ESP Guitars hit the ground running in 2024 with the introduction of 19 new additions to the company’s popular LTD Deluxe Series.
Two new models were added to the Arrow Series with the Arrow-1000 (Dark Brown Sunburst Satin)and the Arrow-1007 Baritone EverTune (Black). Both guitars feature the beveled body and completelyunique V shape of the ESP Arrow, and both offer neck-thru-body construction, stainless steel frets, and aset of Fishman’s multi-voice Fluence Modern Humbucker pickups. The Arrow-1007 Baritone EverTune isa seven-string model at 27” baritone scale that also includes the EverTune constant tension bridge.
The SN-1 HTBaritone (Black) is another 27” baritone scale guitar that’s built with bolt-on construction. It features adense swamp ash body and a bolt-on five-piece thin u-shaped roasted maple/purple heart neck,Macassar ebony fingerboard with 24 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets, scalloped from frets 17-24.Components include a black bone nut, a Hipshot hardtail bridge with string thru body, and a multi-voiceFishman Fluence Modern Humbucker active bridge pickupA new addition to the Viper Series comes with the LTD Deluxe Viper-1000 (Vintage Black). This double-horned guitar is built at 24.75” scale with set-thru construction. It features a Macassar ebony fingerboardwith 22 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets, a TonePros TOM bridge and tailpiece, and a set of multi-voiceFishman Fluence Modern Humbucker active pickups. The XJ-1 HT (Black Blast) offers bolt-onconstruction at 25.5” scale, with a textured sandblasted Black Blast finish on its swamp ash body. Otherfeatures include a roasted maple neck, tilt-back reverse headstock, Macassar ebony fingerboard with 22extra-jumbo stainless steel frets, a Hipshot hardtail bridge with string thru body, and a Fishman FluenceOpen Core Classic bridge pickup with two voices accessible via push-pull control.Detailed information and specs on the entire LTD Deluxe Series is available on the ESP web site at www.espguitars.com.
LTD EC
ESP’s single-cutaway LTD EC Series received several new additions that include the EC-01FT, availablein Black, Olympic White, and Vintage Burst finishes. The EC-01FT is a streamlined take on the ECdesign, with a flat-top body and clean electronics layout. Features and components on the EC-01FTinclude set-thru construction at 24.75” scale, a slightly wider 43mm nut, 22 extra-jumbo stainless steelfrets, and a recessed TonePros TOM bridge with string thru body. The EC-01FT also features the Custom14, a new custom pickup designed exclusively for ESP by Seymour Duncan that is purpose-built to coverthe specific needs of the ESP player, with a push-pull control to split the coils. Other new additions to theLTD Deluxe EC Series include newly-updated EC-1000 (Black) and EC-1000 (See Thru Black Cherry)models that now feature Fishman Fluence pickups, and the EC-1007 Baritone EverTune (Black), whichis a seven-string guitar at 27” baritone scale that features an EverTune constant tension bridge.
LTD Deluxe H3
The LTD Deluxe H3-1000FR (Metallic Silver) offers set-thru construction at 25.5” scale, an extra-thinmaple neck, Macassar ebony fingerboard with 24 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets, a Floyd Rose 1000 SEdouble-locking tremolo with stainless steel screws, and a direct-mounted pickup set that includes theexclusive Seymour Duncan Custom 14 paired with a cosmetically-matching Seymour Duncan APH-1Alnico II Pro humbucker in the neck position. The new M-1001 (Charcoal Metallic Satin) provides a flat-top alder body and satin-backed, extra-thin u-shaped three-piece maple neck. Built with bolt-onconstruction at 25.5” scale, the M-1001 includes a Macassar ebony fingerboard, 24 extra-jumbo stainlesssteel frets, a Floyd Rose 1000 tremolo, and a direct-mount Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker multi-voice active pickup.
LTD M-1007
The LTD Deluxe M-1007 Baritone (Charcoal Burst Satin) is a seven-string guitarthat features set-thru construction at 27” baritone scale, and an alder body with quilted maple top. This model also includes an extra-thin u-shaped three-piece maple neck, Macassar ebony fingerboard with 24extra-jumbo stainless steel frets, a Floyd Rose 1000 SE tremolo with stainless steel screws, and a set ofdirect-mounted multi-voice Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker active pickups.— more —The MH-1000 EverTune (Charcoal Burst) combines design elements of ESP’s H/Horizon models, like itsarchtop body, and from the M/Mirage guitars, like its inline headstock and extra-thin u-shaped neck. Itoffers set-thru construction at 25.5” scale, a mahogany body with flamed maple top, 24 extra-jumbostainless steel frets, and the innovative EverTune constant tension bridge. Pickups on the MH-1000EverTune are Fishman’s innovative active multi-voice Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker activepickups. The MH-1000NT (Charcoal Burst) is a similar guitar that offers a TonePros locking TOM bridgewith string thru body.ESP’s new LTD Deluxe Phoenix-1001 (Tobacco Sunburst) is a neck-thru-body guitar at 25.5” scale witha three-piece mahogany neck, a Macassar ebony fingerboard with 22 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets, aTonePros TOM locking bridge and tailpiece, and the versatile and dynamic Seymour Duncan Custom 14,a new pickup made exclusively for ESP that offers high output and extraordinary tonal balance.
