ESP LTD EC-401

$649.00 to $999.00 Price Tier: Standard

4.5 (4)

1 Review

Find out who is using ESP LTD EC-401

1 wishlisted

9 saved

Page last updated Jul 05, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 6 stores. Prices updated July 5, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

5.0 (5)

$999.00

View Deal

5.0 (15)

$999.00

View Deal

3.4 (34)

$859.00 Used

View Deal

5.0 (24)

$999.00 5 available New

$475.00 13 available Used

View Deal

5.0 (29)

$649.00

View Deal

$666.00

View Deal

Average Price: $807

Standard/Professional

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

In the Solid Body Electric Guitars category, ESP LTD EC-401 is priced in the Standard/Professional range. This is quality gear at a fair price point, suitable for beginners, hobbyists, and pros alike.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 3 merchants for "ESP LTD EC-401". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

^* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Edit description

The ESP LTD EC-401 in Gloss Black is a powerhouse solid body electric guitar that effortlessly bridges the gap between affordability and professional performance. Designed with the modern musician in mind, this guitar offers both style and substance, making it a reliable companion for any stage or studio setting. Equipped with EMG-81 and EMG-60 active pickups, it delivers a potent mix of searing highs and punchy lows, ideal for genres that demand tonal aggression and clarity.

Crafted with a set-thru mahogany neck and a thin U-shaped neck contour, the EC-401 ensures a comfortable and fast-playing experience, perfect for shredders and riff masters alike. The single-cutaway mahogany body not only looks stunning in its gloss black finish but also provides robust sustain and resonance. A Macassar ebony fingerboard with 24 extra jumbo frets and striking flag inlays further enhances its playability and visual appeal.

The EC-401 also boasts a 1.65" Earvana compensated nut, offering improved intonation across the fingerboard, while Grover tuners and black nickel hardware ensure stable tuning and a sleek aesthetic. Whether you're a gigging musician or a studio enthusiast, this guitar is engineered to meet the demands of any high-octane performance.

Key Features:

Set-thru mahogany neck with thin U contour
24.75" scale single-cutaway mahogany body
Macassar ebony fingerboard with 24 XJ frets
EMG-81 (bridge) and EMG-60 (neck) active pickups
Earvana compensated nut for enhanced intonation
Grover tuners and black nickel hardware
Tune-o-matic-style bridge and stopbar tailpiece
Two volume controls, one master tone control, and a 3-way toggle switch

Product specs

Brand	ESP LTD
Model	EC-401
Finish	Black, Charcoal Satin, Military Green Satin, Olympic White, Sage Green Satin, Vintage Black
Year	2009 - 2025
Made In	China
Categories	Solid Body Electric Guitars
Body Material	Mahogany
Body Shape	Single Cutaway
Body Type	Solid Body
Bridge/Tailpiece Type	Stop-Bar
Color Family	Black, Green, White
Finish Features	Matching Headstock
Finish Style	Gloss, Satin
Fretboard Material	Pau Ferro, Rosewood
Neck Construction	Set-Neck
Neck Material	Mahogany
Number of Frets	24
Number of Strings	6-String
Pickup Configuration	HH
Right / Left Handed	Right Handed
Scale Length	24.75"

FAQs

What type of pickups does the ESP LTD EC-401 use and what tones can I expect?: The ESP LTD EC-401 features dual humbuckers, specifically EMG 81/60 pickups, known for delivering high-output tones ideal for rock and metal genres, offering tight lows and crisp highs.
Is the ESP LTD EC-401 suitable for beginners or more advanced players?: The ESP LTD EC-401 is well-suited for intermediate to advanced players due to its professional-grade components and high-output pickups, which may require some experience to fully utilize.
What is the neck profile of the ESP LTD EC-401 like?: The ESP LTD EC-401 features a Thin U neck profile, providing a comfortable and fast-playing experience, ideal for players who favor speed and dexterity.
How many frets does the ESP LTD EC-401 have, and what is the scale length?: The ESP LTD EC-401 has 24 frets and a scale length of 24.75 inches, offering a full two-octave range on each string and a shorter scale for easier bending.
Does the ESP LTD EC-401 come in different finishes?: Yes, the ESP LTD EC-401 is available in multiple finishes, including Gloss Black, Charcoal Satin, Military Green Satin, Olympic White, Sage Green Satin, and Vintage Black.

