ESP Announces New Guitars & Basses for Summer/Fall 2011!

2011 is turning out to be an exciting year at ESP. As we continue to grow in popularity, our success allows us to create more and more new guitars for you to enjoy. During most years, we do all of our new product introductions at the Winter NAMM show (in January) and the Musikmesse show (in March/April). This year, however, we’re happy to be able to offer a whole new batch of LTD models that are premiering for Summer 2011.

7- and 8-String Heaven
You asked; we delivered. With the popularity of guitars with more than the standard six strings on the rise (due in part to new musical movements like the Djent scene), we have a bunch of new guitars that fit your many-stringed needs!

In the seven-string category, the new EC-407, EX-307, and V-307 takes three of our most popular body shapes and offers them in powerful yet affordable 7-string versions. The new EC-407 comes in BLKS (Black Satin) and SWS (Snow White Satin) finishes, and offers a mahogany body with maple top. The EX-407 and V-307 are being offered in BLKS (Black Satin), and also include pro features such as mahogany bodies, maple necks, and rosewood fingerboards. All three models use a combination of EMG 81-7 and EMG 707 pickups.

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If seven strings just aren’t enough for you, it’s time to check out the new H-308, H-338, and H-208 models. Based on our H-style body shape, the H-308 delivers high performance via a set-thru maple neck, mahogany body, and an EMG 808 active pickup set. Part of our new 330 Series, the H-338 is a similar guitar, but has a bolt-on neck and includes our new ESP ALH-208 active pickups. Both models come in BLKS (Black Satin) finishes. Each of the new 7- and 8-string models with satin finishes also feature black satin hardware. The H-208 is a very affordable 8-string guitar in a BLK (Gloss Black) finish, with a basswood body, chrome hardware and passive ESP LH-308 pickups.

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Eclipsing Your Expectations
The EC body style continues as one of LTD’s most popular guitars, and for good reason. We’re happy to offer an exciting new set of finish choices to the EC-401FM: STBLKSB (See Thru Black Sunburst), STBCSB (See Thru Black Cherry Sunburst), RDB (Reindeer Blue), and BLKAQSB (Black Aqua Sunburst). What hasn’t changed are the excellent specs of the EC-401FM, with mahogany bodies and flamed maple tops, mahogany necks and rosewood fingerboards, a set neck design, and EMG 81/60 pickup sets.

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But wait: the EC-401 is also getting a new look, with a Vintage Black finish. As you probably know, our ESP Eclipse-II VB and LTD EC-1000 Vintage Black guitars are among the most popular in the our line, so now you’ll be able to get into this hot look at an even more affordable price.

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If you’re into the vintage look and sound, the EC-401VF has two great new finishes to choose from: STBLK (See Thru Black) and STBC (See Thru Black Cherry). Like other models in the EC-401VF line, these guitars include mahogany bodies with flamed maple tops, and implement Seymour Duncan JB (bridge) and '59 (neck) pickups.

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As if all that weren’t enough in the world of the LTD EC line, there’s still more. The EC-256P is a blast to the past, with ESP LP90S pickups (like the well-known single coil, but with stacked coils for hum cancellation). This instant-classic axe has a mahogany body and neck, and a rosewood fingerboard. It’s not distressed, so you’ll need to put your own road wear on it. The EC-256P comes in two finishes: MGO (Metallic Gold) and BLK (Black), with nickel hardware on the Gold model and gold hardware on the Black version.

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Getting Bit by the Viper and Stung by the ST
Similar to the new EC-256P, the new Viper-256P offers two ESP LP90S pickups, which provide all the bite and high output you want while avoiding all the hum that you don’t. The Viper-256P has a set-neck design, and uses mahogany for its body and neck, and rosewood for its fingerboard. This guitar is available in BLK (Black) finish with gold hardware, and STBC (See Thru Black Cherry) with nickel hardware... a classic look in both cases.

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Continuing our inclusion of ESP high performance to affordable new guitars, the Distressed Series ST-203 guitar is now available in new fingerboard wood configurations. The Floyd Rose-equipped ST-203FR is now being offered with a rosewood fingerboard, while the standard ST-203 now comes in two distressed finishes: 3TB (Three Tone Burst) and BLK (Black), both with maple fingerboards. With a nod to the classic guitars of yesterday, the ST-203 has an alder body and bolt-on maple neck.