SN-1000
Three new additions have ben announced in the SN Series. The SN-1000 EverTune Koa (Natural Satin)offers bolt-on construction at 25.5” scale, and features a mahogany body topped with Hawaiian Koa. Itincludes a satin-finished thin u-shaped maple neck, and a Macassar ebony fingerboard with 22 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets, and is scalloped from frets 15-22. Other features include the innovativeEverTune constant tension bridge, and a special set of pickups with an ESP-exclusive Seymour DuncanCustom 14 and a cosmetically-matching Seymour Duncan APH-1 Alnico II Pro humbucker. TheSN-1007HT Baritone (Fire Blast) provides the SN shape in a 27” baritone scale, with a sandblasted FireBlast finish on its swamp ash body, a 48mm black bone nut, a Hipshot hardtail bridge with string thrubody, and a set of multi-voice Fishman Fluence Modern Humbucker active pickups.
The SN-1 HT Baritone (Black) is another 27” baritone scale guitar that’s built with bolt-on construction. It features adense swamp ash body and a bolt-on five-piece thin u-shaped roasted maple/purple heart neck,Macassar ebony fingerboard with 24 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets, scalloped from frets 17-24.Components include a black bone nut, a Hipshot hardtail bridge with string thru body, and a multi-voiceFishman Fluence Modern Humbucker active bridge pickupA new addition to the Viper Series comes with the LTD Deluxe Viper-1000 (Vintage Black). This double-horned guitar is built at 24.75” scale with set-thru construction. It features a Macassar ebony fingerboardwith 22 extra-jumbo stainless steel frets, a TonePros TOM bridge and tailpiece, and a set of multi-voiceFishman Fluence Modern Humbucker active pickups. The XJ-1 HT (Black Blast) offers bolt-onconstruction at 25.5” scale, with a textured sandblasted Black Blast finish on its swamp ash body. Otherfeatures include a roasted maple neck, tilt-back reverse headstock, Macassar ebony fingerboard with 22extra-jumbo stainless steel frets, a Hipshot hardtail bridge with string thru body, and a Fishman FluenceOpen Core Classic bridge pickup with two voices accessible via push-pull control.
Detailed information and specs on the entire LTD Deluxe Series is available on the ESP web site at www.espguitars.com.
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Do you need to spend a ton on a gig-worthy axe? Probably not.
There has never been a better time to get your hands on a gig-ready guitar without breaking the bank. Sure, we’ve all lusted after the high-end models, but these 10 guitars balance affordability, features, and construction.
Squier J Mascis Signature Jazzmaster
This affordable signature Jazzmaster fromDinosaur Jr.’s famed dealer of decibels offers the traditional lead and rhythm circuits à la vintage JMs, but pairs that with an Adjusto-Matic bridge and a slightly wider nut.
$499 street
Jackson Dinky Arch Top JS32Q DKA
This sleek shred machine builds on Jackson’s Super-Strat lineage with a 24-fret compound radius neck that’s smooth and fast. It’s loaded with a pair of the company’s high-output humbuckers. One twist: This particular model comes as a hardtail. Dive bombers need not apply.
$299 street
Epiphone Nancy Wilson Fanatic Outfit
Heart’s lead axe-wielder brought back her classic signature model this past year. The mahogany body is based on the NightHawk and has a figured maple veneer top. Other highlights include a pair of ProBucker pickups (FB720 and 3 Slant), through-body construction, and twin parallelogram inlays.
$579 street
epiphone.com
ESP LTD SN-200HT
Although this is definitely a modern speed demon, the traditional styling shines through with a basswood body and maple neck. It’s outfitted with a charcoal metallic finish, thin neck, and a push/pull tone knob. The guitar comes loaded with ESP LH-150 pickups and a fixed bridge.
$449 street
Kramer Assault 220
The classic lines in this Les Paul-shaped body are tried and true, but Kramer has updated it to create a modern-rock marvel. A mahogany body and licensed Floyd Rose tremolo with locking nut are highlights, while other features include alnico V humbuckers, K-Speed SlimTaper “C” neck, and 24 medium jumbo frets.
$379 street
Gretsch G2215-P90 Streamliner Junior Jet Club
A mix-and-match approach can always open up new creative pathways and this particular Gretsch solidbody combines a Broad’Tron BT-2S with a P-90 Soap Bar. The wraparound bridge is anchored to a nato body with an aged white binding.
$399 street
Ibanez AZES40
Born out of the higher-end AZ series, this budget HSS guitar aims to cop the same vibe and feel of its more boutique counterparts. They are available in three colors, each loaded with ceramic pickups, T106 bridges, and Jatoba fretboards.
$349 street
Sire Larry Carlton S7
One of the newest models in Carlton’s line of signature models is this S-style setup featuring an HSS pickup array. Other highlights include a roasted maple neck, alder body, bone nut, and a 2-post tremolo bridge.
$599 street
G&L Tribute ASAT Classic
Built upon the bones of Leo’s timeless T-style designs, this ASAT Classic offers bolt-on construction, sassafras or poplar body, and a hard rock maple neck. As the name suggests, even the pickups pay homage to Leo’s design with a pair of MFD single-coils.
$589 street
Yamaha Revstar RS320
Inspired by the design style the company uses in their high-end motorcycles, this nato-bodied model comes in at the price of a high-end pedal. It features a pair of ceramic YGD humbuckers and a thin neck profile with a rosewood fretboard.
$399 street