Best ESP LTD Guitars With EMG 85 Pickups in 2025

Here you'll find the best ESP LTD guitars with EMG 85 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 LTD Arrow-1000

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ESP LTD Arrow-1000
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Playability 80
Sound 78
Build quality 75
Value for money 73
Overall Score 78

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: D (31 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (43 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (21 votes)
  • Pickups power: Hot (13 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
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  • 1 Prices - New from $1,599 >
  • From ESP LTD's 2021 Arrow series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 85 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose 1000SE bridge
  • Thin U Neck-Through neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Grover tuners
  • Side-By-Side Comparison
Show Overview
  • 1 Prices - New from $1,599 >
  • From ESP LTD's 2021 Arrow series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 85 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose 1000SE bridge
  • Thin U Neck-Through neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Grover tuners
  • Side-By-Side Comparison
Show All Specs
ESP LTD Arrow-1000 Specifications
ESP LTD Arrow-1000
General
Brand: ESP LTD
Year: 2021
Configuration: HH
Strings: 6
Made in: Indonesia
Series: Arrow
Colors: Red, Purple
Left-Handed Version: Yes
Body
Type: Solid Body
Body Material: Mahogany
Bridge: Floyd Rose 1000SE
Neck
Neck Joint: Neck-Through
Tuners: Grover
Fretboard: Macassar Ebony
Neck Material: 3pc Maple
Decoration: Shark Fin
Scale Size: 25.5"
Shape: Thin U
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) - 12th Fret: 0.866'' (22mm)
Frets: 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel
Fretboard Radius: 13.78"
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: 0
Hardware
Strap Lock: No
Hardware Color: Black
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD Arrow-1000
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Tremolo
  • Retainer Bar
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 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 LTD M-400

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ESP LTD M-400
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Playability 73
Sound 79
Build quality 62
Value for money 76
Overall Score 71

What our users think

  • Neck access to high frets: Easy (1 vote)
  • Fret edges: Smooth (1 vote)
  • Tuning stability: Won't get out of tune (1 vote)
  • Weight: Slightly heavy (1 vote)
  • Neck profile shape: C (11 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (15 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (21 votes)
  • Pickups power: Hot (13 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
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  • 1 Prices - New from $999 >
  • From ESP LTD's 2017 M series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Pau Ferro fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 85 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Special bridge
  • Extra Thin U Bolt-On neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Grover tuners
  • Side-By-Side Comparison
Show Overview
  • 1 Prices - New from $999 >
  • From ESP LTD's 2017 M series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Pau Ferro fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 85 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Special bridge
  • Extra Thin U Bolt-On neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Grover tuners
  • Side-By-Side Comparison
Show All Specs
ESP LTD M-400 Specifications
ESP LTD M-400
General
Brand: ESP LTD
Year: 2017
Configuration: HH
Strings: 6
Made in: Indonesia
Series: M
Colors: Black
Left-Handed Version: Yes
Body
Type: Solid Body
Body Material: Mahogany
Bridge: Floyd Rose Special
Neck
Neck Joint: Bolt-On
Tuners: Grover
Fretboard: Pau Ferro
Neck Material: 3pc Maple
Decoration: Offset Dots
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: 13.78"
Nut: Locking
Nut Width: 43mm (1.693'')
Electronics
Bridge Pickups: EMG 81 (Humbucker / Active)
Neck Pickup: EMG 85 (Humbucker / Active)
Switch: 3
Knobs: Dome
Volume Controls: 1
Tone Controls: 0
Hardware
Strap Lock: No
Hardware Color: Black
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD M-400
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Retainer Bar
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 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
  • No Strap Lock

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3. ESP LTD MH-1001NT

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ESP LTD MH-1001NT
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Playability 78
Sound 74
Build quality 60
Value for money 71
Overall Score 71

