Best SG Style Guitars With Black Hardware in 2024

Here are the top SG style guitars with Black hardware.

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.

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1. ESP E-II Viper

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ESP E-II Viper

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Playability 83

Sound 79

Build quality 75

Value for money 69

Overall Score 79

What our users think

Neck access to high frets: Very Easy (1 vote)
Fret edges: Smooth (1 vote)
Tuning stability: Holds tune well (1 vote)
Weight: Slightly heavy (1 vote)
Neck profile shape: Baseball / U (3 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (6 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (3 votes)
Pickups power: Hot (3 votes)

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From ESP E-II's 2014 Viper series
Made in Japan
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Mahogany body
Mahogany neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 57TW (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG 66TW (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Gotoh TOM & Tailpiece bridge
Thin U Set neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners
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From ESP E-II's 2014 Viper series
Made in Japan
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Mahogany body
Mahogany neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 57TW (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG 66TW (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Gotoh TOM & Tailpiece bridge
Thin U Set neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP E-II Viper

Locking Tuners
Made in Japan
Expensive Wood
Bone Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Coil Split Pickups
Strap Lock
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Neck-Through Build
No Weight Relief
No Luminescent Inlay
No Tremolo
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

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2. ESP LTD Viper-1000 Evertune

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ESP LTD Viper-1000 Evertune

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Playability 82

Sound 81

Build quality 68

Value for money 77

Overall Score 77

What our users think

Neck profile shape: D (23 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (33 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (7 votes)
Pickups power: Slightly Hot (7 votes)

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From ESP LTD's 2020 Viper series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
13.78" Fretboard Radius
Quilted Maple top
Mahogany w/ Maple Cap body
3Pc Mahogany neck
Macassar Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Pegasus (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Sentient (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Evertune (F model) bridge
Thin U Set neck
24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Grover tuners
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From ESP LTD's 2020 Viper series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
13.78" Fretboard Radius
Quilted Maple top
Mahogany w/ Maple Cap body
3Pc Mahogany neck
Macassar Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Pegasus (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Sentient (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Evertune (F model) bridge
Thin U Set neck
24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
Grover tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD Viper-1000 Evertune

Stainless Steel Frets
Expensive Wood
Top Brand Pickups
Coil Split Pickups
Stays in Tune (Evertune)
No Locking Tuners
Made in Indonesia
No High-Quality Nut
No Neck-Through Build
No Weight Relief
No Luminescent Inlay
No Tremolo
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Strap Lock

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3. ESP E-II Viper Baritone

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ESP E-II Viper Baritone

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Playability 82

Sound 76

Build quality 75

Value for money 73

Overall Score 78

What our users think

Neck profile shape: Baseball / U (3 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (6 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (9 votes)
Pickups power: Clean (5 votes)

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From ESP E-II's 2014 Viper series
Made in Japan
6 strings
27"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Mahogany body
3pc Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG 60 (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Gotoh TOM & Tailpiece bridge
Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners
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From ESP E-II's 2014 Viper series
Made in Japan
6 strings
27"'' scale
12" Fretboard Radius
Mahogany body
3pc Maple neck
Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG 60 (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Gotoh TOM & Tailpiece bridge
Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh Locking tuners
Compare Specs >

Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP E-II Viper Baritone

Locking Tuners
Made in Japan
Expensive Wood
Bone Nut
Top Brand Pickups
Neck-Through Build
Strap Lock
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
No Weight Relief
No Luminescent Inlay
No Tremolo
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

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Used from $1,750 >>

4. ESP LTD Viper-1000

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ESP LTD Viper-1000

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Playability 83

Sound 76

Build quality 68

Value for money 76

Overall Score 76

What our users think

Neck profile shape: D (23 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (33 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (7 votes)
Pickups power: Slightly Hot (7 votes)

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From ESP LTD's 2020 Viper series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
13.78" Fretboard Radius
Quilted Maple top
Mahogany body
3Pc Mahogany neck
Macassar Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Pegasus (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Sentient (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Tonepros Locking TOM & Tailpiece bridge
Thin U Set neck
24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
LTD Locking tuners
Compare Specs >

Show all Specs

From ESP LTD's 2020 Viper series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
13.78" Fretboard Radius
Quilted Maple top
Mahogany body
3Pc Mahogany neck
Macassar Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Pegasus (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Sentient (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Tonepros Locking TOM & Tailpiece bridge
Thin U Set neck
24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
LTD Locking tuners
Compare Specs >

Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD Viper-1000

Stainless Steel Frets
Locking Tuners
Expensive Wood
Top Brand Pickups
Coil Split Pickups
Made in Indonesia
No High-Quality Nut
No Neck-Through Build
No Weight Relief
No Luminescent Inlay
No Tremolo
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Strap Lock

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5. ESP LTD RM-600

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ESP LTD RM-600

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Playability 87

Sound 73

Build quality 64

Value for money 75

Overall Score 75

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)

