Best ESP Electric Guitars in 2024

Here you'll find the best ESP electric guitars.

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
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Playability 80
Sound 81
Build quality 79
Value for money 65
Overall Score 80
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater 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 >
Show all Specs
  • 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
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Playability 77
Sound 84
Build quality 80
Value for money 65
Overall Score 80
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater 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
  • Compare Specs >
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:
Sweetwater logo
Playability 80
Sound 81
Build quality 79
Value for money 65
Overall Score 80
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater 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
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater 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
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
  • 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 Will Adler Warbird Distressed

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ESP Will Adler Warbird Distressed
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Playability 80
Sound 79
Build quality 80
Value for money 65
Overall Score 80
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
  • From ESP's 2014 Signature series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Maple top
  • Mahogany body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Will Adler Signature (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Fishman Fluence Will Adler Signature (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • TOM Bridge & Tailpiece bridge
  • Thin U Neck-Through neck
  • 22 XL Jumbo frets
  • Sperzel Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From ESP's 2014 Signature series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Maple top
  • Mahogany body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Will Adler Signature (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Fishman Fluence Will Adler Signature (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 2 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • TOM Bridge & Tailpiece bridge
  • Thin U Neck-Through neck
  • 22 XL Jumbo frets
  • Sperzel Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP Will Adler Warbird Distressed
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Multi-Voicing Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

6. ESP Snapper

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ESP Snapper
FIND IT ON:
Musician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
Playability 73
Sound 83
Build quality 80
Value for money 64
Overall Score 79
FIND IT ON:
Musician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
  • From ESP's 2017 Snapper series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 9.5" to 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Swamp Ash body
  • Maple neck
  • Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: ESP Custom Lap CL-P-H-2+ (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: ESP Custom Lap CL-P-S-2 (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: ESP Custom Lap CL-P-S-2 (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • ESP Flicker-III bridge
  • U to V Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From ESP's 2017 Snapper series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 9.5" to 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Swamp Ash body
  • Maple neck
  • Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: ESP Custom Lap CL-P-H-2+ (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: ESP Custom Lap CL-P-S-2 (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: ESP Custom Lap CL-P-S-2 (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Bell knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • ESP Flicker-III bridge
  • U to V Bolt-On neck
  • 22 Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP Snapper
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split, Capacitance Selector Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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7. ESP Snapper CTM

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ESP Snapper CTM
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Playability 73
Sound 83
Build quality 82
Value for money 64
Overall Score 79
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
  • From ESP's 2020 Snapper series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 9.5" to 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Burled Poplar top
  • Swamp Ash body
  • Maple neck
  • Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan 59/Custom Hybrid (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Seymour Duncan Vintage Hot Stack Plus (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Vintage Hot Stack Plus (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • ESP Flicker-III bridge
  • Thin U Bolt-On neck
  • 22 XL Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • From ESP's 2020 Snapper series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 9.5" to 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Burled Poplar top
  • Swamp Ash body
  • Maple neck
  • Maple fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan 59/Custom Hybrid (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Middle pickup: Seymour Duncan Vintage Hot Stack Plus (Single Coil/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Vintage Hot Stack Plus (Single Coil/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 5-way Switch
  • ESP Flicker-III bridge
  • Thin U Bolt-On neck
  • 22 XL Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh Locking tuners
  • Compare Specs >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP Snapper CTM
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Bone Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Coil Split, Capacitance Selector Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

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8. ESP Stef-T7B

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ESP Stef-T7B
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Playability 82
Sound 77
Build quality 75
Value for money 63
Overall Score 78
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
  • 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
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • 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
  • Compare Specs >
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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9. ESP Iron Cross

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ESP Iron Cross
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
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
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
  • 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
  • Compare Specs >
Show all Specs
  • 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
  • Compare Specs >
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

All Prices

10. ESP Gary Holt EC

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ESP Gary Holt EC
FIND IT ON:
Musician'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
FIND IT ON:
Musician'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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