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: D (31 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (43 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (21 votes)
  • Pickups power: Hot (13 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
  • From ESP LTD's 2015 MH series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Quilted Maple top
  • Mahogany body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 85 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Tonepros Locking TOM bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • LTD Locking tuners
  • Side-By-Side Comparison
Show Overview
  • From ESP LTD's 2015 MH series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Quilted Maple top
  • Mahogany body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 85 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Tonepros Locking TOM bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • LTD Locking tuners
  • Side-By-Side Comparison
Show All Specs
ESP LTD MH-1001NT Specifications
ESP LTD MH-1001NT
General
Brand: ESP LTD
Year: 2015
Configuration: HH
Strings: 6
Made in: Indonesia
Series: MH
Colors: Black
Left-Handed Version: No
Body
Top: Quilted Maple
Type: Solid Body
Body Material: Mahogany
Bridge: Tonepros Locking TOM
Neck
Neck Joint: Set
Tuners: LTD Locking
Fretboard: Macassar Ebony
Neck Material: 3pc Maple
Decoration: Offset Blocks
Scale Size: 25.5"
Shape: Thin U
Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) - 12th Fret: 0.866'' (22mm)
Frets: 24 XL Jumbo
Fretboard Radius: 13.78"
Nut: Plastic
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 LTD MH-1001NT
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • 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
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

    4. ESP LTD Viper-400 Baritone

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    ESP LTD Viper-400 Baritone
    FIND IT ON:
    Amazon logoSweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
    Playability 78
    Sound 71
    Build quality 59
    Value for money 69
    Overall Score 69

    What our users think

    • Neck profile shape: D (31 votes)
    • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (43 votes)
    • Pickups noise: Noiseless (21 votes)
    • Pickups power: Hot (13 votes)
    Own it? Share your opinion
    FIND IT ON:
    Amazon logoSweetwater logoMusician's Friend logo
    • 2 Prices - New from $1,078 >
    • From ESP LTD's 2015 Viper series
    • Made in Indonesia
    • 6 strings
    • 27"'' scale
    • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
    • Mahogany body
    • 3Pc Mahogany neck
    • Pau Ferro fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
    • Neck pickup: EMG 85 (Humbucker/Active)
    • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
    • 3-way Switch
    • TOM & Tailpiece bridge
    • Thin U Set neck
    • 24 XL Jumbo frets
    • Grover tuners
    • Side-By-Side Comparison
    Show Overview
    • 2 Prices - New from $1,078 >
    • From ESP LTD's 2015 Viper series
    • Made in Indonesia
    • 6 strings
    • 27"'' scale
    • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
    • Mahogany body
    • 3Pc Mahogany neck
    • Pau Ferro fretboard
    • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
    • Neck pickup: EMG 85 (Humbucker/Active)
    • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
    • 3-way Switch
    • TOM & Tailpiece bridge
    • Thin U Set neck
    • 24 XL Jumbo frets
    • Grover tuners
    • Side-By-Side Comparison
    Show All Specs
    ESP LTD Viper-400 Baritone Specifications
    ESP LTD Viper-400 Baritone
    General
    Brand: ESP LTD
    Year: 2015
    Configuration: HH
    Strings: 6
    Made in: Indonesia
    Series: Viper
    Colors: Black
    Left-Handed Version: No
    Body
    Type: Solid Body
    Body Material: Mahogany
    Bridge: TOM & Tailpiece
    Neck
    Neck Joint: Set
    Tuners: Grover
    Fretboard: Pau Ferro
    Neck Material: 3Pc Mahogany
    Decoration: Flags
    Scale Size: 27"
    Shape: Thin U
    Thickness: 1st Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) - 12th Fret: 0.866'' (22mm)
    Frets: 24 XL Jumbo
    Fretboard Radius: 13.78"
    Nut: Plastic
    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 LTD Viper-400 Baritone
    • Expensive Wood
    • Top Brand Pickups
    • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
    • No Locking Tuners
    • Made in Indonesia
    • No High-Quality Nut
    • 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
    • No Strap Lock

    All Prices

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