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From ESP LTD's 2019 Signature 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 w/ String Thru bridge
Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
LTD Locking tuners
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From ESP LTD's 2019 Signature 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 w/ String Thru bridge
Thin U Neck-Through neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
LTD Locking tuners
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Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD RM-600

Locking Tuners
Expensive Wood
Top Brand Pickups
Neck-Through Build
Killswitch Pickups
Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
Made in Indonesia
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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6. ESP LTD Viper-1000 Baritone

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ESP LTD Viper-1000 Baritone

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Playability 78

Sound 76

Build quality 67

Value for money 74

Overall Score 74

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: D (23 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (33 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (9 votes)
Pickups power: Clean (5 votes)

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From ESP LTD's 2022 Viper series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
27"'' scale
13.78" Fretboard Radius
Mahogany / Maple Cap body
3Pc Mahogany neck
Macassar Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG 60TW-R (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Tonepros Locking TOM & Tailpiece bridge
Thin U Set neck
24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
LTD Locking tuners
Compare Specs >

Show all Specs

From ESP LTD's 2022 Viper series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
27"'' scale
13.78" Fretboard Radius
Mahogany / Maple Cap body
3Pc Mahogany neck
Macassar Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
Neck pickup: EMG 60TW-R (Humbucker/Active)
1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
3-way Switch
Tonepros Locking TOM & Tailpiece bridge
Thin U Set neck
24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
LTD Locking tuners
Compare Specs >

Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD Viper-1000 Baritone

Stainless Steel Frets
Locking Tuners
Expensive Wood
Top Brand Pickups
Coil Split Pickups
Made in Indonesia
No High-Quality Nut
No Neck-Through Build
No Weight Relief
No Luminescent Inlay
No Tremolo
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Strap Lock

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7. ESP LTD Volsung

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ESP LTD Volsung

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Playability 83

Sound 72

Build quality 60

Value for money 72

Overall Score 72

What our users think

Neck profile shape: D (23 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (33 votes)

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From ESP LTD's 2019 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 LF-DMF (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: EMG LF-DMF (Humbucker/Passive)
2 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
3-way Switch
Tonepros Locking TOM & Tailpiece bridge
Thin U Set neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh tuners
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From ESP LTD's 2019 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 LF-DMF (Humbucker/Passive)
Neck pickup: EMG LF-DMF (Humbucker/Passive)
2 volume and 1 tone Speed knobs
3-way Switch
Tonepros Locking TOM & Tailpiece bridge
Thin U Set neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
Gotoh tuners
Compare Specs >

Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD Volsung

Expensive Wood
Top Brand Pickups
Luminescent Inlay
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 Tremolo
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Strap Lock

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8. ESP LTD Viper-400 Baritone

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ESP LTD Viper-400 Baritone

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Playability 78

Sound 71

Build quality 57

Value for money 74

Overall Score 69

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

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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
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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
Compare Specs >

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

9. ESP LTD Viper-7 Baritone Black Metal

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ESP LTD Viper-7 Baritone Black Metal

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Playability 75

Sound 71

Build quality 60

Value for money 69

Overall Score 69

What our users think

Neck profile shape: D (23 votes)
Neck speed (thickness): Fast (33 votes)
Pickups noise: Noiseless (1 vote)
Pickups power: Hot (2 votes)

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From ESP LTD's 2020 Black Metal series
Made in Indonesia
7 strings
27"'' scale
15.75" Fretboard Radius
Mahogany body
3Pc Mahogany neck
Macassar Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Black Winter (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
Tonepros Locking TOM & Tailpiece bridge
Thin U Set neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
LTD Locking tuners
Compare Specs >

Show all Specs

From ESP LTD's 2020 Black Metal series
Made in Indonesia
7 strings
27"'' scale
15.75" Fretboard Radius
Mahogany body
3Pc Mahogany neck
Macassar Ebony fretboard
Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Black Winter (Humbucker/Passive)
1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
Tonepros Locking TOM & Tailpiece bridge
Thin U Set neck
24 XL Jumbo frets
LTD Locking tuners
Compare Specs >

Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD Viper-7 Baritone Black Metal

Locking Tuners
Expensive Wood
Top Brand Pickups
Luminescent Inlay
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 Tremolo
No Compound Radius Fretboard
No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
No Strap Lock

All Prices

10. ESP LTD Viper-256

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ESP LTD Viper-256

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Playability 83

Sound 66

Build quality 55

Value for money 78

Overall Score 68

What our users think

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

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From ESP LTD's 2021 Viper series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
13.78" Fretboard Radius
Quilted Maple top
Mahogany body
3Pc Mahogany 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
24 XL Jumbo frets
LTD tuners
Compare Specs >

Show all Specs

From ESP LTD's 2021 Viper series
Made in Indonesia
6 strings
24.75"'' scale
13.78" Fretboard Radius
Quilted Maple top
Mahogany body
3Pc Mahogany 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
24 XL Jumbo frets
LTD tuners
Compare Specs >

Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD Viper-256

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