ESP vs. LTD Guitars – Key Differences Explained

Author: Ross M | Updated: | This post may contain affiliate links.

It’s impossible to talk about metal and heavy rock guitars without mentioning ESP. For many years, they have enjoyed prolonged popularity amongst guitarists who like to crank up the gain and play with lots of energy.

One topic that often confuses guitarists is the difference between ESP and LTD guitars. It’s a common misconception that these guitars are made by different manufacturers, when in fact, LTD is simply an affordable line made by ESP.

In this guide, I’ll point out the key differences between ESP’s standard line of guitars, and their more affordable LTD instruments. And hopefully, I’ll dispel some common myths along the way!

In short, ESP and LTD are different lines of guitars from the same parent company (ESP). LTD guitars are mostly made in Indonesia, and are cheaper, beginner-friendly versions of premium ESP guitars that are mostly made in Japan.

ESP vs. LTD – What’s the Difference?

Let’s start by stating the obvious. ESP and LTD are the same guitar manufacturer. Much like Fender and Squier or Gibson and Epiphone, LTD is simply the lower-cost version of ESP’s premium range of guitars. If you’re interested, we’ve also compared Squier and Epiphone guitars in this post.

If you’re familiar with the other guitar brands I just mentioned, you’ll know that although the cheaper versions are great instruments in their own right, they don’t quite compare to the original, flagship models.

Is this the same with ESP and LTD? In some aspects, yes, the difference is clear. For example, the hardware that is used on the LTD range is of a lesser quality than its ESP counterparts.

Additionally, the choice of tonewood used to compose the LTD guitars is going to be less expensive than that which is used on the ESP range. This inevitably affects the tone and performance of the instruments.

With that being said, LTD guitars are by no means badly made instruments. ESP has amassed an abundance of knowledge when creating their premium range over the years and used it to make the best quality LTD guitars while keeping manufacturing costs down so that they can be sold at a more affordable price.

Here’s a breakdown of ESP and LTD guitars:

ESP Guitars

  • Established in Japan in 1975
  • Handcrafted guitars made in Korea
  • Uses premium woods
  • Excellent electronics

LTD Guitars

  • Introduced by ESP in 1996
  • Designed to compete with other budget guitar brands
  • Use affordable, lower-grade materials
  • Ideally suited to beginner guitarists

Woods

The main difference between ESP’s premium range and their more affordable, LTD range is the choice of materials. The woods that are used to construct the guitar’s body, neck, and fingerboard are all relative to the cost.

Tonewoods are an age-old source of debate amongst guitarists. Tone-purists argue that high-quality wood types are integral to creating a great tone, and enhancing the playability of the instrument.

Some guitarists, like Jack White, for example, prefer to use cheaper guitars that use woods that are considered to be of lesser quality. It’s a case of personal preference.

ESP guitars generally use mahogany for the body, maple and mahogany for the neck, and ebony for the fingerboard. This combination is seen as being a premium selection of tonewoods, extracting every ounce of tone from the guitar and promoting playability.

LTD guitars on the other hand, commonly use mahogany and basswood for the body, maple and mahogany for the neck, and perhaps where the biggest difference is apparent is the choice of rosewood and roasted jatoba for the fingerboard.

It’s worth noting that the cheapest models in the LTD 10 series exclusively use basswood for the body. This wood is very easy to source, and relatively inexpensive, thus it keeps the cost of these budget guitars to a minimum.

The high-end ESP models use a rare type of mahogany for the body, sourced in Honduras. The neck is made from three-piece maple and the fingerboard from luxurious ebony.

This is the combination used for the most expensive ESP guitars. There are also some in-between models, where more affordable tonewoods are combined with these pricier materials to lower the cost slightly.

Electronics

Other than the choice of wood used to construct ESP and LTD guitars, another key difference is the electronics that are installed on the instrument. Pickups and onboard electronics have a large impact on the amplified tone of the guitars.

Predominantly, high-end ESP guitars feature pickups made by the legendary manufacturer, Seymour Duncan. These pickups are built to a very high standard and ensure that the natural tone of the ESP guitar is amplified.

At the other end of the spectrum, the most affordable LTD guitars use ESP’s very own pickups. These devices aren’t up to the high standard of Seymour Duncan pickups, but they still do a decent job.

