Amongst some of the biggest names in the world of electric guitars, particularly within rock and metal, are ESP and LTD. You’ll often see these two brands’ names together as the latter is owned by the former. They often have the same or similar body shapes, and will share many of the same features, so what are the differences between ESP and LTD?
LTD essentially produces more affordable versions of ESP guitars and basses – they range from relatively cheap starter instruments to more expensive, reliable workhorse guitars for working musicians. ESPs are very premium instruments and so they usually carry a hefty price tag. The idea behind LTD was to make these amazing, cutting-edge instruments more accessible to a wider audience.
There are all sorts of different ranges and models when it comes to ESP and LTD, so what we aim to do here is to look at the differences between them, take a brief look at where they both began and then give some recommendations for particular models. It’s worth noting that ESP and LTD do make acoustic guitars and basses, but here we’ll be focusing on their electric guitars here.
ESP vs LTD: History
ESP was founded in 1975 by Hisatake Shibuya in Tokyo. It was initially a shop (Electric Sound Products) that supplied guitar parts, though he also made custom guitars around the same time. It was in the 1980s when those parts came into America and started to get noticed. George Lynch of Dokken discovered the company's guitars whilst on tour in Japan and eventually became its first signature artist.
Cut to the late ’80s and Kirk Hammett and James Hetfield of Metallica are playing ESP guitars which gives the brand a lot more worldwide attention. ESP then starts to mass-produce instruments in the ’90s.
LTD was introduced in 1996 so that more players could get their hands on these superb instruments at a reduced cost. Of course, LTD and ESP aren’t the same – LTDs are made in Indonesia, Korea and sometimes China, whereas at the time, ESPs were made in Japan. In 2014, ESP introduced an American range of guitars – ESP USA. The idea behind these was to offer players American-made instruments boasting the same high-end quality as their Japanese-made counterparts.
ESP vs LTD: Key players
Most ESP and LTD guitars feature cutting-edge designs and modern, contemporary electronics, and as such, they’re played primarily by guitarists who linger somewhere within the rock world. Lots of heavy metal players look to them as most models are fitted with high-output pickups, and shredders often gravitate towards the thin, modern neck profiles.
Both LTD and ESP make great instruments though, and with the right pickup configuration, you’ll likely find one that works for any style of music. Some of their guitars will feature coil split pickups too, so they can actually be super versatile.
If you look at the list of signature models from both ESP and LTD though, you’ll notice a massive roster of high profile metal players. Guitarists from the likes of Korn, Deftones, Mastodon, Slayer, Rancid, Rammstein and of course Metallica all have guitars with their names attached to them.
ESP vs LTD: Ranges
With both LTD and ESP, there’s a lot of range within the brands. You can pay a few hundred $/£ for the cheapest LTD, and a top-end Custom Shop ESP is going to set you back thousands – compare those two and you’ll notice a world of difference in every possible aspect. Compare one of the more premium LTDs with an ESP E-II though, and the differences may be more subtle.
ESP is multi-layered. Right at the top, you’ve got the Custom Shop in Japan – these are largely hand-crafted guitars made by very experienced luthiers. As well as crafting their flagship Original series, you can also spec your own custom guitar and those luthiers will build it for you – but of course, you’ll be paying top dollar. There’s then the aforementioned ESP USA range which produces incredibly high quality guitars and basses in California.
The ESP E-II guitar range, formerly known as the ESP Standard range, is made in Japan and bridges the gap between LTD and ESP Originals. These are factory-made guitars, built to an incredibly high standard using premium materials, but are more aimed at working musicians and touring professionals.
LTD makes everything from beginner guitars through to intermediate instruments all the way to touring, pro-level guitars, though they’ll still normally work out cheaper than an ESP. These guitars are made in either Indonesia, Korea or China.
