Japan · Est. 1996
LTD Guitars
ESP's accessible sub-brand brings the same metal-focused design philosophy to players at every budget level without compromising on specification.
About the brand
LTD was launched by ESP in 1996 as an affordable alternative to the premium ESP line. Produced primarily in Korea and Indonesia, LTD guitars apply ESP's metal-focused design philosophy — thin fast necks, active pickup options, Floyd Rose bridges — to instruments at significantly lower price points.
The LTD EC (single-cut), MH (metal horns), M (superstrat), and Viper series each correspond to different playing styles and aesthetics. The EC-1000 in particular has become one of the most popular professional-level metal guitars in its price range, offering active EMG pickups and set-through neck construction at an accessible price.
Many players begin with LTD and never feel the need to upgrade to the full ESP line — a testament to the quality LTD achieves at its price points. The brand is endorsed by many of the same artists as ESP, often using LTD instruments for touring while keeping ESP originals for studio work.
Key facts
- Launched by ESP in 1996 as the accessible arm of the brand
- EC-1000 is one of the most popular professional-level metal guitars under $1000
- Active EMG pickups and Floyd Rose bridges standard on premium LTD models
- Endorsed by Ola Englund, Matt Heafy (Trivium), and Rob Arnold (Chimaira)
Iconic models
LTD EC-1000
The affordable version of the ESP Eclipse, widely regarded as one of the best Les Paul-style guitars under $1,000 on the market.
LTD MH-1000
A premium superstrat from LTD oriented toward modern metal, with neck-through construction and active pickups that make it hugely popular.
LTD Viper
LTD's exclusive design inspired by the SG with a more aggressive twist, adopted by metalcore and hard rock musicians for its accessibility.
LTD F-Series
LTD's Flying V-style line, bringing that classic metal design with modern updates to the mid-range market.