Best V Guitars Made In Japan in 2024

Here are the top V style guitars made in Japan . You should expect a high-quality guitar with excellent quality control. It can be compared to guitars made in the US, which is why they're also expensive.

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 E-II Arrow

Compare
ESP E-II Arrow
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoReverb logo
Playability 80
Sound 81
Build quality 79
Value for money 70
Overall Score 80

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)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoReverb logo
  • 3 Prices - New from $2,299 >
  • From ESP E-II's 2014 Arrow series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • 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 Original bridge
  • Thin U Neck-Through neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh Locking tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 3 Prices - New from $2,299 >
  • From ESP E-II's 2014 Arrow series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • 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 Original bridge
  • Thin U Neck-Through neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh Locking tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP E-II Arrow
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Tremolo
  • Retainer Bar
  • Strap Lock
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

All Prices

2. Jackson MJ Series Rhoads RRT

Compare
Jackson MJ Series Rhoads RRT
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logo
Playability 75
Sound 76
Build quality 82
Value for money 68
Overall Score 78

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: D (30 votes)
  • Neck speed (thickness): Fast (33 votes)
  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (3 votes)
  • Pickups power: Slightly Hot (3 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logoAmazon logoMusician's Friend logo
  • 6 Prices - New from $2,399.98 >
  • From Jackson's 2023 MJ series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Basswood body
  • 3-piece Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan JB SH-4 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Jazz SH-2 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Jackson TOM-Style Adjustable String-Through-Body bridge
  • Speed Neck-Through neck
  • 22 Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh MG-T Locking tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 6 Prices - New from $2,399.98 >
  • From Jackson's 2023 MJ series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Basswood body
  • 3-piece Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan JB SH-4 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Jazz SH-2 (Humbucker/Passive)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Jackson TOM-Style Adjustable String-Through-Body bridge
  • Speed Neck-Through neck
  • 22 Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh MG-T Locking tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Jackson MJ Series Rhoads RRT
  • Locking Tuners
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Ivory Tusq Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Luminescent Inlay
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Strap Lock
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Tremolo
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

All Prices

3. ESP Arrow

Compare
ESP Arrow
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoReverb logo
Playability 80
Sound 78
Build quality 75
Value for money 63
Overall Score 78

What our users think

  • Pickups noise: Noisy (1 vote)
  • Pickups power: Hot (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoReverb logo
  • 3 Prices - New from $5,999 >
  • From ESP's 2014 Arrow series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Blackouts AHB-1B (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Blackouts AHB-1N (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Original bridge
  • Thin U Neck-Through neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 3 Prices - New from $5,999 >
  • From ESP's 2014 Arrow series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Seymour Duncan Blackouts AHB-1B (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: Seymour Duncan Blackouts AHB-1N (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Original bridge
  • Thin U Neck-Through neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP Arrow
  • 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 E-II Arrow NT

Compare
ESP E-II Arrow NT
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoReverb logo
Playability 82
Sound 76
Build quality 77
Value for money 68
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)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logoReverb logo
  • 3 Prices - New from $2,099 >
  • From ESP E-II's 2014 Arrow series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 85 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Gotoh TOM & String-Thru bridge
  • Thin U Neck-Through neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh Locking tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 3 Prices - New from $2,099 >
  • From ESP E-II's 2014 Arrow series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Alder body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 85 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Gotoh TOM & String-Thru bridge
  • Thin U Neck-Through neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo frets
  • Gotoh Locking tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP E-II Arrow NT
  • 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

All Prices

5. ESP Vulture

Compare
ESP Vulture
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
Playability 80
Sound 79
Build quality 75
Value for money 63
Overall Score 78

What our users think

  • Pickups noise: Slightly Noisy (1 vote)
  • Pickups power: Hot (1 vote)
Own it? Share your opinion
FIND IT ON:
Reverb logoSweetwater logo
  • 2 Prices - New from $1,599 >
  • From ESP's 2016 Signature series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 1Pc Mahogany neck
  • 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
  • Gotoh Locking tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 2 Prices - New from $1,599 >
  • From ESP's 2016 Signature series
  • Made in Japan
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 1Pc Mahogany neck
  • 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
  • Gotoh Locking tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP Vulture
  • 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

6. ESP Arrow-1007 Baritone Evertune

Compare
ESP Arrow-1007 Baritone Evertune
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
Playability 77
Sound 78
Build quality 77
Value for money 72
Overall Score 77
FIND IT ON:
Sweetwater logo
  • 1 Prices - New from $1,799 >
  • From ESP's 2024 Arrow series
  • Made in Japan
  • 7 strings
  • 27"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany w/ Maple Cap body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker Ceramic Black Nickel *(Pull Volume for Voice 2) (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker Alnico Black Nickel *(Pull Volume for Voice 2) (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Evertune (F model) bridge
  • Extra Thin U Neck-Through neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Grover tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 1 Prices - New from $1,799 >
  • From ESP's 2024 Arrow series
  • Made in Japan
  • 7 strings
  • 27"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany w/ Maple Cap body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Macassar Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker Ceramic Black Nickel *(Pull Volume for Voice 2) (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker Alnico Black Nickel *(Pull Volume for Voice 2) (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 0 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Evertune (F model) bridge
  • Extra Thin U Neck-Through neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Grover tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP Arrow-1007 Baritone Evertune
  • Stainless Steel Frets
  • Made in Japan
  • Expensive Wood
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Stays in Tune (Evertune)
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No Locking Tuners
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • 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