Best Explorer Shape ESP LTD Guitars in 2024

Here you'll find the best Explorer shape ESP LTD 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 LTD EX Black Metal

Compare
ESP LTD EX Black Metal
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logoAmazon logo
Playability 80
Sound 71
Build quality 67
Value for money 73
Overall Score 73

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: D (23 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (33 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (9 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (5 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logoAmazon logo
  • 4 Prices - New from $599 >
  • From ESP LTD's 2021 Black Metal series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • Tonepros Locking TOM & Tailpiece bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 22 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • LTD Locking tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 4 Prices - New from $599 >
  • From ESP LTD's 2021 Black Metal series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • Tonepros Locking TOM & Tailpiece bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 22 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • LTD Locking tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD EX Black Metal
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

2. ESP LTD Snakebyte Camo

Compare
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

3. ESP LTD Snakebyte

Compare
ESP LTD Snakebyte
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoAmazon logoSweetwater logo
Playability 80
Sound 76
Build quality 59
Value for money 72
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

4. ESP LTD EX-7 Baritone Black Metal

Compare
ESP LTD EX-7 Baritone Black Metal
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoReverb logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability 75
Sound 71
Build quality 67
Value for money 71
Overall Score 71

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: D (23 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (33 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (2 votes)
  • Pickups power: Hot (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoReverb logoMusician's Friend logo
  • 4 Prices - New from $1,049 >
  • From ESP LTD's 2022 Black Metal series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 7 strings
  • 27"'' scale
  • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81-7H (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • Tonepros Locking TOM & Tailpiece bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • LTD Locking tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 4 Prices - New from $1,049 >
  • From ESP LTD's 2022 Black Metal series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 7 strings
  • 27"'' scale
  • 15.75" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81-7H (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • Tonepros Locking TOM & Tailpiece bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • LTD Locking tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD EX-7 Baritone Black Metal
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

5. ESP LTD EX-401

Compare
ESP LTD EX-401
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoReverb logo
Playability 80
Sound 71
Build quality 59
Value for money 70
Overall Score 70

What our users think

  • Fret edges: Smooth (1 vote)
  • Tuning stability: Holds tune well (1 vote)
  • Neck profile shape: D (23 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (33 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (9 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (5 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoReverb logo
  • 3 Prices - New from $1,099 >
  • From ESP LTD's 2017 EX series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Pau Ferro fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 60 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • TOM & Tailpiece bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 22 XL Jumbo frets
  • Grover tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 3 Prices - New from $1,099 >
  • From ESP LTD's 2017 EX series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Pau Ferro fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 60 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • TOM & Tailpiece bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 22 XL Jumbo frets
  • Grover tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD EX-401
  • 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

6. ESP LTD EX-201

Compare
ESP LTD EX-201
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoReverb logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability 83
Sound 63
Build quality 55
Value for money 72
Overall Score 67

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: Slightly heavy (1 vote)
  • Neck profile shape: D (23 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (33 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (4 votes)
  • Pickups power: Slightly Hot (5 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoReverb logoMusician's Friend logo
  • 5 Prices - New from $599 >
  • From ESP LTD's 2022 EX series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Roasted Jatoba fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: ESP Designed LH-150B (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • TOM & Tailpiece bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • LTD tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 5 Prices - New from $599 >
  • From ESP LTD's 2022 EX series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Roasted Jatoba fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: ESP Designed LH-150B (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • TOM & Tailpiece bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • LTD tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD EX-201
  • Expensive Wood
  • Coil Split Pickups
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Strap Lock

All Prices

7. ESP LTD EX-200

Compare
ESP LTD EX-200
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoReverb logo
Playability 80
Sound 64
Build quality 54
Value for money 71
Overall Score 66

What our users think

  • Neck access to high frets: Normal (1 vote)
  • Fret edges: Smooth (1 vote)
  • Tuning stability: Not bad (1 vote)
  • Weight: Lightweight (1 vote)
  • Neck profile shape: D (23 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (33 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (4 votes)
  • Pickups power: Slightly Hot (5 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoReverb logo
  • 3 Prices - New from $599 >
  • From ESP LTD's 2014 EX series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Roasted Jatoba fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: ESP Designed LH-150B (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: ESP Designed LH-150N (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • TOM & Tailpiece bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 22 XL Jumbo frets
  • LTD tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 3 Prices - New from $599 >
  • From ESP LTD's 2014 EX series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Roasted Jatoba fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: ESP Designed LH-150B (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: ESP Designed LH-150N (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • TOM & Tailpiece bridge
  • Thin U Set neck
  • 22 XL Jumbo frets
  • LTD tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD EX-200
  • Expensive Wood
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Top Brand Pickups
  • 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

Filter ResultsClear all filters×
Price
  • General
    Brand
    Country of Origin
    For Hand Size
    Genre
    Great for
    Handedness
    Max Weight
    • Type desired range in pounds (lbs):
    Strings
    Body
    Body Finish
    Body Shape
    Body Type
    Body Wood
    Comfortability
    Decorative Top
      Weight Relief
        Neck
        Custom 12th Fret Inlay
        Fret Material
        Fret Size
        Fretboard Radius
        Fretboard Wood
        Headstock
        Inlay Material
          Inlay Position
          Inlay Shape
          Luminescent Sidedots
          Neck Joint
          Neck Profile
          Neck Thickness at 12th Fret
          • Type desired range in inches:
          Neck Thickness at 1st Fret
          • Type desired range in inches:
          Neck Wood
          Number of Frets
          Nut Material
          Nut Width
          Playstyle
          Scale Length
          Electronics
          Bridge Pickups Brand
          Configuration
          Neck Pickups Brand
          Pickup Mods
          Pickup Selector
          Pickups Power
          Tone Knobs
          Volume Knobs
          Hardware
          Bridge
          Hardware Color
          Knob Style
          Retainer Bar
            Strap Lock
              Tuners Type
              By Score
              Build Quality Score
                Build Quality Score
              • Type desired score
              Features Score
                Features Score
              • Type desired score
              Material Quality Score
                Material Quality Score
              • Type desired score
              Pickups Quality Score
                Pickups Quality Score
              • Type desired score
              Playability Score
                Playability Score
              • Type desired score
              Quality Control Score
                Quality Control Score
              • Type desired score
              Sound Score
                Sound Score
              • Type desired score
              Value for Money Score
                Value for Money Score
              • Type desired score
              Versatility Score
                Versatility Score
              • Type desired score