Best ESP Electric Guitars With Locking Nut in 2024

Here are the top ESP electric guitars with Locking nut. Instead of the typical nut, this nut locks the strings in place and will make them stay in tune even after heavy tremolo use. This type of nut provides the best tune stability, but they also make the guitar more expensive.

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 Horizon-III

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ESP Horizon-III
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Reverb logoSweetwater logo
Playability 80
Sound 81
Build quality 79
Value for money 65
Overall Score 80
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Reverb logoSweetwater logo
  • From ESP's 2017 Horizon-III series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Custom Shop JB/Custom Hybrid Trembucker (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Custom Shop '59/Jazz Hybrid (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Original bridge
  • Thin U Neck-Through neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >
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  • From ESP's 2017 Horizon-III series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Custom Shop JB/Custom Hybrid Trembucker (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Custom Shop '59/Jazz Hybrid (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Original bridge
  • Thin U Neck-Through neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP Horizon-III
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Tremolo
  • Retainer Bar
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • 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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2. ESP Horizon FR CTM

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ESP Horizon FR CTM
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Reverb logoSweetwater logo
Playability 77
Sound 84
Build quality 80
Value for money 65
Overall Score 80
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Reverb logoSweetwater logo
  • From ESP's 2020 Horizon series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Burled Maple top
  • Honduras Mahogany body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Custom Shop '59/JB Hybrid Trembucker (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Custom Shop '59/Jazz Hybrid (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Original bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh Locking tuners
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Show all Specs
  • From ESP's 2020 Horizon series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Burled Maple top
  • Honduras Mahogany body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Custom Shop '59/JB Hybrid Trembucker (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Custom Shop '59/Jazz Hybrid (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Original bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP Horizon FR CTM
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Retainer Bar
  • Strap Lock
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

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3. ESP Horizon-I

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ESP Horizon-I
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
Playability 80
Sound 81
Build quality 79
Value for money 65
Overall Score 80
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
  • From ESP's 2017 Horizon series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Custom Shop JB/Custom Hybrid Trembucker (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Cool Rails (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Original bridge
  • Thin U Neck-Through neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From ESP's 2017 Horizon series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Custom Shop JB/Custom Hybrid Trembucker (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Cool Rails (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Original bridge
  • Thin U Neck-Through neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP Horizon-I
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Tremolo
  • Retainer Bar
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • 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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4. ESP FRX CTM

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ESP FRX CTM
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Reverb logoSweetwater logo
Playability 77
Sound 84
Build quality 80
Value for money 65
Overall Score 80

What our users think

  • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (2 votes)
  • Pickups power: Hot (2 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • From ESP's 2020 FRX series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Burled Maple top
  • Mahogany body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Nazgul (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Sentient (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Original bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From ESP's 2020 FRX series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Burled Maple top
  • Mahogany body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Nazgul (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Sentient (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Original bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP FRX CTM
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Retainer Bar
  • Strap Lock
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

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5. ESP Gary Holt EC

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ESP Gary Holt EC
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Reverb logoMusician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
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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Reverb logoMusician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
  • 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
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • 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
  • Compare Specs >
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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6. ESP FRX

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ESP FRX
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
Playability 77
Sound 81
Build quality 77
Value for money 63
Overall Score 78
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Reverb logoSweetwater logo
  • From ESP's 2017 FRX series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Bare Knuckle Painkiller (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Bare Knuckle Painkiller (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Original bridge
  • Slim U Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From ESP's 2017 FRX series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Bare Knuckle Painkiller (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Bare Knuckle Painkiller (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Original bridge
  • Slim U Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP FRX
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Retainer Bar
  • Strap Lock
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • 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 Arrow

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ESP Arrow
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Sweetwater logoReverb logo
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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Sweetwater logoReverb logo
  • 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
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • 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
  • Compare Specs >
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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8. ESP RZK-II Burnt

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ESP RZK-II Burnt
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Reverb logoSweetwater logo
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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Reverb logoSweetwater logo
  • 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
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • 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
  • Compare Specs >
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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9. ESP KH-2 Neck Thru Body

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ESP KH-2 Neck Thru Body
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Reverb logoSweetwater logo
Playability 80
Sound 79
Build quality 75
Value for money 63
Overall Score 78
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
  • 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
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • 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
  • Compare Specs >
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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10. ESP KH Demonology

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ESP KH Demonology
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Sweetwater 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:
Sweetwater logo
  • 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
  • Compare Specs >
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
  • Compare Specs >
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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