Best ESP LTD Guitars With EMG JH James Hetfield Pickups in 2024

Here you'll find the best ESP LTD guitars with EMG JH James Hetfield 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 MSV-1

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ESP LTD MSV-1
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Sweetwater logoReverb logo
Playability 85
Sound 78
Build quality 75
Value for money 74
Overall Score 79

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: D (23 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (33 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (1 vote)
  • Pickups power: Hot (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoReverb logo
  • 3 Prices - New from $1,599 >
  • From ESP LTD's 2021 Signature series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany w/ Maple Cap body
  • 3Pc Mahogany neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG JH James Hetfield (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Bell knobs
  • Floyd Rose 1000 bridge
  • Thin U Neck-Through neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Grover tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 3 Prices - New from $1,599 >
  • From ESP LTD's 2021 Signature series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany w/ Maple Cap body
  • 3Pc Mahogany neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG JH James Hetfield (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Bell knobs
  • Floyd Rose 1000 bridge
  • Thin U Neck-Through neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Grover tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD MSV-1
  • 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

All Prices

2. ESP LTD Iron Cross

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ESP LTD Iron Cross
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Reverb logoSweetwater logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability 80
Sound 77
Build quality 62
Value for money 68
Overall Score 73

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: D (23 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (33 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (1 vote)
  • Pickups power: Hot (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logo
  • 7 Prices - New from $1,499 >
  • From ESP LTD's 2014 Signature series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Maple top
  • Mahogany body
  • 3Pc Mahogany neck
  • Macassar 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
  • LTD Locking tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 7 Prices - New from $1,499 >
  • From ESP LTD's 2014 Signature series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Maple top
  • Mahogany body
  • 3Pc Mahogany neck
  • Macassar 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
  • LTD Locking tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD Iron Cross
  • 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

3. ESP LTD Snakebyte Camo

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ESP LTD Snakebyte Camo
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability 80
Sound 76
Build quality 60
Value for money 67
Overall Score 72

What our users think

  • Neck access to high frets: Hard (1 vote)
  • Fret edges: Smooth (1 vote)
  • Tuning stability: Holds tune well (1 vote)
  • Weight: Lightweight (1 vote)
  • Neck profile shape: D (23 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (33 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (1 vote)
  • Pickups power: Hot (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logo
  • 6 Prices - New from $1,499 >
  • From ESP LTD's 2022 Signature series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3Pc Mahogany neck
  • Macassar 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
  • LTD Locking tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 6 Prices - New from $1,499 >
  • From ESP LTD's 2022 Signature series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3Pc Mahogany neck
  • Macassar 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
  • LTD Locking tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD Snakebyte Camo
  • 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 Vulture

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ESP LTD Vulture
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoAmazon logoSweetwater logo
Playability 80
Sound 76
Build quality 60
Value for money 67
Overall Score 72

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: D (23 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (33 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (1 vote)
  • Pickups power: Hot (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoAmazon logoSweetwater logo
  • 3 Prices - New from $1,599 >
  • From ESP LTD's 2016 Signature series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3Pc Mahogany neck
  • Macassar 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
  • LTD Locking tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 3 Prices - New from $1,599 >
  • From ESP LTD's 2016 Signature series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3Pc Mahogany neck
  • Macassar 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
  • LTD Locking tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD Vulture
  • 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

5. ESP LTD Snakebyte

Compare
ESP LTD Snakebyte
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoAmazon logoSweetwater logo
Playability 80
Sound 76
Build quality 60
Value for money 67
Overall Score 72

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: D (23 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (33 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (1 vote)
  • Pickups power: Hot (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoAmazon logoSweetwater logo
  • 4 Prices - New from $1,499 >
  • From ESP LTD's 2016 Signature series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3Pc Mahogany neck
  • Macassar 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
  • LTD Locking tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 4 Prices - New from $1,499 >
  • From ESP LTD's 2016 Signature series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3Pc Mahogany neck
  • Macassar 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
  • LTD Locking tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD Snakebyte
  • 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

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