Best Rosewood Fretboard ESP Electric Guitars in 2026
Here you'll find the best Rosewood fretboard ESP electric guitars. Since the ban of Brazillian Rosewood, this has become a rare and expensive wood. It's not usually used for guitar bodies because of this, and also because it's heavy. Instead, it's used mainly for fretboards. Sometimes it's also used for necks because it's an extremely hard wood (even harder than maple). Its tonality tends to favor warm tones.
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.
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 KH-3 Spider
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What our users think
- Neck profile shape: C (1 vote)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (1 vote)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (2 votes)
- Pickups power: Hot (2 votes)
Show All Specs
| ESP KH-3 Spider | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | ESP | |
| Year: | 2021 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Japan | |
| Series: | Signature | |
| Colors: | Black | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Alder | |
| Bridge: | Floyd Rose Original | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Neck-Through | |
| Tuners: | Grover | |
| Fretboard: | Rosewood | |
| Neck Material: | 3pc Maple | |
| Decoration: | Spiders and Skulls | |
| Scale Size: | 24.75" | |
| 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: | 42mm (1.654'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | EMG Bone Breaker (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Neck Pickup: | EMG Bone Breaker (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Volume Controls: | 2 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Black | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP KH-3 Spider
ESP KH-3 Spider
- 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
All Prices
2. ESP RZK-II Burnt
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What our users think
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (23 votes)
- Pickups power: Hot (15 votes)
Show All Specs
| ESP RZK-II Burnt | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | ESP | |
| Year: | 2010 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Japan | |
| Series: | Signature | |
| Colors: | Natural Patterns | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Alder | |
| Bridge: | Floyd Rose Original | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Neck-Through | |
| Tuners: | Gotoh | |
| Fretboard: | Rosewood | |
| Neck Material: | 3pc Maple | |
| Decoration: | Rammstein Logos | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Thin U | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) - 12th Fret: 0.866'' (22mm) | |
| Frets: | 24 XL Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Locking | |
| Nut Width: | 42mm (1.654'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | EMG 81 (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Neck Pickup: | EMG 81 (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 0 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | Yes | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP RZK-II Burnt
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
All Prices
3. ESP KH-2 Neck Thru Body
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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: Lightweight (1 vote)
- Neck profile shape: C (1 vote)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (1 vote)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (1 vote)
- Pickups power: Hot (1 vote)
Show All Specs
| ESP KH-2 Neck Thru Body | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | ESP | |
| Year: | 2018 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Japan | |
| Series: | Signature | |
| Colors: | Black, Purple | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Alder | |
| Bridge: | Floyd Rose Original | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Neck-Through | |
| Tuners: | Gotoh | |
| Fretboard: | Rosewood | |
| Neck Material: | 3pc Maple | |
| Decoration: | Skulls | |
| 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: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Locking | |
| Nut Width: | 42mm (1.654'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | EMG KH Bone Breaker Limited Edition (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Neck Pickup: | EMG KH Bone Breaker Limited Edition (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Volume Controls: | 2 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Black | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP KH-2 Neck Thru Body
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
All Prices
4. ESP KH Demonology
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What our users think
- Neck profile shape: C (1 vote)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (1 vote)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (23 votes)
- Pickups power: Hot (15 votes)
Show All Specs
| ESP KH Demonology | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | ESP | |
| Year: | 2017 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Japan | |
| Series: | Signature | |
| Colors: | Black | |
| Left-Handed Version: | Yes | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Alder | |
| Bridge: | Floyd Rose Original | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Neck-Through | |
| Tuners: | Gotoh | |
| Fretboard: | Rosewood | |
| Neck Material: | 3pc Maple | |
| Decoration: | Skulls | |
| 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: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Locking | |
| Nut Width: | 42mm (1.654'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | EMG 81 (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Neck Pickup: | EMG 60 (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Volume Controls: | 2 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Black | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP KH Demonology
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
All Prices
5. ESP KH-2 Vintage
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What our users think
- Neck profile shape: C (1 vote)
- Neck speed (thickness): Balanced (1 vote)
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (23 votes)
- Pickups power: Hot (15 votes)
Show All Specs
| ESP KH-2 Vintage | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | ESP | |
| Year: | 2001 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Japan | |
| Series: | Signature | |
| Colors: | Black | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Alder | |
| Bridge: | Floyd Rose Original | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Neck-Through | |
| Tuners: | Gotoh | |
| Fretboard: | Rosewood | |
| Neck Material: | 3pc Maple | |
| Decoration: | Skull | |
| 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: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Locking | |
| Nut Width: | 42mm (1.654'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | EMG 81 (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Neck Pickup: | EMG 60A (Humbucker / Active) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Volume Controls: | 2 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Black | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP KH-2 Vintage
