Signature Lefthand Electric Guitar with EMG JH "Het" Set Pickups and TonePros Hardware
The ESP Ltd Iron Cross LH SWH is a signature lefthand 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 had his fair share of successful signature instruments since then. The ESP LTD Iron Cross Lefthand Snow White is based on Hetfield's legendary, heavily modified "Iron Cross" singlecut electric guitar, which is recognisable from countless shows. Based on a classic construction and equipped with EMG "Het" set pickups, it allows left-handers to enjoy the typical Metallica sound of clarity and clear enunciation of notes, and will drive high-gain amps further, delivering great sustain, depth and harmonic content!
Classic Singlecut Construction
Following the classic singlecut design, the ESP LTD Iron Cross Lefthand Snow White has a mahogany body with a solid maple top, while the glued neck is made of mahogany and carries an ebony fingerboard. This construction promises a rich primary sound with crisp punch, which is the perfect basis for all kinds of heavier music. The "Thin U"-profile provides a high playing comfort, and doesn’t feel cumbersome in the hand or on stage!
Authentic Metallica Sound
The EMG JH "Het" set, which was developed in close cooperation with James Hetfield, combine the enormous clarity of active pickups with the organic dynamics and response of passive humbuckers. The neck pickup delivers crystal-clear, warm clean sounds for sparkling arpeggios and singing solos, while the bridge pickup makes every riff audible with precise articulation and assertive mids even with high-gain distortion.
The ESP LTD Iron Cross Snow White Lefthand James Hetfield relies on high-quality components and hardware. The TonePros T3BT Tune-O-Matic bridge, which, just like the tailpiece from the same manufacturer, can be locked onto its post, contributing to greater resonance through the guitar. The strings are held on the headstock by LTD locking mechanisms, which guarantee high tuning stability and make string changes much easier.
The main features of the ESP LTD Iron Cross Lefthand Snow White James Hetfield Signature include:
James Hetfield Signature Electric Guitar for Left-Handers
Mahogany Body with Solid Maple Top
Glued Mahogany Neck with Ebony Fingerboard & "Thin U" Profile
EMG JH "Het" Set Pickups (Active)
TonePros Locking Tune-O-Matic & Stopbar
LTD Locking Mechanisms with Tulip Blades
Snow White Finish with Black Race Stripe, Metal Iron Cross & Iron Cross Inlay in 12th Fret
Features:
Series:
Signature
Design:
Eclipse
Body:
Mahogany
Top:
Maple
Binding:
6-lagig, B/C/B/C/B/C
Neck:
Mahogany
Neck Construction:
Set-in
Neck Profile:
Thin-'U'
Fretboard:
Ebony
Fretboard Radius in Inches:
13.78
Fretboard Inlays:
Flags, Iron Cross @ 12th fret
Number of Frets:
22
Fret Format:
Extra Jumbo
Nut type:
Plastic
Nut width in mm:
42
Scale in mm:
628
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, Tone
Bridge:
TonePros Locking TOM
Tailpiece:
TonePros Locking Stopbar
Tuners:
Locking
Strap Button:
Standard
Hardware:
Black
String Gauge:
.010 - .046
Factory Tuning:
Standard E
Finish:
High-Gloss
Colour:
Snow White
Number of Strings:
6
Case included:
No
Gigbag included:
No
Certificate:
No
ESP LTD Iron Cross Lefthand Snow White 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 ;)
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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