Pricing and availability
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Reviews
Price
Average Price: $807
Standard/Professional
$400
$1001+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 4 merchants for "ESP LTD EC-401". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Unleash your inner rock star with the ESP LTD EC-401 electric guitar. This guitar is designed for the modern musician, with a solid mahogany body that provides an exceptional sustain and aggressive tone, making it perfect for rock and metal genres. The single-cutaway design gives you easy access to the upper frets, while the set-neck construction ensures long-lasting sustain and excellent articulation.
This guitar is equipped with the legendary EMG active pickups, specifically the EMG-81 in the bridge position and the EMG-60 in the neck position. These pickups offer a wide range of tones and are known for their high output, dynamic response, and excellent note definition. The thin 'U' shaped neck contour and 24 extra jumbo frets make the LTD EC-401 extremely playable and comfortable even during long gigs or recording sessions.
The ESP LTD EC-401 also features an Earvana compensated nut for improved intonation and reliable black nickel hardware. The guitar's design is completed with a stylish black finish, adding a touch of classic rock allure to its overall appearance. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned player, the ESP LTD EC-401 offers excellent value with its top-notch features and performance.
Key Features:
- Solid mahogany body and set-in neck
- EMG-81 (bridge) and EMG-60 (neck) active pickups
- Thin "U" profile neck with 24 extra jumbo frets
- Earvana compensated nut for improved intonation
- Reliable black nickel hardware
- Single-cutaway design for easy upper-fret access
- Set-neck construction for excellent sustain and articulation
Product specs
| Available since | July 2007 |
| Colour | Black |
| Body | Mahogany |
| Top | None |
| Neck | Mahogany |
| Fretboard | Pao Ferro |
| Frets | 24 |
| Scale | 628 mm |
| Pickups | HH |
| Tremolo | None |
| Incl. Case | No |
| Incl. Gigbag | No |
FAQs
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What type of pickups does the ESP LTD EC-401 have?
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The ESP LTD EC-401 is equipped with dual humbucker pickups, offering a powerful and versatile sound suitable for various music genres, especially rock and metal.
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Is the ESP LTD EC-401 suitable for beginners?
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While the ESP LTD EC-401 is a solid choice for players of all levels, its features and build quality are particularly appealing to intermediate and advanced players seeking robust performance and reliability.
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What kind of neck profile does the ESP LTD EC-401 have?
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The ESP LTD EC-401 features a thin U-shaped neck profile, providing a comfortable grip for fast playing and easy access to all 24 frets.
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Does the ESP LTD EC-401 come with a case or gig bag?
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No, the ESP LTD EC-401 does not include a case or gig bag, so you may want to purchase one separately to protect your guitar during transport.
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What is the scale length of the ESP LTD EC-401?
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The ESP LTD EC-401 has a scale length of 628 mm, which contributes to its comfortable playability and tonal characteristics.
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What kind of music is the ESP LTD EC-401 best suited for?
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The ESP LTD EC-401 is ideal for rock and metal genres, thanks to its powerful humbucker pickups and robust mahogany body that deliver a rich, aggressive tone.
Videos
Andertons Music Co
ESP Guitars Comparison & Demo - Ltd EC401, EC1000 & Eclipse I CTM Custom Shop Model
ESP Guitars Comparison & Demo - Ltd EC401, EC1000 & Eclipse I CTM Custom Shop Model
Andertons Music Co
ESP LTD EC-401 OW
session
ESP LTD EC 401 in Vintage Black Guitar Demo - Sam Bell @ Nevada Music UK
PMTVUK
ESP LTD EC-401
GregsGuitars
Pat Heath ESP LTD EC401 - Metal soloing in a 'major' tonality.
Pat Heath
ESP LTD EC-401FM Electric Guitar Review by Sweetwater
Sweetwater
![Video thumbnail for Tone Demo: ESP LTD EC-401 with EMG 60/81 [Almost no talking!] by Made by Miike](https://img.youtube.com/vi/ArjUEJhgTm4/mqdefault.jpg)
Tone Demo: ESP LTD EC-401 with EMG 60/81 [Almost no talking!]
Made by Miike
LTD EC-401 HONEST REVIEW
Ari Balzar
ESP LTD EC-401 Olympic White w/ EMG 81 & 85s! | Active Pickups through Fender Blues JR |
Uhlik Music
ESP LTD EC-401 OW
TVGuitarCenter
ESP LTD EC-401| Sweet Spot of the Eclipse Line
Wrath Vault | Tolga SERT
Reviews
PROS
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Outstanding sound quality, both clean and dirty tones are impressive
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EMG pickups provide high gain, perfect for metal and rock
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Lightweight, comfortable Les Paul-style body
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Excellent build quality, comparable to higher-end models
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Versatile for various music styles, from metal to clean sounds
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High-end feel and looks at a mid-range price point
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Fast neck and excellent sustain enhance playability
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Active pickups allow for customization, such as running at 18 volts
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Impressive playability for both beginners and seasoned players
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Unique style, not just a Les Paul clone
CONS
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Some units experience fret buzz with lower action
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Instability while sitting; a strap is needed for balance
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Lacks locking tuners, causing potential tuning instability
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Initial packaging issues reported, affecting unboxing experience
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Some fretwork issues, like sharp edges and uneven frets
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Active pickups may not suit everyone's taste
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about ESP LTD EC-401.