ESP KH-2 Vintage
- 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
All Prices
6. ESP Alex Skolnick FR
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Show All Specs
| ESP Alex Skolnick FR | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | ESP | |
| Year: | 2016 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Japan | |
| Series: | Signature | |
| Colors: | Black Aqua Sunburst | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Top: | Flamed Maple | |
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Mahogany | |
| Bridge: | Floyd Rose Original | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Grover | |
| Fretboard: | Rosewood | |
| Neck Material: | 3pc Maple | |
| Decoration: | Blocks | |
| Scale Size: | 24.75" | |
| Shape: | Custom U | |
| Frets: | 22 XL Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Locking | |
| Nut Width: | 43mm (1.693'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Seymour Duncan AS Signature (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Seymour Duncan AS Signature (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Speed | |
| Pickup Mods: | Coil Split | |
| Volume Controls: | 2 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | Yes | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP Alex Skolnick FR
ESP Alex Skolnick FR
- 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
All Prices
7. ESP Snapper 7
Show All Specs
| ESP Snapper 7 | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | ESP | |
| Year: | 2022 | |
| Configuration: | HSS | |
| Strings: | 7 | |
| Made in: | Japan | |
| Series: | Snapper | |
| Colors: | Black, Green, Brown, Red | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Alder | |
| Bridge: | ESP Flicker-III | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Bolt-On | |
| Tuners: | Gotoh Locking | |
| Fretboard: | Honduras Rosewood | |
| Neck Material: | Maple | |
| Decoration: | Dots | |
| Scale Size: | 25.5" | |
| Shape: | Thin U | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) - 12th Fret: 0.866'' (22mm) | |
| Frets: | 22 Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 46mm (1.811'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Seymour Duncan SH-14-7 (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Middle Pickup: | Seymour Duncan SSL-5-7 (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Seymour Duncan SSL-5-7 (Single Coil / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 5 | |
| Knobs: | Bell | |
| Pickup Mods: | Coil Split, Capacitance Selector | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP Snapper 7
ESP Snapper 7
- Locking Tuners
- Made in Japan
- Expensive Wood
- Bone Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Coil Split, Capacitance Selector Pickups
- Tremolo
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
- No Strap Lock
All Prices
8. ESP Mystique CTM
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Show All Specs
| ESP Mystique CTM | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | ESP | |
| Year: | 2020 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Japan | |
| Series: | Mystique | |
| Colors: | Blue Burst | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Top: | Burled Maple | |
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Honduras Mahogany | |
| Bridge: | Tonepros Locking TOM & Gotoh Tailpiece | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Gotoh Locking | |
| Fretboard: | Honduras Rosewood | |
| Neck Material: | Honduras Mahogany | |
| Decoration: | 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: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 42mm (1.654'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Seymour Duncan Custom Shop '59/JB Hybrid (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Seymour Duncan Custom Shop '59/Jazz Hybrid (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Bell | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | Yes | |
| Hardware Color: | Gold | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP Mystique CTM
ESP Mystique CTM
- 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
9. ESP Max Cavalera RPR
Compare
What our users think
- Pickups noise: Noiseless (2 votes)
- Pickups power: Slightly Hot (1 vote)
Show All Specs
| ESP Max Cavalera RPR | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | ESP | |
| Year: | 2017 | |
| Configuration: | H | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Japan | |
| Series: | Signature | |
| Colors: | Black | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Mahogany | |
| Bridge: | Tonepros Locking TOM & Tailpiece | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Neck-Through | |
| Tuners: | Gotoh | |
| Fretboard: | Rosewood | |
| Neck Material: | 3pc Maple | |
| Decoration: | Cavalera Inlays | |
| Scale Size: | 24.75" | |
| Shape: | Thin U | |
| Thickness: | 1st Fret: 0.787'' (20mm) - 12th Fret: 0.866'' (22mm) | |
| Frets: | 22 XL Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 42mm (1.654'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Seymour Duncan Distortion SH-6 (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 0 | |
| Knobs: | Dome | |
| Volume Controls: | 1 | |
| Tone Controls: | 0 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | No | |
| Hardware Color: | Black | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP Max Cavalera RPR
ESP Max Cavalera RPR
- Made in Japan
- Expensive Wood
- Bone Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Neck-Through Build
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- 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
10. ESP Alex Skolnick
Compare
Show All Specs
| ESP Alex Skolnick | ||
|---|---|---|
| General | ||
| Brand: | ESP | |
| Year: | 2016 | |
| Configuration: | HH | |
| Strings: | 6 | |
| Made in: | Japan | |
| Series: | Signature | |
| Colors: | Yellow Burst | |
| Left-Handed Version: | No | |
| Body | ||
| Top: | Flamed Maple | |
| Type: | Solid Body | |
| Body Material: | Mahogany | |
| Bridge: | Tonepros Locking TOM & Tailpiece | |
| Neck | ||
| Neck Joint: | Set | |
| Tuners: | Grover | |
| Fretboard: | Rosewood | |
| Neck Material: | 1Pc Mahogany | |
| Decoration: | Blocks | |
| Scale Size: | 24.75" | |
| Shape: | Custom U | |
| Frets: | 22 XL Jumbo | |
| Fretboard Radius: | 12" | |
| Nut: | Bone | |
| Nut Width: | 43mm (1.693'') | |
| Electronics | ||
| Bridge Pickups: | Seymour Duncan AS Signature (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Neck Pickup: | Seymour Duncan AS Signature (Humbucker / Passive) | |
| Switch: | 3 | |
| Knobs: | Speed | |
| Pickup Mods: | Coil Split | |
| Volume Controls: | 2 | |
| Tone Controls: | 1 | |
| Hardware | ||
| Strap Lock: | Yes | |
| Hardware Color: | Chrome | |
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP Alex Skolnick
ESP Alex Skolnick
- Made in Japan
- Expensive Wood
- Bone Nut
- Top Brand Pickups
- Coil Split Pickups
- Strap Lock
- Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
- No Locking Tuners
- No Neck-Through Build
- No Weight Relief
- No Luminescent Inlay
- No Tremolo
- No Compound Radius Fretboard
- No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