ESP vs LTD: Sounds, tones, features
With ESP and many LTD models, most of the pickups tend to be third party, so they’re made by the likes of Fishman, EMG, Seymour Duncan etc. You do see in-house made pickups on some of the more affordable LTDs – these are great and are usually fairly high output passive pickups that pack a weighty punch. Compared to the more premium pickups though, they won’t quite have as much detail or definition.
If you’re comparing an ESP fitted with active EMGs or a set of Fishman Fluences, for example and then an LTD with the same, they’re going to sound very similar. Some would claim they sound identical, but my experience has always been that a guitar, and indeed how it sounds, is a sum of all its parts.
The build quality and attention to detail on ESPs is phenomenal. It’s very good on the LTDs, but the Japanese and US-made models have the edge here. Where an LTD might have a set neck, an ESP has a thru neck which can increase sustain. Better finished frets help the guitar play better, but also make it resonate and ring out more clearly.
You’re also probably going to get better quality hardware (like top-end Gotoh pieces) on an ESP – not only does this help with tuning stability, but it can also increase resonance and sustain. All of these slight improvements lead to a guitar that rings out better unplugged, but is also more harmonically rich when plugged in and sustains more.
There’s also how it feels to play. With the love and care that goes into the ESPs, they’re an absolute joy to play and, if you’re more inspired to play it, chances are you’re going to perform better. Again, that’s not to say that LTDs aren’t made well – many of the top-end models can give some premium guitar brands a run for their money, but ESPs are on another level.
ESP vs LTD: Buying advice
When shopping for either an ESP or LTD, budget is almost certainly going to play a part. If you’re after investing in something truly special, then a Custom Shop Japanese or USA model might be right for you. If you want the premium quality and features, but you want to take it out on the road without being too frightened of damaging it, then maybe an E-II is right for you.
Of course, there are plenty of touring musicians out there using LTD guitars. The more premium models are incredible instruments and will offer you superb tones, great playability and solid reliability. The models at the cheaper end of the scale are still great, and mean that guitarists that are perhaps at the start of their playing journey can still have access to these amazing instruments.
Pickups play a huge factor in choosing the right guitar for you. If you’re after a set with loads of clarity, a balanced frequency range and super high output, then you might want active pickups – perhaps something from the likes of EMG or Fishman. However, if you want pickups that are more dynamic and expressive, but can still handle a ton of gain, then high output passive pickups might be the way forward.
Some ESP and LTD guitars offer pickups with coil splits too – these enable you to go from humbucker sounds to single-coil style tones at the flick of a switch and can be incredibly versatile.
ESP vs LTD: Our top picks
A premium, Japanese shred machine that offers bang for buck
Made in: Japan | Body: Mahogany w/quilted maple | Neck: 3pc maple | Fingerboard: Ebony | Pickups: EMG 66TW & 57TW | Hardware: Gotoh TOM, Gotoh locking tuners
+ Great value
+ Dual and single coil modes
+ Awesome hardware
+ Not as premium as USA or Custom Shop
Made in Japan, but costing considerably less than the Custom Shop and USA models, this E-II Horizon features neck-thru-body construction, Gotoh TOM bridge and string-thru-body design helping it sustain for days. Gotoh locking tuners ensure your tuning remains spot-on and the three-piece maple neck is a delight to play.
It’s fitted with an EMG 57/66 TW set that offers loads of clarity, as well as the ability to use in single and dual coil modes, making it more versatile than you might think. The body shape is modern, but reminiscent of a classic – you can’t go wrong!
One of the best high-end singlecuts for metal there is
Made in: USA | Body: Mahogany w/flame maple | Neck: 3pc mahogany | Fingerboard: Ebony | Pickups: EMG 81X & 85X | Hardware: Tonepros locking TOM and tailpiece, Sperzel Trim-Lok tuners
+ Incredible quality
+ Built to last
+ Superb EMG pickups
- If you’re after a single cut around this price, would you look at the Gibson Custom Shop?
