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NEWS

New for 2012:
The Latest Guitars and Basses from ESP and LTD!

Itʼs a new year, so get ready to find out about the next items on your wish list from ESP and LTD!

Whatʼs the best part of a new year? We already know the answer: itʼs time for a big batch of new ESP and LTD guitars and basses to be announced! We think youʼll be very happy with our new offerings in 2012, so letʼs jump in and see whatʼs coming this year!

New Finishes for ESP

The always-popular ESP Eclipse-II has some brilliant new finishes to choose from. In 2012, check out the brand new Volcano Red (VR), Mystic Black (MYBLK), and Silver Sunburst (SSB) finishes... theyʼre all guaranteed to stand out from the crowd! The Eclipse-II QM also offers two new finishes over its beautiful quilted maple top, with Reindeer Blue (RDB) and Black Aqua (BLKAQ) being added to the list. If youʼre really into making a splash (and are into passive pickups), the new Eclipse-II w/Duncans has an amazing new Silver Sparkle (SSP) finish that canʼt help but draw everyoneʼs attention!

As long as weʼre talking about Eclipses, we should mention that the LTD EC-1000 also has a brand new look, with the hot Metallic Gold Sunburst (MGOSB) finish.

Over the Horizon

The Eclipse-II isnʼt the only ESP model with hot new looks. By popular demand, ESP has great new finishes for the Horizon line as well. The Horizon FR is now available in Mystic Black (MYBLK) and Volcano Red (VR), while the Horizon FR-II has three new finishes: Black Aqua (BLKAQ), Reindeer Blue (RDB), and See Thru Black (STBLK). For you passive pickup lovers, the Horizon FR-II w/Duncans now comes in Dark Brown Sunburst (DBSB), Black Aqua (BLKAQ), Reindeer Blue (RDB), See Thru Black Cherry (STBC), and See Thru Black (STBLK). The Horizon NT-IIʼs new colors include Reindeer Blue (RDB), See Thru Black Cherry (STBC), See Thru Black (STBLK), and Black Aqua (BLKAQ).

But the ESP Horizon line has expanded with more just just good looks. For instance, the Horizon FR-27 is a new model that features a 27-fret neck (with scalloped frets from 12-27), and neck-thru construction, Seymour Duncan Custom 5 (bridge) and Hot Rails (neck) pickups, and an original Floyd Rose bridge. Also new is the Horizon FR-7, which, like the name implies, adds a Floyd Rose bridge to this seven-string beast.

New: ESP HRF

The HRF is a new design from ESP that combines the body styling of the Horizon with the headstock of the F-Series (aka Forest) guitar. Available in Black, the HRF NT offers neck-thru construction, ebony fingerboard, and Seymour Duncan Blackout AHB-1 active pickups. The HRF NT-II adds a great-looking quilted maple top, and comes in See Thru Black Cherry (STBC), Black Aqua (BLKAQ), and Reindeer Blue (RDB).

New Kirk Hammett Signatures

Celebrating his 25th year as an ESP player, Metallicaʼs Kirk Hammett has three new models for you. The ESP KH-DC and LTD KH-DC are a brand new double-cutaway body style based on the Eclipse/EC, with a set neck design at 25.5” scale, and an attractive STBC (See Thru Black Cherry) finish on its flamed maple top. Like other EC models, the guitar offers a mahogany body and mahogany neck, with a rosewood fingerboard. The KH-DC features gold hardware, including gold-covered EMG 81 (bridge) and EMG 60 (neck) active pickups, and a Tonepros locking TOM bridge and tailpiece. The ESP version of the new Kirk Hammett model includes Sperzel locking tuners, while the LTD version offers ESP locking tuners.

The limited-edition LTD KH-25 has black distressed finish and graphics designed to emulate Kirkʼs famous KH-2 Vintage model. The KH-25 has bolt-on construction at 25.5" scale, with a basswood body, maple neck, and a Floyd Rose Special bridge. The guitar also features ESPʼs new ALH-200 active pickups.

New Jeff Hanneman Signatures and Slayer-2012

Another long-time ESP player, Slayerʼs Jeff Hanneman, is getting new signatures as well. The ESP Jeff Hanneman EC and LTD JH-600EC are customized versions of the Eclipse model, with a traditional thick body, black finish, and custom red upside-down star inlays on the neck. Also, a new limited edition model, the LTD SLAYER-2012, is being offered this year only, with graphics celebrating the 25th anniversary of Slayerʼs “South of Heaven” album. Itʼs a must-have for players and collectors alike.

Anthrax: Rob Caggiano and Frank Bello Signature Guitars and Basses

Say it with us: itʼs about time that Rob Caggiano -- a great player and supporter of ESP -- got his own Signature Series models! Based on his customized ESP Horizon, the ESP Rob Caggiano and LTD RC-600 are being offered in a STP (See Thru Purple) finish. The guitars use a bolt-on construction at 25.5” scale, and have an ash body, maple neck, and rosewood fingerboard with custom inlays and glow-in-the-dark side markers. The instruments also feature two DiMarzio humbucking pickups, Tonepros locking TOM bridge and tailpiece, and Dunlop straplok hardware (the ESP version also includes Sperzel locking tuners, while the LTD version comes with ESP Locking tuners).