Build quality
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Some users experienced issues like chipped paint, poorly done binding, and high frets, particularly in models made during the Indonesian manufacturing transition.
Source -
The absence of the model number on the 12th fret inlay indicates the EC-401 is a later model, suggesting a post-2017 production year.
Source
Setup and maintenance
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Certain guitars had problems like fret sprout and rusted frets and strings, indicating potential maintenance needs for specific models or batches.
Source
Features and functionality
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Faulty jack wiring was reported, causing non-functional output, pointing to potential quality control issues in some units.
Source -
The EC-401 is equipped with brand-name tuners and bridges, offering superior quality over the 256.
Source -
Both the EC-401 and EC-1000 discussed are equipped with EMG 81 (bridge) and 60 (neck) pickups, suitable for genres like death metal due to their high output and clarity.
Source
Comparisons
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Korean-made 2008 models are noted for better reputations compared to later Indonesian-made versions, suggesting variations in build quality based on manufacturing location and year.
Source -
The EC-401 is often preferred over the EC-256 for its better pickups and hardware, despite the higher price.
Source -
The EC-401 from 2017 features a sculpted neck joint, enhancing playability compared to the flat joint on older models like the 2013 EC-1000.
Source
User experience
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Owners note a special feel to the EC-401, likening it to higher-end models like the EC-1000.
Source
Mods and upgrades
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The EC-256 is frequently used as a modding platform due to its lower initial cost.
Source
5.0 out of 5
Based on 3 Reviews and 15 Ratings
1871
This is one of the best guitars EVER MADE.
If you need a good guitar, you can find some good quality guitars on any price range. However, the EC-401 is, in my opinion, the champion. I have a few guitars (including Gibson) that costs way more, and are not as comfortable and the finish is not as good as this LTD. I constantly say to people, including my students, you don't need to cash out to get a LTD 1000 series nor a top ESP. You can if you want some of those specs, but the difference is so minimal that it's not about the sound and feel, it's more about the looks and perhaps a "pride" of seeing the ESP logo on the headstock. I think this is so true that you can also check ESP's website and they don't have the EC-400 series available anymore, and it's likely because the difference between 400s and 1000s were not that much to convince people to upgrade. Now, you have the 200's/256's and the 1000's only! If you find a used 400/401, GRAB IT! trust me! :)
I mean, I want to get an ESP Japan soon, but only because they look incredible. Is it going to be more comfortable or sound better or even allow me to play better when compared to my LTD EC-401? Absolutely not. Incredible guitar!
119
Killer guitar
This guitar is an absolute killer, I have it with Seymour Duncans SH-1 and SH-4 installed. Dead silent when not playing, dark and aggressive tone, super fast neck and sustain for days. Super good quality for the price. Totally recommended!
94
with emg mine & purple
wow, simple put. easier to play, the emg's rock. never knew playing the guitar could be easier, I'm not the most technical guy, but this guitar has taken me to new heights. The action is unreal. I love the les paul shape fits me like a glove. I just wanna play her
Artist usage
Add artist
In this blindfold test he chooses ESP LTD EC-401 as the best playing and most expensive guitar and later admits that he used to own this inexpensive model.
"Guitarist Bruce Kulick of Grand Funk Railroad (and formerly of Kiss) tells you what he likes about the LTD EC-401"
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When playing guitar for Rehasher he plays an LTD EC with an Evertune bridge
"I’m using the LTD EC-401. I like having a thicker-bodied guitar. I’m using them with Seymour Duncan JB pickups. I find that the 24.75” scale is a really comfortable fit. All of my guitar have 22 frets. You get a lot of harmonics in 22-fret guitars that you don’t with 24 frets. I’m a big fan of A/B-ing the sounds between guitars, and the 22-fret models work better for me. Previously, I’d have to turn to an overdrive pedal to get the sound I wanted, but with the EC-401, it’s totally sonically consistent between guitars."
A fairly new addition to his rig. He first used it in a video on March 15th of 2015.
He uses LTD EC-401 Vintage Black with EMGs. You can see there isn't written "Deluxe" on headstock so this is not EC-1000 VB.
Cloudkicker used the ESP LTD EC-401 for some of Ben's earlier recordings, as detailed in the Cloudkicker Gear List.
He uses EC-401 and Black Metal on this live set.
Todd is seen playing this guitar in the source photo.
Original article: No Echo
Nomakills official is seen using a white ESP LTD EC-401, a Les Paul-style guitar equipped with EMG pickups, in their YouTube cover of "Cradle of Filth - Dusk and Her Embrace."
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use ESP LTD EC-401, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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