ESP Snakebyte Black Satin James Hetfield Signature
Signature electric guitar with EMG pickups, TonePros bridge and Sperzel tuners, including case
The ESP Snakebyte Black Satin James Hetfield Signature is handmade in Japan and corresponds in every detail to the models used by the Metallica chief reef smith on stage and in the studio. Accordingly, the electric guitar has a mahogany body designed by Hetfield and a glued mahogany neck with an ebony fingerboard on which driving riffs play almost by themselves. On the amplifier, the EMG HET set delivers the tight Metallica rhythm sound that highlights every note with precise attack. On the hardware side, the ESP Snakebyte with locking bridge and stop bar from TonePros, Sperzel Trim-Lok locking mechanisms and Schaller security locks is convincing.
The Japanese made ESP Snakebyte James Hetfielfd Signature delivers the typical sound of the Metallica frontman thanks to the EMG HET-Set.
The ESP Snakebyte Black Satin James Hetfield Signature at a glance:
James Hetfield Signature electric guitar, made in Japan
mahogany body
Glued mahogany neck with "Thin U"-profile and ebony fingerboard
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 ;)
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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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