But wait: Anthrax bassist Frank Bello now also has ESP and LTD Signature Series basses! The ESP Frank Bello and LTD FB-4 are both based on the ESP Vintage-4 model, customized to Belloʼs specifications with a Black Satin finish and black anodized aluminum pickguard, ebony fingerboard with black pearloid block inlays, EMG PJ-X active pickups and a Gotoh bridge. The basses feature bolt-on construction at 34" scale, an alder body, and maple neck with 21 XJ frets.

New from Richard Z (Rammstein) and Michael Wilton (Queensrÿche)

The wait is over: the new Richard Z Kruspe (Rammstein) model is available! The ESP RZK-II Burnt is a true one-of-a-kind guitar with an outstanding distressed/burnt finish. Features include neck-thru-body construction, an alder body, mahogany neck, Gotoh tuners, Floyd Rose original bridge, and EMG 81 active pickups.

Queensrÿcheʼs guitarist Michael Wilton gets the honor of having the first Signature Series acoustic model from ESP with the LTD MW-DC1E. Itʼs a cutaway dreadnought shape with a spalted maple body top, back & sides, a B-Band T-55 4-band preamp with onboard tuner, diamond abalone inlays and a custom abalone/pearloid inlay at the 12th fret.

Whitechapelʼs New Guitars and Bass

Nearly everyone in the entire band Whitechapel got new LTD Signature Series models for 2012. The LTD AW-7 (Alex Wade) is a 7-string model based on the M Series, with a neck-thru-body design, alder body with flamed maple top with a Blood Red Sunburst finish. The guitar also features DiMarzio pickups and a fixed bridge with string-thru-body and locking tuners. The LTD BS-7 (Ben Savage) is a 7-string custom version of the MH Series guitar, with a neck-thru-body design, a See Thru Black finish on an alder body with flamed maple top, a teardrop-shaped headstock, maple fingerboard, DiMarzio pickups, Floyd Rose bridge, and locking tuners. Zach Householderʼs new signature model, the LTD ZH-7, is also a 7-string guitar based on the MH Series. It features a mahogany body with quilted maple top with a See Thru Black Satin finish, large block inlays, EMG active pickups, a Tonepros bridge, and locking tuners. Bassist Gabe Crisp also gets a signature model with the LTD GC-4, a customized Viper bass with neck-thru body design, a mahogany brown finish, ebony fingerboard and an EMG pickup set.

Suicide Silence and Unearth Signatures

Two members of Suicide Silence now have new LTD Signature Series models coming out in 2012. The LTD MKH-7 is the signature model for guitarist Mark Heylmun. Based on the LTD EC Series, the MKH-7 is a 7-string model with neck-thru-body design, and a Black Satin finish. The guitar offers EMG active pickups, a Tonepros bridge and locking tuners. Suicide Silence Bass player Dan Kenny has designed the LTD DK-5, a new bass created from the LTD F Series. Itʼs a 5-string neck-thru-body bass with a unique Dark See Thru Green Sunburst finish over its mahogany body with flamed maple top and custom pyramid inlays.

The new LTD BUZ-7 is the first signature series model for Unearth guitarist Buz McGrath. Based on the MH-Series, this 7-string guitar has a newly-designed slim MH body contour with a maple fingerboard, reverse headstock, and alder body, and comes in a Snow White Sunburst finish. The guitar features EMG 707 active pickups and a Floyd Rose bridge.

Pancho Tomaseli (War/PHILM) Signature Bass

Also in new bass designs, world-class bassist Pancho Tomaselli of War and PHILM debuts his first Signature Series bass with the LTD PT-4, based on the LTD J Series. The bass is offered in Black Satin finish with a maple fingerboard, black pearloid block inlays, and features EMG JX pickups and BTC preamp system.

Thatʼs Not All!

The ESP and LTD guitar and bass lines have dozens of new models that came out during Fall 2011, with tons of acoustics and great new finishes and component combinations available in the LTD brand. As always, the latest info on our current models can be found at espguitars.com, but the best way to learn more about your next ESP or LTD guitar or bass is to play one at your local ESP dealer!

MAY

May 28: The Halo Methodʼs Debut to Premier for Free at espguitars.com

APRIL

Bassist Marco Mendoza Joins the ESP Family

MARCH

Frank Bello Clinics at Guitar Center!

FEBRUARY '13

Artist Spotlight: Rocco Prestia - Tower of Power

Frank Bello Clinic In Australia

Artist Spotlight: Gerard DiSalvo

JANUARY '13

Our 2013 NAMM Show Diary