Reviews

Add review

PROS

High-quality EMG active pickups deliver powerful metal and rock tones
Lightweight compared to other similar body styles
Comfortable U-shaped neck ideal for players with smaller hands
Excellent build quality comparable to more expensive models
Great sustain and tonal versatility, especially clean and aggressive sounds
Attractive glossy black finish with appealing body and binding aesthetics
Reliable tuning stability even without locking tuners
Smooth satin neck finish enhances playability
Versatile for various music genres from rock to extreme metal
Affordable yet offers high-end features and sound quality

CONS

Some units come with sharp or uneven fretwork
Fret buzz issues with lower action settings
Faulty pickup selector reported in isolated cases

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about ESP LTD EC-401.

Features and functionality

0 0

The EC-401 has a satin neck finish, preferred by some players for its non-sticky feel compared to the EC-1000's gloss neck.
Source
0 0

The EC-1000 comes equipped with locking tuners and Tone Pros hardware, distinguishing it from the EC-401's standard Grover tuners.
Source

Comparisons

0 0

The EC-401 is noted to be heavier than the EC-1000, which may impact playing comfort over extended sessions.
Source
0 0

The EC-401 and EC-1000 share EMG 81/60 pickups, offering consistent sound profiles across both models.
Source
0 0

Some EC-401 models are noted to have exceptional build quality, potentially surpassing certain EC-1000 units, emphasizing the variability in craftsmanship across individual guitars.
Source
0 0

Some prefer the EC-401FM over the EC-1000 for its aesthetic and pricing, despite similar features like the shared EMG pickups.
Source

User experience

0 0

Users accustomed to Les Paul necks find the EC-401 neck slightly thinner, providing a comfortable transition.
Source
0 0

A user satisfied with their EC-401 noted that the right piece of wood can make a significant difference, suggesting individual assessment over brand assumptions.
Source
0 0

The EC-401FM is noted for its smooth playability and well-made construction, described as playing above its price tag.
Source

Mods and upgrades

0 0

Owners have swapped the stock pickups with Fishman Moderns, highlighting a preferred upgrade choice for enhanced tonal versatility.
Source
0 0

Battery changes are necessary to maintain active EMG pickups' performance, as a weak battery can cause the sound to become thin.
Source

Setup and maintenance

0 0

A professional setup is recommended for optimizing playability, significantly improving the performance of the EC-401 for many users.
Source

Build quality

0 0

The EC-401FM has a striking "black aquaburst" flame maple top with pearly inlays and darkened chrome hardware that's hard to capture in photos.
Source

Use cases and applications

0 0

The EC-401FM, paired with an Orange Micro Terror and a Germanium Drive, produces a thick, chunky metal tone suitable for modern metal.
Source

Add review

4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 4 Ratings

5 star

4 star

3 star

2 star

1 star

doomsmalace

143

almost 6 years ago

Great guitar that can do anything you want it to!

I have had this guitar for a year now. Sadly it has suffered 2 dents, and a faulty pickup selector, but aside from that the guitar has been a dream. Don't plan on replacing it, maybe upgrading it with locking tuners and a strap lock!

Roles:

Guitarist

Genres:

Rock Progressive rock Metal

Artist usage

Add artist

Piotr "E.V.T." Dziemski

Guitarist

Mgla

Verified via Kvlt

At the Mgła concert in Warsaw on December 14, 2017, Piotr "E.V.T." Dziemski was photographed using an ESP LTD EC-401 in Gloss Black, identifiable by its lack of the "Deluxe" label found on the higher-end EC-1000 model. The image, captured by Łukasz MNTS Miętka for Kvlt, highlights the guitar's EMG pickups.