Tuners: | Gotoh | |
| Fretboard: | Rosewood | |
| Neck Material: | 3pc Maple | |
| Decoration: | Skull | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Extra Thin U | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.748'' (19mm) - 12th Fret: 0.827'' (21mm) | |
| Frets: | 24 XL Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Locking | |
| Nut Width: | 42mm (1.654'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | EMG 81 (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Neck Pickup: | EMG 60A (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Volume Controls: | 2 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Black | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP KH-2 Vintage
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
9. ESP Jeff Hanneman
Compare
What our users think
- Neck profile shape: C (1 vote)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (1 vote)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (23 votes)
- Pickups power: Hot (15 votes)
Show All Specs
| ESP Jeff Hanneman | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | ESP | |
| Year: | 2010 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Japan | |
| Series: | Signature | |
| Colors: | Gray Patterns | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Alder | |
| Bridge: | Kahler 2315 | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Neck-Through | |
| Tuners: | Gotoh | |
| Fretboard: | Ebony | |
| Neck Material: | 3pc Maple | |
| Decoration: | Daggers | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Extra Thin U | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.748'' (19mm) - 12th Fret: 0.827'' (21mm) | |
| Frets: | 24 XL Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 15.75" | |
| Nut: | Locking | |
| Nut Width: | 42mm (1.654'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | EMG 81 (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Neck Pickup: | EMG 85 (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Black | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP Jeff Hanneman
ESP Jeff Hanneman
- Made in Japan
- Expensive Wood
- Locking Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Neck-Through Build
- Tremolo
- 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 Retainer Bar
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
10. ESP Vulture
Compare
What our users think
- Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (1 vote)
- Pickups power: Hot (1 vote)
Show All Specs
| ESP Vulture | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | ESP | |
| Year: | 2016 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Japan | |
| Series: | Signature | |
| Colors: | Black | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Mahogany | |
| Bridge: | Tonepros Locking TOM & Tailpiece | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Gotoh Locking | |
| Fretboard: | Ebony | |
| Neck Material: | 1Pc Mahogany | |
| Decoration: | Dots with V at 12th | |
| Scale Size: | 24.75" | |
| Shape: | Thin U | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) - 12th Fret: 0.866'' (22mm) | |
| Frets: | 22 XL Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 42mm (1.654'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | EMG JH James Hetfield (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Neck Pickup: | EMG JH James Hetfield (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Volume Controls: | 2 | |
| Tone Controls: | 0 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | Yes | |
| Hardware Color: | Black | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP Vulture
ESP Vulture
- 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
