Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $514
Standard/Professional
$400
$1001+
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Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 3 merchants for "ESP LTD EC-256 FM". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Discover the perfect blend of vintage charm and modern performance with the ESP LTD EC-256 FM. This solid body electric guitar is designed to satisfy the demands of guitarists who crave versatility and reliability without breaking the bank. Its mahogany body, enhanced by a stunning flame maple top, delivers a rich, resonant tone that is both warm and articulate. The set-neck construction not only ensures incredible sustain but also allows seamless access to higher frets, making it ideal for intricate solos and complex riffs.
Equipped with dual ESP LH-150 humbucking pickups, the EC-256 FM provides a wide tonal palette ranging from the bold and aggressive sounds of rock and metal to the more delicate, brighter timbres of single-coil tones, thanks to the push-pull coil-splitting feature. This guitar isn't just about sound; it’s about playability. The slim U-shaped neck profile is coupled with a rosewood fingerboard, offering a fast and comfortable playing experience for both rhythm and lead guitarists.
Built with high-quality components like the Tune-O-Matic bridge and nickel tuners, the EC-256 FM ensures stable tuning and precise intonation. Whether you're performing on stage or practicing at home, this guitar delivers exceptional value and performance that can elevate your musical journey.
Key Features:
- Mahogany body with flame maple top for rich, resonant tone
- Set-neck construction for enhanced sustain and easy upper-fret access
- Dual ESP LH-150 humbucking pickups with push-pull coil splitting
- Slim U-shaped neck profile for fast, comfortable playability
- High-quality hardware including Tune-O-Matic bridge and nickel tuners
- 22 extra-jumbo frets and a 12" radius rosewood fingerboard
Product specs
| Body shape | Single cutaway |
| Body type | Solid body |
| Body material | Solid wood |
| Top wood | Flamed Maple |
| Body wood | Mahogany |
| Body finish | Gloss |
| Neck shape | Not specified |
| Neck wood | Mahogany |
| Joint | Set-in |
| Scale length | 24.75" |
| Neck finish | Gloss |
| Material | Jatoba |
| Radius | Not specified |
| Fret size | Extra-jumbo |
| Number of frets | 22 |
| Inlays | Acrylic block |
| Nut width | 1.653" (42 mm) |
| Configuration | HH |
| Neck | Humbucker |
| Bridge | Humbucker |
| Brand | ESP |
| Active or passive pickups | Passive |
| Series or parallel | Not applicable |
| Piezo | No |
| Active EQ | No |
| Special electronics | Master tone w/push-pull coil tap |
| Control layout | Volume 1, volume 2, master tone |
| Pickup switch | 3-way |
| Coil tap or split | Coil tap |
| Kill switch | No |
| Bridge type | Fixed |
| Bridge design | Tune-o-matic |
| Tailpiece | Stopbar |
| Tuning machines | ESP locking |
| Number of strings | 6-string |
| Country of origin | Indonesia |
FAQs
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What kind of music is the ESP LTD EC-256 FM Cobalt Blue best suited for?
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The ESP LTD EC-256 FM is well-suited for rock and metal genres, thanks to its dual humbucker pickups that deliver powerful and aggressive tones.
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Does the ESP LTD EC-256 FM have a coil-splitting feature?
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Yes, the ESP LTD EC-256 FM features a push-pull coil tap on the master tone control, allowing you to access single-coil tones in addition to its standard humbucker sounds.
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Is the ESP LTD EC-256 FM Cobalt Blue comfortable to play for long sessions?
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With its single cutaway design and set-in neck, the ESP LTD EC-256 FM offers easy access to higher frets and a comfortable playing experience, making it suitable for extended playing sessions.
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What is the neck profile of the ESP LTD EC-256 FM Cobalt Blue?
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While the specific neck profile isn't listed, the guitar features a set-in mahogany neck with a jatoba fingerboard and extra-jumbo frets, designed for smooth playability and fast action.
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How does the ESP LTD EC-256 FM Cobalt Blue handle tuning stability?
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The ESP LTD EC-256 FM is equipped with ESP locking tuners, which help maintain tuning stability even during aggressive playing styles.
Videos
Steve Ricardo
ESP LTD EC-256FM COBALT BLUE
Reviews
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about ESP LTD EC-256 FM.
Build quality
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The Cobalt Blue finish is noted to appear more teal or green under certain lighting conditions, differing from initial expectations.
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The EC-256 features a mahogany set neck, adding to its sustain, unlike the bolt-on maple neck of the EC-200DX.
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Some owners have reported issues such as rusted frets and broken machine heads upon delivery, highlighting potential quality control inconsistencies.
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Setup and maintenance
User experience
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After years without an electric, players find the EC-256FM revitalizing, likening the excitement to a Christmas morning experience.
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One owner chose the EC-256 over the more expensive EC-1000 due to its playability and sound quality, even returning the latter.
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Some players find the EC-256 to be the best-feeling guitar they've owned, comparing it favorably to more expensive brands like Gibson.
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Mods and upgrades
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Grover 406c mini locking tuners can be directly installed on the EC-256 without drilling, enhancing tuning stability.
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Owners have found that swapping in Seymour Duncan Jazz/59 pickups significantly improves the EC-256's tonal depth and warmth.
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Owners recommend swapping stock pickups for Seymour Duncan SH-1 '59 or Jazz models to enhance tonal quality.
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Comparisons
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EC-256 is often compared to the Epiphone Les Paul Studio Lite, but it's noted for offering better value at its price point.
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The ESP LTD EC-256 is compared to the Harley Benton SC-Custom III, with the LTD offering better resale value and a hotter output, while the HB is more articulate at full volume.
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Features and functionality
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The EC-256 comes with flag inlays, providing a more premium aesthetic compared to the dot inlays on the EC-200DX.
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5.0 out of 5
Based on 1 Review and 2 Ratings
736
Best Stock midrange guitar ever
Solid sound stock even though I’ll be swapping out the stock pickups for EMGs, it’s not too lightweight but not too heavy either. The neck is super super comfortable.
Genre Usage
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