Signature Electric guitar with EMG HET Set pickups and TonePros Hardware , including case
Metallica Mastermind and chief riff smith James Hetfield has been using guitars from ESP Hetfield since 1988 and looks back on a number of successful Signature instruments since then. The LTD Iron ESP Cross Snow White is based on Hetfield's legendary, heavily modified "Iron Cross" electric Singlecut guitar, which is known from countless shows. Based on a classic mahogany construction and equipped with "HET EMG " Set pickups, it delivers the typical Metallica sound and sets strong visual accents.
With the EMG HET Set , the ESP LTD Iron Cross Snow White delivers the typical Hetfield sound, while its striking appearance sets accents on any stage.
ESP LTD Iron Cross in classic Singlecut construction
Following the classical Singlecut construction, the ESP LTD Iron Cross Snow White has a mahogany body with a massive maple top, while the glued neck is made of three pieces of mahogany and carries a Macassar Ebenholz fingerboard. This construction promises a rich sound with a crisp punch, which is the perfect basis for all kinds of Heavy sounds. The " Thin U" profile also ensures a high level of playing comfort, which allows even the most complex riffs to go loose.
Authentic Metallica sound thanks to EMG JH "HET Set
The sound conversion of the ESP LTD Iron Cross is done by the EMG JH "HET" Set , which was developed in close cooperation with James Hetfield. The pickups convince with their distinctive sound, which combines the enormous clarity of active pickups with the organic dynamics and passive Humbucker response. The neck pick-up delivers crystal clear, warm Clean sounds for sparkling arpeggios and singing solos, while the bridge pick-up makes every riff, even the most brute Distortion , audible with precise articulation and assertive mids.
High Hardware quality from TonePros and LTD
For the Hardware ESP LTD Iron Cross Snow White James Hetfield uses high quality ingredients. The TonePros T3BT Tune -O-Matic is used as a bridge, which can be locked on its bolt just like the one Tailpiece from the same house and thus contributes to the even sound development of the electric guitar. On the headstock, the strings are held by tuning Locking mechanisms LTD that guarantee high tuning stability and make string changing much easier.
The ESP LTD Iron Cross Snow White James Hetfield Signature at a glance:
Singlecut Electric guitar from the ESP LTD -series
James Hetfield ( Metallica ) Electric Signature guitar
Mahogany body with maple top
Glued, three-piece mahogany neck
Fingerboard off Macassar Ebenholz with " Flag "- and "Iron Cross" inlays
" Thin U" neck profile
EMG JH "HET" Set Signature cartridge
TonePros Locking Tune -O-Matic
TonePros Locking Stopbar
LTD Locking Tuner
Guitar ESP case included
Features:
Manufacturer:
ESP
Series:
LTD
Design:
Eclipse
Body:
Mahogany
Top:
Maple
Binding:
Multi-Ply
Neck:
3-ply, Mahogany
Neck Construction:
Set-in
Neck Profile:
Thin-'U'
Scale in mm:
628
Fretboard:
Macassar Ebony
Fretboard Type:
Fretted
Fretboard Radius in Inches:
13.8
Number of Frets:
22
Fret Format:
Extra Jumbo
Fretboard Inlays:
Flags, Iron Cross @ 12th fret
Nut type:
Plastic
Nut width in mm:
42
Pickup:
HH
Manufacturer pickups:
EMG
Neck Pickup:
EMG "HET"-Set JH-N
Middle Pickup:
No
Bridge Pickup:
EMG "HET"-Set JH-B
Active pickups:
Yes
Coil-splitting:
No
Piezo Pickup:
No
Electronic:
Active
Switch:
3-Way
Control:
2x Vol, Tone
Bridge:
TonePros Locking TOM
Tailpiece:
TonePros Locking Stopbar
Tuners:
Locking
Strap Button:
Standard
Hardware:
Black
Colour:
Snow White w/ Stripes Graphic
Finish:
High-Gloss
Number of Strings:
6
String Gauge:
.010 - .046
Factory Tuning:
Standard E
Gigbag included:
No
Case included:
Yes
Certificate:
No
ESP LTD Iron Cross 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 ;)
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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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(This review is from the same product in color Snow White)
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