This is a very premium, high-end single-cut guitar designed with professional hard rock and metal players in mind. The build quality is absolutely second to none, and the super high-quality hardware will ensure that not only does your guitar stay and play in tune, but it will resonate nicely too. The EMG 81/85 is a classic combination and has featured on countless classic metal recordings over the years. This Eclipse is fitted with EMG 81X and 85X pickups – these deliver all the classic searing tones you’d expect with more dynamic range and clarity.
If it’s good enough for Papa Het…
Made in: Japan | Body: Mahogany | Neck: 1pc mahogany | Fingerboard: Ebony | Pickups: EMG Het Set | Hardware: Sperzel locking tuners, TonePros locking TOM & tailpiece
+ Outrageous attention to detail
+ Dreamy for any Metallica fan
+ Rings out beautifully, acoustically and plugged in
- Expensive!
This is a Custom Shop-made ESP, and will be pretty much identical to the models that Mr James Hetfield plays with Metallica on some of the biggest stages on the planet. The build quality and finish will be flawless, the hardware will be the best money can buy and the attention to detail is off the charts!
Of course, Het’s signature pride and joy is fitted with his EMG Het Set pickups. If you’re after the Metallica sound and you want something that’s more on a collector’s or investor’s level, then this is the guitar for you!
Is this the best rock or metal singlecut for around a grand?
Made in: Korea or Indonesia | Body: Mahogany | Neck: 3pc maple | Fingerboard: Macassar ebony | Pickups: Seymour Duncan 59 & JB | Hardware: LTD locking tuners, TonePros locking TOM & tailpiece
This is probably one of the most popular hard rock and metal guitars on the market today. It’s understated, and the single-cut body shape is classic, but it still looks like you mean business.
The EC-1000 is available with different pickup configurations, including EMGs, but we’ve chosen the Seymour Duncans here as we reckon they’re a touch more versatile. You can go from high-gain chugging and shredding to soulful, bluesy licks just by stomping on a pedal or two. They’re dynamic but cutting and powerful when you need them to be.
This is a high-quality guitar, but it’s a lot easier on the wallet than an ESP – a real workhorse.
Step back in time with this cutting edge double-cut
Made in: Korea or Indonesia | Body: Alder | Neck: 3Pc Maple | Fingerboard: Macassar ebony | Pickups: Seymour Duncan Custom, Seymour Duncan Hotrail | Hardware: LTD tuners, Floyd Rose 1000 bridge
+ Nice pickup configuration
+ Coil taps are useful
+ Ergonomic body shape
- A hardtail would be nice
As the name suggests, this is an LTD remake of one of ESP’s guitars from 1987, and let’s be honest – it looks super-’80s, in the best way possible! It comprises an alder body and three-piece maple neck with thru construction. The thin neck profile, slick feeling ebony fingerboard and Floyd Rose bridge system all help make this guitar a shredder’s delight.
In the bridge position, there’s a Seymour Duncan Custom pickup, and a SD Hotrail in the neck – both of which are coil-tappable. This enables you to cover a lot of ground sonically. You can get big, chunky metal tones, searing solo sounds, but then dial it back with the single-coil tones.
A well-priced, heavy metal V that packs a punch!
Made in: China (can change sometimes) | Body: Mahogany | Neck: 3pc maple | Fingerboard: Roasted jatoba | Pickups: ESP-designed LH-150N & B | Hardware: LTD tuners, LTD by Floyd Rose bridge
+ Looks amazing
+ Powerful pickups
+ Decent Floyd system
- Doesn’t feel quite as nice as the more expensive models
If you’re seeking an affordable but truly striking metal V guitar, then look no further. The LTD Arrow 200 sports one of the most ground-breaking body shapes the guitar world has ever seen – nothing says heavy metal like a spiky V!
This guitar sits at the cheaper end of what ESP and LTD offer, but you’re still getting an excellent instrument. It’s built well, it’s a joy to play, it’s fitted with a great Floyd Rose licensed bridge system, plus the proprietary ESP humbuckers sound amazing!