LTD Xtone Acoustics: Lefties and 12’s
In January, we announced an entire new line of LTD Xtone acoustic guitars. In April, we upped the ante by adding new exotic wood models. Now, we’re happy to announce that even more models are being made available. The AC-10E-LH is a left-handed version of the AC-10E guitar, while the new AC-10E-12 is a 12-string version. Like the standard AC-10E, the new models offer a spruce top, mahogany back and sides, a mahogany neck, and a built-in ESP preamp with 2-band EQ and tuner. The AC-10-LH and AC-10-12 will both be available in BLK (Black) and PW (Pearl White) finishes.

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Back to Bassics
You didn’t think we would leave bass players out of this summer cornucopia of new products, did you? We’ve added an entire new series to the LTD line with the J Series J-204 and J-205 basses. Designed as a solution for people who want high-level playability and tone while still remaining within a budget, the J-204 and J-205 (4- and 5-string respectively) are classic players’ basses that offer alder bodies and tortoise shell pick guards on their 3TB (Three Tone Burst) finishes. Both come with a maple bolt-on neck, rosewood fingerboard, and an ESP LDJ pickup set. Additionally, the LTD Vintage-204 has a new fingerboard choice: the Distressed Black model now has a rosewood fingerboard option available.

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Finally, LTD’s very popular B Series now includes two new models: the B-50FM and the B-55FM. These affordable bass models take our B-50 and add flamed maple tops for a great look. They are each available in three finishes: STRSB (See Thru Red Sunburst), STBSB (See Thru Blue Sunburst), and DBSB (Dark Brown Sunburst).

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We hope you’ve enjoyed this look at our surprising Summer 2011 offerings. To learn more about these great new guitars and basses, visit your local ESP/LTD dealer!

Win an LTD Guitar today at Mayhem Fest!

We just got a call from Allen Steelgrave, director of marketing and artist relations for ESP. He's apparently in a giving mood, because he let us know the following:

"Tell everyone who's attending the Rockstar Mayhem Festival today at San Manuel Amphitheater in San Bernardino, CA that if they find me and say "ESP RULES!", I will give away an LTD guitar to the first five people!"

So, here's how to find Allen: he'll be wearing white sneakers, shorts, and a black ESP t-shirt with the sleeves cut off. If you're one of the first five people who walk up to Allen and say "ESP RULES!", he will give you contact info so that next week, you can get in touch and claim your LTD guitar! To make it a little easier to find Allen in the throngs of people, here's a photo of him:



Best of luck in finding Allen today at Mayhem, and winning your own LTD!

Buyer Beware! Watch out for counterfeit ESPs/LTDs!

It has come to our attention that as a result of the increased demand for our product, there are an increasing number of counterfeit ESP/LTD guitars available for sale through non authorized online stores. After 35 years of making high quality instruments, it is also our intention, and responsibility to let our friends know when something like this comes to light. Please make sure you are buying from a trusted source.

Finally, we would like to say that while some counterfeit models may look like real ESP guitars, they do not sound or play like real ESPs. With these counterfeits, substandard materials are being used. The end result is that you would be very disappointed in the sound and feel of the guitar. All authorized ESP dealers and distributors are listed on the ESP Guitars web site. So before you buy please make sure you are getting your guitar from a trusted source.

Thank you for choosing ESP Guitars.


Matt Masciandaro
President and CEO

ESP on "The Price is Right"

Founded in 1956, "The Price is Right" is one of TV's longest-running game shows. Most of you probably recall the show's host from 1972 through 2007, Bob Barker. Since 2007, though, the show has been updated while still keeping the good parts of its original vibe, and a new host stepped in to fill Barker's large shoes: comedian Drew Carey. One thing that's changed is that some of the prize offerings have become much more cool and modern.

Well, it just so happens that ESP Guitars has a long relationship with the CBS broadcasting company, so when they asked us if we wanted to offer some prizes for the show, we were happy to do so. Additionally, as opposed to just having their attractive hostesses point and grin at the prizes, "The Price is Right" decided to have people there to show off what these prizes can do. All this is leading up to telling you how ESP player Jason Miller of goth rock band Godhead appeared recently on the show.



As you can see up top in a photo taken during rehearsals, the prize being offered on this particular episode was an LTD Deluxe Phoenix-1000. We're not sure who ended up taking this baby home, but we do know they were happy about it! the LTD Phoenix-1000 offers a neck-thru-body setup at 25.5" scale, with a mahogany body, maple neck, ebony fingerboard, Tonepros TOM bridge and tailpiece, Seymour Duncan JB (bridge) / '59 (neck) pickups, and more.



So, the next time you find yourself in LA, score some tickets to TPIR and you never know... instead of a new dishwasher, you might take home a new ESP!