ESP guitars use different variations of Seymour Duncan pickups, depending on the exact model in question. They often use high-output single-coil models, for the high-energy tone associated with their guitars.

LTD guitars are designed to closely resemble the tone of the more expensive ESP guitars. Therefore, the self-made ESP pickups produce a similar tone to the Seymour Duncan alternatives.

Design & Construction

As I previously mentioned, ESP’s LTD range of guitars is built in either Korea or Indonesia. Conversely, the high-end ESP models are built exclusively in the brand’s home, Japan.

ESP’s origin story is inspiring and impressive. They formed in 1975 as a small-scale guitar repair shop in the Japanese city of Tokyo. That city is especially special to the brand, as it is where they produce their very best guitars to this day.

The class of ESP guitars is simply undeniable. They are one of the few manufacturers who have emerged in the past 50 years and managed to compete with the established heavyweights, such as Fender and Gibson.

Perhaps the most impressive thing about high-end ESP models is that they are all handcrafted individually by their world-renowned guitar engineers. The LTD guitars, on the other hand, are mass-produced more conventionally and affordably.

In addition to the Japanese models, there is a US alternative too. The ESP USA series guitars are all made in the state of California, and this range also includes the affordable LTD and E-II models.

Finish & Detail

The final key difference between ESP and LTD guitars is their finish and small details. As a guitarist, I’m sure you’re aware of the difference that a nice finish makes to the instrument.

The small nuances of a guitar are what give it character, and ultimately make it special to the musician. The ESP guitars are all custom made, and therefore, feature several unique and exotic finishes.

These finishes include Cast Metal Andromeda and a transparent Black Blue Burst. There are many more finishes that are used on the high-end ESP guitars, which vary depending on the specific models.

LTD guitars don’t include the quality or diversity of finishes that are featured on the ESP models. This is simply due to ESP attempting to keep the price of the LTD range as affordable as possible.

Despite this, LTD guitars are still well-made instruments. The finishes and designs are closely resembling the ESP guitars, but there are some noticeable differences when analyzed closely.

Conclusion

Hopefully, after reading this guide, you’re aware of the differences between ESP and LTD guitars. Simply put, ESP guitars are great if you have the money to purchase one, but if not, you can still enjoy the quality they offer by opting for a more affordable LTD model.

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About Ross M

Ross is a music producer and multi-instrumentalist. At his band, he handles vocal and bass duties. He has extensive experience with bass, drums and guitar.

6 thoughts on “ESP vs. LTD Guitars – Key Differences Explained”

  1. yea, which esp ltd guitars were/are made in japan?
    have a mid 90s m-200 thats in the catalogue, does not say
    where its made, seems mij is implied.
    thanks, paul schweitz

    Reply
  2. First off, any guitar that is an electrical amplified instrument makes no tone at all from the ” tone wood”! This is totally funny! It is so funny I am laughing off my bar stool! LOLOLOL. Next, LTD’s 1000 series are awesome! I got an EC-1000 with EMG’s and black vintage look and I have my Gibson LPC from 1989 and compared to the LTD, I will never buy a God damn LPC! PERIOD!

    Reply
  3. They’re almost the same. Esp does all the little details very well like wiring, shielding, and fret work. Ltd is great for the price. Nothing beats Japan’s quality at ESP.

    Reply
  4. LTD use evertunes, Fishman pickups (miles better than Seymour Boomer Duncan’s!!!), stainless steel frets, many 1000 series LTDs have better specs than ESP original lines, the only difference is made in Korea, You can Google the mahogany they use in 1000 series, it’s genuine mahogany, the same species Gibson reserve for the custom shop and don’t even use it on all the USA ranges.

    Reply
    • I was on-board with everything you wrote except you knocking Seymour Duncan and inserting your bigoted comments about age…”BOOMERS” I’m generation X and I use Duncans. They make every pickup imaginable and the majority of their employees are most likely millennials. So right there, you’re full of punk a** bullsh*t. Tone is SUBJECTIVE. What sounds good to you in a constant high volume dynamic that is produced with steril, active sh*t pickups may not sound as good to someone else hence my comments.

      Reply

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