ESP splashes second wave of new guitars ahead of NAMM 2020

16 Dec 2019 by Jef |

1,0 / 5,0 | Approximate reading time: 3 Minutes

ESP Phase 2 announced for 2020 · Source: ESP

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ESP Guitars has just announced the second wave of its ‘New For 2020’ release campaign, it has dubbed “ESP Phase 2”. Last month, ESP announced its Phase 1 preview ahead of NAMM 2020, and now the Japanese company has splashed news of even more new guitars it’s bringing to the show in January.

ESP Phase 2: New models for NAMM 2020

The official announcement of the second wave of ESP and LTD models has now been revealed! It contains some exciting guitars, including revamped models. From among this tsunami of new guitars we’ve picked the best of the bunch. Here are our favourites:

LTD Deluxe SN-1000HT & SN-1000FR

The LTD Deluxe SN-1000HT and SN-1000FR feature swamp ash bodies as well as roasted maple necks and fingerboards. They also have fingerboard scalloping from the 17th fret upwards and stainless steel frets and a special sand-blasted finish. Cool.

ESP LTD Deluxe SN-1000HT

Seymour Duncan pickups

The SN-1000HT comes loaded with a Seymour Duncan Sentient/Pegasus pickup set that is splittable with a push-pull control. This model has a Hipshot fixed bridge, as the name HT suggests. The SN-1000FR comes in an HSS pickup configuration, with two Seymour Duncan Hot Strat single-coils and a Pegasus humbucker in the bridge position. This model is factory fitted with a Floyd Rose 1000SE bridge with stainless steel screws.

ESP LTD SN-1000FR

These two models look exceptionally well-rounded for modern guitars, with both playability and looks at the forefront of their designs.

LTD Deluxe M-1000

This LTD Deluxe M-1000 model features a neck-thru-body design with an alder body that has a burled poplar top applied. This one also has an extra-thin U-shaped three-piece maple neck and a Macassar ebony fingerboard.

Pickups this time round are a set of EMG 57TW/66TW that come with push-pull controls on both the volume and tone for individual coil-splitting. Again, you get a factory fitted Floyd Rose trem system with this model.

For me, this is the definitely the shredder’s model out of the all these new releases!

LTD Deluxe M-1000

ESP LTD Xtone PS-1000

Next up is the offset ESP LTD Xtone PS-1000 in either Vintage Black or Blue Sparkle. This model features a semi-hollow construction and a pair of Seymour Duncan Phat Cat single coil pickups. It also features a set-thru three-piece maple neck, again with a Macassar ebony fingerboard. This model also has a TonePros locking tune-o-matic bridge and tailpiece.

ESP LTD Xtone PS-1000 Blue Sparkle

I think this model is a good-looking guitar. I like the way it combines modern features with vintage flavoured looks.

ESP LTD Xtone PS-1000 Vintage Black

And there’s more!

In amongst the Phase 2 announcement, ESP LTD also caters for the budget-conscious guitar buyer with new LTD 200 models, including the EC-256, F-200 and H-200. These are at the cheaper end of the market and are factory fitted with ESP-designed LH-150 and LH-301 humbuckers. Here’s a quick summary of the most interesting new models:

LTD EC-256

Mahogany body and neck
Flamed maple top
Roasted jatoba fingerboard
ESP LH-150 humbucker pickups
Push-pull control for coil-splitting

LTD EC-256 Vintage Natural

LTD H-200

Mahogany body
Flamed maple top
Set-neck construction
ESP LH-150 humbucker pickups
Push-pull coil-splitting
LTD fixed bridge with string-thru-body design

LTD H-200

LTD F-200

Mahogany body
A three-piece maple neck
Roasted Jatoba fingerboard
ESP LH-301 humbucker pickups
Push-pull coil-splitting
FR by Floyd Rose

LTD F-200

More Information

ESP Phase 2 site

Which are your favourites? Have ESP/LTD set a high bar for NAMM 2020 or are you disappointed by the new models announced recently? Let us know in the comments below.

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