Best V Style Guitars With EMG 85 Pickups in 2024

Here you'll find the best V style guitars with EMG 85 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 E-II Arrow

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ESP E-II Arrow
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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
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  • 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

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2. ESP LTD Arrow-1000

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ESP LTD Arrow-1000
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Playability 80
Sound 78
Build quality 74
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 (9 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (5 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
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Amazon logoReverb logoSweetwater logo
  • 3 Prices - New from $1,199 >
  • From ESP LTD's 2021 Arrow series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Macassar 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 1000SE 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 $1,199 >
  • From ESP LTD's 2021 Arrow series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 13.78" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • 3pc Maple neck
  • Macassar 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 1000SE bridge
  • Thin U Neck-Through neck
  • 24 XL Jumbo Stainless Steel frets
  • Grover tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
ESP LTD Arrow-1000
  • 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

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3. Dean Kerry King V

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Dean Kerry King V
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Playability 82
Sound 81
Build quality 65
Value for money 76
Overall Score 76

What our users think

  • Pickups noise: Noiseless (9 votes)
  • Pickups power: Clean (5 votes)
Own it? Share your opinion
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Reverb logoMusician's Friend logoSweetwater logo
  • 4 Prices - New from $1,499 >
  • From Dean's 2020 Artist series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Maple top
  • Eastern Mahogany body
  • 3 Piece Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 85 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Kahler Hybrid bridge
  • Kerry King Spec. C Shaped Set neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Grover tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 4 Prices - New from $1,499 >
  • From Dean's 2020 Artist series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 24.75"'' scale
  • 12" Fretboard Radius
  • Maple top
  • Eastern Mahogany body
  • 3 Piece Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 85 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Kahler Hybrid bridge
  • Kerry King Spec. C Shaped Set neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Grover tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Dean Kerry King V
  • Expensive Wood
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Boost Pickups
  • Tremolo
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Neck-Through Build
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Compound Radius Fretboard
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
  • No Strap Lock

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4. Jackson X Series King V KVXMG

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Jackson X Series King V KVXMG
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Playability 77
Sound 79
Build quality 64
Value for money 78
Overall Score 73

What our users think

  • Tuning stability: Holds tune well (1 vote)
  • Weight: Lightweight (1 vote)
  • Neck profile shape: D (30 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 logoAmazon logo
  • 4 Prices - New from $799.99 >
  • From Jackson's 2012 X series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Poplar body
  • Maple neck
  • Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 85 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Special Double-Locking Tremolo (Recessed) bridge
  • Speed Neck-Through neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Jackson Sealed Die-Cast tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 4 Prices - New from $799.99 >
  • From Jackson's 2012 X series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Poplar body
  • Maple neck
  • Laurel fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 85 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Floyd Rose Special Double-Locking Tremolo (Recessed) bridge
  • Speed Neck-Through neck
  • 24 Jumbo frets
  • Jackson Sealed Die-Cast tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Jackson X Series King V KVXMG
  • Locking Nut
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Tremolo
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • No Locking Tuners
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No Expensive Woods
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio
  • No Retainer Bar
  • No Strap Lock

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5. ESP E-II Arrow NT

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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

6. Jackson Pro Series King V KVTMG

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Jackson Pro Series King V KVTMG
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Sweetwater logoReverb logoAmazon logo
Playability 75
Sound 74
Build quality 67
Value for money 72
Overall Score 72

What our users think

  • Neck profile shape: D (30 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 logoAmazon logo
  • 4 Prices - New from $1,149.99 >
  • From Jackson's 2021 Pro series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 85 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Jackson TOM-Style Adjustable with Anchored Tailpiece bridge
  • Speed Neck-Through neck
  • 22 Jumbo frets
  • Jackson Sealed Die-Cast Locking tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Show all Specs
  • 4 Prices - New from $1,149.99 >
  • From Jackson's 2021 Pro series
  • Made in Indonesia
  • 6 strings
  • 25.5"'' scale
  • 12" to 16" Fretboard Radius
  • Mahogany body
  • Maple neck
  • Ebony fretboard
  • Bridge pickup: EMG 81 (Humbucker/Active)
  • Neck pickup: EMG 85 (Humbucker/Active)
  • 1 volume and 1 tone Dome knobs
  • 3-way Switch
  • Jackson TOM-Style Adjustable with Anchored Tailpiece bridge
  • Speed Neck-Through neck
  • 22 Jumbo frets
  • Jackson Sealed Die-Cast Locking tuners
  • See all specs and compare >
Strengths & Weaknesses
Jackson Pro Series King V KVTMG
  • Locking Tuners
  • Expensive Wood
  • Top Brand Pickups
  • Neck-Through Build
  • Compound Radius Fretboard
  • Strap Lock
  • Cheap Fret Wire (NS)
  • Made in Indonesia
  • No High-Quality Nut
  • No Push Knob or Extra Switch Option
  • No Weight Relief
  • No Luminescent Inlay
  • No Tremolo
  • No 21:1 Tuner Ratio

All Prices

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