ESP Snakebyte BLKS James Hetfield

The ESP Snakebyte Black Satin James Hetfield, with its full mahogany construction and classic matte black finish, delivers a powerful core tone packed with sustain and an immediate response – essential for tight, high-gain riffing with sharp articulation. Its ebony fingerboard features 22 extra-jumbo frets and a 305mm (12") radius, making it easy to play in every position on the neck, while a custom snake inlay marks the octave and adds a signature touch. The EMG JH pickups, developed as mentioned above in collaboration with Hetfield himself, can be selected and combined using the three-way switch, and each one has a dedicated volume control, giving players full command over their sound. Top-tier hardware rounds out the Snakebyte BLKS: From the TonePros bridge and tailpiece combo to the Sperzel locking tuners on the futuristic headstock, ESP and Hetfield have teamed up with trusted names to ensure this guitar performs at the highest level.

Since the mid-1970s, Japanese guitar and bass manufacturer The ESP Guitar Company has been successfully holding its own against the competition in this highly competitive market. ESP Guitars is divided into three divisions: the LTD division which caters for beginners and more advanced players, and its products are manufactured at various Asian locations. The E-II division produces higher quality models manufactured in Japan, while the top end and custom built models under the ESP name come from the USA. A growing number of well-known musicians rely on ESP products. James Hetfield and Kirk Hammett from Metallica, Emppu Vuorinen from Nightwish, Richie Sambora or George Lynch, to mention only a few, have been using ESP instruments for years.