ESP LTD Snakebyte Black Satin James Hetfield Signature
Signature Electric Guitar with EMG JH "Het" Set Pickups and TonePros Hardware
Metallica mastermind and chief riff blacksmith James Hetfield has been using ESP guitars since 1988 and has been looking back on a number of successful signature instruments since then. The ESP LTD Snakebyte Black Satin is an interpretation of the EX design designed by James Hetfield that catches the eye with its own lines on every stage. Thanks to the combination of mahogany construction and active EMG pickups, this signature electric guitar delivers the typical Hetfield sound.
The ESP LTD Snakebyte was designed by James Hetfield and delivers the typical Metallica sound.
Mahogany for the full punch
With its mahogany body and glued mahogany neck, which carries an ebony fingerboard, the ESP LTD Snakebyte Black Satin delivers a fat basic sound with a crisp punch, which is the perfect basis for tight riffs. The neck has a comfortable "Thin U" profile and the fretboard has a flat 13.8" radius for these loosers to get out of your fingers.
EMG JH "Het" Set
The ESP LTD Snakebyte Black Satin uses the active pickups of the EMG JH Het Set, which was developed together with James Hetfield and combines the clear sound of active pickups with the open dynamics of passive pickups. Thanks to precise attack and present mids, the Steghumbucker delivers crisp riffs with high assertiveness even with the heaviest distortion, while the neck pickup with its warm sound offers the perfect basis for singing solos and sparkling chords.
High-quality hardware
The equipment of the ESP LTD Snakebyte Snow White James Hetfield Signature is rounded off by high-quality hardware. The strings on the body are guided from the TonePros Locking Stopbar over the TonePros T3BT bridge, which can be locked on its retaining pin and thus contributes to the perfect sound development of the ESP LTD Snakebyte. LTD locking mechanisms at the head plate ensure high tuning stability and easy string changes.
The ESP LTD Snakebyte Black Satin James Hetfield Signature at a glance:
James Hetfield Signature Electric Guitar
Mahogany body, glued mahogany neck with rosewood fingerboard and "Thin U"-profile
Snakebyte inlay in 12th bundle
Active EMG JH "Het" Set Pickups
TonePros Locking Tune-O-Matic and Stopbar, LTD Locking Mechanisms
Features:
Manufacturer:
ESP
Series:
Signature
Design:
Snakebyte
Body:
Mahogany
Neck:
Mahogany
Neck Construction:
Set-in
Neck Profile:
Thin-'U'
Fretboard:
Ebony
Fretboard Radius in Inches:
350
Scale in mm:
628
Number of Frets:
22
Fret Format:
Extra Jumbo
Fretboard Inlays:
Snakebyte
Nut type:
Plastic
Nut width in mm:
42
Pickup:
HH
Manufacturer pickups:
EMG
Neck Pickup:
EMG "HET"-Set JH-N
Bridge Pickup:
EMG "HET"-Set JH-B
Active pickups:
Yes
Coil-splitting:
No
Piezo Pickup:
No
Switch:
3-Way
Control:
2x Vol
Bridge:
TonePros T3BT
Tailpiece:
TonePros T1Z
Tuners:
Locking
Strap Button:
Standard
Hardware:
Black
Colour:
Black Satin
Finish:
Matte
Number of Strings:
6
String Gauge:
.010 - .046
Factory Tuning:
Standard E
Country of Origin:
Korea
Gigbag included:
No
Case included:
No
Certificate:
No
ESP LTD Snakebyte Black Satin James Hetfield Signature
N/A
Product Alternatives for ESP LTD Snakebyte Black Satin James Hetfield Signature
Well, I'm fan of radical shape design. Also, I'm owner of Gibson Explorer and Dean ML for long years. For a long time I was looking for a model that is very similar to the described guitars, and I found it in the Snakebite model. As I was unable to find the white Explorer, this white Snakebite was a hit right in the middle! The guitar “sits” very nicely on my thighs as I sit and play, but it also behaves just fine as I stand and play, it’s nicely balanced. The finish is very good, not quite like the original Gibson, but the price is definitely lower. The aggressive shape of the guitar, as well as the look of the headstocks, encourages its owner to invent new riffs and roar chords from some hot "tubes". Compared to the original, it gives a slightly "smaller bite" and the sound is a bit darker, IMHO it is probably a matter of resonance due to the different quality of the wood, but that is not always so noticeable. Built-in Tonepros hardware is a guarantee that the tone will be transmitted to the pickups and amplifier. The switch is in a much better place than with the Explorer, and just two volume and tone controls are really enough for that kind of music. I know this guitar is meant more for rhythm guitar player than for lead players but maybe it would be good if the neck has 24 jumbo frets instead of 22, maybe some other model, though I doubt it (JH isn't a lead player). The price may not be for beginners and occasional non-commercial musicians, but I don't think it's worth buying some cheap guitars that will later stand in some dark corner of the room. Snakebite always invites you to take it in hand and try some riff, trust me.
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(This review is from the same product in color Snow White)
This is by far the best instrument I have ever bought. This sounds so amazing and feels so light, it has amazing tone and sounds so like Metallica with the Het Set. The strings are so nice on the fingers and the frets are in pristine condition. The switch feels great and the even the one that does nothing ;) The finish is superb and looks really good (Binding, Inlay etc). The pickups came in good condition with a few finger marks on it and the covers on the new pickups had been taken off.
The guitar arrived here in the UK from Germany with no damage and no marks or scratches. Which is unusual because most of things I order from Germany are damaged or scratched. The guitar was well packaged with 2 boxes. and stuffed to stop it rattling around on the journey. The delivery was quick from Germany to UK literally a 2 day wait.
Overall I recommend this entirely as it's such a perfect guitar for metal and clean. It will support anything you want to play. I do recommend buying strap locks as I did as the strap holders are not that good if you have a cheap strap ;)
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This is a guitar for James Hetfield fans. Well not only them, but its distinct design is a fan status statement. The guitar has the build quality of the other LTD Eclipse guitars in this price range, and LTD makes very good quality instruments. The JH pickups sound great.. If you like active pickups to begin with. Price / performance is great if compared to the 1000 series, however I also own a 401 series Eclipse also korean made and I have to say there is no difference in craftsmanship between the two, and the 401 is 30% cheaper. Overall I am happy with this guitar.
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(This review is from the same product in color Snow White)
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